U-96
07-14-1999, 10:26 AM
With many thanks to both the recommendations of users and reviewers, and the advice in articles such as how to build a PC (duh), I have just built my *FIRST* PC with (mostly) good named brand parts and absolutly no hassle, for around 60% of the off-the-shelf retail price.
Even better, and to my great surprise, it POSTed first time, no hassle.
From unpacking all the parts to completing Win98 install took around six hours (including an hour for food - easy to forget to eat!).
The UK company I ordered from is
www.dabs.co.uk
I appreciate the prices may not be the cheapest around (keep checking - they DO fluctuate daily), but of two orders I have placed, both arrived correct and intact within 3 working days.
They have on-line order status, and in my short-lived experience, customer support reply promptly and usefully to emails and phone calls.
Also, at the time of writing, all UK orders placed on-line get free shipping!
For those who were wondering which recommendation I followed, here is my spec:
AOpen HX08 Full Tower ATX (boy I LOVE this)
Abit BX6-2 mobo
64MB SDRAM PC100
8.4GB Seagate UDMA33
x48 Creative CDROM
Intel Celeron 400 PPGA370
Pine (SiS)6326 8MB AGP (some people knock this, but I maintain it is a reasonable low-end and inexpensive 2D/3D solution. Hardly a benchmark, but Jane's IAF looks fine on max detail)
Abit Slotket Slot1>370 converter
8cm case fan
MS wheelmouse
generic keyboard, floppy
all for around £450 (US$700)
I added my old Rockwell PCI 56k V.90 modem, ISA SB16PnP, Sony speakers and 15"Compaq monitor.
I appreciate that some elements could be dramatically improved (e.g. Sound/Video/monitor) but for the money I have a system that will play current games and apps and has good overclocking and upgrade potential if I feel brave.
I think I'm off to resellerratings.com to re-post this rant there 8-)
Thanks again to all those whose sound advice I followed!
Even better, and to my great surprise, it POSTed first time, no hassle.
From unpacking all the parts to completing Win98 install took around six hours (including an hour for food - easy to forget to eat!).
The UK company I ordered from is
www.dabs.co.uk
I appreciate the prices may not be the cheapest around (keep checking - they DO fluctuate daily), but of two orders I have placed, both arrived correct and intact within 3 working days.
They have on-line order status, and in my short-lived experience, customer support reply promptly and usefully to emails and phone calls.
Also, at the time of writing, all UK orders placed on-line get free shipping!
For those who were wondering which recommendation I followed, here is my spec:
AOpen HX08 Full Tower ATX (boy I LOVE this)
Abit BX6-2 mobo
64MB SDRAM PC100
8.4GB Seagate UDMA33
x48 Creative CDROM
Intel Celeron 400 PPGA370
Pine (SiS)6326 8MB AGP (some people knock this, but I maintain it is a reasonable low-end and inexpensive 2D/3D solution. Hardly a benchmark, but Jane's IAF looks fine on max detail)
Abit Slotket Slot1>370 converter
8cm case fan
MS wheelmouse
generic keyboard, floppy
all for around £450 (US$700)
I added my old Rockwell PCI 56k V.90 modem, ISA SB16PnP, Sony speakers and 15"Compaq monitor.
I appreciate that some elements could be dramatically improved (e.g. Sound/Video/monitor) but for the money I have a system that will play current games and apps and has good overclocking and upgrade potential if I feel brave.
I think I'm off to resellerratings.com to re-post this rant there 8-)
Thanks again to all those whose sound advice I followed!