New Computer!

[sam.utute]

Hey guys,

I need your advice on what computer I should buy. I intend on using it for everything including gaming. I currently don't have a computer as I felt that I would get distracted during VCE and refrained from replacing my old laptop. 

Thus far, I have been thinking about importing an Alienware Aurora from the US as I am not aware of any decent gaming computer companies in Australia. And before you say Alienware is overpriced, the total cost of the build will be $AUD 2300 include shipping and insurance to Australia.

Any recommendations?

Sam

[sam.utute]

(Image removed from quote.)

I've already got this one o.O

[Russ]

And before you say Alienware is overpriced, the total cost of the build will be $AUD 2300 include shipping and insurance to Australia.

It's still overpriced.

Desktop or laptop? If desktop, consider putting one together or paying for a someone to build it for you. You'll save a significant amount by buying parts individually

[shinny]

Yeh, I'd say build your own. It's not that difficult; I didn't really know anything about it either and I just bought all the parts and plugged stuff into where they fit (inb4 that's what she said). I made a decent gaming computer for around ~$1k.

[sam.utute]

And before you say Alienware is overpriced, the total cost of the build will be $AUD 2300 include shipping and insurance to Australia.

It's still overpriced.

Desktop or laptop? If desktop, consider putting one together or paying for a someone to build it for you. You'll save a significant amount by buying parts individually

I'm after a desktop. And my dad will not let me build my own for fear of my ability to screw things up. I definitely want to buy it pre-built from a retail store.

[Mao]

And before you say Alienware is overpriced, the total cost of the build will be $AUD 2300 include shipping and insurance to Australia.

It's still overpriced.

Desktop or laptop? If desktop, consider putting one together or paying for a someone to build it for you. You'll save a significant amount by buying parts individually

I'm after a desktop. And my dad will not let me build my own for fear of my ability to screw things up. I definitely want to buy it pre-built from a retail store.

Building one is very easy, basically put the right plug into the right hole(inb4 that's what she said), it's hard to screw things up these days.

[Russ]

I'm after a desktop. And my dad will not let me build my own for fear of my ability to screw things up. I definitely want to buy it pre-built from a retail store.

Pre-builts are always more expensive than they should be. And the more powerful the PC, the bigger the profit margin. If you can, buy the parts and than pay to have them assembled by a professional ($70?). That said, MSY have some good prebuilts if you can live with their customer service

See here, which is almost certainly better than what Alienware were charging you for

[Predator]

It also depends on what brands you are looking for.
If you get an AMD processor they are much cheaper but offer similar processing power to the
equivalent Intel processor.
Graphics wise you are probably best to go ATI/AMD (they changed the name to AMD for some
reason so if you buy an ATI one it will be old stock) although NVIDIA cards are better in some
cases.
Motherboard wise you can't go wrong with and ASUS or Gigabyte one just make sure it has enough
ports and slots for more RAM etc if you want to upgrade or change parts later on.

[sam.utute]

I've done heaps of research on building my own computer including consulting the whirlpool forum. I'm also aware of the benefits of building your own, and I had a go at school a few years back (admittedly, with a piece of crap computer).
But unfortunately, building my own (or getting someone else to do it like MSY) is not an option, as much as I would prefer to do it. That's why I need some recommendations of decent retailers. I'm (well my dad is) more than willing to pay a higher price for a retail model.

[Russ]

Can you just buy a premade from MSY then?

[sam.utute]

Can you just buy a premade from MSY then?

My dad hates MSY. We had a bad experience with them when we purchased a router and some other things, and my dad vowed never to buy from them again.
I'm getting the feeling that my options are pretty limited.

[Russ]

Crap customer service? All their outlets are dodgy but they're cheap.

If you have to buy premade from a retail store, I have a soft spot for TECS and Centrecom

[sam.utute]

Crap customer service? All their outlets are dodgy but they're cheap.

If you have to buy premade from a retail store, I have a soft spot for TECS and Centrecom

Ahhh... That's what I was looking for. Thank you!

[burbs]

Sorry, your dad hates MSY and making your own computer? I don't think he is leaving you with many options other than Dell...

I made my computer by buying the parts etc. and have very little computer know-how, and it runs fine.

[sam.utute]

Sorry, your dad hates MSY and making your own computer? I don't think he is leaving you with many options other than Dell...

I made my computer by buying the parts etc. and have very little computer know-how, and it runs fine.

Yeah, basically. He's ultra-conservative when it comes to warranty and fear of breaking lol. But he's more than happy to pay up to 2500-3000 for a computer as long as it has good warranty and the company has good customer service.