Korean Job Discussion Forums

[pianowill]

I desperately need a new desktop PC. I built my current one in 2003, and it's dying. I'm going to Korea at the end of July, and I'd like to have a new desktop while I'm there. I would prefer to build it myself according to my needs, but if a pre-built computer is cheaper, I'll go that route. My main question is this: Would it be cheaper to build/buy my PC here in the U.S. (newegg.com most likely), or once I am already in Korea?

What I need it for:
Gaming - WoW, Steam games, modern FPS games
General - web browsing, music, movies, word processing, skype, blogging
Video - video editing (simple editing to chronicle my adventures and post on youtube for friends/family)

Obviously I'll need a great video card and at least 2GB RAM. It's been years since I've thoroughly researched hardware. My current desktop has an old Pentium 4, original DDR RAM, and an AGP video card.

How does this sound? Quad-core CPU, 4GB DDR3 RAM (is that the latest?), at least 1GB PCI-E video card (preferably not ATI)

My budget is $1500 US dollars. Is this reasonable?

[dc'79]

Yeah I would build a computer in the US and then take it over. Just make sure your power supply has dual voltage (I think most do).

And if your starting from scratch, $1500 should be more than enough to build a very nice gaming rig.

[pianowill]

Is dual voltage the little red switch on the back of the power supply that switches between 115 and 240 or something? Don't know the exact numbers. Another concern of mine is how I am going to bring the computer with me. Just pack my mid tower into my suitcase with my clothes? Same with the LCD monitor?

[dc'79]

Yeah the red switch in the back. 240 is whats used in Korea.

I took my computer from Korea to the Philippines a couple of years back. I wasn't using it anymore so I was giving it to the in-laws. I just removed the HD's, the videocard (it was a big card and didn't want it to damage the mobo) and I removed the CPU fan. Tossed those in my carry on bag and put the computer in the original case box and checked it in at the airport. Make sure they put all the fragile stickers on it. I think I hand carried the LCD monitor but I can't remember.

Oh and your LCD monitor might not be dual voltage (check on the back it should say whats its rated for) if its only 115v than you're going to need a transformer but those are fairly cheap.

[ChinaBoy]

I'd wait to get here before building a computer. You need that weight in your luggage for other things. Everything you can get there, you can get here.

Although I must admit, people seem to complain more about the RAM you can get here. Bad timings, or something. Might want to pick up some quality stuff back there, and it's quite small and light.

I just took a flight in and they must have given my suitcase a good jolt, bent the case and broke my PSU. A new Zalman 600 watt is 150,000 won if you need a price comparison!

[Doublekross]

I shipped my baby over here when I came and Fedex managed to hit it in the tiny chink in the packaging armor, dented my case and damaged my mobo in the process--boy was I dismayed to find out that EVGA doesn't market their mobos in Korea! Also, the ASUS mobo that replaced it was no cheaper than it's Newegg counterpart once you took in the current exchange rate.

Anywho, I would build it it at home where you have easy access to your parts, supplies, english language manuals, etc. It was a pain in the ass to strip the whole thing down and put it all together again without having so much as a single extra screw on hand. If nothing else, you'll save yourself the trouble of shopping in Korean.

No advice on how to get it here; I shipped, but that doesn't mean you have to (I didn't have a choice, my tower is x-large) Shipping or airplane, I would pack it up very very carefully. ;D

[blackjack]

Try this site

http://danawa.co.kr/

(it's all in korean)

If you can get a better price i.e video card, processor in the states get it there

for case and power supply (the heavy stuff get it here).

ram well it's lite as ******

[eamo]

Buy CPU, Video card, motherboard and RAM in the states.

Buy the rest here and build here.

[Newsa]

I would recommend building it in Korea. Will make the shipping of the computer less hazardous for your computer's overall structural integrity, so to speak. And yes, many computer components are cheap in Korea, if you can bargain with Yongsan salesmen well.

[pkang0202]

[greasypeanut]

i would just build ur comp in the us but buy ur lcd here in korea. because depending on your korean speaking ability or who you are buying from, being able to ask questions about certain product will be very difficult. also if you buy from newegg and are willing to get their credit card, u can take advantage of the very nice no interest deals they have.

1.5k is a good amount of money to build a really nice computer. if you are really worried about space in your luggage, look into a small form factor case. i bought the older version of this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163149 and i have no problems with it. just a little bit more difficult to install the mobo. and another thing about luggage, for what its worth; i flew asiana airlines and they didnt care that i had two big luggage bags that each weighed more than what they allow (i.e. they didnt even check)

[haopengyou]

I have not been to Korea yet but from what I gather from asking, merchants in Korea do not carry a lot of inventory. That is one reason why you can get some really sweet prices in the U.S. ....so my vote, also is to buy the "guts" in the U.S. (so that you can get manuals in English, also) and then buy the case, PS and monitor in Korea. If you leave the "guts" in the boxes they come in, they will ship well. If you do find a small form case you may be able to carry it on with you on the plane.

[red_devil]

You can buy a decent gaming rig here and it will cost you much less than $1500. Although i haven't found a set up with better than a 512MB Nvidia GTS250...

Example:
Intel Quad Core 3.0Ghz, 4GB RAM, Nvidia 9800GT 512MB, all for about $500 USD.

Danawa

[cubanlord]

guys...guys...guys...

Read his OP. He said he wants to play steam games and modern FPS games. A 9600GT will not run stuff like F.E.A.R. 2, Left 4 dead, etc. He'll need something a lot stronger if he doesn't want choppy streams.

[eamo]