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JayADee

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#152198 19-Sep-2014 08:57
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A storm just blew up my husband's desktop PC (flash, smoke, burning smell, pretty sure it was the Power supply) despite us unplugging it before the lightening but after the unexpected power outage. Not a huge loss, it's pretty old but it was a good system in its day and it's been ticking along since 2008. I was expecting to get him a new one soon anyway. We'll try to find an old power supply and possibly resurrect it later. For now, he needs a new PC.

He uses Photoshop CS6 and otherwise the usual email, web, documentary videos streamed to iPad via wifi. Photoshop would be the heftiest thing, but nothing overly intensive. I'm not looking for a gamer, just a reliable desktop with quality components that will last a good long while.

I was thinking of getting him a desktop from Computer Lounge, the Zen Radical. looks good enough to carry on for a long time but not so swish as to cost a fortune. I have no intention of hassling to build one. Opinions?

http://www.computerlounge.co.nz/systems/systemdetail.asp?systypeid=1

If it doesn't come with a wireless card we'd want one added. I'm not sure if the relatively new one in his old PC survived. I'll add his old HD on for storage, it looks ok.

TL;DR need a new desktop PC, opinions on this one wanted. Alternative prebuilt suggestions welcome.

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vexxxboy
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  #1131957 19-Sep-2014 09:17
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why dont you let computer lounge build you one , just pick the cheapest PC and then customize to get what you want for a price you are happy with.




Common sense is not as common as you think.




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  #1131958 19-Sep-2014 09:17
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Small case = limited space for HDD's etc. 

Check out Playtechs options as well




XPD / Gavin

 

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geekiegeek
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  #1131959 19-Sep-2014 09:19
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I think you would be better off jumping to the Zen - Advanced. It has a much better CPU (i5) and 8GB ram vs the 4GB in the radical.

I think this will last you longer and be better for Photoshop.



meesham
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  #1131960 19-Sep-2014 09:20
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Firstly Computer Lounge are excellent, they're really thorough with their builds (excellent cable management) and are good to deal with when there's problems.

My main concern with that PC is the amount of memory and maybe the CPU, for CS6 it would probably be OK as it's older software but if he decided to upgrade it could make the PC a bit sluggish. I'd actually recommend you contact Computer Lounge directly and tell them what your budget is and what you want to do with it, they're really good recommending systems (and tend to drop the price from what's online if you do a custom build).

JayADee

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  #1131968 19-Sep-2014 09:36
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Good points. How about this one or similar? On special.
http://www.computerlounge.co.nz/systems/systemdetail.asp?sysid=209&systypeid=4

Edit: talked to them on the phone, am having a quote sent with a wireless card added on. :)


meesham
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  #1131969 19-Sep-2014 09:41
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JayADee: Good points. How about this one or similar? On special.
[url]http://www.computerlounge.co.nz/systems/systemdetail.asp?sysid=209&systypeid=4[\url]


It's got a better CPU and more RAM plus lots of space for expansion but it's got a smaller SSD (only 128GB) so you might want to put a second hard drive in it.

If you're unsure about just going with CL's advice maybe send them a message requesting a system and then post their response on here and people can give their opinions.

JayADee

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  #1131971 19-Sep-2014 09:47
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I talked to them and he reckoned this would do. I'm adding a wireless card and I'll be sticking his old HD in it plus he has a good external drive.

Does that sound good?

 
 
 
 

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meesham
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  #1131975 19-Sep-2014 10:00
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It looks good to me, the video card and CPU cooler's probably higher spec than what you need but that's not going to hurt :)

JayADee

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  #1132060 19-Sep-2014 11:39
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That's what I thought. A touch over spec but we did that last time too and it lasted six years which was good value for money, I thought. :)

JayADee

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  #1132137 19-Sep-2014 13:58
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Hmm, looking at this one at Playtech that comes with win 8. Only adding 8 gigs of ram and upgrading to i5 plus 750 graphics card and ssd.
http://www.playtech.co.nz/afawcs0140076/CATID=54/ID=23769/SID=861477755/idPlaytechNZ_OrderDetails=/idOrderDetailsSession=/customise.html

Cost is 1378. Vs $1500 on the other one with no OS.

http://www.computerlounge.co.nz/systems/systemdetail.asp?sysid=209&systypeid=4

Edit:added second link

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  #1132148 19-Sep-2014 14:19
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Funny thing is, thats very similar to the system (same CPU, RAM, Case) that i just built myself from Playtech. $700

Didnt need OS or drives as I just reused them from my old PC.

Those CPU's are great, will overclock to 4.5Ghz on standard cooler long as you have decent case airflow, so get good bang for buck :)






XPD / Gavin

 

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JayADee

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  #1132155 19-Sep-2014 14:30
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Thanks, that's encouraging, I'm leaning hard toward that one. I don't think I've ever bought from Playtech before. I just got off the phone with them and they sound OK. :)

vexxxboy
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  #1132156 19-Sep-2014 14:32
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Playtech are very reliable , they seem to do what they say they will and i have never had a problem with them, and i have used them a fair bit over the years.




Common sense is not as common as you think.


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  #1132165 19-Sep-2014 14:47
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Yeah, PT are good, been using them for approx 7 years now with no hassles, my old employer uses them as a supplier for most of their IT stuff.





XPD / Gavin

 

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JayADee

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  #1132170 19-Sep-2014 14:51
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Alright then, I've got my credit card in hand and told the Hubby what we're doing. Thanks for the input, Playtech it is!

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