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PostPosted: Wed Jul 02, 2014 12:32 pm
by ZK-MAT
Hi all,

Yes, I am still around, it's been forever since I last had FS installed. It is time to look at upgrading this desktop I built nearly 10 years ago! I'm looking for advice and suggestions please smile.gif

# I am looking at spending up to $1,800 incl monitor
# I would like to install and run FSX
# I can build it and install OS etc myself but to be honest it's been so long and I would rather pay the shop to put it together
# It will be our home PC for work and study as well, so has to look pretty and do basic home office stuff for the one who must be obeyed

Are the all in one HP systems like this one worth a look at? The specs seem legit 3.6Ghz i5-4570T 8GB RAM 1TB Hard Drive + 16GB. Whilst I've always been wary of supermarket PC's to be honest the upgradeability probably won't concern me now - look what I have used for the last 10 years without upgrade lol.

All that concerns me about that is the integrated graphics NVIDIA GeForce 730A.

Let me hear your suggestions!

Cheers

Matt

PostPosted: Wed Jul 02, 2014 12:49 pm
by omitchell
Compare the parts to what you can get for hte same price http://www.pbtech.co.nz/

PostPosted: Wed Jul 02, 2014 1:27 pm
by Ian Warren
ZK-MAT wrote:
QUOTE (ZK-MAT @ Jul 2 2014,1:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
All that concerns me about that is the integrated graphics NVIDIA GeForce 730A.

Let me hear your suggestions!

Cheers

Matt

Matt, I have installed ASUS GTX750 TI last week and the result is quite startling , 2gb, I still have had a good look, little offset last couple days , I post an example in a few hours.

PostPosted: Wed Jul 02, 2014 1:46 pm
by ZK-MAT

PostPosted: Wed Jul 02, 2014 1:52 pm
by Ian Warren
Well the G/card is one better than mine, looking a that , be idea for you , 8GB ram is all you need , all Ive got i do heavy graphics here regard to my artwork and it smooth as . The 750 was only $288NZ

PostPosted: Wed Jul 02, 2014 2:09 pm
by ZK-MAT
The more I look at it the more I'm about to click the button....

PostPosted: Wed Jul 02, 2014 2:41 pm
by toprob
Yeah, do it, press that button...
The all-in-ones are nice, but are always going to be limited for simming. My worst purchase was a HP mini, which was nice and cheap, but you couldn't upgrade anything.
This one does look like a fracken cylon, but you could stick it under the desk so you don't have to look at it.

PostPosted: Wed Jul 02, 2014 3:40 pm
by ZK-MAT
The case is a nightmare - I'm getting old ... yeah, will just check with 'er indoors first ...

PostPosted: Wed Jul 02, 2014 3:59 pm
by omitchell
Case looks line to me, it's just LED's coming through the cooling grills

PostPosted: Wed Jul 02, 2014 9:48 pm
by ZK-MAT
.... and, ordered

PostPosted: Wed Jul 02, 2014 9:52 pm
by Naki
So...this is what you sold your house for?? ohmy.gif

PostPosted: Wed Jul 02, 2014 10:14 pm
by Ian Warren
ZK-MAT wrote:
QUOTE (ZK-MAT @ Jul 2 2014,10:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
.... and, ordered

Yaaaaay , looking forward to see ya more in the screenie circuit cool.gif

PostPosted: Thu Jul 03, 2014 8:54 am
by ZK-MAT
Naki - yeah mate - we managed to reduce our mortgage by 20K, move closer to family and there was a few spare K left over for 'incidentals'. So, yes, in essence, I sold my house to get a flight sim PC!

PostPosted: Thu Jul 03, 2014 9:25 am
by Ian Warren
ZK-MAT wrote:
QUOTE (ZK-MAT @ Jul 3 2014,9:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
So, yes, in essence, I sold my house to get a flight sim PC!

ohmy.gif Now that's a real kiwi flight simmer biggrin.gif

PostPosted: Fri Jul 04, 2014 4:02 pm
by ZK-MAT
Wohooooo, it arrived today.

And .... looks like the graphics card is faulty. Endless reboots into safe mode and unable to change resolution. The card is not being recognised and the onboard graphics are not kicking in. Sigh.

Dealing with PB Tech now who are being less than helpful... their response is to buy another one and send this one back and if it is faulty they will credit me.

After several phone calls and emails to PB Tech I am less than impressed in their after sales service sad.gif

PostPosted: Fri Jul 04, 2014 4:07 pm
by Ian Warren
Oh BUGGER! , I'm so lucky to have a shop and techie 400 meters away ! and his service is superb!

PostPosted: Fri Jul 04, 2014 4:26 pm
by omitchell
ZK-MAT wrote:
QUOTE (ZK-MAT @ Jul 4 2014,4:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Wohooooo, it arrived today.

And .... looks like the graphics card is faulty. Endless reboots into safe mode and unable to change resolution. The card is not being recognised and the onboard graphics are not kicking in. Sigh.

Dealing with PB Tech now who are being less than helpful... their response is to buy another one and send this one back and if it is faulty they will credit me.

After several phone calls and emails to PB Tech I am less than impressed in their after sales service sad.gif


That is definitely not like them... Most unusual...

PostPosted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 7:07 pm
by ZK-MAT
Update time

I managed to make contact with a staff member from PC Tech via email. Phoning was a dead end, all I could get to on the phone was a branch, not the Returns Authority guys.

I have returned the system, and they told me to buy another one and IF mine was indeed faulty they would credit me one. I explained that I didn't have that much spare dosh so I sent it back, with a page long explanation of exactly what I did and how I ended up where I did.

Today I get a credit note and a new invoice for another PC. Hopefully that means a replacement is on its way to me!

I must credit PB Tech, in particular James Li, for progressing this matter, he responds promptly to emails, arranged the return courier ticket quickly and has been pleasant to deal with.

Hopefully it arrives soon!

PostPosted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 7:44 pm
by omitchell
ZK-MAT wrote:
QUOTE (ZK-MAT @ Jul 7 2014,7:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Update time

I managed to make contact with a staff member from PC Tech via email. Phoning was a dead end, all I could get to on the phone was a branch, not the Returns Authority guys.

I have returned the system, and they told me to buy another one and IF mine was indeed faulty they would credit me one. I explained that I didn't have that much spare dosh so I sent it back, with a page long explanation of exactly what I did and how I ended up where I did.

Today I get a credit note and a new invoice for another PC. Hopefully that means a replacement is on its way to me!

I must credit PB Tech, in particular James Li, for progressing this matter, he responds promptly to emails, arranged the return courier ticket quickly and has been pleasant to deal with.

Hopefully it arrives soon!


Sorry you had that trouble with them. I deal with them regularly and always get good service. It's surprising to hear

PostPosted: Tue Jul 08, 2014 10:06 am
by Ian Warren
ZK-MAT wrote:
QUOTE (ZK-MAT @ Jul 7 2014,8:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I must credit PB Tech, in particular James Li, for progressing this matter, he responds promptly to emails, arranged the return courier ticket quickly and has been pleasant to deal with.

Hopefully it arrives soon!

Best thing is getting personal service, lease the chap has put his 'name' in the loop which makes it more creditable and get a great custom service , been in that arena in the engineering field , many times redesigned the product with superior results !