Aldi Computer back in

[Mike-bham]

I know there's alot of stigma about aldi etc. But i've had alot of their products for a long time now, including this Pc im on now I bought almost 4 years ago, and have always been impressed, especially for the price!

The computer boffins will probably not like it much. But i've specced it up against a mesh one, and it seems like a decent price to me for the amount of kit etc (unless some one can prove to me otherwise).

Medion MD 8822 £549.99

http://www.aldi.co.uk/

Might buy one.

Not sure how well it would run supreme commander, any ideas?

Mike

 

[Griff]

For that price you could build a much better pc of your own.

As for...

Not sure how well it would run supreme commander, any ideas?

the answers not exactly well.

 

[Mike-bham]

If you could, please could you give me a quick run down list of what to get, and through what website, to get most gadgets that are on it + a better spec?

(Unless you wanna build me one )

:star:

 

[Griff]

I think Seb asked a for a PC for a similar price and various people suggested components. I'm heading home now but have a look for Seb's post and if you haven't found it I'll reply later this evening.

 

[Mike-bham]

I'll have a look!

 

[Mike-bham]

Found it

http://www.cliosport.net/forum/showthread.php?t=209006

But unfortunatly i'm not at all literate in that strange coded language that people who build computers talk, and have never built one, so do not have a clue really what most of it means!

 

[Lagerlout]

I bought one last year exactly the same as that except mine has a 1.86Ghz dual core chip. Really happy with it. Really quiet too, which is a bonus.

If you can't be arsed to build one yourself and want a three year warranty (ask the people willing to build your PC if they'll offer you a 3 year warranty with on site repairs ) then they are a bit of a bargain.

And if you can build one for less, it won't be by much!!!

 

[G_F]

Sapphire ATI Radeon X1950 Pro ULTIMATE SILENT 256MB GDDR3 HDTV/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail
(£131.59)

Intel Core 2 DUO LGA775 E6400 2.13GHz Retail / Gigabyte 965P DS3 / 2GB Corsair XMS2-6400C5 DDR2 Dual Channel Kit - Bundle
(£370.09)

Western Digital Caviar SE16 320GB 3200KS SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM
(£61.09)
Sub Total : £478.95 Shipping cost assumes delivery to UK Mainland with:
City Link Parcel Next Day (Delivered Mon-Fri)
Shipping : £8.95 Vat : £85.38 Total : £573.28


then add in a case etc, but this is a weapon in comparison, sack aldi off.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/

 

[Lagerlout]

How about the sound card? And the card reader? And the remote? And Vista? Wireless keyboard and mouse? Three year warranty?

I'm sure you can build better for similar money - But unless you're really into your PC's/ games etc why bother? It doesn't save you any cash imho.

 

[Mike-bham]

How about the sound card? And the card reader? And the remote? And Vista? Wireless keyboard and mouse? Three year warranty?

I'm sure you can build better for similar money - But unless you're really into your PC's/ games etc why bother? It doesn't save you any cash imho.

Do you use yours for games at all? If so, what ones and how did it cope?

GavFre: Nice spec, but with the extras i'd need too, It'd be out of my price range really. 550's pushing it a bit (shouldnt really be wasting that kinda money lol when i'm looking for a house!)

I'll also be needing a now OS. And it MUST be able to run Autocad 2007 in 3d. Thats my other reason for upgrading.

 

[seb]

Mike, i am a complete pc leper but form spekaing to geeks online they reckon i should be ok, and it will be a great learning tool.

i don't think the price difference is that great with building your own, but i already have my O/S keyborad etc so i just need the PC. This way i can pick and choose what i want.

i'd say put your balls on the line and self build. However, i may change my mind when i go to do it!

I am currently considering AMD to keep costs down... still pondering my spec.

 

[Mike-bham]

I thought you had already purchased them?

was kinda hoping you would be putting it together in the next couple of days to see how you got on lol!

 

[Griff]

How about the sound card? And the card reader? And the remote? And Vista? Wireless keyboard and mouse? Three year warranty?

I'm sure you can build better for similar money - But unless you're really into your PC's/ games etc why bother? It doesn't save you any cash imho.

So the Aldi pc comes with a warranty.. Great!!!

In 15 years of building PC's I've never had to RMA a single component. If something did go wrong I know I'd rather fix it myself than wait weeks for some spotty oink to "take it back to base".

As for your list any decent motherboard will have onboard sound and I bet it's better than the crap soundcard in the Aldi pc. The type of keyboard, mouse and card reader than they will supply as part of that pc could be picked up for a tenner anywhere and for Vista it's not exactly that expensive anyway.

Finally as for building it yourself doesn't save you any cash well not only does it give you an insight into pc's but you will certainly get a much better pc for the same amount of cash as something from an oversized fruit and veg shop.

I will concede that if the Aldi pc was for someone of my parents age then fair enough it would probably suffice.

 

[seb]

just doing the waiting game at present as work are selling old pc's for el cheapo money. i am going to buyone as i need a spare keyborad monitor etc for/if when i have any issues wit the new build.

i want to keep my current pc online and all wired up whilst i build the other one so i can pick peopls brains etc.

 

[dick]

might get me ext HD

filled 250gb on this

 

[Mike-bham]

Lol I love how angry aldi makes people, and how miss concieved it is!
Aldi dont make the computer at all btw. But i'm not argueing with anyone!

Not doing vert well with this build it yourself stuff. Adding on extras it always adds up to loads more than the budget.

I know they build it for you - so more expensive - but pcspecialist.co.uk :

Processor (CPU)
INTEL® Core 2 Duo E6700 (2 X 2.66GHz) 1066MHz FSB/4MB L2 Cache
Memory (RAM)
2048 MB CORSAIR XMS2 800MHz - LIFETIME WARRANTY! (2x1GB)
Motherboard
ECS® P965T-A: DUAL DDR2, S-ATA, x16 VGA, 3 PCI/3 PCI-EX
Operating System
WINDOWS® VISTA Home Premium (inc Genuine CD & License) (£70)
USB Options
6 x USB 2.0 PORTS (4 REAR + 2 FRONT) AS STANDARD
Memory - 1st Hard Disk
250GB SERIAL ATA II HARD DRIVE WITH 8MB CACHE (7200rpm)
2nd Hard Disk
NONE
1st CD/DVD Drive
18x DVD±RW/RAM/Dual Layer + Lightscribe (48 x CD-RW) (£17)
2nd CD/DVD Drive
16X DVD ROM WITH 48X CD ROM
Graphics Card
512MB GEFORCE 7900GS PCI Express + DVI + TV-OUT
2nd Graphics Card
NONE
Sound Card
8 Channel Intel High Definition Audio (Standard on ECS P965T-A)
Modem
NONE, I WILL BE USING BROADBAND
Network Facilities
WIRELESS 108Mbps NETWORK CARD (£12)
Floppy Disk Drive
1.44MB - 3.5" Floppy Disk Drive
Memory Card Reader
INTERNAL 57 IN 1 CARD READER (READS XD, MS, CF, SD, etc)
Case
Stylish Silver/Black Sigma case + 2 front USB
Power Supply & cooling
500W (Peak) Quiet Dual Rail PSU incl Case Fan & CPU Cooler (£39)
Firewire & Video Editing
3 PORT FIREWIRE (IEEE1394) PCI CARD (£9)
TV Card
DIGITAL & ANALOG TV CARD (Watch Freeview / Terrestrial on PC) £29
Monitor
WIDE 19 INCH TFT Silver/Black 1440 x 900 8MS, D-Sub, Audio (£112)
2nd Monitor
NONE
DVI Cable
2 Metre DVI Cable (£6)
Keyboard & Mouse
Logitech® Cordless Internet Pro Desktop Keyboard + Mouse (Black) (£16)
Mouse
NONE
Speakers
CREATIVE INSPIRE 5.1 T6100 SPEAKER SYSTEM (£39)
Printer
NONE
Surge Protection
NONE
Webcam & VoIP
NONE
Media Center Kit
Microsoft Remote Control and Receiver for Media Center PC (£19)
Anti-Virus
NONE
Office Software
NONE
Warranty
1 Year Return-to-Base incl 1st Month Free Collect & Return
Delivery
Standard Insured Delivery to UK Mainland (Mon - Fri 8am - 6pm) (Free)
Quantity
1


£1208

Doesnt help that I dont understand what makes a certain product good, and something else not!

 

[Lagerlout]

Honestly mate. Don't listen to these PC geeks. They're practically in love with computers.

I don't play games on mine, although the one game I have, Far Cry is pretty old, I can run it flat out without trouble. But as I said it's old and things change quickly in the world of PC gaming.

If you read reviews of the graphics card online you'll find that whiles it's not the latest, it's actually not bad at all.

And I have enough going on in my life not to look for satisfaction by plugging some coputer parts toghther!

I run AutoCad 2007 on mine absolutely no problem, although I'm not much past drawing house plans and wiring schematics - Not even looked at the 3D stuff!!

 

[UncleGrumpy]

Its a decent spec machine but some of the descriptions are amusing

Huge 1024MB DDR2 memory - Huge? i've seen mobiles with this much storage
Speed rating 533MHz and 64 bit technology.
Gigantic S-ATA 320GB Hard Disk - Gigantic? more like average
8MB cache, super-fast 7200rpm.
The latest NVIDIA® GeForce® 7650 GS graphics card - Maybe a year or so ago.

Self build every time, but as is blindingly apparent some people dont have the wit for that.

 

[Aberclio182]

Examples of graphics cards for autocad (quadro's & firegls)

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servle...AutoCAD-R17.1&os=1&os=2&os=256&os=512&os=2048

 

[G_F]

Examples of graphics cards for autocad (quadro's & firegls)

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servle...AutoCAD-R17.1&os=1&os=2&os=256&os=512&os=2048

WHat would be your choice from that?

From my point of view, this component buying is not geek, on anyones behalf. Its just about not getting robbed and getting the best/most powerful kit for £$£$

 

[Lagerlout]

Its a decent spec machine but some of the descriptions are amusing

Huge 1024MB DDR2 memory - Huge? i've seen mobiles with this much storage
Speed rating 533MHz and 64 bit technology.
Gigantic S-ATA 320GB Hard Disk - Gigantic? more like average
8MB cache, super-fast 7200rpm.
The latest NVIDIA® GeForce® 7650 GS graphics card - Maybe a year or so ago.

Self build every time, but as is blindingly apparent some people dont have the wit for that.

It's not about having the wit. I really could not be arsed. I went to Aldi, picked up a box, took it home and plugged it in. Simple. It does everything I want.

I really am not interested in spending my time getting bits delivered and then plugging them together.

I really can't get my head round how that's such a difficult thing for you PC lovers to understand!!!!! I do my own electrics/plumbing in my house. I find it blindingly simple - as I'm sure many would if they wanted to. But the majority just open the yellow pages and get a man in because they don't have the time or the inclnation to do it themselves.

 

[Lagerlout]

Examples of graphics cards for autocad (quadro's & firegls)

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servle...AutoCAD-R17.1&os=1&os=2&os=256&os=512&os=2048

WHat would be your choice from that?

From my point of view, this component buying is not geek, on anyones behalf. Its just about not getting robbed and getting the best/most powerful kit for £$£$

And do you think the Aldi PC is robbing people? It's better than anything you can get from Dell for the same money.

 

[G_F]

Dell, FFSake, hey, we know this. If you are not a corporate buyer... etc etc end of////

How do you define 'Wit' Laingo?

I really could not be arsed. I went to Aldi, picked up a box, took it home and plugged it in. Simple. It does everything I want.

So, the average buyer is my mum & dad + people who dont know know a thing about PC's and see something and think its a deal?

If you want a good spec, pm the many people on here who will build/point/make/etc you in the right direction..We are not trying to make money off you BTW!



Not trying to be a tool with you....

 

[Lagerlout]

Dell, FFSake, hey, we know this. If you are not a corporate buyer... etc etc end of////

How do you define 'Wit' Laingo?

I really could not be arsed. I went to Aldi, picked up a box, took it home and plugged it in. Simple. It does everything I want.

So, the average buyer is my mum & dad + people who dont know know a thing about PC's and see something and think its a deal?
If you want a good spec, pm the many people on here who will build/point/make/etc you in the right direction..We are not trying to make money off you BTW!



Not trying to be a tool with you....

YES!! I didn't have, nor will I ever, any desire to build my own pc!! And if you have no desire to do it yourself then the Aldi PC is a good buy is it not? that's all I'm trying to say!!!!!!!!!

No "yeah but you can get your own case with leds lights" and all that sort of s**t.

I'd rather buy a PC from ALDI than some PC geek on a forum whom I've never met!! But that's just me!

 

[G_F]

Sounds like the perfect Pc for you then.

Let me know when the next Aldi meet is.

 

[Lagerlout]

LOL

Sure will. I can't promise it's as exciting as w**king over the latest graphics card though

 

[G_F]

Well, you just lost your invite to the GEForce 8800 meet.. and you sound straight!

 

[b3nje]

:lolup: :nono:

 

[Snubbs]

The Aldi PC is a great deal! I'd buy it if i wasn't after some better hardware (8800GTS please) for the average person (or occasional gamer) the aldi will be fine, if not wonderful!

 

[GordonD]

Yes, it is cheaper to build your own PC.

Except for Windows.

Manufacturers get it so much cheaper than you can buy it that that single cost element destroys all the savings of building your own.

Which only leaves the fact that if you build one yourself you can choose what you consider to be the best components. But that requires you to know enough about computers generally and all the various components avilable specifically to be able to make good decisions.

Some people know they are better off with bought computers. They get something they know works, built by people who know how to build 'em, and supported by people who know how they work. Other people think they know how to do it themselves better, and some of them can.

Having worked in both areas I've found that people who like to build/modify their computers are a bit like people who like to modify cars built the way they were by engineers who know a damn lot more than they do.

 

[b3nje]

TBH - I didn't even read the spec of the PC...just had a quick look now and that is not too shabby at all. Looks the business as well. It would match one of those samsung tele's down to a tee!!

If you could buy it online i'd have one

 

[G_F]

If you could buy it online i'd have one

lol, you lazy b*****d

 

[b3nje]

 

[Rasclart]

I agree with Laingo

if you cant be assed to build one then for a pre built example it is a decent spec for the money.

I think Gavfre must be on the blob/not getting any he keeps attacking people today. keyboard warrior

 

[Rasclart]

Before anyone says anything I am a PC geek and would never buy a PC but can understand why people would.

 

[Lagerlout]

Finally. Some sanity in this thread.

:approve:

 

[Aberclio182]

Examples of graphics cards for autocad (quadro's & firegls)

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servle...AutoCAD-R17.1&os=1&os=2&os=256&os=512&os=2048

WHat would be your choice from that?

From my point of view, this component buying is not geek, on anyones behalf. Its just about not getting robbed and getting the best/most powerful kit for £$£$

If worked from home i would buy the best card from that range i could afford. If it is just a hobby or just the odd job on autocad 3d then any decent graphics would do i suppose.

All this bulid you own stuff is great and can make people huge savings but only really worth it on highend stuff.

Someone that just use's a computer for downloading, internet and a few games now and then, then just buy one from a shop, does it really matter.

 

[Mike-bham]

Its a decent spec machine but some of the descriptions are amusing

Huge 1024MB DDR2 memory - Huge? i've seen mobiles with this much storage
Speed rating 533MHz and 64 bit technology.
Gigantic S-ATA 320GB Hard Disk - Gigantic? more like average
8MB cache, super-fast 7200rpm.
The latest NVIDIA® GeForce® 7650 GS graphics card - Maybe a year or so ago.

Self build every time, but as is blindingly apparent some people dont have the wit for that.

That made me laugh too!

Thanks for all the advice, and PM's! Probably more confused than when I started, but i'll have a think about it, and do some research.
Its gonna be used for 3D CAD, probably half life 2 ep 2, when it finally bloody comes out, and new command and conquer games occasionally. But as long as it plays them (even my 4 year old aldi computer plays them, but a little jumpy at times) I'm not bothered about having the graphics on top settings etc.
Internet, downloading, and a media centre for connecting to the TV.
Self build does look better for more specific uses, and high end value for money. But not sure if its suitable for me. But its not out of the question.