Buy New Computer    Aussie PC Fix    Canberra

Ask us today to custom build you a new computer in Canberra for local pickup or delivery. You can customise any of our example computers below so we can build your perfect computer!

 

For any help in choosing a new Canberra computer, just email us with your intended use, and include your budget and any required specs to support@aussiepcfix.com or contact us via online form

 

New Computers available from Aussie PC Fix

 

About Aussie PC Fix Computers Canberra

Why buy your New Computer from Aussie PC Fix?

 

Choosing your New Perfect Computer

- Ultimate Guide to Buying a New PC

 

           

 

Options with New Computers

 

New Computer Setup

 

List of Popular Computer Part Manufacturers

 

 

New Custom Computer Systems
 from Canberra's Aussie PC Fix 

New Computer Category	Base Configuration
	(RAM, Hard Drive, CPU)
Budget Computers	1GB, 500GB, Intel/AMD
Best Value Computers	2GB, 500GB, Dual Core CPU: Pentium \ Core i3-5xx \ i5-6xx
Multimedia Computers	4GB, 1TB, Quad Core i5-7xx, Dedicated Graphics
Performance PCs	4GB, 1TB, Quad Core i7-8xx, Dedicated Graphics
Gaming i7 Computers	4GB, 500GB, Core i5-7xx, Mid-High End Graphics
Extreme Core i7 PCs	6GB+, 2x1TB, Core i7-9xx SSD, Mid-High End Graphics
AMD Computers	AMD AM2/AM3 Range
Home Theatre PCs	2GB, 1000GB, HTPC Case

 

       

After you have chosen your computer configuration from the categories above, along with any upgrades, all you need to do to make a complete computer system is to choose which version of Windows that you would like to use, as well as a screen/monitor for viewing if you need a new one or would like to upgrade to a widescreen LCD.

Many users still prefer to use Windows XP, which we still have available until stocks run out. Otherwise you can choose from several editions of Vista - the Home Premium and Ultimate editions are most popular.

All new computer screens are now LCD, with 22" and 24" now the best size for value for money - or choose a 19" if this is too large for your work area. Otherwise you may choose a free used 17" CRT (box-like) monitor if we have any in stock -free with any NEW computer sold.

 

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Top reasons why you should
buy your New Computer
from Canberra's Aussie PC Fix

 

Best Value and Best Price Computers If you happen to see a better computer for the price in another shop in Canberra, let us know and we will do our best to beat the price! Because we custom build your computer and can pick the best performance computer parts at each price point for every new computer we build, we guarantee you won’t find better value at the retail shops and department stores!		Custom Built Computers We can custom build your new computer to match exactly what you plan to use it for, giving you the best value for your money for your intended computer usage. Need two or more hard drives? Want a second or third DVD burner or Blu-ray? Different computer case, floppy drive, Windows XP, or no operating system installed? Just Ask! All our listed PCs are just examples of what we can build, contact us if you would like to customise your new computer.
Best Quality Computers We recommend only high quality computer components that we would use in our very own computers! All of our new computers are built by an experienced technician with quality control to ensure each of your components are tested before built is complete. We have been building computers for over five years and choose the best quality parts for each of the computers we build – just make sure you also consider a brand name power supply included in our Best Value Range of Computers and above!		High Performance PCs   We always stock the latest in PC gear and our parts are never last generation, which you may find sitting on the shelves in the shops! We build your new computer with the optimum computer parts currently available for your budget to deliver the highest performance computers. If you can wait an extra day for the build, the computer will be fully tested and tweaked to ensure all components are working properly and at their optimum settings.
Non-proprietary Many headaches are caused by the big manufacturer computers (OEMs) having proprietary power supplies, proprietary cases, proprietary motherboards with obscure drivers or drivers that are never updated or even docuemented. Many also come with an added bonus of proprietary SPYWARE and ADVERTS that slow down your PC and track your usage... We only use the latest top off-the-shelf standard components to ensure maximum compatibility between all your parts, now and for future upgrades. You won’t have to wait months for their ‘compatible’ and overpriced replacement parts.		Free Advice   If you are purchasing a new computer in Canberra and would like some free advice on what computer and components would best suit your needs and budget... Please give us a call or contact us online and we will help you build your perfect computer! Also check out our guide to choosing your perfect computer below.
Backed by Canberra’s Best Computer Support Local Canberra support is important for most people, and we will always be a quick call or drive away with friendly support to help you with any issues you may have. We have been supporting the Canberra region for over five years and limited free support is available with new computer systems, otherwise we can offer any of our comprehensive computer services. Of course any labour (and replacement parts!) are always free if you happen to have a warranty issue.		Extended Warranties All computer systems include a standard 12 month RTB warranty or an additional onsite and/or extended warranty can be added to any new computer system. Warranties may be extended for up to 3 years RTB or also onsite warranty with all hardware and labour included. Up to 5 years warranty is also available, with labour only included in years 4 and 5. Extended warranties are registered with National Warranty Services Australia and are valid Australia-wide.
Canberra Delivery We can deliver your computer to your door for $20 within the ACT or free pickup is available from our workshop in Kambah. Also look for any current free delivery specials currently on offer! Computers purchased with any software such as Windows, MS Office or antivirus will be installed for free at time of build. Please note that computer purchase or delivery delivery does not include installation, setup or configuration!		Canberra Computer Setup and Installation Services We can setup/install you new Computer within Canberra/ACT as well! For more information on our install services, please see New Computer Setup below. Please also check out our range of Canberra Computer Services!

 

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About Aussie PC Fix Computers

	Aussie PC Fix has a range of new computers to suit every type of user and budget starting from only $497. All new PC systems come with 12 month Return To Base warranty included, or warranty may be extended up to 3 years on hardware or also to on-site warranty for any computer sold from Aussie PC Fix. Our range of computers are only built with quality computer components from all the top PC part manufacturers that we use in our very own PCs! We choose and present to you what we feel is the best value price points for each computer system level but you may also customise your new computer however you like - within some limitations!
Custom built quality Canberra built Computers to meet your specifications and needs! Contact us with details of any minimum requirements, what the computer will mainly be used for, and your budget so we can specially design a new computer package for you.

Our Canberra computers come completely assembled and tested with one year warranty, all inside a standard midi-tower case similar to the model shown below. The computer case may be placed flat on its side with an LCD monitor on top if required, or choose from one of our sideways/flat cases or a HTPC type case (coming soon!). If you would prefer a different computer case/chassis then any type of computer case (as well as any other PC parts) are easily ordered for you. All new computers from Aussie PC Fix include a full speed DVD burner which will read and write/burn all major disc format on the market (DVD+RW, DVD-R, CD-RW, etc). If you would like to watch Blu-ray movies or burn Blu-ray discs then please ask for an upgrade to Blu-ray capabilities! For High Definition playback including Blu-ray we will check that your computer meets some minimum specifications so you can get optimal performance for high quality media.		All computers include two PS/2 connectors for a keyboard and mouse, or USB versions of these can easily be used. Computer cases usually come with front headphone/microphone ports and 2 front USB ports. Depending on the model of motherboard, there are also 4-8 USB ports at the rear. If needed, extra USB ports can be added via headers up to the maximum specified for the motherboard, or USB PCI expansion cards can be added for further additional USB ports if there is room. Some motherboards include a serial and parallel port (mostly the Mini-ATX and some low-end motherboards), or these legacy ports can be aded via a header. Please ask us if you require these ports for older or unique devices.
Order your new computer now with free pickup from Kambah, ACT or delivery for just $20 in Canberra. Free delivery of new computers are also available with any Canberra computer services or PC support. Call 0410 628 935 or contact us today to order your new computer system or for any advice on customising a new computer to suit your needs!		On higher spec motherboards, these ports are replaced by more USB ports, or on some models with 1394 Firewire and eSATA ports. It is usually best to choose a motherboard with all the ports you plan to use, but again these ports may be added with an additional bracket fi required. Firewire is used for data transfer and most often found as a slightly faster alternative to USB2.0 in video camera, but is more common in the Apple world. eSATA is used for very fast hard drive data transfer, and being 'external SATA' can reach speeds nearly as quick as internal hard drives. All computer motherboards have an floppy socket available, but we do not include a floppy drive unless requested as these are seldom used today. Motherboards also contain at least one IDE/PATA socket which can be used for older drives. We usually recommend transfering your existing hard drive to the new computer if in good condition and using this old drive for backups.

 

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Choosing The Perfect Computer

Ultimate Guide To Buying A New PC

Aussie PC Fix - Canberra, Australia, 2009

5 main parts inside a computer
Other computer parts
Example Desktop Computer

Choosing your perfect PC Parts!
  Processor / CPU
  Motherboard
  Memory / RAM
  Hard Drive / HDD
  Video Card / Graphics Card / GPU
  Power Supply Unit / PSU
  Windows: XP or Vista?

When is the best time to buy a new computer?
Should I buy now or wait until the next generation?

Should I buy a desktop computer or laptop/notebook?

There are 5 main parts inside a computer:

Processor, Motherboard, Memory/RAM, Hard Drive,
and Video Card (also known as a Graphics Card):

Processor / CPU		The processor or CPU is the brain of the computer and performs all the calculations/processing, commanding the rest of the devices in the computer. The processor mostly determines the speed of the computer and is measured in GHz (billions of clock-ticks per second), but other components in the PC can also affect performance.
Motherboard / MB		The motherboard is the main board in the computer and is what most other parts in the computer attach to. It determines what processor, RAM and other components that you can use in the computer. Some computer motherboards have onboard video, others you need a dedicated video/graphics card.
Memory / RAM		Memory or RAM is very fast, but only temporary storage in the computer. When a file or program is opened/loaded, it is copied from the hard drive into RAM for use. 1GB to 4GB are usual amounts for a new computer. Vista likes more RAM (2-4GB) than XP or Windows 7 - which can both get by on 1GB but obviously 2GB or 4GB is preferred depending on computer usage.
Hard Disk Drive / HDD		Hard disk drives are used for long term storage and it is where all your files are saved when the computer is turned off (non-volitile). Average HDD sizes are much larger than RAM, but hard drives are much slower for accessing data and used in a different way. Usual sizes for new hard drives are 160GB up to as large as 2TB (2000GB).
Graphics Card / GPU		A graphics card or video card displays a video signal on your computer monitor – usually an LCD screen. It may be onboard/integrated to the motherboard which is fine for most and normally ok for multimedia and video, but gamers will require a dedicated video card for the best playing experience.

 

     

There are several other parts needed to complete the computer. There is also a power supply unit inside the computer that converts your household electricity to a form of power that the computer can use. You will also want an optical drive such as a DVD or Blu-Ray burner and of course a computer case/chassis that everything goes into.

Aussie PC Fix computers include everything above, as well as a keyboard a mouse. You just need to choose your version of Microsoft Windows (or you can opt for free Linux or no operating system) - currently Windows XP or Vista are available - and you will have a fully working computer.

 

You may also want to choose a new LCD screen for the computer display, as well as some other optional items below.

             
                 

Finally, you will also need some input/output devices such as keyboard, mouse, LCD screen/monitor, and maybe also a Printer &/or scanner &/or fax machine/all-in-one device.

You will also need some software to operate the computer, such as the Microsoft Windows, or there are free alternative operating systems such as Linux.

Finally applications are usually installed on the computer for extra functionaly, such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc), extra Internet and multimedia programs, games, and antivirus/security to name just a few.

Here is an example of a new computer configuration sold by Aussie PC Fix. It is one of our most popular current configurations as at July 2009. Next we will go into more detail for each component and give you all our recommendations!

Example Computer Specifications
	Intel Core 2 Duo CPU 4GB RAM, 2x1000GB HDD, DVD 450W Corsair PSU AU$Ask
Motherboard	Gigabyte GA-G31M-ES2L
2x DDR RAM Slots 4x SATA2, 1xIDE ports 1x Floppy port 4x USB2 ports (max 8)	1x PCI-E x16 GFX 1x PCI-E x1, 2x PCI Expansion Slots VGA (D-Sub) - Intel GMA 3100 Graphics
Processor	Intel E8400 Core 2 Duo CPU
	(3.0GHz, 6MB cache, 1333FSB)
Memory	2x 2GB DDR2-800 Kingson RAM
Hard Disk Drive	2x 1TB SATA 3.5" Seagate HDD
Video Card	Onboard Graphics - No card needed
Optical Drive	Pioneer DVD Writer - 20x DVD±RW
Network	Onboard Gigabit (1000 mb) LAN port
Sound	Onboard 5.1-channel Audio (3-plug)
Keyboard+Mouse	Samsung Black Keyboard + Optical Mouse
Power Supply	450 Watt Corsair Power Supply Unit
	Quiet Corsair PSU with 3 year warranty
PC Case/Chassis	Black Midi Tower Case, 2 Front USB ports,
	4 Rear USB ports, Serial + Parallel ports

 

 

All systems come with 1 year RTB warranty. 2-3 year and onsite warranty also available.
We highly recommend a quality power supply - only usually available with custom built PCs!

 

 

Choosing your perfect PC parts

  Processor / CPU
  Motherboard
  Memory / RAM
  Hard Drive / HDD
  Video Card / Graphics Card / GPU
  Power Supply Unit / PSU
  Windows: XP or Vista?

When is the best time to buy a new computer?

Should I buy now or wait until the next generation comes out?

Should I buy a desktop computer or laptop/notebook?

Processor / CPU

The processor/CPU speed and type mostly determines the maximum speed of a computer, but other parts in the PC do also affect the overall performance. For example, lack of RAM is a well known cause of a slow computer - especially in older PCs, while a video/graphics card is needed for playing the latest 3D games.

The Central Processing Unit/CPU does the main processing/calculations, comanding the other devices inside the computer. The most popular CPUs in 2009 are currently Intel Pentium Dual Core, Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Quad families, as well as the new enthusiast Core i7.

We recommend most choose a Pentium Dual Core or Core 2 Duo CPU, both which have two CPUs ("dies") in one package. These CPUs are therefore dual-core but run faster than similarly priced quad-core Core 2 Quad CPUs with four CPU dies in one CPU package.

You should only choose quad-core if you use programs which can benefit from the extra cores, such as some media encoding/editing and other specialised programs - otherwise CPU core numbers 3 & 4 will sit idle most of the time because Windows only really makes use of two cores.

 

The best value CPUs for computers as of mid-2009 are the Pentium Dual Core E5300 or Core 2 Duo E8400. The E5300’s clock speed of 2.5GHz is not far behind the E8400’s of 3GHz - but clock speed isn’t everything. Pentium 4’s ran at up to over 3GHz after all, but we cannot directly compare any generation with the next as there are other improvements in design, and other specification differences.

The E8400 is a Core 2 Penryn CPU which is a redesign of the original Core processor design. The first Core design was actually based on the laptop/notebook Pentium-M for its efficiency and low heat! The new Core i7 and Core i5 start another new generation, called Nehalem.

Most benchmarks see the E8400 usually around 20-50% faster in everyday use compared to E5300, so the cheaper CPU is actually better value but we prefer the E8400 for the extra performance that it returns and is overall a good investment in a new computer to keep it up to date.

 

CPUs also have onboard super fast memory called cache, the E8400 has 6MB while the E5300 has 2MB. Differing families of CPUSs usually have different amounts of cache and this also has a great effect on the final performance given by the CPU.  Each of these families of CPUs also run at a different Front Side Bus which also affects final performance. The FSB is the speed that the CPU talks to the motherboard and RAM in the computer.

The E7x00 CPUs are also similar design to the E8x00 but with half the cache and seem to run around 10-30% slower, but due to the high clock ratio on e.g. the E7300, this CPU it is usually the best candidate for overclocking (running the CPU faster than the specs) - if you like to void your warranty :)

 

AMD are fighting back with the newly released AM3 Phenom II CPUs, but (nearly!) all will agree that Intel usually offers much better value and performance for the same money, except on some low end models.

 

Motherboard

The motherboard is the largest and main board in the computer. It is the main component which nearly every other PC part attaches or plugs in to. Upgrading or replacing the motherboard is the most difficult task compared to any other parts so it is important to choose the right model to begin with and to allow for any future expansion.

One of the biggest factors between motherboards which affects upgrading is the number of RAM and expansion slots available. More expensive full sized ATX boards will also have more features or higher performance or higher quality parts, though a feature that is usually omitted on performance motherboards is onboard video/graphics and you are expected to have a dedicated viideo card.

 

Most of the low-end motherboards include an integrated or onboard video/graphics so that a separate video/graphics card is not required, saving additional purchase of this. Onboard video cards will never be as good as a dedicated video card solution but they have come a long way in recent years and motherboards such as the GA-73PVM-S2H and GA-EG45M-UD2H are designed to even handle high definition video and audio and are perfect for multimedia or HTCP applications (media PC in the lounge room).

Onboard video and graphics on current generation motherboards is better than the average dedicated video card from just a few years ago, but for dedicated game players who play the latest 3D/First Person Shooter/FPS or otherwise graphics intensive games a separate video/graphics card should be added for best gaming experience. You will need to spend at least $100-200+ for a decent video card and prices quickly grow from there, but spend any less and you may as well get an onboard solution.

The type of motherboard is not as important as it used to be on older PCs, but a more featured motherboard leaves more room for future upgrades. Higher end motherboards also usually give some performance increases, but may include faster spec/performance or higher quality and more efficient parts.

Most popular (and our favourite brand of motherboard) are Gigabyte motherboards, but ASUS mainboards are also very competitive. We mostly deal with these two brands but can order in most other brands if needed.

 

Many computers and motherboards sold by Aussie PC Fix (and nearly ALL of the PCs sold at department stores or large OEM manufacturers except the top end) include a smaller sized motherboard called Mini-ATX. This size is fine for most users but the most limiting factor is usually the number of RAM slots that are available.

Most Mini-ATX motherboards include only 2x RAM slots which means if upgrading RAM in the future there is less opportunity to reuse existing RAM because you will run out of slots. If getting 2x2GB RAM this should not be a problem in the foreseeable future (for 32-bit Windows) but if you have g.e. 2x1GB and only two slots then the existing RAM would need to be replaced if you were to upgrade in the future. If you have decided on purchasing a new computer with just 2GB and it has only 2x RAM slots then it is probably better to get a single 1x2GB chip instead of 2x1GB chips to allow for future expansion. Even though your RAM will only run in single-channel mode, this only amounts to 5-10% performance boost at the end of the day and a single 2GB RAM DIMM is also a better economical choice.

 

The other major difference between Mini-ATX and the full sized ATX motherboards is the number of PCI and PCI-E expansion slots. Most Mini-ATX motherboards will only have one or two of each, so you need to plan carefully if you intend to use PCI based expansion cards such as TV Tuners, wireless cards and similar cards. Note that there are usually external (e.g. USB) solutions available instead of using PCI or PCI-E but usually the internal version of the card will perform better because it can transfer data quicker than external devices.

Higher end motherboards will also include other features such as 1394 FireWire and extra USB ports. They may have extra high definition audio, Dolby and coax or optical out (S/PDIF) for plugging into an amplifier or entertainment system for best quality audio. Finally, there is also often an increase in the number of hard drive or optical drive SATA ports, but most users only use 1 or 2 hard drives and a DVD drive so will not reach the drive limits of Mini-ATX motherboards.

Please see our motherboard page for recommended motherboards, features and review!

 

Memory /RAM

If using Windows Vista then 4GB RAM is highly recommended (e.g. 2x2GB), but Vista requires at least 2GB RAM otherwise your computer will be slow due to lack of RAM and will cause a bottleneck. computer-services-canberra-pc-list.html

For Windows XP, a total 2GB or 4GB RAM is recommended depending on how much you like to multitask (run multiple programs), or on which applications you use. Applications such as Photoshop and some other multimedia programs are very memory hungry and will speed up significantly with extra RAM to use.

The soon to be released Windows 7 is a little lighter on resources and we feel back to 2GB minimum will be enough, but of course 4GB is desirable. Microsoft is designing Windows 7 with netbooks (low powered and cheap laptops) in mind. They extended licencing of Windows XP on these devices because they couldn't handle Vista, alsong with many low powered laptops and some desktops.

The best value DDR2 RAM are currently 2GB DIMMs/modules, but if only getting 2GB RAM total you will see a slight increase in performance by having a pair of 1GB DIMMs instead because if using matched pairs, the RAM can run in dual-channel mode. Though at the end of the day dual-channel only amounts to a 5-10% speed increase, so if your motherboard only has 2 RAM slots and you plan to populate the 2nd slot in the future then it may be better to use a single 2GB DIMM and leave the 2nd slot free for later use. It is unlikely that you can reuse RAM from your old PC as it will likely use DDR RAM (DDR1) or even older SD-RAM.

 

Most recommended brands are Kingston, G.Skill, PNY and Corsair. All branded RAM sold by Aussie PC Fix comes with a lifetime manufacturer warranty and only branded RAM is used in new PCs (usually Kingston).

With 2GB sticks/modules of DDR2 RAM so cheap it makes sense to use up to the maximum of 4GB that Windows 32-bit can handle. Most recent motherboards will give approx 3.3-3.5GB available memory maximum, which is a limitation in our current technology and it won’t be until we move to Windows 64-bit (or other 64-bit operating systems) that our PCs will be able to take advantage of more than 4GB.

There are 64-bit versions of Windows available but we do not currently recommend these because of bugs and driver issues. We are test driving the beta of Windows 7 and have been impressed with both the 64-bit and 32-bit versions so far. We hope Microsoft will push the 64-bit versions of Windows 7, but it may not be until the next generation of Windows that we see 64-bit become mainstream. With 64-bit we can theoretically upgrade to 16EB (that’s 17.2 Billion GB!) but 8GB (or currently expensive 16GB) is the current physical limit, and Windows is currently coded for only up to 128GB.

For most users we recommend the current minimum standard of 800MHz RAM. Faster RAM e.g. 1066MHz or 1600MHz is also available, but unless you overclock the PC the small increase in performance gained is not usually worth the extra cost of high-end RAM. Saying that, we have recently started to stock 1066MHz RAM as the price difference is now minimal between this and 800MHz.

 

The next generation of PCs will use DDR3 RAM, though being newer and theoretically faster, is also more expensive than current popular DDR2 RAM. When new generations of RAM are released, although the raw MHz speed of the memory is usually faster, other specifications including the timings are initially slower which actually results in slower performance than the previous generation!

Only as the manufacturing processes are refined over the months does the newer generation RAM become a quicker option. Although we have recently passed this stage, prices for DDR3 RAM won’t drop fully to current DDR2 levels until DDR3 becomes the mainstream replacement of DDR2 memory.

 

Hard Disk Drives / HDD

Hard disk drives have especially reduced in cost over the last few years and it is still amazing to watch their price drop most months! Larger size hard drives have notable tumbled in price. For example, you can upgrade from 160GB to a hard drive over 3 times the size for less than $50 (to 500GB). You can then double that size up to 1000GB (1TB) for less than $50!

Most popular drives are sizes of 500GB, 750GB, 1TB (1000GB), and larger 1.5TB and 2TB are gaining popularity too as they fall in price. Aussie PC Fix can also transfer your files from your old hard drive/computer, and if in decent health can even transfer your old hard drive into the new computer to use as a backup drive.

A second hard drive or other device is always recommended for backups - if you haven’t got a backup already then now is the time to start!

We recommend choosing a hard disk drive from one of the 3 big brands of hard drive manufacturers: Seagate, Western Digital, or Samsung. The first two also make external hard drives. Most drives model for model are quite similar between the manufacturers, with larger hard drives also including bigger cache (a super fast RAM/memory buffer inside the hard drive which speeds it up).

 

Most hard drives spin at the regular 7200RPM, but some newer “green” models can spin at 5400RPM or somewhere between these two speeds. Avoid these if you want maximum performance - hard drives are one of the main bottlenecks in computers. In our opinion the power savings really don’t amount to much in the overall scheme of things for 'green' hard drives, and really not worth the sacrifice in performance!

Faster 10000RPM drives are expensive and usually not worth the extra cost except for limited application. A RAID0 array is usually a better option which uses two hard drives instead of one to make all read/writes to the disks faster, though be warned that this increases the risk of data loss substantially because if just one of the drives fail then all the data is gone. Backups are extremely important when using RAID0 otherwise it is popular to use it just for the Windows install, while keeping important user data safe on another drive or drives.

 

A highly recommended option for safe keeping of your data is to use RAID as it’s intended purpose – a Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks – using multiple drives in a RAID 1 or even RAID 5 or RAID 6 configuration. A RAID 1 is also called a mirror because an exact copy of your data is written to two (or more) disks at the same time, so if either disk were to fail then the data is still safe with an exact copy on both drives. The downside of RAID1 is that you lose half your potential drive space and you must use two hard drives minimum, but it is one of the best and easiest methods to protect your data from drive corruption.

RAID 5 goes even further and spreads your data over at least 3-4 disks (or more). Your data is striped over the drives with effectively one whole disks worth of drive space being redundant data. If one of the drives fail in a RAID5, then the data can be recreated from the rest of the drives. The failed drive should be replaced as soon as possible because with RAID5 cannot withstand a 2nd drive failure.

So if using 3x1TB drives, one would have 2TB usable space, or if using 4x1TB drives then there would be 3TB of usable space – i.e. (n-1) worth of drive space is usable. This is a more efficient use of space compared to RAID 1 which uses (n+n) drives (double the number) - especially as more drives are used.

RAID6 goes one step further and adds a 2nd drives worth of redundant data – therefore 2 whole drives worth of space is lost, or (n-2), but for RAID 6 it is possible to have up to two drives fail and still have your data intact and is very reliable. It is preferred over RAID5 but you will likely need a dedicated RAID6 card as no common motherboards have onboard RAID6.

We do usually recommend RAID1 over RAID 5 or 6 if possible, as it is much easier and much, much, quicker to setup and maintain. When a RAID 5 or 6 array gets out of sync for whatever reason, there can be long delays for these arrays to correct themselves, while many have had problems resurrecting these arrays if Bad Things Happen.

A RAID1 solution is much simpler and with larger drives so cheap it should cost too much more for the same amount of usable data, while can also use less power in the PC if using a lower number of drives (e.g. larger size drives in RAID 1 vs. smaller size drives in RAID5)

Please always remember that a RAID is no substitute for a backup, and backups should still be performed! RAID protects us against disk corruption or failure – it won’t help retrieve a deleted or virus infected file from the backup!

 

Coming soon ... About SSDs ...

 

Video/Graphics Cards / GPU

Video card prices start from under $100 but more than this really needs to be spent to outperform the graphics that could be obtained from a motherboard with onboard graphics.

Onboard video/graphics cards have increased greatly in performance and is fine for most users playing the odd game and watching video, but gamers who play the latest 3D/First Person Shooter or otherwise graphics intensive games, a separate video/graphics card should be added for best gaming experience.

If you choose a motherboard with onboard graphics and decide not to have a dedicated graphics card solution now, all new motherboards include a PCI-E slot so you could always install a graphics card one at a later time if needed.

 

The scale of performance vs. price is quite constant for video cards - in nearly all cases a more expensive video card will outperform a cheaper one, so it is easy to work backwards and decide your budget first, then pick a card inside that budget.

Onboard video card are very low-end cards and cannot play 3D or FPS games well, but are suitable for most home and office tasks such as Internet email and word processing, and can handle basic multimedia such as viewing or manipulating pictures/photos and playback or editing of video. They can also handle basic games such as those found websites, all 2 dimensional games, and basic 3D games such as the SIMS, so onboard is usually fine for casual gamers.

For any 3D games that are more detailed, a video card will be required for the best experience. Onboard video cards perform under the 8400GS so any graphics card similar or better than this (e.g. HD4350, 9400GT) should suffice.

But to get a much better gaming experience at least a mid-level card is recommend - such as ATI HD 5770.

Most will agree that ATI’s Radeon range have been outperforming Nvidia’s GeForce graphics cards over the last few years, usually offering better value for money for the performance. But recent price drops in NVidia based cards have made this choice much harder and many video cards are now similar performance for equivalent price from each manufacturer.

Gamers should compare online benchmarks to see what games they want to play - check the resolutions and detail levels you want to play with depending on your size of LCD. Some games can play slightly better with NVidia graphic cards, others can perform better with a card from the ATI team. Either way, graphics card prices continue to fall and the sweet spot is usually around the $100-$300 price.

 

Power Supply Units/PSU

One often neglected component inside the computer is the Power Supply Unit. This is the small box at the back (and usually top) of the PC that you plug the power cable in to. It converts 240V AC power from the wall into varying voltages and currents of DC power which the computer can use (batteries also use DC power).

The first component to fail in the PC is usually a cheap power supply, or unfortunately the hard drive. When a power supply fails sometimes it can drive an electrical surge to other parts inside the PC. When this zaps the hard drive or motherboard then this can cause major inconvenience and/or data loss.

We always recommend using a brand name power supply which provide a much cleaner and constant power to the rest of the computer (dirty power can cause issues or premature failure), while also being more efficient (they use less electricity and generate less heat and noise). They also include a longer warranty – up to 3 or 5 years, compared to the 1 year warranty offered from the generic brands.

 

Brand name power supplies can deliver more power and therefore handle higher performance systems (high-end PCs, especially with high-end video cards, wont cope with a cheap power supply) but another primary reason to upgrade to a quality power supply is that most are much quieter than the generic power supplies.

Current generation CPUs and fans are very quiet and generic power supplies are nearly always the loudest part in the PC due to their fan noise. Using a quality power supply will reduce this noise and is highly recommended if you value a quiet computer and work or play environment.

 

Most computers actually need much less power than what people think and most will run happily on a 450W generic power supply, but if you are using a dedicated video card or many hard drives then these are the main culprits that require more power. It is important to buy a suitable power supply to meet the power requirements of your computer, especially if using a mid-high end video card such as GTX260/GTX280 or HD4770/HD4850 series and above or more than a few hard drives.

A lot of computers today (without dedicated video cards etc) only actually require around 200-300 watts of power but the problem is that power supplies state their maximum power output instead of the continuous power that is available to be drawn. This is similar to the PMPO (peak) rating vs RMS for speakers or even the theoretical maximum speeds attainable by wireless devices (Wireless-G/802.11g is rated ‘up to 54Mbps’ but you rarely see up to 20Mbps actual throughput...).

Generic power supplies can deliver a continuous wattage as low as 50% as stated in the specifications, but we try and obtain the best generics we can and estimate our generics supply around 60-70% of the stated power. Brand name power supplies such as those from Corsair, Seasonic, Silverstone, Antec and similar (and CoolerMaster but this is a low-end brand name) will deliver a much higher constant wattage compared to a generic power supply, while also being a cleaner and more balanced power feed for higher stability.

All power supplies lose efficiency over the years and will one day not output enough power to start the PC (the current draw is highest just after the PC is turned on) or will cause the PC to randomly crash or turn off. If you start off with a low quality power supply - which is usually found in nearly all PCs found in departments stores and the large OEM manufacturers - then you will reach this point in time sooner. The lower quality power supplies not only initially deliver less power, but also lose efficiency more quickly as they age due to lower quality capacitors and other components.

Finally, total wattage is just one measure of a power supply. They also differ greatly in quality for other specifications - the most important usually being the available amperages on the rails, especially the +12V rail or rails. Online calculators exist to estimate the wattage draw of various computer parts http://extreme.outervision.com/PSUEngine

 

All computers built by Aussie PC Fix include a quality power supply such as from Corsair, except the lowest cost Budget Computer range.

 

    

Windows XP or Vista for software operating system?

Most people still prefer Windows XP over Windows Vista (ourselves included ...though it has improved a lot since Service Pack 1!). Windows XP is atill available pre-installed on new or used computers for a limited time - until stocks run out as we can no longer purchase it from our suppliers!

Expected on 22 October 2009 is Windows 7, though usually we don't recommend using any new Windows version until 1 or 2 years after release (usually at least after Service Pack 1 is released!). From limited testing of the RC and Beta test versions of Windows 7, Microsoft may have lifted it's game with an initial release. Although at the end of the day it is just a refined Windows Vista 2.0 - but hopefully Windows 7 will be nearly what we expected of Vista - and what Vista should have been.

Windows XP  will be supported by Microsoft until 2012 which will be a good time for many to upgrade to Windows 7. Otherwise if you purchase Windows Vista, then the Home Premium or Ultimate Editions are recommended (and supported until 2017).

All new PCs purchased from Aussie PC Fix are guaranteed to also run Windows 7 if you would like to upgrade in the future. Contact us for discount pricing after it's release!

 

 

When is the best time to buy a new computer?
Should I buy now or wait until the next new generation?

We get asked this question all the time and the answer is nearly always the same. We usually recommend to 'Buy Now' because the current technology will nearly always be cheaper and better value for money than the new generation.

Even if a current generation is nearing it's production end-of-life/EOL, the advice is still usually the same - sometimes even more so if current computer prices have been reduced!

An issue that happens frequently when waiting for the Next Big Thing is that product delays often occur and new generations of technology also take time to mature. Often the initial revisions of the new technology are also inadequate or cannot be upgraded (e.g. many early Socket 775 motherboards cannot upgrade to current Core 2 Duo processors).

The main processor manufacturer, Intel, has planned out an annual tick-tock cycle, where every 2 years a new generation of processor design should emerge. In the alternate years the processor design is refined and newer revisions of processsors will be released.

This new 2 year cycle from Intel is much quicker than what happened in previous generations. The Pentium 4 processor family previously reigned for at least half a dozen years before the current Core processors arrived. It seems now our computers are even further destined to be outdated by the time we unpack them and turn them on!

You may wait some time for the Next Big Thing, but computer technology and design moves so fast that the Next, Next Big Thing will arrive shortly after! Sometimes this can also lead to a cycle of never upgrading because you are always waiting!

Studies of computer maintenance also show that after the average age of 3 years, it is cheaper to buy a new computer rather than maintain the existing one. Advances in computers happen so quickly that within a few years new generations have been released and offer much better performance for the equivalent price of older computer parts.

 

Although there will be several big changes when the new generation of processor next emerges. The largest change of all will be towards DDR3 RAM/Memory, but as always this will be more expensive than the older generation for some time. With changes in the processor and motherboard design to handle DDR3 memory (the memory controller moves onto the CPU for Core i7 and Core i5 processors), this may be the only significant change to happen with first gen Core i7 and i5 architecture.

One Day Soon we will also see USB 3.0 which will see a massive boost in speed/throughput for USB devices again (but will also be backwards compatible at lower speeds as expected) - as well as Wireless USB/WUSB which will be faster than current BlueTooth technology (these are fast but very short range wireless technologies). Around the corner is also the PCI-E 3.0 specification for graphics, but this will only be a real boost for gamers.

 

vs.
Should I buy a desktop computer or laptop/notebook?

You should only buy a laptop/notebook computer if you really need your computer to be portable. Desktop computers are much more powerful than their laptop counterparts, and they are also more reliable because they are not usually moved around and bumped ...or dropped!

It is not possible for a laptop/notebook to reach the extreme high performance that a desktop can achieve, but for other configurations laptop parts will always more be expensive than equivalent desktop parts because of their compactness and portability, and laptops must also take into account further heat and efficiency considerations (e.g. to make your battery last longer).

Laptops/notebooks are also more expensive to upgrade and repair. Quite often video cards fail in notebooks but nearly all (except the most expensive) have onboard video cards which cannot be replaced or upgraded. This means that the motherboard needs to be replaced, which is not often financially viable versus the cost of buying a new laptop.

In contrast, if the video card fails on a desktop computer, the card can easily be replaced for under $100. If the video has failed on a desktop computer with onboard video, it is easy to simply added a video card because all desktop computers also have a video card expansion slot available.

Hard drives for laptops are much more expensive than for desktop because of their compact size. Laptop drives are 2.5 inches, where desktop drives are 3.5 inches in size. This also means desktop computer hard drives are larger in capacity, as well as cheaper in price. New SATA laptop hard drives currently reach 500GB, where desktop hard drives can reach 2000GB.

Most new laptops can be upgraded to 4GB, but many older laptops have limits of 2GB or 1GB maximium. Again laptop memory is more expensice than for desktops, although new 2GB sodimms have crashed in price in 2009 and are now similar in cost.

Those are usually the only replaceable parts inside a laptop, except if the LCD fails and needs replacement. Higher end laptops may have a video card and usually the processors are not able to be replaced or if they are, are not worth upgrading.

 

… to be continued in Part 2…

   

Optical Drives, Computer Cases

 

   

Monitors, Keyboards & Mice

  

Software Applications:
Microsoft Office, Antivirus / Security, Internet, multimedia, and other programs

Peripherials: Speakers, Headset/Microphone, Printer, Scanner. Plugging in your MP3 player, camera (photo/video), mobile phone, pda
(we do not repair peripherals / hardware!)

Networking: Internet, Modem, Router, Wireless

Give Aussie PC Fix a call on 0410 628 935
to customise your new system today!

Options with New Computers:

After you have chosen your computer configuration from the categories above, along with any upgrades, all you need to do to make a complete computer system is to choose which version of Windows that you would like to use, as well as a screen/monitor for viewing if you need a new one or would like to upgrade to a larger widescreen LCD.

Many users still prefer to use Windows XP, which we still have available until stocks run out. Otherwise you can choose from several editions of the new Windows 7.

All new computer screens are now LCD, with 22" & 24" now the best size for value for money - or choose a 19" if this is too large for your work area.

Add Microsoft Windows Operating System (OEM)

Windows 7 32-bit or 64-bit OEM
 

 

Windows XP 32-bit OEM

OEM versions can only be sold with a new computer
and license cannot be transferred to a different computer

Other versions of Microsoft Windows may be available upon request

Add Microsoft Office 2007 (Retail - Home Use Only)

Add Microsoft Office 2007 (OEM)

Add Antivirus Protection or
Internet Security Suite including AV & Firewall
Best Security Protection - Licensed For One Year

Package a LCD Widescreen Monitor and Save up to $50!!!

Computer Case: Add-ons and Upgrades

Click here for More PC Hardware and Computer Parts

Prices may change without notice. Based on cash price and pickup from Kambah, Canberra, ACT, Australia.

Please call 0410 628 935 or contact us to place an order and confirm prices.

Pictures for illustration purposes only.

 

New computer Setup

Aussie PC Fix can also help you set up your new computer and local computer support is always just a phone call away.

We can plug in, set up, and configure your computer, software, security, Internet, network, plus much more. We can also install and set your peripherals such as Printers, camera, MP3, iPod, webcam, monitor, and speakers.

All users should also have a regular backup schedule to make sure that your data is safe and we have many other local support services available if you need any help after service.

 

 

List of popular Computer Component &
PC Part Manufacturers Aussie PC Fix sell:

Intel AMD Microsoft ASUS Gigabyte CMV Hyundai IBM ViewSonic Antec CoolerMaster Enermax SilverStone ThermalTake Topower Creative Foxconn MSI DFI VIA Abit Chaintech Albatron ECS

Logitech Lite-on Philips Pioneer LG Samsung Hynix Kingmax Qimonda Transcend Samsung Fujitsu Hyundai Toshiba Corsair Kingston Sapphire Soyo Tyan XFX AOpen ASRock BFG EPoX

 

Canberra PC Parts

Computer Cases
Computer Systems
DVD / Blu-ray Writers
Hard Disk Drives (HDD)
Keyboards & Mice
KVMs
LCD Monitors
Memory (RAM)
Motherboards
Networking
Power Supply Units (PSU)
Processors (CPU)
Software/Applications
Solid State Disks
Video/Graphics Cards (GPU)

Laptop/Notebook Parts

Keyboards (we also install)
Power Adaptors / Batteries
Hard Disk Drives (HDD)
Memory (RAM)

 

> Orders under $50 attract $10 surcharge  - except for any RAM, software or parts combined with any service! <

Prices are based on pickup from Kambah, Canberra, ACT, Australia - please call or contact us for our workshop address.

Delivery or post within Australia only will cost between $10-$40 depending on size/weight your order and your required delivery date. Local Canberra orders are usually delivered by us, but can be posted. We do NOT ship overseas.

 

Our tecommended best value computer parts for most users, as well as discounted PC hardware are highlighted in red

If you happen to find a cheaper price in Canberra then please contact us or email support@aussiepcfix.com with details and we will do our best to beat your quoted price!

If you're not sure which product best suits your needs, if the part is compatible with your computer, or if you need any other help or other computer parts then contact us for free advice.  For serious Australian buyers only!

 

Prices are correct at time of publishing and subject to change without notice. E&OE = Errors and ommissions excepted. Based on cash price including any taxes - credit Cards attract 1% surcharge .

Pictures for illustration purposes only. Manufacturers specifications may change at any time.

Not all items kept in stock. Stock availability is a guide only and not updated in real time - please contact us for latest stock quantities, availabilty and current price.

Any advice and recommendations given on the website is general in nature and to be used for information purposes only - use at your own risk.

Please call 0410 628 935, email support@aussiepcfix.com or contact us via online form to place an order and confirm prices.