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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 |
Chipset |
RAM |
USBs |
Summary |
| Asus
P5KPL-AM |
Intel G31 |
2 x DDR2 slots |
4 x rear USB2.0, 2x front
USB2.0 |
Features the reliable Intel
G31 chipset, supporting up to 4GB of RAM and latest Core 2 CPUs |
| Asus
P5QL |
Intel P43 |
4 x DDR2 slots |
6 x rear USB2.0, 2x front
USB2.0 |
Boasting high-speed PCI-E
2.0 graphics and support for 8GB of RAM. |
| Asus
P5Q Pro |
Intel P45 |
4 x DDR2 slots |
6 x rear USB2.0, 2x front
USB2.0 |
An Intel® P45 chipset-based
motherboard that combines powerful performance with great energy efficiency |
| Asus
P5Q Deluxe |
Intel P45 |
4 x DDR2 slots |
6 x rear USB2.0, 2x front
USB2.0 |
The world's best ASUS EPU-6
Engine, allowing the CPU power supply to be digitally monitored and
fine-tuned |
| Asus
P6T SE |
Intel X58 |
4 x DDR2 slots |
6 x rear USB2.0, 2x front
USB2.0 |
The Heat Pipe design
effectively directs the heat generated by the chipsets to the heatsink near
the back |
| Asus
P6T |
Intel X58 |
4 x DDR2 slots |
6 x rear USB2.0, 2x front
USB2.0 |
Stack Cool 2 effectively and
noiselessly dissipates heat, dropping temperatures by up to 20°C |
| Asus
P6T Deluxe V2 |
Intel X58 |
4 x DDR2 slots |
8 x rear USB2.0, 2x front
USB2.0 |
New Era for Extreme
Overclocking! The Best Intel® Core™ i7 Platform |
|
| Asus
P5N-D |
NVidia 750i |
4 x DDR2 slots |
4 x rear USB2.0, 2x front
USB2.0 |
Excellent stability and
performance with the latest 750i nVidia chipset and full-speed SLI support |
| Asus
Striker II Formula |
NVidia 780i |
4 x DDR2 slots |
6 x rear USB2.0, 2x front
USB2.0 |
A top enthusiast board, with
3-way SLI support, DDR2 and extreme overclocking ability |
| Asus Striker II Extreme |
NVidia 790i Ultra |
4 x DDR3 slots |
6 x rear USB2.0, 2x front
USB2.0 |
The ultimate enthusiast
board, with 3-way SLI support, DDR3 and extreme overclocking ability |
Motherboards for
AMD CPUs
|
Model |
Chipset |
RAM |
USBs |
Summary |
| Asus
M3A76-CM |
AMD 760G |
4 x DDR2 slots |
6 x rear USB2.0, 2x front
USB2.0 |
It features the integrated
ATI HD3000 graphics and fully DirectX 10.0 comliant |
| Asus
M4A78-EM |
AMD 780G |
4 x DDR2 slots |
4 x rear USB2.0, 2x front
USB2.0 |
Ideal for AMD´s latest
AM3/AM2+ and multi-core CPUs to provide excellent system performance and
overclocking capabilities |
| Asus
M4A79T Deluxe |
AMD 790FX |
4 x DDR3 slots |
4 x rear USB2.0, 2x front
USB2.0 |
Supporting latest AM3 CPUs
and DDR3 RAM to provide excellent system performance and overclocking
capabilities |
|
| Foxconn 6100M61-PMV |
NVidia 6100 |
2 x DDR2 slots |
4 x rear USB2.0, 2x front
USB2.0 |
A solid base model that
supports the latest Dual Core and some Quad CPUs, with support for up to 4GB
of DDR2 RAM. |
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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 E3200 |
 |
2 x 2.40Ghz |
1MB |
Ideal for day-to-day computing, whether in
the home, classroom, or office. |
|
 |
Pentium Dual E5300 |
 |
2 x 2.60Ghz |
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 Quad Q8300 |
 |
4 x 2.50Ghz |
4MB |
Designed to
handle massive compute and visualization workloads enabled by powerful
multi-core technology. |
| Core 2 Quad Q9400 |
 |
4 x 2.66Ghz |
6MB |
|
 |
Core i5 750 |
 |
4 x 2.66Ghz |
8MB |
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 i7 860 |
 |
4 x 2.80Ghz |
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 920 |
 |
4 x 2.66Ghz |
8MB |
|
Core i7 950 |
 |
4 x 3.06Ghz |
8MB |
|
Core i7 975 Extreme |
 |
4 x 3.33Ghz |
8MB |
|
 |
Sempron 140 |
 |
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 620 |
 |
4 x 2.60Ghz |
2MB |
|
 |
Phenom II X4
955 |
 |
4 x 3.20Ghz |
8MB |
High-definition
multimedia, digital content creation and 3D gaming |
| Phenom II X4
965 |
 |
4 x 3.40Ghz |
8MB |
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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. There are a number of factors to consider before
deciding which type of RAM is right for you. Below are the three main aspects of
RAM to consider in order of importance:
1. Amount of RAM -
Usually the more RAM used the better, we would recommend 2GB for a basic system
and 4GB for a high-end multimedia gaming system. Any more than 4GB would not
make much of a difference at the moment, but will make sure your system is more
future-proof and can handle next-generation software.
2.
Clock speed - The higher the clock speed of the RAM the faster the system will run. Ideally you want the
RAM speed to be on par with the FSB (front side bus) of the CPU. Current Intel CPUs have an FSB of 1333Mhz, therefore it would make a big difference if 1066Mhz
RAM is running in the system over 800Mhz modules.
3. Latency - This refers to the delays incurred when a computer tries to access data in the RAM module.
Because a modern CPU is much faster than RAM, the CPU has to wait for a relatively long time for a memory access to complete before it can process the
data. Hence the lower the latency figures the faster the system will run.
DDR2 RAM
Is currently the most popular type of RAM, it offers low latency, low value
and is compatible with most motherboards.
DDR3 RAM
Is a new-generation type of RAM that offers higher clock speeds, but is
currently more expensive and is not supported by most motherboards. It will
supersede DDR2 RAM in time, it is advisable to buy a system that supports DDR3
if the system is intended to be future-proof.
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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:
1. 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.
2.
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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
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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 USB dongle, that
connects to a USB slot in the back of the PC.
Dialup internet - If you are using the old-fashioned dialup internet make
sure you specify a 56k modem as our PCs do not support dialup internet as
standard.
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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 Vista, 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 Windows Vista - 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. We only use high quality PSUs with the wattage quoted being continuous
power and not the maximum power figure. The most power-hungry components are
graphics cards and the CPU. Below we have outlined the best PSU for your
configuration. It is a good idea to opt for a slightly higher PSU than you
require to allow for future upgrades.
|
PSU |
Graphics card |
Optical drives / Hard drives |
| 400W |
2400 Pro
9500GT
9600GT |
Up to 2 x drives |
|
| 500W |
9800GT |
Up to 4 x drives |
|
| 600W |
9800GT
GTS 250
GTX 260
2400 Pro
4850
4870 |
Up to 4 x drives |
|
| 750W |
GTX 285
GTX 295
4890
4870X2
2 x 4870 (Crossfire)
2 x 4890 (Crossfire)
2 x GTS 250 (SLI)
2 x GTX 260 (SLI) |
Up to 6 x drives |
|
| 1000W |
2 x 4870X2
(Crossfire)
2 x GTS 285 (SLI)
2 x GTX 295 (SLI) |
Up to 6 x drives |
|
| 1250W |
2 x GTX
280 (SLI) |
Up to 6 x drives |
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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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