Opinions appreciated on this cheap home PC & whether it's good value

Hi folks,

Since my laptop is going funny I'm looking at a cheap PC to use in the home. I've seen the below for sale @ £280 (including 19" LG TFT + Desk/chair) Do you think it's worth that?

Base unit on it's own is £270 from PCWorld.

Packard Bell iMedia A2620
AMD AthlonII X3 425 triple core processor
3GB Memory
320 GB Hard Drive
DVD Super Multi Drive
Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
(Possibly Geforce 9200 gfx)

Looks ok for a cheap desktop to me, I won't be using it for gaming & will of course be removing the bloat asap!

Any opinions?

Thanks,

Rob

My wife had a look at desktops in PC World recently, and they do seem to be doing some surprisingly good deals with the AMD-based range. You might be able to do the base unit for < £270 as a self build, but with the monitor included @ £280 it's remarkably good value! Be aware, however, that the chair and desk will be pretty naff...

It's a private sale, not seen the desk/chair yet!I could probably build for that price but I don't want a large case & I don't think (including the OS) it'd be that much cheaper, maybe I need to look at that option...

I've always thought of Packard-Bell as a bit cheap and nasty - but I'm sure it would do the job. However for a little more you could pick up something from Dell, and if you buy from the outlet/refurb store, you might get a lot more for not a lot more cash.

Looks like a good deal. PB are fine.

I didn't think of the outlet, I really don't want to spend much though, to be honest £280 is more than I thought I'd have to pay already. I might have a nosey though.

I was thinking of of a 17" laptop, modded to fold back on itself then I could mount it in a frame & use a USB/wireless KBM. This would keep the desk free of clutter as I could just wall mount it & use slim trunking for any cables. Decisions, decisions!

Gone are the days when I can be bothered to build, it's no challenge any more!

I assume this is the computer you are talking about:

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/packar...tab-tech-specs


General Information Processor AMD Athlon™ II X3 425 Processor
- 2.7 GHz
- 2.0 GHz HT (4000 MT/s)
- 3 x 512 KB L2 Cache
Operating System Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64-bit
RAM 3GB
Graphics card NVIDIA GeForce 9200 integrated graphics
Screen type None
Hard drive 320GB SATA 7200rpm
Optical disk drive DVD Rewriter
Memory card reader Yes
USB 6
FireWire No
Modem/Ethernet 1 x RJ-45 Ethernet port
Wi-Fi No
Bluetooth No
Video interface VGA
Audio interface 1 x Audio line out
1 x Audio line in
1 x Microphone in
1 x Headphones out
TV output VGA
Extension card slot No
Sound Realtek ALC 888
Keyboard & Mouse Yes
Accessories included Keyboard, mouse, power cable, AC adapter, documentation
Software included Adobe Photoshop Elements Full Version
Adobe Premiere Elements Trial Version
Nero 8 Essentials; Works 9 SE
Office Home & Student Trial Version
Norton Internet Security 2009 Trial Version

TBH,the software bundle looks quite good.

It's not from PCWorld so doubt I'd get the full bundle, i never use bundled stuff anyway though really :)

Guy didn't get back to me so sod him.

I'm not going to build, I don't think I can get something SFF-ish for the same price unless someone knows any better?

I'm looking at £60 for something like an X3, + mobo (£50+), RAM (£45+), PSU, case, optical etc etc = More than £240 I think!

Looking at PCWorld there are the below specs, I can't seem to compare the GT210/7100 gfx although I know they won't be great anyway, any links?

Phenom 8550, 3GB, 32GB HDD, Geforce 7100 - £260
Phenom 8550, 2GB, 320GB HDD, GT210 - £240
Q8300, 4GB, 320GB, GMA3100, Wifi - £280 (best CPU by far but worst GFX)

Then I just need a monitor!

..or…a 17" Advent (yuck) laptop with T3400 CPU, 3GB, 250GB HDD, DL-DVDRW for £290...

Yoiks! Don't touch a computer with a Phenom X3 8000 series - that's the original Phenoms that were very low clocked and performed pretty poorly. If you're looking at an X3 it has to be Athlon II 400 or Phenom II 700. That solves the problem comparing 7100 to GT210 (btw, GT210 is basically the same as a 9400GT and would be a discreet card, GeForce 7100 is a 4 generation old integrated solution that has no place in a new computer...). In fact, I wouldn't touch any of those Computers with a barge pole.

As to a self build, it looks like you'd be happy with 2GB RAM, so...

Athlon II X3 425 £61, ASRock GeForce 8200 mobo £48, 2x 1GB Kingston DDR2-800 Hyper-X £43, 320GB HDD ~ £30, Optical Drive ~ £15, so a bare total of £182 before case & PSU - should let you get something nice and SFF and stay within £250...

Well thats them avoided then :)

I'm struggling with the case more than anything, only need 1 HDD, 1 3.5" bay but cheaper cases seem to have 4 or 5 & they're just far bigger than I want! Might look at those parts, the mobo AM3 ready, ok or better off with a 'proper' AM3 board?

You might find something here http://www.xcase.co.uk/Cheap-Pc-Cases-s/37.htm - or elsewhere on the site.

I recommended this site earlier to watercolloed. I have bought from them myself. Good CS and very helpful.

DDR3 is slightly more expensive than DDR2 for no real gain, and you don't seem to get any AM3 motherboards under £50. Since you don't seem to be looking for ultimate performance I don't think it'll make a vast amount of difference, and you'll save money sticking with AM3.

As far as cases go, you'll probably want a proper mATX case by the sound of it - if you like towers something like this Casecom could be an option (taking a standard ATX PSU), and of course the Coolermaster Elite 341 is always a popular choice. If you'd prefer something desktopish I have an older version of this AOpen H360b and it's a really well built case, but I'm also a huge fan of the Antec Minuet 350. Or, for a bit of a leftfield choice, how about an Antec NSK1380? A bit overpriced in my opinion, but a lovely cube case :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by scaryjim

and you'll save money sticking with AM3.

---

Do you mean AM2+ 'AM3 ready' ?

From Scan:

2Gb (1 stick) DDR2 Hynix PC6400 - £38.48
Asus M4N78-AM - £50.15
Sony AD-5240S-OB DVDRW - £16.38
AMD Athlon II X3 435 - £59.56 (faster than the 425 but cheaper??)
320GB Hitachi Deskstar - £30

= £202.78

EDIT: Will PC6400 be ok for the X3 425/435?
EDIT: Mobo would go with Asus M3n78-VM for the HDMI - £52.03

Need a Case/PSU/HSF (OEM usually suck?)

I've had an Xcase years ago, big blue thing, bit garish now I think about it! This looks nice, would it fit those components & should I get the mATX PSU for £18 with it? Only downside, 60mm fans :(

also don't forget about the OS and other peripherals eg Keyboard and Mouse, it all adds up

I've got Win7 so I'll use that, got a bluetooth mouse & an old PS keyboard I can use if I need to :)

Also need a monitor, nice big one methinks! :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rob_B

Do you mean AM2+ 'AM3 ready' ?

---

Yes, I did :embarrassed:

That x-case would fit everything in, but you'd need to get the bundled PSU and I'd be hesitant about that since they don't provide any details. £18 is pretty cheap for a PSU, and cheap PSUs are generally not a great idea...

I get the total of your components to be £196 - did you forget to register for free shipping from Scan? ;)

Don't forget, If your using an AM3 board you can only use DDR3.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by scaryjim

Yes, I did :embarrassed:

That x-case would fit everything in, but you'd need to get the bundled PSU and I'd be hesitant about that since they don't provide any details. £18 is pretty cheap for a PSU, and cheap PSUs are generally not a great idea...

I get the total of your components to be £196 - did you forget to register for free shipping from Scan? ;)

---

Oh yeah, I'm just not logged in :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Terbinator

Don't forget, If your using an AM3 board you can only use DDR3.

---

Think I'd go for the "ASUS M3N78-VM GeForce 8200 Socket AM2+ VGA DVI HDMI 8 channel audio mATX Motherboard" Takes DDR2 (upto 800mhx for an AM3 chip I think)

So its an X3 435 from Scan - here £59.56
Mobo from ebuyer here £52.03
Crucial 2GB DDR2 800MHz/PC2-6400 Memory Non-ECC Unbuffered CL6 from ebuyer £36.99
250GB OEM Spinpoint from ebuyer? £22.85
Sony AD-5240S-OB DVDRW - £16.38

= £187.81

Case/PSU TBC
How are the OEM HSFs on the X3s?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by scaryjim

<---snip

That x-case would fit everything in, but you'd need to get the bundled PSU and I'd be hesitant about that since they don't provide any details.

snip--->

---

No - I'd give the PSU a miss and buy it without. To be fair, the PSU's they sell separately look OK ish, but for a decent 500W psu I'd be looking to pay at least £45 for a known branded one. You could ring them up and ask them of course. As I said earlier - they are very helpful.

But they're just going to say it's fine aren't they? mATX PSUs are that much? :( Any suggestions on brand then?

ebuyer only have this http://www.ebuyer.com/product/164363 (or an 'extra value' one)
Scan have quite a few http://www.scan.co.uk/Shop/Computer-...TX-and-Fanless

My credit card is getting twitchy guys, I'm unsure on the HDD/RAM and PSU but set on the mobo, CPU & DVDRW....ordering in 10mins so speak now or forever hold your peace!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rob_B

But they're just going to say it's f Brand wise - FSP, Seasonic. I bouine aren't they? mATX PSUs are that much? :( Any suggestions on brand then?

ebuyer only have this http://www.ebuyer.com/product/164363 (or an 'extra value' one)
Scan have quite a few http://www.scan.co.uk/Shop/Computer-...TX-and-Fanless

---

I meant just ask what the brand of PSU was installed. :)

As for brand, I'd look at an FSP - I bought one a couple of years ago to replace a cheapo one that melted the cables when a plug was plugged in incorrectly (on an awkwardly place floppy drive - the plug was displaced by one) Bzarrely, when I pluggd in the FSP, I did the same thing - the FSP just shrugged it off and refused to start.

FSP are also OEM mfrs for a number of branded supplies.

I'd look at any of these:

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/400W-...Eff-PCI-E-SATA

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/450W-...and-24-Pin-ATX

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/400W-...12V-23-EPS-12V

But - not cheap. If you are looking at a Budget - possibly

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/350w-...4-SFX-uATX-PSU

Only 350 watts - but probably enough.

There is also this on clearence

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/500W-...ency-0Db-Noise!!

Don't know much about the brand though.

If you can live without fanless, there is a wider choice at lower cost.

http://www.scan.co.uk/Shop/Computer-...lies/480W-580W

Aah ok cheers, getting the parts now (except the HDD) & case/PSU. Will probably get that case though, kinda funky :)

Ordered everything except Case/PSU, really stuck for these, nothing seems to fit what I want, the Xcase seems the best so far as it can fit full height cards if I ever decide to turn it into a gaming PC (which I could given the parts I've bought I guess)

http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/8859/28821031.jpg

Something like this might be what I end up with, cheapish, 80mm fans but no idea on full height cards.

The bracket height for standard PCI is 12cm, so any case narrower than that won't take full height cards. That means the one you linked to above is a nono, I'm afraid. If you want full height PCI and slim, then you're going to be looking at 60mm fans, because they're the biggest that will fit in the space left above a standard IO section if your case height is limited to 12cm! You're also going to be looking PSUs other than standard ATX, which will push the cost up.

So, really, you need to decide what's most important. If it's the size, then I'd recommend looking at low profile cases as well as the ones that take full height PCI cards. If it's having the ability to expand to full height PCI cards, then you need to look at minitowers and cubes. The xcase is probably a reasonable compromise position, but then you need to find a decent PSU.

The nearest I can find to the xcase elsewhere is probably this extra value case from ebuyer, which fits the requirements of full PCI slots and narrow case. IN fact, I'd be surprised if the 2 cases weren't made my the same OEM with a different front bezel slapped on depending on customer ;). The advantage with buying the one from ebuyer is that it comes with a 200w matx PSU for - effectively - £3, which would let you at least get up and running while you consider buying a "better" PSU for the long term.

Cheers (again!) I'd seen that case but never noticed they were similar, I'd thought about the card height thing & think it'd be nice to be able to expand. To that end I've seen this one with a 400W no-name PSU supplied for £43 (inc P&P)

Or I'm looking at towers then a normal ATX PSU (which defeats the purpose of buying mATX in the first place though :()

Scan have the Coolermaster Elite 360 + a 500W (*shudder*) EZCool PSU for under £30, are these still as bad as I remember? EDIT: PSU is £12 normally, yes, it'll probably be a stinker!

The InWin you've linked to is an mATX tower which takes a standard ATX PSU (so basically a standard tower but shorter). Ebuyer have a whole range of similar cases, mostly without PSU, including some other InWins with a similar design. Unfortunately Ebuyer's classification system isn't without its fails, so you need the check the specs carefully to see what you're getting!

Went for the one with the 200W PSU, put my ebuyer order on hold to add it, then the HDD I'd ordered was allocated to someone else as my order was on hold so I've lost that! Swines! Have a spare I'll use for now :)

Parts arrived early so been building it tonight, all working fine now, just need the monitor I ordered from Scan :)

The case is however, ugly, ugly as in 'what-the-hell-is-that-thing-with-gold-trim' ugly. Aah well, that's why it was £20!

Cable management isn't really an option due to size so it's a bit of a mess inside but seems to be fine, more playing tomorrow!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rob_B

... The case is however, ugly, ugly as in 'what-the-hell-is-that-thing-with-gold-trim' ugly. ...

---

Sounds like a candidate for modding / repainting :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by scaryjim

Sounds like a candidate for modding / repainting :D

---

Wish I had the time or inclination :(

Gotta get a new PSU asap, runs fine but...

+5V = 20A
-5V = 0.5A
+12V = 8A
-12V = 0.5A
+3.3 = 14A
+5VSB = 2A

ignore me, ignore me. Should read properly before posting ;)

Looks like the PSU was designed for older computers that drew most of their CPU power from the 5V rail. I'd avoid putting too much load on your CPU if I was you (either that or see if you can undervolt it at all) - that 12V rail only produces 96W, and your CPU can pull up to 95W!!

The 'sticker-hidden-on-the-underside-of-the-psu' program :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rob_B

The 'sticker-hidden-on-the-underside-of-the-psu' program :D

---

Yeah Yeah, I know - I read A but my head translated it to V on the way through! It's late and I'm getting old ;)

To be honest I only know the higher the 12V the better, don't know the rest ;)

looks like a good bet for a non gaming workhorse

Yeah it's fine so far, just gonna try to rip/encode a DVD to see how long it takes. No real reason, just want to test it!