new PC, good value or not?

[Evo]

I'm very out of touch with PC hardware, so could somebody who is up to date tell me if the following is reasonable value for £730, sans monitor. It's a good brand, so component and build quality should be better than average, FWIW.


Processor Intel P4 650 : 3.4GHz / 2M / 800 (HT) (915G)
Installed OS Microsoft Windows XP Home
Memory 1GB
Configuration type Tower, PCI & PCI Express
Media Device DVD Multiburner Plus
Network Interface Integrated Gigabit Ethernet
Slots and bays (total/available) 4(3) x 4(1)
Disk capacity 160GB (SATA-150 7200rpm)
Audio Terratec Sound Card, External
Speakers
Graphics subsystem PCIe 128MB ATI Radeon


unfortunately I have no more details (I assume, for example, there is more than one flavour of Radeon that fits the description). Pointing out that it would be half the price in the states, while probably true, isn't totally helpful :)

[Fat Dog]

Can't tell if that's good value without knowing more specific details. Why you going Intel? Most people would agree AMD based systems are currently better.

[Evo]

Don't have a choice - work is running an HCI scheme that allows you to buy a computer out of pre-tax income. Not much selection on offer though, and there's precious little information about what you can get. That seems the best of the bunch, and seems similar in price to a 3.4Ghz/1Gb Dell box. However, i'm very out of touch with hardware...

[effortless]

HCI schemes haven't shown good value where they have been outsourced to specialist companies. Go to a site like www.novatech.co.uk and use their "build your own system" function to see how it matches up. It looks a bit pricey to me.

[ORAC]

Just specced a custom machine from Aria (http://www.aria.co.uk/newAriaSystems.asp) for around the same price. Doesn´t look like any savings to be made. You can also get good deals from Morgan computers like this (http://www.morgancomputers.co.uk/shop/detail.asp?ProductID=2115&CategoryID=142&SubCategoryID=) for under 680.

I´d shop around.

[Helen49]

Avoid MESH, the after sales service is non-existent!
H49