Before buying your new PC you want to be sure that it will do the job you need it to, hence our website allows you to configure a system so you get what you need and leave or downgrade the parts that are not so important. Feel free to contact us for any advice or assistance.
This guide is
designed to acquaint yourself with the technology and components that are used
inside our PCs. Below you will find an explanation of the purpose of every
component and how it can benefit the performance of a PC.
We will examine the various crucial components that make up a
desktop computer:
The
motherboard is the
main board inside the case where all the other components connect to. It
determines the type of components that can be supported by the system and the
overall performance of the system. Things to consider are:
Chipset - This is the central controller that controls all the
communication between the various components inside the PC. These are the
various chipsets that the latest motherboards have:
|
Model |
Summary |
| Intel H61 |
Affordable performance, supporting latest Intel
CPUs |
| Intel Z77 |
The most popular chipset for gaming machines |
| Intel H87/Z87 |
Latest platform for 4th generation Intel i5/i7
CPUs |
| Intel X79 |
Designed for the top-end performance systems |
| AMD 760G |
Entry level model supporting latest AMD CPUs |
| AMD 970 |
Mid range chipset with loads of features and power |
| AMD 990X/990FX |
Designed for high-spec gaming and performance
machines |
Memory slots - For maximum upgradability you should look out for a board
that has four memory slots or more.
USB3.0 - This is the latest high-speed USB interface. To get the most out of
USB3.0 devices look out for a board that features USB3.0 ports.
Onboard Video - Some motherboards have built-in video connection, such as
HDMI, VGA or DVI. Higher spec boards often do not have an onboard video
connection as a dedicated graphics card is usually installed to make for a
balanced performance system.
PCI and PCI-E connections - Check how many slots the motherboard has in case
you wish to fit add-on cards later.
Rear connections - Check the motherboard spec to confirm the connections
that can be found at the rear of the machine.
Browse our range of latest AMD and Intel
motherboards
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The processor, commonly known as CPU, is the beating heart of a PC.
Unlike other components (such as memory), upgrading a processor at a later stage
can be difficult and expensive. Consider your current and future performance
requirements when choosing.
AMD vs. Intel - This is a common question that we are asked on a daily
basis. Intel currently has the advantage over AMD in terms of top performance with its excellent
"Ivy Bridge" platform, the latest i5 and i7 models are highly overclockable
and achieve remarkable performance for the money.
CPU frequency - The frequency of the CPU, usually measured in Ghz,
shows the speed of the internal core of the CPU. This
isn't the main performance indicator, you should also look at the cache and the
amount of cores the CPU has.
Cache - Used by the central processing unit of a computer to reduce the
average time to access memory. The cache is a smaller, faster memory which
stores copies of the data from the most frequently used main memory locations.
Browse our range of latest AMD and Intel CPUs
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The CPU cooler is essential in maintaining a stable, cool and quiet system. A good cooler also
improves the circulation of air inside the case and cools the surrounding
components as well the CPU itself.
For systems intended to be used for intensive tasks and systems that are
specified with high-end components, we recommend upgrading the CPU cooler.
Benefits of upgrading CPU cooler:
-
Lower CPU temperature results in a more reliable and stable CPU
-
Improves ventilation throughout the case and lowers running temperature of
surrounding components
-
Reduces noise compared to standard CPU cooler supplied by manufacturer
-
Improves the looks of your system internally
Browse our range of latest CPU Coolers
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The memory, commonly known as RAM, is a crucial component used to store
data temporarily for fast access. It is one of the most important components as
it will give you an instant noticeable performance increase, you will be able to
have more programs loaded at the same time, and switching between them would be
instantaneous.How much RAM? Usually the more RAM used the better, we would
recommend 4GB for a basic system and 8GB for an everyday multimedia and gaming
system. If you really want to get the best multi-tasking performance than 16GB or
even 32GB will be perfect for you. One thing you
don't want is your computer slowing down when you have too many browser tabs
loaded or too many large images loaded on Photoshop, with more RAM you don't
need to worry about that.
Corsair RAM - On our gaming systems we offer Corsair RAM kits, these are
high-performance memory modules that are designed for overclocking with higher
speeds and lower latencies. The kits have matching memory modules that are
tested together by Corsair before leaving their factory. Corsair are renowned in
the gaming community, If you want a gaming system to shout about, Corsair memory
is the best way to show you know your stuff.
Browse our range of latest DDR3 RAM Memory
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The hard drives inside a system are responsible for storing all your data,
but their performance can also affect the loading times of software and files.
Here are a number of things to consider when deciding on your ideal hard drive
set up:
Amount of space required - The most basic computers now
ship with at least 500GB HDDs, we would recommend specifying 1TB as the price
has dropped right down and this capacity would be plenty for most.
Amount of drives - It is a good idea to specify at least 2x HDDs, so that
Operating System can be installed on one and data on the other. This would keep
your data safe in the event that the Operating System needs to be re-installed.
It is also a good idea to have 2x HDDs so that a RAID Array can be set up, the
benefits of which are outlined below.
RAID Array - When running 2x HDDs of the same size a RAID array can be
configured to increase performance or improve safety of data.
RAID 0 -
Distributes data across several discs in a way which gives improved speed and
full capacity, but all data on all disks is lost if any one disk fails.
RAID
1 - Constantly mirrors contents of one drive on the other drive, so that data is
not lost so long as one disk survives. Total capacity of the array is just the
capacity of a single disk.
SSD drives - These offer the ultimate in loading times for your Operating
System and games. They contain no moving parts, therefore are less susceptible
to physical shock and run much quieter. The price per GB is much higher compared
to a regular S-ATA HDD, but a 120GB SSD is more affordable nowadays and would be
ideal as the main drive where the OS and software are installed.
Please be advised that a 60GB SSD is very small and once the OS is installed
there is not much spare capacity left.
Browse our range of latest HDD's and SSD's
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The latest type of optical drive is the Blu-ray drive which brings the next generation of optical drive format to your PC. With a Blu-ray
disc drive you get the following benefits:
- Large storage capacity: With a maximum storage capacity of 50GB on one dual
layer Blu-ray disc
- High Definition picture quality: Full High
Definition Progressive (1920x1080p) capabilities
- Uncompressed surround sound (better than theatre-quality sound)
- New breakthroughs in hard coating technologies -
stronger resistances to scratches and finger prints
-
Backwards compatible with DVDs and CD ROMS
Browse our range of latest Optical Drives
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There are two brands of graphics cards, NVIDIA and AMD (formarly ATI), both
of which offer separate platforms that allow multiple graphics cards to
run on one system. With NVIDIA graphics cards, SLI platform is used, providing users with the option to link multiple
graphics cards (two or three) to provide up to a 300% performance increase in
certain games. With AMD graphics cards, Crossfire platform is used, providing
users with the option to link multiple graphics cards to provide up to a 200%
performance increase in certain games.
You may not be experiencing games the way developers intended if you are running
them on low resolutions. Being able to ramp up the resolution and quality
settings whilst still pumping out high frame rates can completely transform your
gaming experience, so the right GPU is crucial. The latest graphics cards all
support DirectX 11, which is natively supported by Windows 7 and Windows 8. If you are a keen gamer or you're looking for a future-proof system
that will last for some time you should invest in the best graphics card, as
these products change regularly and a mid-range model would offer lacklustre
performance within one year.
Browse our range of latest Graphics Cards
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Ethernet connection - Every PC comes with at least
a 10/100 Ethernet connection. This allows you to connect your broadband
router/modem to the PC and access broadband internet.
Wireless internet - To create a wireless home/office network you need a
wireless router/modem, this would spread a wireless signal round the
house/office. To access the internet you would need a wireless PCI internal card
or a USB dongle. These are available in different speeds, ranging from 54Mbps to
300Mbps. With a 300Mbps PCI internal card you will have a number of aerials for
faster broadband speed.
Browse our range of latest Wireless Card and
Dongles
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This is the main piece of software that controls the components of a computer
system and facilitates the operation of applications. The latest Operating
System is Windows 8, there are two versions of this OS and it is very
demanding on the PC and requires pretty high-end specification. For full
comparison of the features that differentiate Windows 8 Standard and Pro -
Click
here.
One of the things to be aware of is that Windows 8 Standard Edition or Windows 7
Home Premium can only use up to 16GB of RAM. If selecting over 16GB of RAM we
recommend Professional version is selected.
Browse our range of latest
Operating Systems and Software
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Here are some of the things to consider when choosing a monitor:Resolution
- Majority of monitors that are 22" or larger have a resolution of 1,920 x
1,080. This is the ideal resolution for watching full-HD Bluray movies. It will
also allow you to fit a lot of content on to the screen and view large photos.
Size - The popular size is 22", however 24" and 25" monitors are also
popular as the price difference is not much more. With a larger monitor you will
be able to see everything clearly with the monitor positioned a few feet away,
allowing you lean back and watch a movie in comfort.
LED vs. LCD - The latest technology is LED, offering a higher contrast
ratio and a much thinner panel. We offer the latest LED models from LG and Asus, they have great connectivity and specification.
Browse our range of latest LED and LCD Monitor's
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The case houses all the components, it's design and size are an important
consideration, not just from an aesthetic point of view. The case has an
important part to play in terms of ventilation and the overall temperature of
the inside of the system. High-end cases have large dimensions and plenty of
internal case fans for maximum air flow, and that's the case you should consider
if opting for a high-spec SLI or Crossfire system. The more basic cases only
have one internal case fan and much smaller dimensions, they are ideal for more
basic systems that do not require as much heat to be dispelled.
Browse our range of latest Desktop Cases
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The PSU feeds power to the system's components, ensuring a reliable and stable
system. The most power-hungry components are graphics cards. It is a good idea
to opt for a slightly higher PSU than you require to allow for future upgrades.
If you order a system we will advise you if you if the PSU ordered is not
suitable.
We currently offer PSUs from high quality PSU brands Corsair and Xigmatek. We
also offer a cheaper 500W PSU as a cheaper option, but we recommend a Xigmatek
option as it would be quieter, more efficient and more reliable.
Browse our range of latest PSU's
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Something to consider when buying a new PC is the hassle and costs involved when
one of the components becomes faulty. A major nuisance can be an intermittent
fault that occurs infrequently and can cost a lot of money in terms of labour
hours to diagnose and remedy. As part of the standard support we offer 3 year
warranty that covers parts and labour for the first year, and labour for the
remaining period.
It is a well known fact that the mortality rate of computers is high during the
first month and after the first year. We provide full cover against hardware
failure for the first year and provide you with free labour for the remaining
two years. This takes away the hassle and headache if anything goes wrong with
the PC for 3 years. Whilst most computers are sold with 1 year warranty, this
isn't the ideal solution as majority of problems arise after the 1st year, and
that's when you will be left stranded.
Please note that our warranty applies to the PC itself and any peripherals are
covered by seperate warranty from the manufacturer
|
Number of repairs |
Unlimited |
| Covers
parts for |
1 year |
|
Covers labour for |
3 years |
| Type of
warranty |
Return to
base |
|
Carriage costs |
free for first 30 days |
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|
