Entry level o-clockers question

[Tiggerz]

Was talking to a large NZ system builder today about possibly developing an entry level over-clockers machine..

Would probably be just the base unit, an alloy case with side window, asus mobo, amd or intel cpu, ram and graphics card. Maybe with a cold cathode in it. Would also be a quiet machine as well..

Also looking at probably bundling with a TFT monitor as these are expected to replace CRT in volume within the next 6 to 12 months.

Maybe looking to put a package together round the 1600 to 2k mark + gst.

Its all in the concept phase at the moment.

[_N_]

I find that you wouldn't get much interested simply cause OCers like to make up their own systems to suit their own taste,

but it's worth a try,
you'll probably get noobs interested in it, (just like those try hard boy racers with heaps of stickers on their car to look cool, yet, they can't drive a manual, :D :D )

BTW, isn't it true that watching movies on TFT's is worse than CRT's?

[SilverPriest]

Personally I'd rather see more entry level laptops.
700mhz class, with a LONG battery life, and a low price.
Preferably with space for 2-3 batteries (gotta love those modular compartments)
Something to use to write on the road, play the odd mp3, and divx if cpu horsepower permits.
I know I would buy a laptop like that if it was in the 1600-2000 class......
A bit OT, but something to think about nonetheless...

There may be a decent market for an entry level overclockers system in NZ, I mean jeez man, have you even BEEN to gameplanet?
If marketed properly it could do quite well.
Especially since overclocking voids any warranty one has :D

[Ragnor]

Interesting idea, there's probably a reasonable market for it...

However like N mentions...Overclockers put their own systems together because we like to reaseach and choose every single compoent to suit our liking..

The profit margin is going to be very low most overclockers are pricespy wh0re's.. and you're not going to get away with generic ram, low cost heatsinks...

Most of us know online retailers, or have wholesaler contacts through work.. we also have alot of repeat business with a favourite couple of retailers and can usually bludge good prices..

Also most of us have seen a few too many heatsinks installed incorrectly and things hot glued together from large NZ system builders.... :rolleyes:

.......

However if you're distinctive and can generate a New Zealand Alienware type style then it could be very feesable..

If not PC's I think there could be a quite sizeable market for cheap, stylish, performance laptops.. ala alienware style..

[Ragnor]

Originally posted by SilverPriest
... some stuf.... LAPTOPS

That's what I was thinking too... more grunt then 700mhz though..

EDIT:

I forgot to comment on using TFT's too..

The problem is TFT's still suck for gaming and ..ahem.. multimeda (divx etc). As far as I've seen the nature of TFT's and lower refresh rates still causes too much ghosting of fast moving images.

Would be a problem if you go with lower cost / quality brands and models...

[Tiggerz]

Yup, we went over the issue of people wanting to choose specific product and the like.

The idea is to build a specific base system, but also offer a level of individualisation. So the idea would perhaps be to allow a number of different mods that can be applied to the base unit.

Also we were discussing offering a very basic system with some high quality bits that we know you wont replace quite so soon. Like the case, mobo and CPU. And bung in cheaper parts for the bits that we know you probably will replace such as ram and the like.

For example, a rough design was to use a lian li case, high end asus board, Intel or AMD CPU and maybe a WD1200JB drive as the base, with a cold cathode and maybe a water cooling solution.

This might be the core system. The ram would be el-cheapo like century, which we can add without adding anything to the cost of the machine. Effectively free.. Also, legal software like WinXp and the like as well.

The pricing would be set to market demand and would also have a competitive reseller margin as well.

It would be backed with a 3 year warantee and all the usual gubbins.

Also, on the TFT front, I think you guys need to come up to date on the technology a bit. Most of the new monitors coming through support the new 20ms refresh and have better than CRT quality displays. Was playn 1942 on a 15" (same size as a 17 crt) and there was absoluty no ghosting.. Was running at 1280x1024 32bits..

Laptop technology is coming along fine.. I understand PC world have a couple of Centrino based notebooks at the moment undergoing tests. Should be a good review.

[Geek4Life]

So a three year warranty would be part of the package and it is aimed at overclockers.

So does this mean we can overclock the sh!t out of it and replace some components and still bring it back if something goes wrong? :cool:

[Tiggerz]

Kind of..

What I would like to do is offer an upgrade service as well.. Bring your machine in with the new bit, and have it fitted and tested. This means reducing the problem of crushed CPUs and other installation probs. Warrantee is still sound as the work is done by a certified machine builder.

Also the ability to RMA something depends on volume. Low volume means a couple of week wait as new bits are shipped in, high volume means instant fix.

Obviously, if you do fry a CPU though over-clocking, it would still be a tough luck scenario. Not much that could be done about this.

As I said before (I think) its still in the concept phase.. Just bouncing ideas around at the moment.

[Walt]

I recently picked up a Samsung 172T TFT using DVI output, and I can tell you I have no ghosting issues. Contrast is 450:1, response time 25 ms (from memory). No problems and I can tell you there is no way I'm going back to CRT now. It's so easy on the eyes. :)

[dustyslapper]

Even lame as computer stors round here www.bcscomputers.co.nz have pc's with catodes in them in the front window.

I hate cathodes.