Is This Desktop Pc a Good Deal?

ddrex on 21/02/2016 - 23:25

i am a bit out of date with new tech and prices and my sister in law has asked me to recommend a good desktop pc for my nephew. He is 10 and it will be used for school work, youtube and games (nothing hardcore). The aim is for it to last him 2-3 years at least without needing an upgrade. So i have looked at the system being sold at aldi and it looks decent to me but as i said i am not up to date with tech and prices.

Is this a good deal for what it has or should i build a new system that will be better and cheaper if possible?

http://aldi.medion.com/md8804/au/?refPage=medion

The budget is $800 or less if possible.

P.S. i built my last 2 pcs so that is not a problem but i struggle to find time to research all the new tech and be up to date, so any recommendations are much appreciated.

Poll Options

  • 4
    buy aldi system, it's good enough
  • 5
    Look at other cheaper prebuilt systems
  • 9
    Build a new pc from scratch
Computing

Comments

  • altomic on 21/02/2016 - 23:41
    +1

    get an all in one $205 delivered Lenovo Core 2 E7600 2x 3.0GHz 4GB 500GB LCD Windows 7 PC

    and $26 delivered for a wireless mouse and keyboard

    full kit for a 10 year old for $230ish - and it's compact (all in one, fewer cables and simple)

  • froggym on 22/02/2016 - 00:11
    +1

    If he wants to be playing games I would recommend something with a dedicated graphics card. It is possible to get along without one but quite frustrating.

  • scrimshaw on 22/02/2016 - 01:48
    +1

    Nothing wrong with buying the Aldi system. his needs are basic enough and the Aldi system is actually pretty overkill, but it's also a good buy as a system like that could last more than 5 years (assuming that nothing in it breaks).

    You can also buy a refurbished office computer — which is no doubt cheaper, but I wouldn't get anything older than a Sandy Bridge system.

    A Core i5 SB desktop should be around $200~300 bucks, and is a lot of a better deal than one running Core 2 Duo or Quad series.
    e.g This Optiplex, Desktop form factor is $299 and has enough grunt for most uses. Except high-end gaming.

    You can throw in a low-end graphics card in this system, but have to bear in mind that the PSU is 240 watts, so it's limited to using something like R7 240

  • Geekomatic on 22/02/2016 - 02:17
    +1

    The Aldi is ok- I like the SSD/HDD & DDR4…but you don't know the PSU & you still need a dedicated GPU of some sort…

    See what PLE or MSY (do they build?) can do on that budget? Get a quote for the same Aldi spec-system & see what they say.

    And for a 10 yr old, a decent WD Black HDD won't hurt anything (vs. SSD/HDD) & still be plenty fast.

    Good luck!

  • chartparker on 22/02/2016 - 08:15

    Considering everything included in the Aldi PC I'm considering getting one myself!

  • BuyoTheCat on 22/02/2016 - 08:50

    Perhaps try waiting a few weeks, then go back look for aldi that are discounting them clear them. Its a matter of trying your luck but I think the chances are not that bad.

    • scrimshaw on 22/02/2016 - 10:50

      Aldi PC's usually sell out very quickly, as they don't have many in stock. You will have no chance of seeing them on clearance, ever.

      • Forfiet on 22/02/2016 - 12:51

        one of my local aldi has no pc's anyway :(

        • ddrex on 22/02/2016 - 21:41

          most shops have none but i did see one left in one shop, that's why I'm asking. The price wasn't reduced :)

  • Stripes on 22/02/2016 - 10:44
    +1

    I recommend this forum http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum/7 instead.

    15 mins of research and you will be much better off. They have a section with the best builds for different budgets that gets updated regularly.

    • ddrex on 22/02/2016 - 21:44

      thanks for the link. I was trying to avoid building a new system and aldi pc was an easy way out lol.

  • ddrex on 22/02/2016 - 21:55

    Thank you all! We would definitely prefer an overkill system than one that will be enough for now but underpowered in a year or so.
    After all your suggestions, i think i will do a full build rather than getting the aldi system, and i will know exactly what's in it and it can be a motivation to get up to date with current specs.
    Aldi system looks good value for the specs though, and I'll use it as a guide.
    Might get it if they reduce the price :)

  • ddrex on 22/02/2016 - 22:01

    as for games, I'm really behind with regards to them. I know my nephew likes world of warcraft. Not sure about other games.

    Does that game need a separate graphics card or will onboard graphics do?

    • scrimshaw on 22/02/2016 - 23:56

      https://us.battle.net/support/en/article/7682

      Min specs listed here. It hasn't been updated in a while, but the general GPU requirements would be around a GTX 960 or a R7 370.

      Warcraft is a pretty old game. While it has been patched up with some graphics enhancements (each patch requiring better and better hardware each time), most people consider WoW to be still fairly light on resources.

      The latest games like GTA5 and Just Cause 3 can be fairly taxing, requiring you to have a more powerful GPU ($300+) but can still be played on a budget card ($200 card) if the settings are toned down. I'd say unless you want your nephew to become a pro-gamer and start gaming as a career, he will probably be fine with just a mid-spec system.

      • ddrex on 23/02/2016 - 06:55

        Thanks scrimshaw.
        Yeah don't want to turn him into a full time gamer, but would like not to have to upgrade fairly soon after building the system. GPU should be easy enough to add later though, when i know what he plays regularly.

    • [Deactivated] on 24/02/2016 - 17:23

      It might do ok with everything on low. Integrated graphics still chokes on Cataclysm (a 5-6 years old expansion by this point) if you turn up the rendering distance. On the other hand 10 years old isn't going to be raiding regularly to start losing frames because of too many models to render

  • chinezejew on 22/02/2016 - 22:43

    Pcpartspicker

    Build your own list with prices from computer stores near you. Msy, cpl.

    • ddrex on 23/02/2016 - 06:58

      Hadn't heard of that one. Thanks :)

      • chinezejew on 23/02/2016 - 10:59

        No need to rush into it.

        Graphics card will probably most expensive and hardest to choose.

        google search the parts in your build for a benchmark score.

        Do the sums.

        $800 is a pretty OK budget for a 10year old. (If i had $1000 spare id get 980Ti)
        (FYI a friend of mine bought a 2nd hand R9 280x 3gb to SLI - cheap bang for buck power - approx 200bux)

        You will get a system better than Aldi's (Better graphic performance)

        And if you don't mind the watermark on the bottom right corner of Windows10 Pro 64bit.
        Install it by skipping the activation serial page.
        Works fine in my opinion.
        Just cannot customize screen saver and wallpaper i think.

        Antivirus - search for Bitdefender 6months free (renew with new email address every 6months)

        Office - Microsoft HUP
        http://www.microsofthup.com/hupau/home.aspx
        works with most education email address ".edu" emails

        Saves you cost on Office/ Antivirus and Windows.

        Maybe teach nephew about googling computer components.
        You will be surprised, if you teach him to fish now… you will not need to build another PC for him again.

        • ddrex on 23/02/2016 - 23:44

          Awesome tips, thanks again. That ms office will come in handy.

          Teaching him is a good idea but i think he is too young for it atm. It might also push him in the direction of full time gaming and we'd rather stick with him playing sports than playing on computers too much.

  • Mrcoom on 02/06/2016 - 11:50

    is this computer a good deal? http://www.shoppingexpress.com.au/buy/hp-envy-phoenix-deskto…

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