Would appreciate thoughts on buying this spec pc

[sycamore]

I'm getting very sick of problems with my current pc, and have been looking at a replacement. My pc knowledge is pretty lousy, and I'd really appreciate any thoughts on the following system - the important (I think!) details are:

AMD ATHLON™ 64 4000+ (2.4GHz) 1MB L2 Cache (Socket AM2)
2048 MB CORSAIR DDR2 667MHz (2x1GB)
250GB SERIAL ATA HARD DRIVE WITH 8MB CACHE (7200rpm)
256MB GEFORCE 7900GS PCI Express + DVI + TV-OUT
600W Quiet Quad Rail PSU incl Case Fan & CPU Cooler
onboard sound

This, plus a 22" widescreen monitor, vat, delivery for £785.

(Edit: or could get with a 256MB RADEON X1600 PRO PCI Express + DVI for £735)

It doesn't include keyboard/mouse/printer/speakers because I like what I currently have, and also doesn't include an operating system as I own a full, legit, cost-me-a-fortune copy of XP; as I'd be selling the computer it's currently loaded on as a box of spares on ebay I assume that I wouldn't have any problems installing it on the new computer? I use vista at work so am happy to stick with xp on this machine.

It would be used for WoW mainly, and for working from home so office, second life, video conferencing; also my husband does some music downloading but nothing major.

I'd very much appreciate any thoughts on whether this is a spec that should last me for the next couple of years and reasonably priced.

Thanks :smiley:

Edit: I know it would be a lot cheaper to build my own, but the last time I built my own was upgrading from my 386 so I'm a bit scared, and would also really like to have the fallback of a warrenty in case of problems. Unless I could either save a really huge amount or get a really decent system for around this price?

[Kalos]

It should definantly be able to handle WoW and all business affairs, and appears to be reasonably priced. However, I'm not to sure about the long term viability of the processor, it's been second rate for over a year now, and is about to be struck off AMD's product portfolio for a new architecture bearing the name Athlon. It should be decent still in three year's time, but you will have to replace the video card as time goes on to be able to utilise DirectX 10 effects if the time comes where they become desirable. It's a very good current design, but there's going to be a major reshuffle shortly during the summer months, which will either take £200 off the price currently offered to you, or bring a far more modern machine into the same price range, like an Intel Core 2 E4300, a newer and more efficient core than the Athlons currently on sale, which are close to four years old as it is.

In all honstly, it'll do fine for what you are asking of it, and those are some very good parts.

[sycamore]

Many thanks Kalos, I was hoping you'd reply as I value your opinion. I do accept your points about the processor, but going for that over an AMD ATHLON™ 64 X2 3600+ (1.9GHz) 2 x 512K L2 Cache (Socket AM2) which was the next one up made over £100 difference buying it now, so I figured that for what we're going to be using it for in the medium term it wasn't worth the extra (and it meant we could go for the big monitor :D ).

I know that you're also right about holding off until the summer, but my current machine is becoming unusable for WoW at the moment, so I want a new one right now.

Thanks again, it's really good to have the reassurance that it's a fine system and well priced!