Advice on replacement desktop < $750 - does this look ok?

• 

  scrimshaw on 20/10/2011 - 11:15

  That desktop looks pretty cheap for an Core i7 setup, however keep in mind that it doesn't have an operating system, so you'll have to throw Windows 7 OEM in for an extra $100.

  Also, not all H61 motherboards have USB 3.0 connectivity — some very cheap motherboards only have USB 2.0 (for example, the P8H61-M-LXV3 ). You might want to call Budget PC and make sure they are using a USB 3.0 enabled motherboard.

  I recommend the ASROCK Z68 Pro3 motherboard, but BudgetPC does not stock this item.

  As for Wireless networking, you can buy a 300MB Wireless N card either from eBay or Umart or MSY.
  I recommend this for $29 bucks

  You don't really need a sound card — motherboards nowadays already have decent sound. Unless you're a audio geek or planning to build a studio, sound cards are generally not necessary.

  You also need a Blu-Ray drive in the desktop if you want to watch BD-ROMS — these can be sourced for around $50~60 bucks.
  See this

  For Skype the specifications of your computer has no bearing on call quality. That depends on your internet connection and the quality of your Webcam. See "How to choose a 720p webcam for skype"

  • 

    andrewm71 on 20/10/2011 - 11:27

    Thanks very much for your thoughts, Scrimshaw.

    There are a couple of add ons I could consider and one is the upgrade to the H67 motherboard (for $45), so hopefully thats a less lousy option.

    I hadn't thought about a USB 3.0 adapter and dont really have the 'need for speed' of 3.0 at present, so thanks for that steer.

    Just one thing, again from a point of ignorance. If I was to purchase this setup would I be able to add the BD myself later or am I best to buy a box with this already set up? Cheers

    • 

      scrimshaw on 20/10/2011 - 11:34

      You can add the BDROM I suggested yourself later.

      You can also buy a desktop with a BD-ROM reader already equipped, but that depends on whether the vendor is willing to perform the upgrade for you before shipping it out to you. As always, ask for the price of the upgrade — the last thing you'll want is to get ripped off.

      By the way, the BD-ROM reader I suggested in the link only READS disks, it does not burn any.

      If you want a BluRay drive that has the ability to burn DVD's and CD's, you need to look for a Combo Blu-Ray drive, like this one. They are a tad more expensive than just a BD reader.

• 

  andrewm71 on 20/10/2011 - 11:45

  Good stuff. Thanks for the advice.

  Don't need a burner, although the small difference in price makes you think that it wouldn't hurt to pick one up.

  Will ask the vendor and see what the dollar damage is on the BD, as I wouldn't want to stuff it up doing it myself (sure I will find endless instructions on DIY).

  Thanks again for your help. I really appreciate it. Cheers

• 

  phobaphobic on 21/10/2011 - 15:49

  I wouldn't buy it from that site… shady.

• 

  andrewm71 on 21/10/2011 - 16:41

  Really? Seem to be pretty well regarded on Whirlpool and I bought a PC from them for my folks a year ago and no problems. Care to explain why they are 'shady'?

• 

  llama on 22/10/2011 - 00:43

  +1

  From my above requirements and my basic computer knowledge, would I need:

  Gigabit connection? = YES (but already inbuilt)
  USB 3.0? = YES - try to get this
  Improved audio through hardware = NOPE
  Wireless network card? = NOPE - wired is ALWAYS better

  You don't even need to upgrade. Your existing computer has more than enough grunt for what you do. You maybe just need a bit more RAM to let it manage multiple concurrent tasks better.

• 

  Cobalt_ on 22/10/2011 - 14:12

  The main problem I see with this system is that the Intel i7-2600 CPU is worth about $300. This means that if the total system is worth $550 then the remaining $250 would include the rest of the components plus the sellers markup which will not really leave much money for a quality motherboard, ram, hdd, graphics, case and PSU.

  It is more important to get a decent motherboard than the top CPU as the MB is central to your computer. If it's a cheap piece of rubbish then it will be the bottleneck to every other component you put in there. A graphics card, hdd and memory are all easy to change out and upgrade at a later stage but a motherboard is a major pain in the backside to change. Also if you are using OEM media for your Windows then once activated it is locked to your motherboard meaning if you decide to upgrade your motherboard later you will not be able to activate your windows license again.

  If you're going to stick with Intel CPU I would recommend dropping to an I5-2500 to save $100 and then put all of that money straight into a decent motherboard.

  Alternatively you can go down the AMD AM3 cpu route and build a pretty decent system for very little money at all.

• 

  andrewm71 on 22/10/2011 - 14:30

  There you go.

  Thanks very much for the advice. I have actually purchased it, but upgraded to the H67 motherboard, doubled the ram and added the bluray reader. Have I tipped in too much money - probably. Could I have done better - almost certainly. But I failed to mention in my initial post that my existing pc is playing up and I was keen to crack on with its replacement.

  Thank you all for your advice and I am hopeful that I will not make the same mistakes next time. Cheers

  • 

    Cobalt_ on 22/10/2011 - 14:37

    Just out of interest, do you know what brand motherboard you ended up with?

• 

  andrewm71 on 22/10/2011 - 14:45

  Nope, but I will email them now and ask. When I have it I will pop it up here. Cheers

• 

  andrewm71 on 22/10/2011 - 14:55

  Just rang. Said it was 'original Intel H67BLB3'. Not sure if this answers your question. Decent?

  • 

    scrimshaw on 22/10/2011 - 17:25

    It is not by any means a high end motherboard, but its fine considering your usage — you're not going to be overclocking or anything, so even if you got a top-of-the-line Z68 motherboard chances are you're not going to be using Z68 features anyway.

    Intel motherboards are generally under-specced and over priced, and aren't very popular options amongst hardware enthusiasts.

    Their website would've been better if the upgrade options actually told you what you'd be getting, rather than just a non-descript "H67 Motherboard, support SATA3, USB3"

    BTW how much was the entire thing?

    • 

      andrewm71 on 22/10/2011 - 22:00

      Hi. Dont feel too bad about it, gievn your views and some reviews I have now read.

      It was $797 with Windows 7 home premium, the BR drive, the motherboard upgrade and the extra ram. Plus, plus plus. Will pick it up on Monday, as i live close by.

      Again, thanks for your advice all.

      Next advice I need is on replacing my Dynalink RTA1046VW with a wireless N modem router, but I will start a new topic for that…

  • 

    Cobalt_ on 22/10/2011 - 21:17

    The Intel motherboards are fine for what you are doing. As Scrimshaw said they are usually a bit overpriced for what they are but all round quite reliable and durable boards. I personally prefer Gigabyte/Asus but each to their own.