Cheap hardware from overseas

[Zyte]

My old man is off to hong kong and asked me if i want anything. So i was thinking that maybe Hong Kong would be a cheap place to obtain new graphics from.

So my question is is hong kong a good place to obtain cheap PC hardware?

and

Will my 360w power supply be able to run 6600 or 6800 (GT or Ultra)

My current PC spec is:

AMD 64 3400+ (754)
K8VSEDX
1gb Ram
256mb 9800XT
Audigy 2 ZS

[FEAR]

Ive been to Hong Kong a few times, and there are loads of great computer markets there, with cheap items, and some fantastic hi tech shops are there too.

I would be careful in bringing anything electronic and expensive back ,

if customs get hold of it they will charge you to hell!, and it might not work out so cheaper. They will charge you the VAT of 17.5%, if your in the UK and some other fees aswell. another 5% I think on top of that!

Unless you squish it into the depths of your suit case, which I have done many times.

With the PSU I would get a new one, 350w is too low in my opinon for a 6800gt, I would recommend a decent 500w PSU,

[specofdust]

Make sure it's legit would be the main thing to do. Next thing to do is shove it at the very bottom of your suitcase. THat's it, gluck.

[Skinleech]

Bad news if you need to claim on the warranty for any reason too - with an overseas product you'd be screwed.

I just got a 480w modular Hiper PSU and it's great - well worth upgrading as FEAR says, 350w is bounds to be too low.

[[DW]Cougho]

as ive said many times my friend runs:

A64 3200 @ 2.6ghz
1gb Ram
6800GT @ Ultra
DVD Rom
CD-RW
Various Other gubbins

perfectly on his 360w thermaltake psu and has done for about 9 months, which IIRC has a +12v line of 17A

So make of that what you will.

[999tigger]

Theres a thread on here about calculating power supplies. The thing that matters most is a decent brand not the overall rating.

On the ops point then be aware of vat and loss of warranty. The 6800 ultra uses up forme pwoer than a 7800.

[amjedm]

as ive said many times my friend runs:

A64 3200 @ 2.6ghz
1gb Ram
6800GT @ Ultra
DVD Rom
CD-RW
Various Other gubbins

perfectly on his 360w thermaltake psu and has done for about 9 months, which IIRC has a +12v line of 17A

So make of that what you will.

On another forum someone was running a similar spec on a Fortron 300 watt psu (15A on +12v line). Just make sure your 360 watt is a decent brand.

[kempez]

I would get him to get as much PC hardware as he can cram in his suitcase! Stick it in the bottom and no-one will notice!

A new graphics card, processor and RAM would be easy to get past customs!!

I'd still get a new PSU for that setup, just to be on the safe side

[Zyte]

Looks as tho im gonna have to look through the bargain section for a new PSU then.

Some PSU brand reccomendations would be nice.

[sawyen]

if you were using a cheapo PSU or a PSU that came with the case.. I'd suggest you get another one... If its a decent built liek Fortron or Tagan, then 360W should be enough... as long as you don't stick in 4 drives on RAID and 2 burners..

[Skinleech]

http://www.adecy.com/psu/

Can't guarantee how accurate it is, but it should give you an idea of the recommened PSU for the system you want.

[FEAR]

Tagan do excellent PSU's, 480w, 530w and 580w.

I have first hand experience of the 530w version, and I highly recommend it. Think its around £70,