Help I am replacing my computer. I am looking at a ZT Systems any comments?

[rhett o rick]

I am looking at replacing the tower only from Costco ZT Systems with 16 GB Memory and 2.0 hard-drive for $699. I am open to suggestions.
I am trying to stay away from hp because they moved jobs out of US. I dont know about ZT Systems.

[struggle4progress]

1. I have no experience with ZT. And I'm no expert. But I can tell you what I'd look at.

(1) Processor. I've build some machines with the AMD Phenom II 955. I think it's OK. Customer reviews of cpu at Newegg seem generally favorable: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=19-103-808&SortField=5&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&PurchaseMark=&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&VendorMark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&Keywords=(keywords)&Page=1#scrollFullInfo

(2) Expandability. Your take might depend on what you plan to do with it.

You've got a few empty pcie and pci slots. Are you planning to add a highend gpu? Will the psu let you do that? If it will, the psu is still only 350 watts, so you might have some problems if you really decide to load the box up. I think the cpu itself sucks up 125w

You've got room for several more hdd. I'd probably immediately add at least one hdd to use for backup. I'd probably rather have several 500GB or several 1TB hdd than one 2TB hdd: a disk isn't forever; it'll blow some day, and the bigger it is, the more you lose if you aren't backing up

If you're going to tinker with the box at all, check the quality of easily-available manuals for instructions on how to do stuff like that, plus availability of drivers. I didn't search hard, but I wasn't much impressed by what I found on the ZT website. I can't criticize your ethical take on outsourcing, of course, but one thing HP does right is make lots of product info easily available

I can't tell whether you've got more space for more RAM. 16GB ought to be plenty for many purposes. But what's the speed? Did they load up the memory slots with lots of slow memory? If so, what would it cost you to upgrade to faster memory, if you ever decided to? I have one machine I can't upgrade because the RAM is unbelievably expensive: the mfr stuffed the slots with the smallest possible sticks, so I'd have to pull and replace them all for an upgrade

(3) OS. You paying for Windows Home Premium. Meh. OK. Maybe you need it or maybe you just like it. If I added several hdds, I'd probably at least install Ubuntu on one of them

(4) The machine comes with bloatware ...

... including a trial for Symantec Norton Internet Security. My Norton experience wasn't happy. I'd use something else: Microsoft Security Essentials is free.

The bloatware is also gonna try to hook you into shelling out for Microsoft Office down the road. I'd resist unless I really really needed office. Check this out first: http://www.theopendisc.com/

[ProdigalJunkMail]

2. a 350W ps is usually sufficient unless, like you said

you plan to load it up. usually the problem is drives...CPU's really have very little drain...

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/amd-power-cpu,1925-7.html

That's an old page that I used to do some PS consumption calcs...2008...but still not the 125W you mention.

I don't know the system mentioned either, so buyer beware!

sP

[struggle4progress]

5. I wouldn't know. The calculator at newegg suggested a minimum of 323W

for the given configuration: that is, without a dedicated gpu, extra hdd or case fans. I might want a bit more leeway for upgrading. I'll add that other online psu calcuators did give me smaller psu sizes, below 300W -- but again without a dedicated gpu, extra hdd or case fans

I'm probably in over my pay grade here

[ProdigalJunkMail]

9. nah...definitely not over your pay grade

it really just depends on what the plans are for the box. standard home machine for email and internet access and the occasional word processing and spreadsheet stuff? under 300 will be fine. you wanna start gaming or storing loads of video (even for a small home theatre type setup) then you're looking at more than one drive and a separate gpu and YEP, 350 becomes a minimum.

i always err on the side of cheap so i am overly cautious about getting MORE than I need.

sP

[canetoad]

4. I ploughed straight in with my 2 cents worth

Strug, but your post is good advice and should be taken seriously. :hi:

[rhett o rick]

6. I have sense dont some research and found a number of complaints about the customer service. nm

[canetoad]

3. I had a look at the Costo website

and the specs for some of the ZT computers. Found a few for $699 but not the specs you described.

What stood out for me is they don't specify the motherboard. Now this is the most important part of your computer's innards, so I'd be wanting to know what mobo it was. The choice of mobo is dependent on your processor. Which processor were you thinking of?

Many of the ZT systems seem to have an onboard graphics processor. Now I don't know how you're planning on using the machine, but if you selected 16g of RAM, it suggests a pretty intensive workload. The ones that did have a dedicated graphics card had what I would consider fairly low-grade Radeon cards. I'd look into this if I were you.

Sorry to seem picky, but I must also mention the case. It looks like a mini-tower. This is purely a personal preference, but if you want to add components, the extra room in a mid or full-tower case gives you room to work. If the CPU is an AMD multi-core, I'd be looking for a case with extra fans. Screwless drive bays are a very nice touch but once again, you didn't say if you intend to be augmenting the basic computer or using it as you purchased it.

You may also wish to consider a machine with USB 3.0.

So, in conclusion, I think if you are spending $700 on box only, you could probably come up with a better all round deal with good graphics, mobo, USB 3 and case. RAM and hard drives can be added later IF NEEDED. Do an audit of your computer needs, work out what is most important to you and shop for that.

[rhett o rick]

7. Wow, I didnt realize how little I knew. I dont need the 16 gb memory or the

2T HD, but the Dell at the same price has only 8 gb and 1T. However the Dell has much better customer reviews. Thanks for the input.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

10. canetoad speaks with wisdom

of the ages...well put. too bad people selling you stuff won't tell you all this and they just want to sell the glitz.

sP

[Stinky The Clown]

8. Is Sam near you?

I'm sorry, that's an inside reference. When I was using PCs (I'm a Mac person now) Sam custom built all our machines. He used quality components, made the machine to fit our needs precisely, did a clean, perfect OS install (the last one he did was XP and the machine is still working perfectly some 4 years after it was built), and did it for at least 30% less than the cheapest box that even came close.

Building a Windows box is not rocket science.

Find a "Sam" near you and price it. You'll probably be surprised.

The added benefit is that you keep a local, probably Mom and Pop, business busy.

[rhett o rick]

11. Thanks Stinky I will certain look in to that. However, a friend of mine went that route

and the pc had troubles. "Sam" a friend was more than willing to fix it but struggled and after a number of "fixes" their friendship became strained.
So the lesson there might be, dont let your friend build your computer.

[Stinky The Clown]

13. I hear ya!

Sam was recommended to us by a satisfied customer and we became satisfied customers.

[donco]

12. I bought one for the wife

had it for a month and had to send it back to NJ to get the hard drive replaced, been running fine since then though.

[rhett o rick]

14. Do you get away with calling your lovely spouse "the wife". Well I wont tell.

Just kidding. thanks for the response

[donco]

15. Hey,dont knock it

its worked for forty one years.

[rhett o rick]

16. My hat's off to you sir. nm