Computer Illiterate?

There are so many different computer components out there today, and the market for computers moves at an extremely fast rate. You may be a computer expert or a first time user. Either way it doesn't matter, there will most likely always be something to do with computers that you are unsure about. On our system builder there are over 40 different drop-down menu options containing numerous products. What we are attempting to do is to make your choices easier for you by providing some basic information about each option. This information should help you decide firstly if you need the product, and secondly if you need a powerful or moderate version.

The information below is designed to explain what a component is, what it does and provide general advice on what to select. Please note that when configuring your computer or laptop, you can find out information on individual products by clicking the "i" informaton button to the right hand side of each menu.

Please select the components you wish to learn about:

Case

Processor (CPU)

Motherboard

Memory (RAM)

Graphics Card

Memory - 1^st Hard Disk

RAID (HDD 1 & 2)

1^st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive

Memory Card Reader

Power Supply & Case Cooling

Processor Cooling

Thermal Paste

Sound Card

Network Facilities

USB Options

Bluetooth & Infrared Options

Battery

Power Lead & Adaptor

Modem

Floppy Disk Drive

Firewire & Video Editing

TV Card

Operating System

Office Software

Anti-Virus

Stands & Port Replicators

Carry Case

Monitor

GeForce 3D Vision

Keyboard & Mouse

Speakers

Webcam

Headsets (VOIP)

Surge Protection

Printer

External Hard Drive

Home Installation

Insurance

Data Recovery

Quantity

Processor Speed:

The processor/CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the brain of your computer. The CPU is a piece of etched silicon that does some very powerful things. It co-ordinates the real work of your computer, telling all the peripheral devices what to do and how to act. The speed of a processor works in megahertz (MHz). One thousand megahertz is equal to one gigahertz (GHz). Therefore a 3.2ghz Intel processor will run at 3200mhz.

Many people believe that the faster the processor, the faster the PC will be. When choosing your processor speed, rather than throwing all your eggs in one basket and spending your budget straight away, choose a more balanced system:

Example 1:

Intel® Core™ i5 Processor 660 (2 X 3.33GHz) 1333MHz FSB/6MB L2 Cache with 1024mb DDR memory and a well balanced motherboard.

Example 2:

Intel® Core™ i5 Processor 650 (2 X 3.20GHz) 1333MHz FSB/6MB L2 Cache with 2048mb DDR memory and a well balanced motherboard.

Which computer will be faster? Although we haven't conducted tests, for gaming or demanding use we would go for example number 2. It may work out to be a cheaper option, but having double the amount of RAM will allow for more programs to be open at once, better stability for gaming and a more responsive computer. See Memory (RAM) for more information.

Dual Core Processors

Dual core processors are designed to give a high performance using applications that support multi-threading. Besides the Microsoft Windows operating system, which supports multi-threading, the main applications that support multi-threading are high end professional video editing packages, and games. If you're going to be doing lots of multi-tasking, for example, running lots of programs at once, the Intel Core 2 Duo Processor is the one for you.

For a very useful demonstration of how Dual Core processors work, please click here.

See also:

Hyper Threading Technology (HTT)

FSB

THE BIG QUESTION

What is the difference between AMD and Intel? Which processor route should I choose?

The answer - there is no real answer. Each processor available has its advantages and disadvantages. We can only offer you our advice, in which we will try our best not to include any bias.

Firstly, you have to decide whether you are looking for a performance computer, a basic computer for general use, or an extremely powerful computer.

1. I want a basic computer
2. I want a performance computer
3. I want the best I can get!

I want a basic computer.

Choose from an Intel Celeron or AMD Sempron.

An Intel Celeron Processor will have a higher clockspeed than an AMD Sempron processor and a large Front Side Bus. The type of customer who generally chooses an Intel Celeron processor (based on our own findings) will be looking for a computer for internet usage, emails, office and light gaming.

An AMD Sempron processor has a low clockspeed compared to the Intel Celeron processor and a smaller cache. However, these two processors perform very closely to each other. Have a look at this review here. The type of customer who generally chooses an AMD Sempron processor (based on our own findings) will be looking for a computer for internet usage, emails, light gaming and light photo editing.

I want a performance computer.

Choose from Intel Core™ i3/i5 or AMD Phenom.

Intel Core™ i3/i5 processors have a similar clock speed to Phenom processors. Intel Core™ i3/i5 processors have a large cache and make use of a technology called Hyper Threading Technology. This generally means that Intel Core™ i3/i5 processors are very good at number crunching, encoding videos, gaming and all round multi-tasking. The type of customer (based on our own findings) who generally chooses and Intel Core™ i3/i5 processor will be looking for a computer for video editing, gaming, photo editing and number crunching tasks.

AMD Phenom processors have a large cache and make use of Hyper Transport Technology. The type of customer (based on our own findings) who generally chooses and AMD Phenom processor will be looking for a computer for gaming, movies and home entertainment.

Nevertheless, both processors will perform all the tasks mentioned here to a very competitive extent. You will find that the more people you ask about processors, the more confused you will become, but don't worry because both processors offer excellent performance and you can't really make a critical mistake by buying one or the other.

I want the best I can get!

Choose from Intel Core™ i7 Processors or AMD Phonom X6/X6.

At the top end of the scale Intel processors currently out-perform AMD and therefore if you want the fastest available, choose a computer with an Intel Core™ i7 Processor inside.

If you're a fan of AMD choose a Quad Core or Six Core Phenom - they're still great for gaming and when performing everyday tasks such as internet and email you can't tell the difference over Intel.

Memory (RAM):

RAM (Random Access Memory) is vital to a computer system. The more RAM your computer has, the more information that can be processed simultaneously. All your programs, games and applications that are currently in use are stored in your RAM, and so the more RAM you have inside your computer, the more applications you can run.

How should I determine my RAM requirements?

As time passes by applications are getting more powerful, which usually means that they will require more RAM. In order to work out your RAM requirements we recommend that you gather all of your applications together and check their minimum RAM requirements. Then simply make sure you purchase enough to cover everything - and don't forget to give yourself a bit extra to make your computer future-proof as well!

Besides the amount of memory you can have in a computer, you can also choose to have faster memory. Faster memory will communicate with your CPU quicker and allow for an even better performance.

Don't worry if you find it difficult to work out how much RAM you need, our website is updated very regularly and therefore the minimum amount of RAM on our system-builder will be enough for moderate usage.

Motherboard Information:

The motherboard, like it suggest in its name, is the parent component in a computer. Just about every component in a computer system will somehow connect to the motherboard. It is therefore important to make sure that your computer has a powerful and reliable motherboard. Our computer systems always use motherboards from the top manufacturers, some of which include ASUS, Intel and Gigabyte. Motherboards have several features built into them, which include controllers, chips, buses and so on. We have included a few definitions of individual parts of a motherboard to help you along your way:

PCI PORTS

Motherboards have a number of PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) ports. You put items such as the modem, network card, USB card, TV card etc into these ports.

PCI EXPRESS PORTS

Motherboards have a number of PCI Express (Peripheral Component Interconnect) Express ports. You put items such as the modem, network card, USB card, TV card etc PCI-Ex x1 ports and graphics cards into PCI-Ex x16 ports.

USB PORTS

USB (Universal Serial Bus) ports are ports on your computer that allow you to connect peripherals such as the printer, scanner, webcam, external cable modem, mobile phone, portable hard disk and much more to your computer quickly and fast. It is therefore recommended to have a large amount of USB ports so in the future you can add components quickly and easily.

It is also worth considering the USB port speed. Most computers now come with support for USB 3.0, so you can purchase USB 3.0 devices that will transfer data between themselves and your computer quicker.

AGP PORT

An AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) is where you can connect an AGP graphics card to. An 8x AGP port is the fastest AGP port available. AGP ports are now obsolete and modern graphics cards connect by PCI Express ports, which are several times faster.

ATA

ATA (Advanced Technology Attachment) is a disk drive implementation that integrates the controller on the disk drive itself. There are mainly 3 tiers to this: ATA 60, ATA 100, and ATA 133. An ATA hard drive will talk to the rest of your computer via an ATA cable which connects to your motherboard. Some computers have 2-4 IDE ports via 1-2 IDE channels which connect via the ATA interface, although ATA technology is obsolete and most hard drives now connect by S-ATA (Serial ATA), which is much faster.

IDE PORT

An IDE port is what you would connect your optical drives, or hard drives to. Each IDE cable has 2 connectors for connecting a device. Some computers have 2-4 IDE ports via 1-2 IDE channels which connect via the ATA interface, although ATA technology is obsolete and most optical disc/hard disk drives now connect by S-ATA (Serial ATA), which is much faster.

SERIAL ATA (SATA) (Serial - Advanced Technology Attachment)

SATA is a serial interface. The speed of the interface for the current phase is ATA 300/ ATA 600. Existing ATA drives use a 64 bit wide bus to communicate with the IDE drive. To do so requires a wide, flexible ribbon cable. One of the main problems with the ribbon cable is that, with multiple disk drives (HDD's, CD, and DVD), the Ribbon cables begin to block the airflow through the chassis, impeding cooling. SATA solves this problem by replacing the ribbon cables with thin cables containing two differential cable pairs. In addition, SATA promises a higher speed interface for the future. Another reason for the SATA is that it reduces the number of traces on the motherboard as the connector has significantly fewer pins than the parallel ATA. With Serial-ATA there is no master/slave configuration, and therefore you can easily and hassle free add or remove hard drives. Additionally, with a Serial ATA card you can add additional hard drives. This breaks the barrier of only being able to add 4 IDE devices with parallel ATA. You could, if you needed the storage, have say 4 hard drives as well as a CD writer, DVD writer and DVD ROM.

FSB

FSB stands for Front Side Bus:- The speed of the front-side bus is the basic clock speed of the motherboard. Many system components, for example the processor, the PCI and AGP buses, all run at speeds derived from the front-side bus speed. In general, a faster front-side bus means you will have higher processing speeds.

HYPER THREADING TECHNOLOGY

Hyper threading technology brings increased performance to computer users in two ways: using multithreaded software or using software in a multitasking environment. Software applications that have been written to use multiple pieces of code called “threads” view the Pentium 4 processors with HT Technology as two processors. HT Technology allows the processor to work on two separate threads at the same time rather than one at a time. In addition, applications can benefit in a multitasking environment - operating two or more different software programs at the same time when run under operating systems such as Windows XP. Both ways add up to extra performance and less waiting for the computer user.

Click Here to download a Hyper Threading Demo. This demonstration is extremely informative and explains everything you will need to know. In order to view the demo you will need to have Macromedia Flash Player

PARALLEL PORT:
This is the port for connecting older printers to so that you don't have to buy a new printer when upgrading your pc.

PS/2:

This is simply a connector for the keyboard and mouse.

Shared Memory Architecture (SMA)

1. Integrated SMA

A Shared Memory Architecture (SMA) is where the graphics chip is integrated into the motherboard. Instead of the graphics having dedicated memory, for example 256mb or 512mb of memory, the graphics share the memory with the computers RAM, and the total memory available to applications is reduced. This is cost beneficial to general home or office users, who do not play extreme games or require a system purely for high end video editing.

2. SMA on a graphics card

When a graphics card uses a Shared Memory Architecture (SMA), this means that the graphics card only has a certain amount of memory onboard, for example 256mb. To make up the rest of the memory, it shares the RAM available. For example, a 512mb Geforce 7300GS (256MB SMA) has 256mb onboard and will make up the rest of the memory from the installed DDR RAM. It will only work if you order 1GB or more RAM and if you order 1GB of RAM, will result in 768mb of RAM left for applications. This is called TurboCache on NVIDIA cards and HyperMemory on ATI cards, and can be disabled if you do not wish to use this facility.

How do I change my motherboard?

Our computer configurators are usually based around the motherboard as the motherboard often determines the majority of the specification inside the computer. If you would like to upgrade to a more powerful motherboard, please consider configuring a system using the "Top Spec Computer" option as opposed to the "Home/Office" option as this will allow a better upgrade potential, such as more PCI cards, hard drives and graphics cards.

USB Options:

On our system builder you can choose to have a USB card in addition to the USB ports provided with the motherboard. This will make your computer more future-proof for expanding using USB devices and allow you to connect more devices at once. You can also choose to have a USB HUB, which basically plugs into one of your existing USB ports on your computer, and creates 3 additional ports (4 in total). You could have a USB HUB sat on your desk which will allow you to quickly connect USB devices without having to connect them to the unit itself.

Bluetooth & Infrared Options:

On our notebook configurator and depending on the particular laptop you are configuring, there is sometimes the option to select an internal or external Bluetooth adapter.

Bluetooth is a technology that lets your computer, monitor, mouse, keyboard, mobile phone - in fact anything which is Bluetooth enabled communicate wirelessly instead of using cables.



Should I order Bluetooth?

If you wish to be able to quickly and easily transfer files to and from your PC or laptop, and communicate with your mobile phone or other Bluetooth devices, we recommend that you order a Bluetooth adapter. If possible choose an internal Bluetooth adapter, as this will prevent you having to carry an external Bluetooth adapter when taking your laptop with you.

Memory (Hard Disk):

The hard drive is where all the information on your computer is stored.

Our hard drives are branded either Maxtor, Seagate, Western Digital, Hitachi or Samsung. We cannot guarantee which brand of hard drive you will receive on your new computer, but as you can see, we only use leading brands.

To decide what size hard drive you will need, you need to consider that for example an 80GB hard drive is 81,920 megabytes. Confused? Data in volume is called bytes:

1,024 Byte = 1 Kilobyte (KB)
1,024 Kilobyte (KB) = 1 Megabyte (MB)
1,073,741,824 Bytes = 1 Gigabyte (GB)
1 Gigabyte (GB) = 1,024 Megabyte (MB)

To safely install Windows 7 on your computer you need approximately 10 gigabytes of space. A large computer game may take up 1 gigabyte of space, but usually games only take up a few hundred megabytes.

Most programs range from 5 to 500 megabytes, and therefore the basic computer user will struggle to use up 100 gigabytes of hard drive space. However, if you download movie clips, music and install lots of games, you may find you will need a 500GB or larger hard drive to cope with everything.

RPM

RPM (Revolutions Per Minute) is the speed that your hard drive rotates. The more revolutions per minute a hard drive rotates, the more data it can copy/move within the given period of time. A 7200rpm hard drive can copy/move data faster than a 5400rpm hard drive.

See also:

SATA

RAID

RAID

RAID is the linking together of two hard drives, either for performance (RAID 0) or security (RAID 1). Most computer users do not need to use RAID. If you are unsure of what RAID is, have a quick read below to see if you think it will benefit you.

A dictionary definition: What is RAID? - RAID "(Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks) is a method whereby information is spread across several disks, using techniques such as disk striping (RAID Level 0) and disk mirroring (RAID level 1) to achieve redundancy, lower latency and/or higher bandwidth for reading and/or writing, and data recoverability."

RAID 0: Striping

RAID level 0 refers to striping data across multiple disks without any redundant information.
Striping can be used to enhance performance in either a request rate intensive or transfer rate intensive environment. Unfortunately. Striping reduces the level of data availability since a disk failure will cause the entire array to be inaccessible.

Advantages:

High performance
No cost penalty - all storage is usable

Disadvantages:

Significantly reduced data availability - all data is lost if one hard drive fails.

RAID 1: Shadowing/Mirroring/Duplexing

RAID level 1 refers to maintaining duplicate sets of all data on separate disk drives. Of the RAID levels, level 1 provides the highest data availability since two complete copies of all information are maintained. If one of your hard drives fail, you will have an exact copy of all your data on your other hard drive, meaning that you can carry on working as normal without having to restore lost files. You could see it as having a permanent automatic back-up of all your data. Even if one hard drive fails, you can then use the other hard drive to create a new RAID array and so in theory (unless you have an electrical surge, or both hard drives fail simultaneously) you can never be caught out when you turn on your computer one day to find that your hard drive has failed, because you always have a backup.

Advantages:

Excellent data availability
Higher read performance than a single disk

Disadvantages:

Expensive - requires two hard drives (if you order 2 x 160Gb, you will only have 160GB total storage space and not 320GB)

Summary

RAID 0 requires two hard drives. Data is written to both hard drives (part of the data on one hard drive, and part of the data on the other) to give faster write times and also faster read times. Hard drives act as one drive - e.g. one large 320GB hard drive consisting of 2 x 160GB hard drives. However, if one hard drive fails, the array will be broken and all data will be lost.

RAID 1 requires two hard drives. Data is written to both hard drives simultaneously (files are written in full to each hard drive) and therefore you will have an automatic back-up should your hard drive ever fail. However, this security comes at a cost - two hard drives are required and you can only fill one hard drive, (as the other will be automatically filled as you go along) but for some people the added security is well worth the extra cost.

To learn more about RAID, please see this very useful website here:

http://linux.cudeso.be/raid.php#raid1

Please note that we only offer RAID 0 and RAID 1 configurations, and have no plans at present to change this.

Second Hard Disk:

See also Memory (Hard Disk):

Using our system-builder we give you the option to have two hard drives installed in your computer. Although a first hard drive is essential, a second hard drive is a luxury. We would suggest that you will only need a second hard drive if:

• You need to store masses of data. (Two smaller hard drives may also be cheaper than one large hard drive.)

  
  

• You plan to use a RAID configuration. (Don't worry if you have never heard of this.)

  
  

• You prefer to store your data on a separate drive to your operating system. Your data is then safe if you have to re-install Windows on your other hard drive.

  
  

Optical Drives:

Our optical drives are currently manufactured by LG, Liteon or Samsung. The drives will come in silver (for a silver case), black (for a black case) or beige (for a beige case).

Optical drives are vital to the majority of computers these days. The majority of people use optical drives to write data to CD's and DVD's. For information on what each optical drive can do, please see below:

CD Writer

A CD Writer/CD ROM is an optical drive which allows you to read, write and re-write data onto a compact disc. For example if the speed of a CD Writer is 52 x 32 x 52 this means that you can read CD's at 52 speed, re-write CD's at 32 speed and write CD's at 52 speed.

DVD ROM

A DVD ROM/CD ROM is an optical drive which allows you to read both CD's and DVD's. If you do not have a DVD drive in your computer you will not be able to watch DVD movies, or read DVD's.

DVD Writer

A DVD Writer is an optical drive that can read DVD's, write DVD's and re-write DVD's. It can also read CD's, write CD's and re-write CD's. There are several types of DVD Writer available, some of which can read and write the DVD-RAM format and the + and - format. Some DVD Writers can also burn a label of the DVD itself using the laser. This technology is called Lightscribe. For this to be possible a special DVD must be used (which can be obtained from most major high street retailers). For further information see http://www.lightscribe.com/.

BD-ROM

A BD ROM is an optical drive which allows you to read both CD's, DVD's and Blu-ray discs. If you do not have a BD-ROM drive in your computer you will not be able to watch Blu-ray movies, or read Blu-Ray discs.

BLU-RAY Writer

Blu-ray ROM/Writer, also known as Blu-ray Disc (BD) is a drive that can read (BD-ROM) and/or write (BD-R) to Blu-ray discs. The format was developed to enable recording, rewriting and playback of high-definition video (HD), as well as storing large amounts of data. The format offers more than five times the storage capacity of traditional DVD's and can hold up to 25GB on a single-layer disc and 50GB on a dual-layer disc. Blu-ray drives can also read, write and re-write DVD's and CD's.

For further information on Blu-ray, please see here: http://www.blu-ray.com/faq/#bluray

What combination of drives do I need to choose?

On our website you can choose from the following drives for desktop PC's:

24x DUAL LAYER DVD WRITER ±R/±RW/RAM
4x BLU-RAY ROM DRIVE, 16x DVD ROM (£38)
10x BLU-RAY ROM DRIVE, 16x DVD ±R/±RW (£59)
10x BLU-RAY RE-WRITER DRIVE, 16x DVD ±R/±RW (£89)


and the following drives for laptops:

8x SATA DVD±R/RW/Dual Layer (+ 24x CD-RW)
SONY BD-5730S 6x BLURAY WRITER & CYBERLINK SOFTWARE(£145)


Please choose what combination is best for you from the following options below:

1. I want to be able to copy & write/re-write CD's and DVD's quickly and easily.

On our system builder you need to choose:

2. I want to write/re-write CD's, DVD's and play Blu-ray movies easily. I rarely copy CD's or DVD's.

On our system builder you need to choose:

3. I want to write/re-write CD's, DVD's, play Blu-ray movies and burn to Blu-ray discs. I occasionally copy CD's/DVD's.

On our system builder you need to choose:

* The brand name of our optical drives (i.e. LG) is subject to change without notice.

Graphics Card:

A graphics card is vital to a computer. Although most people know what the purpose of a graphics card is, you can still easily get caught out when choosing the right graphics card for your system. Not only do you need to look our for a graphics card with a decent amount of memory, you also need to look for a graphics card with a powerful GPU (graphics processing unit). You can also choose to have two graphics cards in your computer. This enables gaming enthusiasts to have up to double the power when matching two identical graphics cards which means an ultimate gaming experience!

When searching for the right graphics card for you, just like when you are looking for a new computer, you will be looking for a graphics powerful processor and a large amount of RAM. For example:

• 1GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GT220 PCI EXPRESS
  
  
• 1GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GT240 PCI EXPRESS (3D BluRay Ready!)
  
  
• 768MB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX460 GDDR5 PCI EXPRESS - DirectX® 11
  
  

Which is best? The third option is the best, followed by the second option and then the first option. Even though the third option has a smaller amount of memory, the GPU on the third option is much more powerful, and in a gaming experience the game will be more realistic and more responsive. It will be a totally different experience.

To discover which graphics card is best for you (and your budget) you could try visiting the manufacturers websites on:

www.ati.com

www.nvidia.com

HDMI

HDMI stands for High-Definition-Multimedia-Interface and has been designed to carry umcompressed digital audio and video signals from the transmitter (i.e. graphics card) to the receiver (i.e. monitor). For any modern High Definition computer, a HDMI interface is a must-have as it will provide an unrivalled quality digital signal to your TV/monitor and because it can also carry the audio signal, it also reduces the need for extra wires.

DVI

DVI (Digital video Interface) is a digital connector for a digital monitor - the future of all monitors eventually. A graphics card with DVI enables users to choose whether they want to connect a normal monitor to it, or a digital monitor through the DVI connector. It is especially good for the latest digital TFT monitors.

TV-OUT

The TV Out feature provides an alternative display device besides your normal CRT/TFT monitor. Since a TV Set usually has a larger screen and lower resolution, the display on the TV Set is best suited for business presentation or games requiring a low resolution.

SLI Technology

PC enthusiasts and professionals are constantly searching for ways to increase the performance of their PCs…. And now they can with NVIDIA breakthrough 3D platform technology.

NVIDIA® SLI™ (Scalable Link Interface) technology is a revolutionary approach to scalability and increased performance. NVIDIA SLI takes advantage of the increased bandwidth of the PCI Express™ bus architecture, and features hardware and software innovations within NVIDIA GPUs (graphics processing units) and NVIDIA nForce4 MCPs (media and communications processors). Together the NVIDIA SLI patent-pending technologies work seamlessly to deliver heart-pounding PC performance. And depending on the application, NVIDIA SLI can deliver as much as 2x the performance of a single GPU configuration for unparalleled gaming experiences.

This extract was taken from http://www.nvidia.com/page/sli.html where you can read all about SLI Technology and its benefits. Please also note on the NVIDIA website which graphics cards in particular support SLI Technology, as not all NVIDIA graphics cards support SLI Technology.

In order for SLI Technology to function, you need to choose two identical graphics cards for your system, i.e. you cannot put two different graphics cards into your computer in any circumstances. SLI Technology is only available on selected systems where you have the choice of two graphics cards and does not function on any ATI graphics cards. You can only configure SLI Technology on PCI Express systems and not AGP systems.

The advantages of SLI technology are:

• Up to double the power during games - the ultimate gaming experience!

• Support up to 4 monitors - brilliant for financial services/stock exchange etc.

Crossfire Technology

ATI’s CrossFire propels your gaming PC to a new pinnacle of performance with the ultimate multi-GPU consumer graphics solution.
Enjoy the highest image quality modes and resolutions that you have always wanted, even with the most demanding 3D titles. Get out-of-the-box compatibility and afterburner acceleration for all your games without special game software or patches.

Unite and Dominate — with multiple ATI GPUs

CrossFire’s unique parallel processing technology has development roots going back to ATI’s multi-GPU Rage Fury MAXX™. Based on the same technology used with ATI-based commercial flight simulators, CrossFire soars into a new dimension of graphics capability with multiple Radeon® graphics processing units (GPUs) working together in your PC.

Divide and Conquer — with ATI’s Supertiling

ATI’s CrossFire speeds your gaming momentum with “supertiling,” high-performance GPU sharing that evenly divides the processing and graphics rendering workload.

How Supertiling Works:

Think of your screen image divided into subsections like a checkerboard, with alternating black and white “tiles.” CrossFire’s Supertiling intelligently alternates rendering duties of these tiles to each Radeon GPU for consistent, efficient load balancing with hassle-free compatibility. CrossFire’s options include a multiple load-sharing “scissor” mode and an alternate frame-rate mode, combining optimal performance with game-conquering compatibility.

Render and Rule

ATI’s CrossFire boosts image quality along with rendering speed, eliminating the need to crank down screen resolutions to get the high image quality you want.

CrossFire ignites with the higher antialiasing, anisotropic filtering, shading, and texture settings you desire. Adjust your display configurations, experiment with your advanced 3D settings, and check the effect with a real-time 3D-rendered preview within ATI’s Catalyst™ Control Centre to rule your CrossFire system.

CrossFire — Now and Future

Keep ahead of fast-moving gaming effects and technology changes with CrossFire’s advanced features. Upgradeable components allow you to gradually improve your system performance with the reliability and support that only ATI delivers. Supporting a wide range of ATI-based graphics cards and motherboards, the CrossFire platform offers flexibility and compatibility with all of today's Radeon Series graphics cards and the latest powerhouse processors to make your next gaming experience the zenith of PC perfection.

This extract was taken from http://www.ati.com/technology/crossfire/features.html where you can read all about Crossfire Technology and its benefits. Please also note on the ATI website which graphics cards in particular support Crossfire technology, as not all ATI graphics cards support Crossfire Technology.

How does Crossfire Function?

In order for Crossfire Technology to function, you need to choose two identical graphics cards when configuring your computer. A Crossfire system can be configured here. From our Crossfire configurator you can also choose to order a Crossfire ready computer (1 graphics card with compatible motherboard) with the idea of upgrading to a Crossfire system in the near future.

Crossfire Technology is only available on selected systems where you have the choice of two graphics cards and does not function on any NVIDIA graphics cards. You can only configure Crossfire Technology on PCI Express systems and not AGP systems. Don't worry - if you make a mistake our website will not allow you to order an incompatible Crossfire system!

The advantages of Crossfire technology are:

• Up to double the power during games - the ultimate gaming experience!

• Support up to 4 monitors - brilliant for financial services/stock exchange etc.

See also:

PCI Express

Shared Memory Architecture (SMA)

Sound Card:

In order for your computer to produce sound, it will need to have a sound card/sound device installed. The onboard sound is usually enough for most computer users, but if you are:

• a serious gamer

  
  

• a musician

  
  

• a music/film editor

  
  

• a serious music lover

  
  

• someone who already has surround speakers

  
  

It might be worthwhile purchasing a creative soundcard. Otherwise, you will probably be fine with the onboard sound, in that you will not notice a difference in sound quality.

Modem:

In order to connect to the internet, 99% of people either connect via a 56k modem, ADSL modem, or cable modem. If you are unsure of how you connect to the internet look at the computer you are on now, did you have to dial up to connect via your telephone line? If the answer is yes you will most likely connect via a 56k modem and you will need a modem in your new computer. Otherwise you will probably not need a modem in your new computer.

Network Card:

A network card (usually onboard) allows you to do the following (and more...):

• Network a computer

  
  

• Connect to the internet via broadband

  
  

• Connect a laptop or other device to a computer

  
  

All our computers come with this facility and there is no extra charge for this as this facility is onboard.

WIRELESS NETWORKING

Wireless networking is now available on all our computer systems. To allow you to use your computer in a wireless environment, you will need to ensure that you select a wireless network card in your new computer. The wireless network card will allow you to search out wireless networks available to you and connect to these. All this can be configured using your operating system or by using the software provided.

Setting up a wireless network connection

It is very easy to set up a wireless network in your home, but how successful your wireless network is depends on several factors:

• The thickness of the walls in your house (old houses can be challenging)

• The distance each computer is apart (you may need access points)

In order to setup a wireless network, you need a wireless network card in each computer/laptop that you wish to connect to the network, and also a router and modem. Where specified, our routers come with built in ADSL modems, so you will not need to purchase a modem.

To simplify wireless networking, your internet connection comes into your premises and into the modem (the router). Each computer/laptop connects to the router (either wired or wirelessly) and each computer/laptop can receive signals from the router. Therefore each computer can receive high speed internet wirelessly.

Your computer can also send signals to the router and the router can relay these to other computers. Thus, you can access the hard drives on computers in other rooms and transfer, edit and even delete files. You can manage this through "My Network Places" in Windows XP, and you can choose which folders you would like to share, and which folders you would like to make private.

Floppy Disk Drive:

A floppy disk drive allows for the usage of the obsolete 1.44mb floppy disk. We no longer provide the option of an internal floppy drive on our website, but we provide the option of an external floppy drive for those who still need to migrate their data over to a newer technology, such as a USB flash drive.

Memory Card Reader:

A memory card reader is a device that allows you to connect flash memory and other such memory to a computer for fast access and modification. If you have a digital camera you may wish to purchase a memory card reader to transfer your photos quickly and without having to use a program to do so.

At present, our 52 in 1 memory card readers can read the following media types:

* Need Adapter

Features:

• Complies with 480Mbps Universal Serial Bus specification Ver. 2.0
• Complies with USB Storage Class specification Ver.1.0(Bulk only protocol).
• Support Plug & Play and Hot-Swap.
• Support slot-to-slot read/write operation.
• Support auto-detecting slot with card inserted.
• High efficiency Card interface hardware engine for data transfer.

This specification is subject to change without notice.

Case:

The computer case is an important part of any computer. All of our computer cases will support the components you choose to have installed inside your computer and all of our cases (apart from the "affordable" cases) can support extremely high specification systems with our advanced cooling solutions, for example 80mm & 120mm fans, Intel TAC 1.1 approved air vents, and other vents to allow air to flow freely through the computer. If you are ordering a very high specification system, for example a system with a very powerful processor or graphics card, we recommend you call us just to check that you have selected a good case for your requirements.

To see pictures of the cases that we are currently selling, please click here.

Power Supply (PSU):

A PSU is the Power Supply Unit for your computer. The average PSU nowadays ranges from 350W up to and above 1000W. If you are ordering a powerful computer, we recommend you choose a power supply unit that can provide your computer with sufficient power, plus a little spare so that it's not running at capacity. This may add a small amount to your order, but it will help your computer run smoothly for years to come. When configuring a computer our configurator will automatically calculate your power supply requirements and alert if you if you've over-specified or under-specified your power supply unit.

Each component in your computer uses a proportion of your power supply's power output capabilities. As a rough guide, the following components use:

As you can see, the minimum power supply you should have in a computer is approximately 350W from doing a little maths, but if you're willing to spend that little bit extra, you can get a more powerful power supply with an ultra quiet cooling system.

A Popular question

Q. I think I need a really powerful power supply, and I have seen a 600W or above model for around £20 - £30 in the shops. Why are your power supplies more expensive?

A. There are no rules that are set in stone governing how you can rate the wattage of a power supply, and naturally people think that more power is better. The rated wattage of power supplies we sell are the true, constant power output and not the peak output. (Peak output is that power that a power supply can output for a few seconds.) Not naming any brands, if you search the high street, you can purchase what apparently appear to be 600W or even 700W power supplies for around £20, but be warned - these are likely to be power supplies that have been rated on their peak output and not their constant output. Some power supplies do not even give their stated output at peak. For a 600W or above power supply with a true constant output using reliable components, you should be looking at paying anything from £50 upwards.

Our high end power supplies (even though they may only be 400W - 500W) are tried and tested to give your computer a constant supply of quality power. Component manufacturers, such as graphics card manufacturers often over label the power supply requirements of their cards to cover for PSU manufacturers who have labeled power supplies as peak output and not constant output.

Processor Cooling:

When ordering a powerful processor, it is also important to ensure you order a processor cooler that is sufficient enough to efficiently remove the heat being produced by the processor. For the majority of processors, the default fan is sufficient. However, if you're planning on ordering a high end gaming or video editing system, we strongly recommend you budget for a more advanced processor cooler, such as a heatpipe cooler or a liquid cooling cooler. These more advanced processor coolers will remove the heat from your processor more effectively and also help keep your other components, such as your graphics card cooler by reducing the overall amount of heat left inside your computer.

Thermal Paste:

Thermal paste (also known as thermal grease) is a viscous substance which is used to increase the thermal conductivity by compensating for the irregular surfaces of the components.

Every CPU cooler we integrate into our systems come with standard thermal paste that will help lower the temperature of your CPU, and therefore increase performance and the lifetime of your PC.

Overclocked CPU's

For our overclocked configurations, we also offer an upgrade option to better thermal paste options, which use different compounds such as carbon microparticles. These thermal pastes increase the thermal conductivity even further and can result in your computer running 2.5°C to 7°C lower.

Operating System:

To learn more about the operating systems available, please click the "Windows" box below:

Q. What is the difference between the versions of Windows 7?

A. Click Here to find out...

Q. What is the difference between Windows XP Home and Windows XP Pro?

A. Click Here to find out...

The Windows Genuine Advantage

Genuine Microsoft® software is published by Microsoft and supported by Microsoft or a trusted partner. Using genuine Microsoft software offers you greater capabilities and easy integration with the widest variety of hardware, software, and services. It also provides the confidence of receiving the latest product features, updates and ongoing improvements to help keep your PC performing at its best.

PC Specialist Ltd supports genuine Microsoft software. Microsoft products licensed by PC Specialist Ltd and accompanied by a Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity (COA) affixed to your computer are genuine. To validate that your copy of Windows is genuine, visit www.microsoft.com/genuine. The validation process is easy to use, only takes a few moments to run and once completed enables you to more quickly receive genuine Windows downloads in the future.

Firewire: (also known as "IEEE" or "1394")

Firewire is a 1995 Macintosh/IBM PC serial bus interface standard offering high-speed communications. Firewire can transfer data between a computer and its peripherals at 400 Mbps.

Firewire is most commonly used for camcorders, external hard drives, and networking. Firewire is faster than USB 2.0 over sustained throughput. A firewire card is only required if you currently use a firewire device, or you plan to purchase a device that requires firewire in the coming future.

Monitor:

We offer several types of flat screen monitor on our website. For more information on each individual monitor, please click the "i" information button when configuring your computer/laptop.

What is a TFT monitor?

A TFT (thin-film transistor) monitor is only a few inches deep compared to the older CRT monitors, which have a large behind area containing the tubes for the display. You can choose from LCD backlit monitors and LED backlit monitors. LED backlit monitors generally are better because they use less energy and the backlight is likely to last longer. They are also thinner than LCD monitors, so look nicer.

Flat panel displays are revolutionising the way people look at their computers. Thin, light, space-saving, brighter, flicker-free, low power consumption, and better for the environment... these monitors are the wave of the future.

DVI

For a definition of DVI, please see here.

HDMI

For a definition of HDMI, please see here.

RESPONSE TIME

Response time is a measure of how long a display takes to change the image. A typical LCD television is 2 to 3 times faster than the average computer monitor LCD. Fast response time is superior for playing computer games and viewing action movies and sports.

RESOLUTION

Resolution is the basic measurement of the amount of information on a display. Typically this is defined as the product of two numbers (ie, 640 x 480), which indicates the number of pixels displayed horizontally multiplied by the number of pixels displayed vertically. The higher the number the better as there is more ability to display more details. Raising the resolution from 1024x768 to 1280x1024, for example, will provide enhanced image quality but generally at the expense of lower frame rates.

Keyboard & Mouse:

We currently offer keyboards and keyboard and mouse combos (where you get a matching keyboard and mouse). We only offer Logitech keyboards and mice as they have a long standing reputation for excellent quality keyboards and mice.

We currently offer the following keyboard & mouse options for desktop computers:

Logitech® Internet 350 USB Keyboard (£9)

Black Logitech® Optical Wheel Mouse USB (£5)

Logitech® MX Air™ Rechargeable Cordless Air Mouse (£85)

Logitech® G15 Gaming Keyboard with Gamepanel LCD Display (£65)

Logitech® G9x Laser Gaming Mouse (£59)

Logitech® G19 Gaming Keyboard with Gamepanel LCD Display (£135)

Logitech® MX™518 Optical Gaming Mouse (£29)

Logitech® G500 Laser Gaming Mouse (£48)

Logitech® Wireless Desktop® MK250 Keyboard and Mouse Combo (£19)

Logitech® Cordless Desktop Wave™ Laser Mouse & Keyboard Combo (£48)

and several keyboard & mouse options for laptops:

Logitech® Internet 350 USB Keyboard (£9)

Black Logitech® Optical Wheel Mouse USB (£5)

Logitech® MX Air™ Rechargeable Cordless Air Mouse (£85)

Logitech® G15 Gaming Keyboard with Gamepanel LCD Display (£65)

Logitech® VX Nano Cordless Laser Mouse (£39)

Logitech® V470 Cordless Bluetooth Laser Mouse (£26)

Logitech® Wireless Desktop® MK250 Keyboard and Mouse Combo (£19)

Logitech® Cordless Desktop Wave™ Laser Mouse & Keyboard Combo (£48)

For more information on each individual product, please click the "i" information button when configuring your computer/laptop.

INTERNET KEYBOARDS

Our internet keyboards, besides the usual features, offer you internet hotkeys such as "Play/Pause," "Calculator," "Email," "Internet," "Volume Down," "Volume Up," and "Mute" keys. For further information on our internet keyboards, please click here.

MICE

Our entry level mouse offer great ergonomics and even comes with an optical sensor rather than a ball, reducing the risk of the sensor becoming blocked.

CORDLESS KEYBOARDS & MICE

Our Cordless keyboards and mice are ideal for any home PC. Convenient hotkeys work without drivers and an 800 dpi optical mouse ensures precision control. They are fully Windows 7 compatible with the new Windows start key.

CORDLESS KEYBOARDS WITH RECHARGEABLE MICE

Our Cordless Keyboard with Rechargeable Mouse combination offers a premium combination of functionality and design, delivering superb cordless freedom and energy-saving optical performance to your PC. For further information on this product, please click here.

Speakers:

Using our website you can select several types of speaker starting from a standard pair of speakers through to deluxe 7.1 speakers systems. For more information on each individual product, please click the "i" information button when configuring your computer/laptop.

What is 2.1, 5.1, 7.1 etc?

Standard speakers and 2.0 speakers consist of two speakers to cover the left and right sides.

2.1 speakers consist of two speakers and a sub-woofer (for bass) that adds a little extra quality to your computing experience.

5.1 speakers consist of five speakers and a sub-woofer (for bass). Having five speakers allows for a front left, front right, rear left, rear right and a center speaker in addition to the sub-woofer, and this enhances the sound dramatically. Providing the product that you are playing supports surround sound, you can experience sound in a much more realistic mode. For example, when playing games you can hear what's going on behind you so there's less chance you'll get caught out if your enemy is creeping up on you.

7.1 speakers consist of seven speakers and a sub-woofer (for bass), allowing for the ultimate sound experience. In addition to the center, front and rear left and right speakers, you will also have a side right and a side left speaker. For further information and a diagram, please click here.

Printer:

You can choose a printer from our list to suit your needs. We offer a choice of mono laser, colour laser and all-in-one printers. All-in-one printers have a printer/scanner/copier built in and are the most cost effective, space-saving and useful printers for your home/office. For more information on each printer, please click the "i" information button when configuring your computer/laptop.

Surge Protection:

A surge protector is a device that protects your electronic equipment from power surges and power spikes. A surge protector usually has four or more sockets, from which you can connect and power four or more electrical devices with the safety of knowing that should a power surge occur, the chances of damage occuring to your electrical equipment as a result of a power surge is very much limited. Surge protectors are now very affordable and we strongly recommend that if you do not already own a surge protector with a minimum of two spare sockets, that you purchase one with your order.

Webcam:

If you're thinking of video conferencing/chatting with your friend in Australia, or your parents in Spain, a webcam is an absolute must! A webcam allows you to stream live video content over the internet in a matter of seconds. The majority of households have at least one webcam nowadays, and companies use webcams for video conferencing so that they can have a virtual meeting with their partners all over the world.

We offer the following webcams & VoIP headsets:

Logitech® Webcam C200 - built-in-mic & VGA quality video sensor (£15)

Logitech® Webcam C500 - 1.3Mp, built-in Mic and clear, detailed video (£33)

Logitech® Webcam Pro 9000 - 2.0Mp, AutoFocus and Carl Zeiss Optics (£59)

For more information on each individual product, please click the "i" information button when configuring your computer/laptop.

Headset (VoIP):

If you're thinking of chatting to your friend in Australia, or your parents in Spain, a VoIP headset is an absolute must! VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol and allows you to communicate content over the internet in a matter of seconds, and much cheaper than using your telephone line!

We offer the following VoIP headsets:

Logitech® PC Headset 860 Stereo with in-line volume control (£15)

Logitech® PC Headset 960 USB Digital stereo with in-line volume control (£16)

Logitech® ClearChat Pro Headset for PC calling, music, and gaming (£32)

Logitech® ClearChat PC Wireless™ Headset High-performance & wireless (£84)

Logitech® G35 Gaming Headset with 7.1 surround sound (£89)

For more information on each individual product, please click the "i" information button when configuring your computer/laptop.

Antivirus:

If you want a computer that's protected from known worms and viruses, or you're not sure whether the files that you are opening are malicious, we recommend you order Norton Antivirus with your system. By ordering Norton Antivirus you receive the following key features:

• Automatically removes viruses, Trojan horses, and worms.
• Checks incoming and outgoing email attachments for viruses.
• Automatically scans incoming instant message attachments for threats.
• Checks compressed file archives for viruses.
• Keeps dangerous Internet worms out, blocking them before they infect your system.
• Automatically downloads updates to protect against new threats.
• Automatically scans for viruses upon downloading updates.
• Uses smart technology to detect emergent worms and other new threats without waiting for updates.
• Disinfects your system prior to installation, starting you off with a clean, virus-free computer.

New viruses and malicious software trojans are being produced every day, and no Antivirus software can guarantee a virus free computer. However, with Norton Antivirus you can be assured that as soon as a virus or worm is identified and the definitions are updated, your computer will be able to download the latest definitions to ensure your computer is kept clean period.

Office Software:

Unless otherwise selected, we ship Microsoft® Office Starter 2010 with every computer we manufacture. This includes reduced-functionality versions of Microsoft® Word and Microsoft® Excel that include advertising. It does not include Microsoft® PowerPoint or Microsoft® Outlook. If you would like to have the full version of any Microsoft® Office 2010 product, you will need to purchase an Office 2010 product key, which will enable you to activate the full version of the software on your computer.

Please note the following points about Microsoft® Office Starter 2010:

1. Limited-functionality versions of Microsoft® Word and Microsoft® Excel.
2. No Microsoft® PowerPoint, Microsoft® Outlook, or Microsoft® OneNote.
3. Includes advertising.
4. Product key required to activate full-featured Office software. You can call us at any time if you wish to purchase this.

To learn about the other Microsoft® Office™ products we sell, please see our content below:

Port Replicator (Docking Station):

On our notebook configurator there is the option of adding a port replicator (which is sometimes also referred to as a docking station) to your order. A port replicator is a device that allows you to connect your peripheral devices such as your printer, scanner, monitor, speakers, internet/LAN) to the docking station, which then connects to your laptop via one USB cable.

Do I need a port replicator?

For people who use their laptop in several locations, for example at home and at the office, a port replicator saves time and hassle by making it easy to "dock" your laptop, connecting to all your devices in one simple step.

Laptop Stand:

On our notebook configurator there is the option of adding a laptop stand to your order. A laptop stand, when combined with an external keyboard and mouse, helps the user achieve a comfortable working position and more importantly a better posture, as the user does not have to bend toward the screen - the screen can be positioned on a desk at shoulder height. We currently offer Logitech® laptop stands. An example (Logitech® Alto™) can be seen below:

Do I need a laptop stand?

For people who use their laptop at a desk for longer periods, a laptop stand will give you the same freedom as a desktop computer when combined with a separate keyboard and mouse. A laptop stand will also help businesses comply with current UK legislation Health & Safety, which recommends the use of equipment which avoids the ergonomic disadvantages of portable equipment.

Battery:

On our notebook configurator there is sometimes the option of upgrading your battery or ordering additional batteries. The length of time a laptop battery will operate varies on individual notebook computers, based on the applications being used (i.e. high end graphics, gaming), the number of times something is saved or retrieved from the hard drive, how often the CD/DVD drive is used, and the amount of memory in the notebook. The realistic average run-time is 1.5 to 3 hours, but obviously the more you use the notebook, and the more devices you order when configuring the notebook, the lower the battery life will be. Using devices like a wireless adapter will also reduce the battery life.

Should I order extra batteries?

If your laptop is generally used in or around the home or office, ordering extra batteries is not a priority. However, if you often take your notebook away, for example on business trips, school trips, on holiday, camping, etc., then a spare battery will allow you to continue using your laptop after a quick exchange of batteries.

Power Lead & Adapter:

When configuring a laptop on our website, we provide the option of selecting additional power leads and adapters. Ordering an additional power lead can beneft you in several ways:

• You can place the adapters in the key areas around the home where the notebook is used, meaning you don't have to carry the adapters round with you.
• You have a spare power lead & adapter should the original lead be misplaced or damaged.
• You can leave adapters in the office or key business locations, reducing the weight you have to carry round on a day-to-day basis.

Carry Case:

When selecting the accessories for a laptop on our configurator, you have the option of adding a notebook carry case to the order. We recommended you order a carry case with your laptop for the following reasons:

• A carry case offers some protection against scratches, shock and damage should you drop your notebook, or an item be placed on top of it.
• A carry case allows you to transport many of the accessories for your notebook, such as the power lead & adapter, mouse/keyboard, Bluetooth dongle, etc. with ease.
• Our generic carry cases, although generally basic, were designed for the laptops we manufacture and so may provide a better fit than other brands.

We also offer high quality and trused solutions, such as the Logitech® backpack or briefcase, which will make taking your laptop out and about easier than ever before.

TV Card:

A TV Card allows you to receive television, radio and teletext through your computer (depending on which TV card you purchase). Some TV cards can also be used for transferring videos and images to your computer through a composite or S-Video connection.

In addition to receiving television, some TV cards also offer the ability to:

• Watch digital satellite TV on your PC - Receive free-to-air satellite TV and digital radio station on your PC.



• Listen to digital radio - Enjoy the digital satellite radio stations in stereo & playback any time you like.



• High speed Internet via satellite - To use "Internet via satellite" service, you need to have an account from satellite Internet service provider, plus an account with a local Internet Service Provider. First, you connect to the Internet via your local Internet Service provider. Secondly, you log on to your Satellite Internet provider. If you are sending a request for a specified web page, the request goes via your local provider to the Satellite provider. They will retrieve the Internet data and send this specified web page via Satellite back to your Computer. The download speed depends on the satellite ISP provider.



• Wake Up Scheduled Recording - just set your recording schedule in advance, the computer will execute the recording job automatically even your PC is in sleep mode!

External Hard Drive:

An external hard drive is quite literally a hard drive enclosed in a solid case which you connect to your computer by USB or firewire, depending on the drive. An external hard drive can benefit your computing experience in many ways, some of which include:

• Extra storage capacity - an external hard drive provides extra storage capacity.
• Backup - you can use an external hard drive to backup your important files, videos and images.
• Improved performance - in some circumstances, for example on slower had drives, data can be accessed quicker from an external hard drive than the computers internal hard drive.
• Portability - external hard drives allow you to transfer large amounts of data from one computer to another easily.

For further information on hard drives, please see our hard drive help by clicking here.

Home Installation:

We offer a home installation service allowing those in need of a little extra help in setting up their order the peace of mind that is often lacked when ordering a new computer. This ranges from a basic installation right through to family surf control and that all important data transfer. Below is a breakdown of each service and what it covers:

• Technician Assisted Installation & Set-Up (£79)
  • Unpack PC, connect plugs and power supply.
  • Establish internet connection (must already be up and running).
  • Set up e-mail account (must already be purchased).
  • Set up security updates and demonstrate key security features.
  • Connect 2-3 peripherals (printer/fax/camera etc.). This includes a maximum of one printer.



• Technician Assisted Installation & Set-Up + Wireless Internet + Family Surf Control (£99)
  • Unpack PC, connect plugs and power supply.
  • Unpack wireless router and connect to the existing internet connection.
  • Connect the network to up to 3 wireless ready PCs.
  • Set up e-mail accounts (must already be purchased).
  • Secure the wireless network, set up security updates and demonstrate key security features.
  • Connect up to 3 peripherals (printer/fax/camera etc.). This includes a maximum of one printer.
  • Set-up surf control for family members.



• Technician Assisted Installation & Set-Up + Data Transfer (£119)
  • Unpack PC, connect plugs and power supply.
  • Establish internet connection (must already be up and running).
  • Set up e-mail account (must already be purchased).
  • Set up security updates and demonstrate key security features.
  • Connect 2-3 peripherals (printer/fax/camera etc.). This includes a maximum of one printer.
  • Transfer of end user and application files including email, internet favourites, My documents, My pictures, My Videos, My Music.
  • Placing these files in the appropriate places on the new computer.



• Technician Assisted Installation + Wireless + Family Surf Control + Data Transfer (£139)
  • Unpack PC, connect plugs and power supply.
  • Unpack wireless router and connect to the existing internet connection.
  • Connect the network to up to 3 wireless ready PCs.
  • Set up e-mail accounts (must already be purchased).
  • Secure the wireless network, set up security updates and demonstrate key security features.
  • Connect up to 3 peripherals (printer/fax/camera etc.). This includes a maximum of one printer.
  • Set-up surf control for family members.
  • Transfer of end user and application files including email, internet favourites, My documents, My pictures, My Videos, My Music.
  • Placing these files in the appropriate places on the new computer.

The Home Installation Service is available Monday - Friday between 9am and 5pm only. Terms, Conditions and Limitations apply. Click here for more information.

Warranty:

With every computer we manufacture we provide a minimum 1 year RTB (return to base) warranty with at least a 1 month free collection and return for peace of mind should anything go wrong. We also offer a very cost effective upgrade to a full 1 year collect and return warranty for an additional £5, which we strongly advise all customers to consider before they purchase.

Collect and Return Warranties

When purchasing a collect and return warranty, you have the peace of mind in knowing that there will be no cost involved should a problem occur - you can simply box up the computer in its original packaging and our courier will call round on a working day convenient to you to collect the computer. We will then repair your computer and return it to you free of any carriage charges.

Our warranty options look like this:

Comparing Warranties with Other Companies

When looking at the warranty options a company offers, it's important to read between the lines to see what you're actually getting as opposed to what you can be lead to believe you're getting. Some companies offer a "3 year warranty" but when you read their terms and conditions this simply equates to a 1 year RTB warranty with an additional 2 years "labour warranty". They often do not collect for free, making their warranty package very basic (and potentially costly) in comparison to our options.

Warranty Exclusions

• Accidental Damage.
• General wear and tare, misuse, neglect or damage by the buyer.
• Incorrectly installed goods.
• Consumables (Ink Cartridges, batteries, etc).
• Data Recovery & Backing up of data, files and programmes.
• Remedy of incorrectly installed/incompatible software which is not provided by PC Specialist Ltd.
• Remedy of viruses.
• Compatability of 3^rd party software/hardware.

The information on this page is not exhaustive. For full Terms and Conditions, please click here.

Insurance:

To protect your purchase of a tailor-made computer from PC Specialist, you may wish to purchase an insurance package which protects against theft, accidental damage, breakdown and also liquid damage. With laptops being used all over the home, it can be very easy to spill your drink or knock it from your kitchen worktops and therefore insurance is strongly recommended.

Why Do I Need Insurance for my Computer?

• 80% of household insurance policies do not adequately cover portable electronic equipment.
• Half of all street crime involves portable electronic equipment.

If your portable electronic equipment is damaged or stolen this could cost you hundreds of pounds as well as cause a lot of inconvenience, stress and hassle.

Repairing your Computer

You may believe that damaging your laptop is unlikely, yet they are so easy to drop or knock. This is the most common grounds for insurance claims today, with thousands of claims being made a week.

• Cosmetic damage and battery damage can cost upwards of £60 to repair.
• Liquid damage can be irreparable.

For as little as 7p a day you are protected worldwide against:

• Accidental damage
• Liquid damage
• Theft
• Breakdown

Should you need to claim; the process is simple with a 48 hour turnaround for theft claims and 7-10 day turnaround for repairs.

What does it cost?

FAQ's | Terms & Conditions

Insurance policies are provided to you by PC Specialist Ltd and arranged on our behalf by Pier Insurance Managed Services Ltd. Pier Insurance Managed Services Ltd is Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Registration Number 311798.

Data Recovery:

Quantity:

On orders of 1 - 100 computers, you can expect the usual lead time for delivery. On orders of 100+ computers, please contact us on 0844 499 4000 for further information.

Bulk Purchase Discounts

Our website will automatically calculate and issue a bulk discount when you increase the quantities in your quotation. These will be applied to the price and displayed clearly before you order.