Desktop PC's

LIggsy81 on 21/03/2010 - 23:45

Hiya,

Just wondering where people think is the best value to purchase a new desktop PC from? I've had a look at a few sites like mwave and they aren't too expensive, prolly only a little dearer than ebay and you'd hope with better returns policy etc (although mwave doesnt have a great history there). But im just wondering where i should look for a good value newish quad core desktop. We see laptop bargains all the time here but never any desktop deals except for the aldi one a couple weeks ago.

Thanks!

Find Me A Bargain

Comments

  • browser on 22/03/2010 - 00:29

    It says a lot about a business if ACCC has to get involved.

    http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/918525

    I wonder how many complaints it took for ACCC to "raised concerns".

  • pauly on 22/03/2010 - 04:38
    +3

    For the best value desktop system, I would personally custom build it. Even if you don't have any knowledge or experience in building one, most computer shops would happily put all the hardware together and install the operating system for you for a small fee. And since you will be getting all your hardware from a single store, I would suggest looking for a computer shop that does price-matching. That way, you can also get the store to price-match on all the components you need for your build.

    For suggestions on what hardware you should get for a certain budget requirements (i.e. play high-ended games, normal web-browsing, play HD movies, etc) I would recommend that you ask the friendly enthusiasts at whirlpool, who would happily put together a system that would be the best value you can get.

    If you can't be bothered doing price research on the individual parts and haggling with the computer store, you can always get a pre-built system from an established company like Dell (though some members may shiver on hearing that name) who generally sells computer systems at reasonable prices. From time to time, you can also find coupon codes posted for Dell on OzBargain.

    Good luck with your desktop hunting. :)

    • inherentchoice on 22/03/2010 - 19:14
      +2

      Some of those same computer shops that sell cheap parts will also help you to build a system. My advice is that you get a quote on a Dell or whatever you think seems good (i.e. print it out from the web) then take it down to Umart or similar and ask them for a quote on one with the same or similar specs.

      Seriously they did that for me before.

      Umart has a few locations in Brisbane, but similarly you can try any old computer shops. MSY or Gamedude are fairly notable.

      Since you're in Brisbane maybe get the couriermail on saturday and I think in the weekend shopper are all the ads for local computer stores. Take the ads into a rival store and show them one you like.

      Maybe also have a look at these links for some stores in Brisbane:

      http://computeralliance.com.au/Systems.aspx (use the menus on the left to see some of their set systems)
      http://umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&bid=2&i…
      http://gocomp.com.au/index.php?cpath=product&catpath=0_1_219

  • kcyw on 22/03/2010 - 09:23
    +3

    http://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/?tag=rmp_sg_whirlpoolpcs

    Some recommended build configurations for different budgets and purposes

  • Kranbone on 22/03/2010 - 20:12

    I recommend finding what specification or performance you want by researching and then going to a reputable shop and asking them to build the said PC for you. It's generally better as you get what parts you want and cheaper as the PC prices in some stores change monthly where as parts prices change daily.

  • Iggsy81 on 22/03/2010 - 23:40

    the expresspcparts.com.au site seems quite cheap, i dont really want to exert the effort of component price-matching etc, just thought there might be a couple of sites that people know as being cheapish. The aforementioned one the pc's come with no OS so maybe a bit cheaper cos of that, which is good for me really since i dont need an OS.

  • Davo1111 on 23/03/2010 - 00:45
    -1

    Are you going to build it yourself? Perhaps just buy an eee box

  • Iggsy81 on 23/03/2010 - 02:01

    Davo - nope.

    I'm certainly not a gamer, it's more that i want something capable of 1080p mkv playback (current pc is not even close). I think i've found the deal best for me anyway, i've spent the night looking through passmark cpu and gpu scores and going through sites, so i may as well share what my conclusion was in case anyone else is looking for a reasonably solid but cheap entertainment capable pc like me. It's from the site i mentioned before.. it's a trip core amd ii x3 425 and its only $415. The shipping from this site is about $18 or so, and ive checked online they seem to have good reviews so i dont see any prob. Here's a link to the system im talking about: http://www.expresspcparts.com.au/Items/pc-810-athlon-triple-…

    I think that site has some pretty good deals actually, for that kinda pc for ~$400 u cant go too wrong. All the other sites i go to the prices START at about $700, im a student so not wanting to spend that much!

    Thanks for all your input guys, much appreciated :)

  • ESEMCE on 23/03/2010 - 09:53

    No mention of MSY?
    They do a few basic AMD Quad Core systems at the $400 mark.

    • Iggsy81 on 23/03/2010 - 10:47

      Really? I had a look at their site and i couldnt make sense of it at all. I couldnt find anything etc, they had some dual cores for $1500 etc, so i didn't see anything like you're mentioning. I'll have another look though, if it's around $400 and above rank 200 or so on cpu passmark then im in :).

      EDIT - just had a look. Their dual core value pack systems start at $700. I think the $400 quad cores you are talking about are `upgrade packs' not actual systems, no bargain there.

  • jennkei on 24/04/2010 - 17:43

    I'm looking at getting a Desktop too — did you end up getting the one at expresspcparts? How is it? :)

  • b0k1 on 11/05/2010 - 19:03

    Check out www.compulse.yolasite.com for some good deals on computers in the Brisbane area. I made the website only a few days ago so it isn't completely finished but you can still request a quote or purchase the displayed systems. I do pretty much what some of these comments suggest, I go around buying parts and then build the computer. Also, because I do this with just another a friend of mine, we only charge a very small amount for the assembly fee because it is more of a side job for us. All the parts are 100% new, fully working and tested before sale. We charge $1 per km for delivery :D However, that is us to you then back.

    Thanks.

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