My first PC.

[reaper140592]

So guys I'm thinking of buying a pc in the future, for both gaming and everyday use. I've only ever owned laptops and I'm not entirely sure what a good pc would look like. I've seen a relatively cheap one that seems alright, http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/compaq-cq2910ea-desktop-pc-17392833-pdt.html. I realise it's not high spec, but would this be enough for everyday use and some games? Also would it be better to buy a high end pc or one similar to this and upgrade it.
Thanks guys.

 

[x EvilErmine x]

So guys I'm thinking of buying a pc in the future, for both gaming and everyday use. I've only ever owned laptops and I'm not entirely sure what a good pc would look like. I've seen a relatively cheap one that seems alright, http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/compaq-cq2910ea-desktop-pc-17392833-pdt.html. I realise it's not high spec, but would this be enough for everyday use and some games? Also would it be better to buy a high end pc or one similar to this and upgrade it.
Thanks guys.

It'll certainly be good enough for everyday use, gaming on the other hand is a bit more tricky. It needs more RAM, a better CPU, and a better GPU to manage recent games on anything above bare minimum at a decent FPS.

Saying all that though it'll handle older games like a champ, i'm talking stuff from GOG.com and such like.

If you can afford to go high end then go for it...it's your cash, just remember to look at reviews to see how different gear stacks up. Also it helps if you keep in mind what you want to do with the computer, if your not interested in playing the latest games in super high quality then you don't need to spend as much on expensive hardware.

Building a PC yourself and upgrading it as and when will always give you more bang for your buck than buying pre-built.

 

[Auron]

Buy the parts and assemble yourself, it's not hard and it gives you control about what goes into it and knowledge of each part's origin. You simply can't assemble incorrectly the motherboard manual gives you all the directions and if something's out of place the worse that will usually happen is it won't turn on.


Some research is involved but I believe anyone can do it fine, I also find a whole lot of fun in the activity(I feel like a Child in the park whenever I have to assemble a new part.)


Broken link on my end by the way but my suggestion still stands, I'm sure we can help you with a configuration if you give us some pointers and a budget or you can research yourself around the internet.

 

[Requia]

Auron is right if you want anything cost effective. Buying a pre built system... well, I used charge 200$ + parts and undercut big name PC makers by as much as 500$ towards the higher end gaming machines, my stuff was better quality too.

As for the one you linked (which is broken by the way, remove the period from the end): its no more powerful than a cheap laptop.

 

[Pebkio]

Buy the parts and assemble yourself, it's not hard and it gives you control about what goes into it and knowledge of each part's origin. You simply can't assemble incorrectly the motherboard manual gives you all the directions and if something's out of place the worse that will usually happen is it won't turn on.


Some research is involved but I believe anyone can do it fine, I also find a whole lot of fun in the activity(I feel like a Child in the park whenever I have to assemble a new part.)


Broken link on my end by the way but my suggestion still stands, I'm sure we can help you with a configuration if you give us some pointers and a budget or you can research yourself around the internet.

There's the 800-1000 dollars people keep talking about. If this is your first real PC, then don't do that. You can buy a nice, usable base tower with at least 4 gb of ram (but try for 8) and a 4 ghz dual-core processor. That's something you actually need that a pre-built can give you, and they aren't that expensive. Then you can ease into the upgrade thing because what the posters above me fail to realize is that they are so used to working on computers that they can't even imagine that it's pretty daunting to first-timers. I know because I was thought the same way when I was ten years younger. It's like how we get confused when non-gamers have a hard time just moving a character and looking in different directions at the same time.

Ie. People who aren't used to building a computer WILL get frustrated trying to start from nothing.

They only thing you'll absolutely have to buy separately is a good video card. Pre-builts never come with good video-cards. I would also recommend a better wireless card. That way, you can get some early practice in with some PCI slot upgrading, which is like being in the the kiddy-pool of PC building.

Oh, and...

So guys I'm thinking of buying a pc in the future, for both gaming and everyday use. I've only ever owned laptops and I'm not entirely sure what a good pc would look like. I've seen a relatively cheap one that seems alright, http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/compaq-cq2910ea-desktop-pc-17392833-pdt.html. I realise it's not high spec, but would this be enough for everyday use and some games? Also would it be better to buy a high end pc or one similar to this and upgrade it.
Thanks guys.

No, you don't want that one. Broken link is broken, but I looked up the model number, and you don't want that one. I wasn't even aware that you could still buy Compaqs anymore . That one is just about 2 years behind what you would want. Don't buy a high-end desktop either. If you want high-end, work up to building your own. But I suggest starting with a middle of the road 4gb ram 4 ghz dual-core and getting your own video card.

 

[Costia]

The pc in the link is bad and it should feel bad.
I would recommend you asking some of your friends about their gaming PCs, because prices vary.
I would aim at an I5 CPU, 8GB RAM, 1TB hard drive. cant say about the GPU since i dont know the prices, and the price difference between several models(with similar performance) can be huge.

 

[Griffolion]

So guys I'm thinking of buying a pc in the future, for both gaming and everyday use. I've only ever owned laptops and I'm not entirely sure what a good pc would look like. I've seen a relatively cheap one that seems alright, http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/compaq-cq2910ea-desktop-pc-17392833-pdt.html. I realise it's not high spec, but would this be enough for everyday use and some games? Also would it be better to buy a high end pc or one similar to this and upgrade it.
Thanks guys.

Oh no. Please don't tell me you've pulled the trigger on this.

I will tell you this once, and only once.

Never ever buy a pre-built PC from any major, or mainstream supplier.

They are crap. Built with cheap parts, slapped with a higher price tag for the name.

You're in the UK. May I strongly, strongly urge you to go to [a href="www.scan.co.uk"]Scan UK[/a] and look at their, professional, hand built PC's. I know some of the builders there, they don't release the PC to you until it's passed a 24 hour torture test for maximum stability. If it fails, they strip it down to parts and start over again (like how Aston Martin build their cars).

Not only that, but they don't charge any more for this than other retailers. Their systems are award winning, every year, in every category.

Aside from this, try building yourself. At this point with how compatible and standardised everything is, you're basically working with adult lego. It isn't half as hard as some individuals on this forum would have you believe. Do you have a brain cell? Good, you're qualified.

If you have any questions, feel free to PM me.

 

[reaper140592]

Thanks guys, I'll take your advice and end up building one myself.
Once again, thanks for all your help.

 

[BeerTent]

Thanks guys, I'll take your advice and end up building one myself.
Once again, thanks for all your help.

Also, if you ever need a hand, feel free to ask. It's in my experience that if you go to a specialty shop (Like Halifax's Mysterybyte) Those guys will typically tell you what you want. Just be sure to specify that money's a thing. Another important thing to do, is your research. Don't be amazed by a big number on the box. Just because a videocard has 8GB of VRAM, doesn't mean it's actually good. Write down the name and search for [partname] review. There are tonnes of hardware websites where enthusiasts rip apart any component you can think of.

Also, I hate to say it, but Laptops are not the way to go for gaming. Yes, there's gaming laptops out there, but if you don't have the money to throw around, the're not for you. If you want something cheap, that you and a friend can pick apart and upgrade for ungodly dirt cheap down the road, Desktops are where it's at. For me? I just code on my laptop. It's 3 or so years old and incapable of gaming anymore.

 

[zumbledum]

So guys I'm thinking of buying a pc in the future, for both gaming and everyday use. I've only ever owned laptops and I'm not entirely sure what a good pc would look like. I've seen a relatively cheap one that seems alright, http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/compaq-cq2910ea-desktop-pc-17392833-pdt.html I realise it's not high spec, but would this be enough for everyday use and some games? Also would it be better to buy a high end pc or one similar to this and upgrade it.
Thanks guys.

well others have covered the quality of that system. now as for buying cheap or upgrading or going hi to start is tied in with you dont want to order from PC world, PC world put their bundles together on cheapness they often cut corners and have a terrible record for quality and service. i would advise against buying cheap and upgrading as its easy to run into issues making you by components twice for example upgrading your GPU to find your power units not good enough or your ram/cpu and finding the motherboards out of slots/wrong socket.


Building yourself... well its true nowadays its pretty damn easy , a bit fiddly at times but generally idiot proof with coloured shaped connectors only fitting the right way around, but if thats not for you its usually very cheap to pick the parts and have the supplier build for you.

as you have a uk address linked i recommend http://www.overclockers.co.uk/ now some disclaimers i don't claim they are the cheapest, or the only good suppliers im sure there are others i recommend them because ive bought a dozen systems/laptops never had a problem found the service and advice they give to be excellent. you can pick parts , phone them check it all fits get advice on any weak link , have the parts hipped or built for you and be playing with your new toy in 48 hours.