October 17, 2012 - 16:34
I've decided that it is time for this old slow running computer to be replaced. I've had a new 500gb hard drive fitted and upgraded the memory from 1gb to 2gb but it still runs dead slow.
What in your opinion would be the best base unit to buy costing £300/400 from PC World or Comet.
Or should I find someone to build one for me.
Cheers.
Fergie
There's only one eF in Ferguson
I now seem to spend a lot of time arguing with inanimate objects
October 17, 2012 - 16:51
#1
Re: What Computer to Buy
Great refurbished deals on ebay fergie!
October 17, 2012 - 16:56
#2
Re: What Computer to Buy
Thanks Branny.
I'll have a look.
Fergie
There's only one eF in Ferguson
I now seem to spend a lot of time arguing with inanimate objects
October 17, 2012 - 17:19
#3
Re: What Computer to Buy
Hi Fergie a friend of mine got a new PC priced (an i3-3220 3.30GHz) (just the box) no monitor and the like for £380.
All new inside inc case.
I thought it wasnt too dear.
Tony.
October 17, 2012 - 17:38
#4
Re: What Computer to Buy
Thanks Tony.
That number looks interesting, and that's my problem. I'm not sure what processor etc to look for and what ones are better than others.
Fergie
There's only one eF in Ferguson
I now seem to spend a lot of time arguing with inanimate objects
October 17, 2012 - 19:05
#5
Re: What Computer to Buy
"it still runs dead slow"
But has it always been like this?
Computer hardware doesn't get slower over time - but Windows does!
I cringe whenever people say "My computer takes an age to boot up and works very slowly so I have to buy a new one" as if it was an old car with a worn-out engine.
The problem is simply rotten old Windows, which gets clogged up over time. My wife's laptop ran very slowly and had other funnies like not recognising SD cards when they were inserted. We did a full backup and then I formatted the hard disk and reinstalled XP from scratch. Result? Back to as it was when purchased, including recognising SD cards again.
Ray
October 17, 2012 - 20:18
#6
Re: What Computer to Buy
Parts priced from Overclockers
Intel Core i3-3220 3.30GHz
Gigabyte Z77-D3H Intel Z77
Cooler Master Centurion 5 II Midi Tower
Corsair Enthusiast Series TX550M
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500GB
Kingston HyperX Genesis Grey 8GB
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500GB
Kingston HyperX Genesis Grey 8GB
You might have your own DVD writer and Operating Sysyem.
Tony.
October 17, 2012 - 21:42
#7
Re: What Computer to Buy
Ray.
No it hasn't always been slow. The kids used to comment on how much faster it was than their own home PC.
When it had the new hard drive fitted all the files were simply transferrred from the old drive. There was no 're-installing' that I know of so you could well be right about Windows being the problem.
I will ask my wee computer man to do what you have suggested.
Tony.
Thanks for looking up those parts. I will go in and have a look at the prices.
Cheers.
Fergie
There's only one eF in Ferguson
I now seem to spend a lot of time arguing with inanimate objects
October 17, 2012 - 22:36
#8
Re: What Computer to Buy
But the problem with windows is that you clear it out and it just clogs it up again with all the updates! Macs and osx dont seem to suffer this and if anything my seven year old macbook pro now runs even quicker with extra hard disc space and my ten year old powerbook can still edit ITV dvcpro news footage with pcmia P2 direct ingest, my three year old mac pro is also still going strong doing full avc intra 100!
October 17, 2012 - 22:40
#9
Re: What Computer to Buy
Fergie wrote:
Tony.Thanks for looking up those parts. I will go in and have a look at the prices.Cheers.
No problem.
October 18, 2012 - 10:58
#10
Re: What Computer to Buy
Overclockers very good but if you're in the mood for pricing/sourcing parts for self-build I must relate my experiences of Scan.co.uk this week.
Ordered parts at 16.07 Monday
email received confirming order, followed by further emails confirming payment received, order picked and order despatched at 18.06.
Then email Tuesday morning at 08.27 telling me that order would be delivered between 13.05 and 14.05 - name of driver Brian!
Brian delivered parcel at 13.09!!
Fantastic service.
Derek
October 18, 2012 - 12:04
#11
Re: What Computer to Buy
That is good service for sure Derek, glad to hear that.
If I order an item from OC's I mostly get next day delivery free of charge, even to N.I. (a loyal forum members thing)
Tony.
October 18, 2012 - 12:14
#12
Re: What Computer to Buy
Yes, that's the tricky bit - factoring in delivery charges. Scan do charge but their prices are displayed up front. I was going to order some thermal paste, cost £7.09, from Dabs only to discover that p&p would be £3.99!
Derek
October 18, 2012 - 12:21
#13
Re: What Computer to Buy
delmartin wrote:
I was going to order some thermal paste, cost £7.09, from Dabs only to discover that p&p would be £3.99!Derek
:) I have seen that happen to me too Derek.
Tony.
October 30, 2012 - 17:26
#14
Re: What Computer to Buy
Just as an up-date
I had the hard disc clear out as suggested, disc formatted and only the essentials reinstalled.
The computer is working much better now. Faster on line and seemingly faster everything.
Cheers to all.
Fergie
There's only one eF in Ferguson
I now seem to spend a lot of time arguing with inanimate objects
October 30, 2012 - 20:28
#15
Re: What Computer to Buy
delmartin wrote:
Yes, that's the tricky bit - factoring in delivery charges. Scan do charge but their prices are displayed up front. I was going to order some thermal paste, cost £7.09, from Dabs only to discover that p&p would be £3.99!Derek
Variation on that theme -- I found something locally that was priced a pound cheaper than Amazon (including delivery!)
Until I factored in the cost of the petrol, just travelling the 4 miles each way to go and get it!! ....
May 13, 2013 - 23:56
#16
Re: What Computer to Buy
I should have replied to this thread sooner.
My computer man did as was suggested.
Wiped the hard drive clean.
Re-installed Windows etc.
Seemed to help a wee bit but quickly got back to its patheticly slow normal state.
Fergie
There's only one eF in Ferguson
I now seem to spend a lot of time arguing with inanimate objects
May 14, 2013 - 13:10
#17
Re: What Computer to Buy
Is my thread on the IAC forum website.
It is current with regard to PC's specifically for editing.
Hope it helps you.