Complete Newbie

Hi,
I just registered to these forums.

Over the next month i am planning on building my dream spec gaming pc. I have a limit on a budget which i hope to stick to.
Currently i live in the uk and unfortunately the prices for alot of hardware here is ridiculus.
In a matter of weeks i will be going to the USA for a holiday. I recently looked at some prices and noticed that the hardware i need is alot cheaper in the US.
I am primarily looking to buy 2 gig ram, motherboard, AMD 64 4800+ x2 dual core CPU, and 7800GT x2 graphics cards.

I know i can get this hardware cheaper in the US but will it work with hardware i get in the UK i.e. powersupply, disk drives etc etc. Also would there be a warranty valid when i return to the uk?

BTW i will be using this spec for playing and creating games.

Thanks.

 

Power supplies, HDD's etc.. are universal. PSU's will work in pretty much any country providing you select the right voltage on the PSU!
The only way to confirm warranty status is to ask upon payment or contact the company you wish to purchase from!

 

Thats good news. Thanks.

Just one question, Whats PSU?

 

Power Supply Unit

 

Ah, well they have switches on the back for to switch between voltages right?
My pc has that. But i will look into it. I think i will buy a PSU here in the UK.

Also I am curious, would the scanners and xray machines from airports damage the hardware i am planning to buy?

 

Yes, between 110 and 230V - Usually hidden under a sticker.

Hmmm, that's a tough one, i'm really not sure about that one!

 

Well, i know it would damage the hard drive if there was information on it but a cpu? graphics card? ram?

I dont think they hold any information, but along with the xray machines, would there be a build up of static electricity on the plan in the cargo area? Maybe i should just carry the stuff on with me in the cabin then?

 

I'm guessing no,i don't think it would damage anything!
I don't think static electricity would be a problem due to the components being packed in anti-static bags at the factory!

 

that makes me feel alot better.

Thanks.

 

X-rays have absolutely no effect on computer hardware, unlike strong specific magnetic (especially moving) fields.

 

yeah although take care, customs will want you to declare anything major you buy, you may end up paying tax on it.

 

How much tax do they ask for?

 

i'm honestly not sure, hah:

 

Ah, no worries, it couldnt be that bad, could it?


If the tax is really high i could always just post it to my uk address from the states.

 

yeah thats a possibility