Rate PC + Changes?

[Tom]

Hi There.

I brought my rig back in October 2008 and it was, at the time, a pretty powerful peice of kit. As we all know alot changes in 2 years, especially in terms of technology.

As I'm going to be treating myself to a new 360 Elite with a trade-in, I've decided now is as good a time as any to spruce the desktop up a bit as well. I have no intention of getting a new PC for at least another 3 years.

Here is my spec as purchased in 2008:

Intel Core 2 Quad Q9400 w/ L2 Cache @ 2.66GHz
4GB 1066MHz DDR2 CORSAIR DOMINATOR RAM
1TB Hitatchi HDD
1GB Stock NVIDIA 9800GT Graphics Card
ASUS Silent Knight II Cooling Fan
600W PSU
2x DVD RW
1x Card Reader
1x Firewire Port
1x Floppy Drive
1x Wireless N Network Card
Trident Case

This is the upgraded specifications, including upgrades I've already performed and that I plan to do very soon as of 2010:

Intel Core 2 Quad Q9400 w/ L2 Cache @ 2.66GHz OC @ 3.2GHz
8GB 1066MHz DDR2 CORSAIR DOMINATOR RAM
1.5TB Western Digital HDD
1GB ASUS DARK KNIGHT GTS 250 Graphics Card
ASUS Silent Knight II Cooling Fan (Replace) 600W PSU (Replace)
1x Blu Ray RW
1x Card Reader (New)1x floppy Drive (Remove)
1x Firewire Port
1x Wireless N Network Card
Fusion Case (New)

What I really want to know is 1. How well does this upgraded spec hold up against the latest competition? Is it still pretty good, average? etc.

And finally (hoping a PCSPECIALIST staff member can answer this) as you can see I would like to change the case to a fusion one, remove the floppy and add the white card reader as seen on the case pics. I'm not a fan of gaming cases and prefer the modest look. My Trident case is getting a bit worn plus the gloss look of the Fusion suits the rest of my kit over the matte look Trident. (matches the new 360 too!).

Can PCSPECIALIST take the PC back and switch cases and if so is there a cost? Can I buy the Fusion case from you and perform the changes myself (would prefer that).

Cheers.

EDIT: The Motherboard is an ASUS P5Q, if that's relevant

 

[LDUK]

You know, the upgrades are almost a 2010 equivalent of your 2008 version. If you liked your PC back then, you should like your upgraded PC, as much as you did back then. If you know what I mean lol.

 

[Tom]

Yeah I spose that's true lol. I know it's not an i7 or anything but gets the job done. Really looking forward to changing the case around (if I can) creates the impression of it being new even if it isn't.

 

[LDUK]

Yeah I spose that's true lol. I know it's not an i7 or anything but gets the job done. Really looking forward to changing the case around (if I can) creates the impression of it being new even if it isn't.

Ha ha, good point lol.

 

[PCS]

Can PCSPECIALIST take the PC back and switch cases and if so is there a cost? Can I buy the Fusion case from you and perform the changes myself (would prefer that).

We cannot change over the components, but we're happy to ship you a Fusion case. Please contact our call centre (0844 499 4000) with your order number and we'll create you an additional order and ship out straight away.

 

[Tom]

We cannot change over the components, but we're happy to ship you a Fusion case. Please contact our call centre (0844 499 4000) with your order number and we'll create you an additional order and ship out straight away.

Fab, cheers.

 

[Gorman]

1GB Stock NVIDIA 9800GT Graphics Card
1GB ASUS DARK KNIGHT GTS 250 Graphics Card

Hi, The upgraded machine nice. If i had to i would point out the 250 as the weak point of it as a gaming rig. The GTS 250 and the 9800GT have the same G92 GPU.

Its a shame the motherboard doesnt have another PCI Express x 16 slot, then if you upgraded the graphics card you could use the GTS 250 as a dedicated Physx card.

 

[Tom]

We cannot change over the components, but we're happy to ship you a Fusion case. Please contact our call centre (0844 499 4000) with your order number and we'll create you an additional order and ship out straight away.

Well, I did that, explained what I wanted carefully, and paid, and you've sent me a box the size of a house with JUST the card reader in and no new case. Is this some sort of joke?

 

[Gorman]

Well, I did that, explained what I wanted carefully, and paid, and you've sent me a box the size of a house with JUST the card reader in and no new case. Is this some sort of joke?

A case sized box with a card reader in it?

Can i have your order number via PM please.

 

[Tom]

A case sized box with a card reader in it?

Can i have your order number via PM please.

Order number? I placed it over the phone and was told the items (case, screws, card reader to match) would be with me by today. I wasn't given an order number or anything. And yeah as I say, A huge box big enough to carry a case in has arrived but just with the tiny card reader in. Is it possible the order has been interpreted as a return lol?

 

[Tom]

Oh and just to provide a bit more info, no paper work or anything, just the DHL sticker on the front.

Consignment No. JD0002267175053405
Tracking No. JD0002267175053405

 

[Gorman]

The original order number for the PC, when you placed the sub order it would have been added to it as a sub order.

I need to see what they put on the system, a card reader, a case or both.

 

[Tom]

Cheers for sorting the order problem.

The case arrived yesterday and I've successfully transferred everything over and given each component a much needed de-dust!

Only problem at the moment is that the power light LED doesn't work and it won't boot, says something about a USB problem. I think I've wired up the LED and USB cables wrong but I can't understand where they would go if not where I've put them. The Blu-Ray drive light works and I wired that to the same area. Confused.

 

[Gorman]

Only problem at the moment is that the power light LED doesn't work and it won't boot, says something about a USB problem. I think I've wired up the LED and USB cables wrong but I can't understand where they would go if not where I've put them. The Blu-Ray drive light works and I wired that to the same area. Confused.

Glad to hear it arrived ok, do you still have the mainboard manual? if not what model board is it?

 

[Tom]

Glad to hear it arrived ok, do you still have the mainboard manual? if not what model board is it?

It's an ASUS P5Q standard and yeah I have the manual which I consulted. Maybe I've just made a silly mistake somewhere, I was knackered when I did it late last night. The error didn't seem to be serious, I remember thinking then that it could only be because I've plugged the USB connector wire into the wrong port or something. Perplexed as to why the LED on the power light didn't come on though, as it was the same 2-pin cord as the disc drive one.

 

[Gorman]

I've just made a silly mistake somewhere

Perplexed as to why the LED on the power light didn't come on though, as it was the same 2-pin cord as the disc drive one.

Unlplug the usb headers and have a good look in the manual, you dont want to get the 1394 and usb connectors confused as that can damage the board.

As for the power led, try the + and - the other way round.

 

[Tom]

Unlplug the usb headers and have a good look in the manual, you dont want to get the 1394 and usb connectors confused as that can damage the board.

As for the power led, try the + and - the other way round.

Yeah I noticed a warning about that in the manual too so was especially careful not to go near the 1394. I'll give that a go when I get in, cheers. One more question, do the card readers wire up to the same set of ports as the USBs?

 

[Gorman]

Yes it is just a USB device connected via the internal header

 

[PCS]

From your original order specification, it's an ASUS P5Q:

You need to wire the LED's as follows:

 

[Tom]

Yes it is just a USB device connected via the internal header

Ok thanks. =)