Improvements/alternatives on this please

[mautal]

A new day and some things that I'm not clear on.

Re my 21.5 monitor:

a) How does it perform for browsing websites (one window open only on the screen) i.e. will it vertically letterbox (black at the sides, fine) if selecting a setting presumably, so to avoid having to read across an impossibly wide screen?

b) Should I try to attach - as well - my existing monitor for better single page browsing (thinking eye strain), leading to:

c) Can I (thinking ports + system) and assuming Windows 7 O/S, attach both monitors so that I can watch TV on 21.5 at the same time as browsing on my smaller monitor?

I've no idea if the above questions are sensible but people seem to say they want to attach three monitors so I'm simply way out of my depth, bet you'd never have guessed, lol.

 

[steaky360]

I view websites on my 27" monitor with no problems at all so I don't think you'll have any issues with a 21.5" . You can obviously adjust the size of the window to your taste if you want but that is not a function of the monitor.

I wouldn't think you'd need to attach your existing monitor, but I think you could if you wanted to.

I would imagine so, assuming both the DVI and the VGA adapters can be used simultaneously on the motherboard (I'm not sure of this).

 

[mautal]

Thank you steaky360.

I should be OK for website browsing then on 21.5

Hopefully someone can tell me if my motherboard will support simultaneous DVI and VAG for two monitors, and presumably associated settings option to select one for TV and one for browsing simultaneously.
Motherboard currently is: "ASUS® F1A55-M LK R2.0: FM1 A-SERIES, SATA 3.0GB/s, Windows 8 Ready!"

If not, will my new 21.5 be either TV or browsing? So not capable of being windows displayed on the same screen together for both?

Thank you.

 

[vanthus]

You should be able to run 2 monitors.
http://uk.asus.com/Motherboards/AMD_Socket_FM1/F1A55M_LK_R20/#specifications
With one monitor you can also watch TV (although in restored down window) and browse the net.

 

[mautal]

Thank you. vanthus

 

[mautal]

Hello. Could I ask payment questions of someone please?

a) I read a thread on here about a surcharge if paying via credit card - would such surcharge apply to my order?

b) Would payment be taken on placement of order, or c.9-11 days later when computer is ready to send out?

Ta.

 

[keynes]

1) If you are paying with a credit card then you will get a surcharge.
2) You will get charged as soon as you order.

 

[mautal]

Thank you, keynes.

Can I avoid a surcharge if paying by debit card or some other way?

I'm sorry, I haven't got to the order stage of the configurator yet.

Ta.

 

[Rakk]

Can I avoid a surcharge if paying by debit card or some other way?

Yes you can avoid it, there is no surcharge if paying by debit card.

 

[mautal]

Thank you Rakk.

 

[moosEh]

Yes you can avoid it, there is no surcharge if paying by debit card.

And also paying by Bank Transfer

 

[mautal]

Thank you moosEh.

Comments would now be very welcome on revamped quotation, which includes recommendations (thanks all).

The 21.5 Acer monitor (original spec) seemingly is not now an option, only 19 or 27, so have included a 24 Samsung instead. I'm assuming it'll operate pretty much the same so doesn't itself need anything to be changed for it.

Still not clear about fans for the Silencio 550 case, as the case says it needs two x 120mm (irrespective of optional additional chassis fans which I probably don't need). Will this spec give me the proper fans for the case?

Case COOLERMASTER SILENCIO 550 QUIET MID TOWER CASE
Processor (CPU) AMD A4-3400 Dual Core APU (2.7GHz) & Radeon™ HD 6410D Graphics
Motherboard ASUS® F1A55-M LK R2.0: FM1 A-SERIES, SATA 3.0GB/s, Windows 8 Ready!
Memory (RAM) 4GB SAMSUNG DUAL-DDR3 1600MHz (1 X 4GB)
Graphics Card Integrated AMD Radeon HD 6000 Series Graphics
Memory - 1st Hard Disk 500GB 3.5" SATA-III 6GB/s HDD 7200RPM 16MB CACHE
1st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive 24x DUAL LAYER DVD WRITER ±R/±RW/RAM
Power Supply 350W Dual Rail PSU + 120mm Case Fan
Processor Cooling Super Quiet 22dBA Triple Copper Heatpipe AMD CPU Cooler (£19)
Sound Card ONBOARD 8 CHANNEL (7.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Network Facilities 10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT - AS STANDARD ON ALL PCs
USB Options 2 PORT USB 3.0 INTERNAL PCI-EX CARD + STANDARD USB PORTS
TV Card HAUPPAUGE DUAL DVB-T TUNER (WinTV-NOVA-TD-500)
Operating System Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit w/SP1 - inc DVD & Licence (£79)
Office Software FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft® Office® 365
Anti-Virus NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Monitor Samsung SyncMaster S24C450B 24" - 1920 x 1080, 5MS, DVI-D
DVI-D & HDMI Monitor Cables 1 x 2 METRE DVI-D CABLE (£5)
Surge Protection 6 Socket Compact 2M UFO Surge Protector (£9)
Warranty 3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour) (£5)
Delivery STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time Standard Build - Approximately 9 to 11 working days

Cost is now £671 incl. VAT *takes deep breath*

All comments welcome.

 

[Boozad]

The fans will come fitted with the case mate and they'll be ample, no need to worry there. Firstly I'd suggest upping the PSU to a 450W just in case you ever want/need to add a graphics card, it can be tricky replacing a PSU so it's just giving yourself the headroom in case you ever need it. Secondly the motherboard you've chosen only supports 3GB/s transfer rates while your HDD will give 6GB/s transfer rates so you may want to consider upping your motherboard to take full advantage of the HDD transfer rates.

 

[keynes]

I don't think the 3gb/s will limit the transfer rates for HDDs, more likely if it is an SSD. You could save some money by downgrading the cpu cooler to the standard one, don't you get a dvi cable with the monitor?

 

[mautal]

Thanks both.

1. I've just read up on graphics cards and am not much the wiser since I don't game or edit videos/pictures.
If the integrated AMD Radeon HD 6000 series card is adequate for TV and web surfing simultaneously, I should be fine with PSU 350W - I think, plus it should help keep the running cost (elec use) down, yes?

2. I don't know what HDD transfer rates means either. Does it mean a fractional difference in page loading and/or refresh rates? Unless the monitor (refreshing at 5ms) would stutter/jump with TV on (problem), but I don't need "instant reaction" as is paramount in gaming.

Any thoughts on these please?

As to DVI cable, I'd have expected the Samsung monitor to come with one to be honest, so I'll ask PCS.

 

[keynes]

1) the integrated gpu should be fine for your intended use.
2) for an hdd the transfer rate (3gb/s vs 6gb/s) wouldn't be a problem. If you are planning to add an SSD in the future then you should get a motherboard that supports 6gb/s.

 

[mautal]

Thank you.

I think I do understand why I might (or don't) want an SSD - Wonders never cease *laugh*

 

[mautal]

My son tells me I don't need a TV card (£69) as I could use TVCatchup.com for Freeview channels. I'm inclined to think that there's no such thing as a free lunch, at least not without strings attached (edit, sorry, that's tautology), so I'm planning to get my card - unless, well maybe it's not necessary? What do you folks think?

 

[vanthus]

My son tells me I don't need a TV card (£69) as I could use TVCatchup.com for Freeview channels. I'm inclined to think that there's no such thing as a free lunch, at least not without strings attached (edit, sorry, that's tautology), so I'm planning to get my card - unless, well maybe it's not necessary? What do you folks think?

Far as I know the legality of TVCatchup is still in dispute,and the choices of programs are limited like with BBC iPlayer which is definitely legal.
Also you wouldn't have the flexibility of watching and recording another program at the same time,though I think the option of recording from TVCatchup has been removed anyway.
Nothing will compare to having your own TV tuner,but your choice.

 

[mautal]

Thanks vanthus. Also, without a card, I'd lose the advantage of a direct signal via aerial and have to go back to internet streaming (see I was paying attention, lol). A card it will be.