Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Hootsmon]

So, in a few weeks I'll be moving into a new apartment and I'm pretty excited about getting everything set up. I like moving.

Anyway, I was hoping for some advice about a couple of things from the fine, educated folk of the Technology board.

1. Internet - Right now I'm using South Incheon's TV and Internet bundle. Cheap, stable but very slow for Korea (downloads max out at 500k). I would like to get a faster internet connection in my new place (moving to Bucheon, so need to change anyway). What do people recommend? I've heard mixed reports about every provider so wondering what you think is best.

2. TV - My current cable package isn't very good, especially as over the last year they got rid of almost all the English channels (not that they were great to start with but still...). So, I'm thinkin either SkyLife or Mega TV. Any recommendations as to which is better? Or another option?

3. Computer - My laptop is a good couple of years old now and beginning to have some issues. I'll keep using it from time to time but, as I'm planning on staying put in this apartment for a couple of years, I'd like a nice Desktop.

Now, I've been a bit left behind by technology - the last computer I bought in the UK was a P4 3Ghz and that was the fastest going. Now there's all this dual and quad-core business. I'd mostly use a computer for games, downloading, maybe some video converting and the usual word processing/internet stuff. For games...well, I don't necessarily want to be getting a top of the line, can run every game perfect option, but I'd like one that can play all the new games, and most of them at a fairly high level.

Budget? Hmm...nothing set...I guess around 500k before monitor would be fine. Could stretch it to more maybe, though less would be good. Basically, I have no idea, so I'm open to any suggestions.

Cheers!

[ttompatz]

[Hootsmon]

Hmm, hadn't thought about Vista or XP. I've always used XP, have no problem with it. Only used Vista on the girlfriend's computer. Can't say I have particularly strong feelings about it one way or the other.

From what I've read on the forum here, I think I should only need a dual-core rather than quad-core because I tend not to do multiple, high-demand tasks at the same time. If I'm playing a game I probably won't be converting videos in the background.

I didn't realise the games ability had become (or always was) so dependent on the video cards rather than processor. I've noticed a lot of debate on other threads about video cards...will have to do my homework.

Cheers for the tip about asking who wired the building. Never thought to do that. I'll be steering clear of cable bundles this time round for sure.

[travelnguy]

I am not sure what you are looking to have in regards to TV channels, but we got MegaTv and were not happy with it. I don't know if there are different versions, so it could just be ours. First, there are no real channels. You just choose a show you would like to watch, download it, and then watch it.

It sounded really nice at first. However, we wanted to watch the French Open, it wasn't on. The wife wanted to watch Friends, not available. We quickly replaced MegaTv with Skylife and have been very pleased with it.

MegaTv is great for watching movies. But, that's about it.

[Hootsmon]

Hmm, you see, that's what I want to know. I had a friend who said he thought Mega TV was great at first but I haven't heard him mention it in a long time. Maybe it gets kind of boring after you've watched the stuff you want to see.

If it's all just about downloading and watching stuff, isn't that what the internet is for? I mean...you know...backups...cough...

For TV channels - football (the British stuff) is my true passion. I like sports in general but a bit of English Premier League action would make me happy.

Looks like Skylife may be the way to go - cheers!

[JustJohn]

500k will definitely not get you a computer that can play new games with everything maxed out. If you want to play new games at fairly high settings your cheapest option is probably something like:

4850 video card - 200k won
2gb RAM - ~80k
E7200 processor - 130k
hard drive - 60-150k
PSU - 50-100k
Case - 40-120k

So that gets you fairly close at 560k, but that's with a cheap hard drive/PSU/case, and no mouse/keyboard. If you go anything below that you're going to be turning settings down.

You could drop the video card to an 8600 which is a lot cheaper (read: less powerful) and *might* satisfy you. Anything lower than that though and you'll definitely regret it.

[Hootsmon]

Thanks, JustJohn - that's exactly the type of info I was looking for. I reckon I'll hold off a month or two and spend closer to 800k...I don't want to be spending millions because I don't know exactly how long I'll be hanging around for (a couple of years for sure, though) but, at the same time, no point spending less money on something that I'll be frustrated with because it isn't good enough for anything.

I guess I'm not too fussed about played the newest games on the super highest settings...still want to be able to play them and enjoy them, though.

Thanks again!