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.
Motherboards for Intel CPUs
|
Model |
Summary |
USBs |
Chipset |
RAM |
| Asus
P5KPL-AM |
Features the reliable Intel
G31 chipset, supporting up to 4GB of RAM and latest Core 2 CPUs |
4 x rear USB2.0, 2x front
USB2.0 |
Intel G31 |
2 x DDR2 slots |
| Asus P5G41C-M LX |
Boasting high-speed PCI-E
2.0 graphics and onboard Intel X4500 graphics |
4 x rear USB2.0, 2x front
USB2.0 |
Intel G41 |
2 x DDR2 slots
2 x DDR3 slots |
| Asus
P7H55-M |
An Intel® H55 chipset-based
motherboard that combines powerful performance with great energy efficiency |
6 x rear USB2.0, 2x front
USB2.0 |
Intel H55 |
4 x DDR3 slots |
| Asus
P7H55D-M Evo |
The world's best ASUS EPU
Engine, allowing the CPU power supply to be digitally monitored and
fine-tuned |
6 x rear USB2.0, 2x front
USB2.0 |
Intel H55 |
4 x DDR3 slots |
| Asus
P7P55-M |
Intel® P55 providing improved performance by
utilizing serial point-to-point links, allowing increased bandwidth and
stability. |
8 x rear USB2.0, 2x front
USB2.0 |
Intel P55 |
4 x DDR3 slots |
| Asus
P7P55D-E LX |
Stack Cool 3 effectively and
noiselessly dissipates heat, dropping temperatures by up to 20°C |
6 x rear USB2.0, 2 x rear USB3.0, 2x front
USB2.0 |
Intel P55 |
4 x DDR3 slots |
| Asus
P7P55D-E Pro |
Featuring USB 3.0, advanced overclocking features
and quad-GPU SLI and Crossfire |
6 x rear USB2.0, 2 x rear USB3.0, 2x front
USB2.0 |
Intel P55 |
4 x DDR3 slots |
| Asus
Sabertooth 55i |
High-end chipset cooling and the best overclocking
capability, as well as support for quad-GPU SLI and Crossfire |
8 x rear USB2.0, 2x front
USB2.0 |
Intel P55 |
4 x DDR3 slots |
| Asus
P6X58D-E |
A fully-featured X58 platform, with USB3.0,
S-ATA/600 and quad-GPU SLI or Crossfire |
4 x rear USB2.0, 2x rear USB3.0, 2x front
USB2.0 |
Intel X58 |
6 x DDR3 slots |
| Asus
Rampage III Extreme |
New Era for Extreme
Overclocking! Features Bluetooth remote control overclocking. |
7 x rear USB2.0, 2x rear USB3.0, 2x front
USB2.0 |
Intel X58 |
6 x DDR3 slots |
Motherboards for
AMD CPUs
|
Model |
Summary |
USBs |
Chipset |
RAM |
| Asus M2N68-AM SE2 |
A solid base model that
supports the latest dual core and quad core CPUs, with support for up to 4GB
of DDR2 RAM |
4 x rear USB2.0, 2x front
USB2.0 |
NForce 630a |
2 x DDR2 slots |
| Asus
M4N68T-M |
Supporting the latest quad-core and six-core CPUs,
DDR3 and packed with energy-saving features |
4 x rear USB2.0, 2x front
USB2.0 |
NForce 630a |
2 x DDR3 slots |
| Asus
M4N68T |
Boasting the same features as it's smaller
brother, but with more RAM and PCI slots |
4 x rear USB2.0, 2x front
USB2.0 |
NForce 630a |
4 x DDR3 slots |
| Asus M4A77T |
Features "Core Unlocker", potentially turning a
dual or tri-core CPUs into quad-cores |
6 x rear USB2.0, 2x front
USB2.0 |
AMD 770 |
4 x DDR3 slots |
| Asus M4A87TD USB3 |
A raft of overclocking features allows you to set
up your system for automatic extra power when it's needed |
6 x rear USB2.0, 2 x rear USB3.0, 2x front
USB2.0 |
AMD 870 |
4 x DDR3 slots |
| Asus M4A89GTD Pro USB3 |
A feature-packed board that also supports
Crossfire |
4 x rear USB2.0, 2 x rear USB3.0, 2x front
USB2.0 |
AMD 890GX |
4 x DDR3 slots |
| Asus Crosshair IV |
For those looking for the absolute best
performance and tweaking capabilities |
7 x rear USB2.0, 2 x rear USB3.0, 2x front
USB2.0 |
AMD 890FX |
4 x DDR3 slots |
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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
Core i7 range, which offers blistering pace, making use of triple-channel DDR3
RAM and the superb Intel X58 chipset.
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.
We currently offer the following latest CPU models:
|
Model |
Performance score |
Frequency |
Cache |
Typical usage |
 |
Celeron E3300 |
 |
2 x 2.50Ghz |
1MB |
Ideal for day-to-day computing, whether in
the home, classroom, or office. |
|
 |
Pentium Dual E5400 |
 |
2 x 2.70Ghz |
2MB |
Delivers great desktop performance, low
power enhancements, and multitasking for everyday computing. |
|
 |
Core 2
Duo E7500 |
 |
2 x 2.93Ghz |
3MB |
By combining breakthrough processing speeds
with advanced power saving features you will get more done in less time than
ever before. |
|
|
Core 2
Duo E7600 |
|
2 x 3.06Ghz |
3MB |
|
 |
Core 2 Quad Q8300 |
 |
4 x 2.50Ghz |
4MB |
Designed to
handle massive compute and visualization workloads enabled by powerful
multi-core technology. |
| Core 2 Quad Q8400 |
|
4 x 2.66Ghz |
6MB |
|
 |
Core i3 530 |
|
2 x 2.93Ghz |
4MB |
As the first level in Intel’s new processor family, the Intel® Core™ i3 processor is the perfect entry point for a fast, responsive PC experience. |
|
Core i3 540 |
|
2 x 3.06Ghz |
4MB |
 |
Core i5 650 |
 |
2 x 3.20Ghz |
4MB |
With intelligent performance that
accelerates in response to demanding tasks, such as playing games and
editing photos, the new Intel® Core™ i5 processor moves faster when you do. |
|
Core i5 661 |
 |
2 x 3.33Ghz |
4MB |
|
Core i5 760 |
|
4 x 2.66Ghz |
8MB |
|
 |
Core i7 870 |
 |
4 x 2.93Ghz |
8MB |
You'll experience maximum performance for
everything you do, thanks to the combination of Intel® Turbo Boost
technology and Intel® Hyper-Threading technology |
|
Core i7 930 |
|
4 x 2.80Ghz |
8MB |
|
Core i7 960 |
 |
4 x 3.20Ghz |
8MB |
|
Core i7 980X Extreme |
 |
6 x 3.33Ghz |
12MB |
|
 |
Sempron 140 |
 |
1 x 2.70Ghz |
1MB |
Basic productivity software and
internet use |
|
 |
Athlon II X2 245 |
|
2 x 2.90Ghz |
2MB |
Multiple computer intensive programs, or
home video editing |
|
Athlon II X4 635 |
|
4 x 2.90Ghz |
2MB |
|
 |
Phenom II X2
550 |
|
2 x 3.10Ghz |
6MB |
Deliver The Ultimate Visual Experience™ for high definition entertainment, advanced multitasking performance, and power-saving innovations. |
| Phenom II X4
955 |
 |
4 x 3.20Ghz |
8MB |
| Phenom II X4
965 |
|
4 x 3.40Ghz |
8MB |
| Phenom II X6
1055T |
|
6 x 2.80Ghz |
6MB |
| Phenom II X6
1090T |
|
6 x 3.20Ghz |
6MB |
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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
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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.DDR3 vs. DDR2 - The latest standard is DDR3 RAM, most
systems now ship with this type of memory as it's faster than DDR2, the prices
have dropped making it cheaper than DDR2 and upgrading later on will be much
easier.
How much RAM? - Usually the more RAM used the better, we would
recommend 2GB for a basic system and 4GB for an everyday multimedia and gaming
system. If you really want to get the best multi-tasking performance than 8GB or
even 12GB (only available on i7 systems) 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.
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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 160GB HDDs, we would recommend specifying 500GB 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.
Velociraptor drives - If you are looking for the ultimate in HDD
performance the Raptor drives are unbeatable, especially in a RAID 0 array.
World’s fastest Serial ATA drive: 10,000 RPM 16MB Cache and 4.5 ms seek.
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.
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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
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There are two brands of graphics cards, NVIDIA and 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 ATI 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.
Do you want to run Windows Vista Aero and other graphically demanding
applications effortlessly and smoothly? Some of the new features of Windows
Vista, including the Aero feature, require a high performance GPU.
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. In addition, since Windows Vista
ships with DirectX 10 graphics, it's important to invest in a DirectX 10-ready
card like the nVidia 8800GT. That way, you can enjoy the benefits of DX10 from
the start. 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.
Here's a comparison table of the current range of graphics cards for the
enthusiasts:
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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.
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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 7, there are several versions of this OS and it is very
demanding on the PC and requires pretty high-end specification. For full details
on Microsoft Windows 7 - Click
here.
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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.
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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. Below we have outlined the best PSU
for your graphics card:
|
PSU |
Graphics card |
400W Corsair
450W Corsair
500W EZCool |
Up to:
ATI Radeon HD 5770
NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250 |
|
700W EZCool
550W Corsair |
Up to:
ATI Radeon HD 5850
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 |
|
700W
OCZ/Thermaltake
550W Corsair |
Up to:
ATI Radeon HD 5870
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 470
2 x ATI Radeon HD 5770 (Crossfire)
2 x NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250 (SLI) |
|
750W Corsair
650W Corsair |
Up to:
ATI Radeon HD 5970
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 480 |
|
| 850W
Corsair |
2 x ATI Radeon HD 5870 (Crossfire)
2 x NVIDIA GeForce GTX 470 (SLI) |
|
| 950W
Corsair |
2 x ATI Radeon HD 5970 (Crossfire)
2 x NVIDIA GeForce GTX 480 (SLI) |
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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 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.
|
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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|
