Any opinions on these systems would be great

[lotto_stud]

Hi all,

I've been looking on the net to buy a prebuilt system and came across these stores that are conveniently near where i live. I know that it might be a whole lot cheaper if i built it myself, but the missus isn't too keen on the idea and she's a big fan of long term warranties.

I want to buy a htpc to watch and record tv, play dvds, use it as a stereo (cds and radio), and to use the internet.

http://www.computerfunction.com.au/
$1,299
Intel DG33TL Motherboard
Intel Core2Duo E8400 3GHz 6MB
4GB DDR2 800MHz Memory
750GB Hard Drive 32MB
Intel GMA3100 Graphics 320MB
Blu-Ray Combo drive
Shared Video Memory
7.1 HD Sound
HD TV Tuner Card with remote
3 Year Limited Warranty

http://www.globalgroup.net.au/gloshop/
$1,279
AMD AM2 QUADCORE 9750 CPU
Asus M3A78-EMH-HDMI Motherboard
2X2GB DDR2 Ram
1000GB WESTERN DIGITAL SATA HDD
20X DOUBLE LAYER DVDRW
HDTV-Out and DVI
Integrated Audio and Lan
Leadtek Digital HD TV tuner Card
Thermaltake LanBox VF6000BNS Case,
550W Power Supply,
Logitec EX110 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse
Windows Vista Premium
5 Year Limited RTB Warranty

any comments or suggestions regarding upgrades/downgrades would be most welcome. Also, has anyone dealt with these store before?

Cheers

[TiggerK]

Just don't believe the misleading warranty terms.

NO details at all on the 'terms' of the LIMITED 5 year warranty with the 2nd one, and from experience not worth the words they've typed. Probably refers to a 'labour' warranty of 5 years, and parts of 1 year, or something similar.

And the other one....

Computer warranties are return to base. When we receive them, they are booked in to our service department. We pride ourselves on having one of Australia’s fastest warranty turnaround. Which is three to seven working days before work commences. Please note that we need to replicate the problem you have been experiencing, so with your help we can have your computer back in your hands as soon as possible.

Three Year Limited Warranty- Hardware is covered by the respective parts manufacturers warranty. Meaning some parts are covered by three, two and one year warranties respectively. All faulty parts are sent away to the manufacturer. When we receive them back they are installed in your computer on the same day.

Sent to the manufacturer can take between two and eight weeks on average. Not exactly a customer focused warranty, but then you get this with many cheaper places these days, their prices are OK, nothing amazing, but fair. But what's this cashback thing with the first company?? Never did like those.

Maybe go and see them, and see what the vibe is like.

Cheers
TiggerK

[ozbear]

Originally Posted by TiggerK

But what's this cashback thing with the first company?? Never did like those.

Ditto....they sound like a good idea until you actually try to get the cash back, never to hear from the software/hardware/whatever vendor again.

Oz

[lotto_stud]

Thanks TiggerK,

but to be honest, the whole warranty thing is to keep the missus happy...i think she'll be happy if the deal said it came with some sort of warranty. I've never had to make a warranty claim before so it doesn't bother me.

[TiggerK]

Fair enough... just keep in mind the turnaround time if something does go wrong, but you can always buy something new and have a spare when it comes back!!

The only real thing I'd change it to see if they have the option of a different TV tuner card, in general most brands work OK, but as you can see around here, there are a few current favourites which have more success than others. Given that the company probably won't be able to give you much support anyway, best to choose stuff that people around here like.

Depending on your screen and its native resolution, you may want a dedicated graphics card to give you more flexible options, esp on the G33TL board option. If your screen is 1920x1080 you should be fine though.

Cheers
TiggerK

[lotto_stud]

Alright, I think i've found a system that i'm keen on buying:

AMD Athlon 64 5200+ CPU
Asus M3N78 mobo
4GB RAM
1.5TB Western Digital hdd
Integrated graphics & sound
Pioneer Blu-ray dvd-rw
Avermedia dual tuner
Netgear WG311 wireless lan
Antec fusion case
Vista Home Premium
Logitech Dinovo mini

$1,499...dinovo mini is a freebie.
How does these specs sound?

[videophile]

Dude, those specs sound hot

Get it

[lotto_stud]

Originally Posted by videophile

Dude, those specs sound hot

Get it

Thanks videophile,

I've started paying for it, but I've asked the guys at the store to hold off on the case. I'm considering getting a touchscreen case like the Zalman HD160XT plus / Silverstone CW03 or LC18 / Thermaltake DH102.

Mainly coz I want to be able to uses the htpc without using my tv...i've started a thread on this here

htpc case - touchscreen, lcd or vfd?

...I'm leaning more toward the Zalman HD160XT plus. This will definitely bump up the price a considerable amount, but in the end I think it will be worth it.