Building a new computer

[Mike567]

I'm thinking of building a new PC, not sure what to go for though I haven't followed hardware very much.

I'm thinking a dual core 2ghz amd athlon.

I'm not sure about 64bit what is the difference with 64 and 32?

maybe a AMD Opteron UP 152 2.6Ghz for 90 quid.

I'm looking for a gaming pc really, my current single core 1.9 over clocked sempron isn't really very good.

I'm only looking for a slow build /budget :lol:.

Ideally what I'm going for is

SATA RAID0 2 harddrive array.

I SATA DVD drive.

dual core 2ghz+ or quad core if I feel it is worth it.

1066mhz FSB min of 800mhz

Dual channel memory DDR3

Nvidia SLI 512mb (PCI-E)

7.1 surround sound

4GB RAM

am I missing anything I need to add to the list?

I've never ever liked buying a mboard off ebuyer I used eclipse computers for a cheap board.

Does anyone else know any other good sites?

I'm thinking this http://www.eclipsecomputers.com/product.aspx?code=MBA-P5KPL bummed out that their is only 1 SATA2 but 2 SATA1.

[Mike567]

A nice quad core on ebuyer though http://www.ebuyer.com/product/131950.

I would be happy to throw vista at it if I bother buying it.

so this cpu is really a 2.4ghz x 4 which is like 9.6ghz estimated.

[AlanHo]

A nice quad core on ebuyer though http://www.ebuyer.com/product/131950.

I would be happy to throw vista at it if I bother buying it.

so this cpu is really a 2.4ghz x 4 which is like 9.6ghz estimated.

That is the cpu I used in the computer I built a couple of months ago Full spec here

I don't do any gaming - but the computer has proved to be very fast and does all I need - and more. Vista has been great - I am surprised it gets so much flack.

[Mike567]

Vista is fine if you have a nice computer it is worth the while due to its abilities to speed up simple processes.

But on computers which do not have a good spec it will just be utter useless.

Plus I only want vista because all the games are coming out on it :(, other whise I would be slagging it off still :lol:.

For the time being I think I shall just buy the mboard and processor using all my old kit, SATA hdd and 256mb graphics card;

only because of the high cost of processor. well maybe just buy the processor :lol:.

the same processor on dabs is 105w on overclockers and ebuyer its 95w.

But this looks good :lol:http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-210-IN&groupid=701&catid=6&subcat=1093

[bnorth]

Eclipse ? I'd avoid them - if you google Eclipse Computers and they seem to

have a terrible reputation for product reliability and customer service.

for the most part the feedback on numerous boards is frighteningly negative.

"Oh "first mistake" ( buying from Eclipse computers)"

http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/forums/index.cf...2&forumid=2

and

"i used to work there in tech support

The company is a joke"

http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/forums/index.cf...6&forumid=2

google reviews give them 2/5 out of 5 with 43 negative reviews out of 60

"Avoid at all costs!" (most recent)

http://www.google.co.uk/products/reviews?f...430e&sort=1

"I would like to post a warning about Eclipse Computers on this Remote Control Forum."

http://www.avforums.com/forums/archive/ind...p/t-404290.html

and

"The Trading Standards say this is illegal and they will act against the company if enough people complain - so DO IT TODAY! "

http://www.smallworldmedia.co.uk/weblog/20...pse_comp_1.html

and

"Got PC has had 4 bluecreens and now says OS missing on a black screen. Very dubious cust services"

http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/forums/index.cf...5&forumid=2

and

"I would find an alternative to eclipse computers, they have a very bad reputation."

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showth...lipse+computers

and

"I bought a motherboard from them a good few years ago - it was faulty (D.O.A)."

http://www.avforums.com/forums/archive/ind...p/t-404290.html

and

"I would NEVER EVER order from them again, biggest bunch of cowboys under the sun imo.

Took over two weeks to send my order and there was a whole load of things wrong."

http://forums.hexus.net/shopping-retail-th...tml#post1324630

and

"I've sent 4 emails asking when I'm likely to receive the item and received NO REPLIES. "

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showth...lipse+computers

and

"IF I DIDNT STOP MYSELF FROM PURCHASING FROM THESE MUPPETS, I WOULD HAVE PROBABLY LANDED ONE ON THE MANAGERS! "

http://www.ciao.co.uk/Reviews/eclipse_comp...ventry__5262036

and

"DO NOT USE ECLIPSE. THEY ARE ROTTEN TO THE CORE"

http://forums.hexus.net/hexus-hardware/524...puters-com.html

and

"Do not be tempted to use this company - they are cheap but their after sales service stinks"

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=16173

and

"When the system arrived initially, after a five week delay, it didn't work, wouldn't even switch on."

http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews55635.html

and

"Eclipse computers are COWBOYS and extremely useless."

http://www.dooyoo.co.uk/electronic-stores/...ventry/reviews/

photos here !!!

"Note all 6 of the plastic supports for the front of the case are snapped "

http://photos.offline.org.uk/showgallery.php?galleryid=34

and

"Thought id just write this to imform people about this company and what a crap experiance i have had of them."

http://www.deadmen.co.uk/forum/archive/ind...hp/t-10831.html

and

"Their pc's get good reviews in the magazines, but I wouldn't ever recommend them to anyone."

http://www.ciao.co.uk/eclipse_computers_co..._Review_5622830

and

"If it is the same company in Coventry that advertises in Micro Mart then avoid like the plague.

Had a load of grief with them few years ago trying to sort out a driver disc for a sound card and other bits and bobs."

http://www.thedvdforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=213683

and

"I emplore you to read and heed the reviews posted about them, and steer clear at all costs!"

http://www.resellerratings.com/store/Eclipse_Computers

sure maybe only disatisfied customers complain but google Chillblast or Zoostorm or Dell and you don't find pages of angry feedback ! but you do with Eclipse !! and its not that they are a large company

[andsome]

I take it they are crap then. :lol:

[Irene]

I take it they are crap then. :lol:

:lol: I think you can safely say so!

[Alan2273]

I must have been lucky as I have used them several times, but have never had to use there returns service or their technical support.

The only one I have had a problem with is Aria and I will never use them again.

I have a good local computer place that I use now, they may be a bit dearer, but if I have a problem I do not have to worry about RMA's.

[Irene]

I must have been lucky as I have used them several times, but have never had to use there returns service or their technical support.

The only one I have had a problem with is Aria and I will never use them again. I have a good local computer place that I use now, they may be a bit dearer, but if I have a problem I do not have to worry about RMA's.

You are quite correct, Alan.

It's all about personal experience.

[Mike567]

I like them, you get what you pay for.

I find it funny that you slag them off for things you would find with any other company, the computer case I've had many of cases which where crap because I payed so little and it is what I expected.

I've had one faulty product from it, emailed them and sent it back to them, very fast.

I like them, you complain about stupid little things, look up at how many problems ebuyer have you will find the ratio is exactly the same.

Personally I would think the fact he has never had a post before, it is a rival company and obviously cannot handle the competition.

[Alan2273]

Back on topic Mike, have you made your final decision what you are going to buy?.

[Mike567]

No, I'm still concerned about the cost.

Paying £10 per 100mhz :lol:.

I think instead of building it slowly, I shall save the money and build it in one by that time they might have something much better fingers crossed for the 6 core CPU :lol:.

[bnorth]

Personally I would think the fact he has never had a post before, it is a rival company and obviously cannot handle the competition.

no, I'm not fro a rival company .. I am of course yet another v dissatisfied eclipse customer ..

I bought a PC following a rave review from a mag, had load of problems and was very very shocked just how bad the reviews were for Eclipse. I thought I was doing a favour by warning others. I don't think all the complaints are little ... and each link usually has a string of complainants. Its not scientific but you don't get so much bad feedback googling Dell or Chilblast or Evesham or any other PC maker I can think of - maybe 1 or 2 or 3 unhappy customers but not dozens.

[Mike567]

HAHA LOL.

I remember Dell a while back, you google a machine ID guess what problems, hell of a lot of problems. :lol:

I can tell you a fact everyone I knew that worked in computers hated dell because they had so many problems, but they have cleaned up their act.

[bnorth]

hmmmm I thought Dell was OK these days too. I didn't realise they used to have a bad rep.

I had a Dell once and it had a "small" problem, in that it didn't close down properly - had to use the off switch, I think it was a software problem that was fixed with a patch but it wasn't easy (for me).

I did see a complaint about Dell recently actually.

I've seen more complaints about Mesh and I'm not sure if they've improved since they were on Watchdog.

But I don't think any other PC maker is as bad as Eclipse for feedback since I don't see anything like as many complaints googling Dell, Evesham, Chillblast etc and Eclipse aren't a big company,

I accept its hard to judge what % of customers are unhappy from the web but I think (adjusting for company size) you can get a rough comparison between PC makers. It'd be great if Eclipse do clean up their act but they've had bad feedback for many years and still get bad feedback so I don't think its happened yet.

anyway they're probably better for components, as you are doing, and they are easier to send back for refund than a whole PC

anyway I'll be quiet now !! good luck with your PC whatever you do. I'd love to work out how to build one from scratch. I know people say its not hard and I guess when you know what to do its not !! like a lot of things ! :)

[Mike567]

Everyone you see/ meet will of had a bad rep at one time, but they work it out.

in eclipsis case they need to hire a damn good manager, because the company is getting too large for them to handle its just something you need to be aware of the fact a growing business will have a lot of trouble!