[TheGeekOfficial]

Hey Guys -

As you may have seen we are currently advertising on Hardware Heaven and many of you who have already clicked our links will have seen our site.

The Geek is the worlds first Intelligent PC Configurator / Builder. The logic behind The Geek is incredible, it will let you build a PC by using components you want to use. The best bit is you cannot go wrong - after each component you select The Geek checks the remaining components to see whether they are compatible with what you just selected, if they are not compatible - The Geek simply removes them from the options.

The Geek has taken 2+ years to build and perfect and we would really like some feedback - We understand that The Geek isn't the usual way to buy a PC, but is it the best? We think so, but what do you guys think?

Do you have any suggestions? comments? Or even better, have you broken it or built a PC that could not possibly work? Let us know!

For those of you who haven't seen the website either see the ads on here or alternatively here is a direct link: thegeek

Play with it, select the advanced option and it won't restrict your order of choice then let us know what you think.



TheGeekOfficial

[Optix]

It's pretty user friendly and would be really useful to those who aren't up to speed on computer tech. Well done.

I'll see what I can do about breaking it.

[synthesis204]

Few suggestions:

Move motherboard up sooner - right before or after RAM would be ideal, imho.

Make it so that when you try to scroll in the selection box, the entire page doesn't scroll as well.

I'm assuming this is still being tweaked, but I'd love to see more variety throughout - I noticed you didn't have any GSkill selection for RAM, which is what I always personally use

[Al_Vampyre]

Originally Posted by synthesis204

Few suggestions:

Move motherboard up sooner - right before or after RAM would be ideal, imho.

Have to agree with this one, I would like to see the cases split into motherboard form factor and then have the processors next followed by motherboard.

I have to say that the design and the feel of the configurator are stunning, the little animations in each section (especially the geek testcard for the tuners section) are genius

[TheGeekOfficial]

The reason we put motherboard last is because it has a big impact on the system. If the user chooses the motherboard last then they do not limit themselfs in any other way.

For example if you select a motherboard what has 4 sata ports and then try and select more than 4 sata devices the configurator won't let you. However if you select 5 sata devices then it'll show an appropriate motherboard.

[Al_Vampyre]

Originally Posted by TheGeekOfficial

The reason we put motherboard last is because it has a big impact on the system. If the user chooses the motherboard last then they do not limit themselfs in any other way.

For example if you select a motherboard what has 4 sata ports and then try and select more than 4 sata devices the configurator won't let you. However if you select 5 sata devices then it'll show an appropriate motherboard.

I see what you're saying but shouldn't the components with the most impact be chosen first? I always choose in this order

Processor - Chosen based on expected use of system
Mobo - Chosen based on socket of processor, chipset, form factor, and any must have abilities (like SLI for example)
RAM - Chosen based on compatabilty with mobo choice

At the end of the day I think that there are probably arguments on both sides and it really depends on whom the Configurator is targeted.

I do still really like it though!

[synthesis204]

Agreed. I always base the RAM I buy based off of what the motherboard supports - likewise, I pick the motherboard based on the CPU socket and the arrangement of GFX/Other pci/pcie devices. Maybe move RAM to a later slot, then?

[OldBuzzard]

I started to play with it a bit, but after a couple of minutes of squinting real hard at the light background and light text I gave up.

Did you have a competition to see just how hard you could make it to read?

For crying out loud use something with a little contrast.

In the the various selection menus you have a hodgepodge of ways you have the various components listed. Cases listed strictly by price, other things by maker, and some I can't figure out at all. It would be best to pick one scheme and use it for all the components. I would suggest price within Mfr.

All my complaints aside, it IS a good idea. I just think it needs a bit of polishing

[Takaharu]

I think the navigation could do with some work. I chose not to have The Geek's help, chose a case (that took ages to apply for some reason) then I got nothing. The options were still there and I could choose them but I think it would be better to go straight onto the next component in the list.
The Razer mice seem to be a little over the top - £3973.71 is £900 more expensive than the dual 5970 PC I configured to have with a 980X. The Razer Lycosa keyboard is over £4,000.

I can see the idea of picking the motherboard after the components - someone that doesn't know what they're doing won't know which motherboard is compatible with their components. However, I won't say either way whether it should be one of the first or last components as I see benefits both ways round.

Also, OB, I agree with you with one part in particular - the colours are horrid.

[TheGeekOfficial]

There is actually 2 versions of this - we have not yet released the alternative yet but the alternative looks completely different and does not use The Geek branding (or The Geeks colours).

Yes we have filtered things a little bit different, but we felt they need to be, for example you select a case on price, but you when you select a hard drive, surely to make it easier its better if all the HDD's of the same size are together?

Thanks for pointing out the pricing errors, they will be removed. The first selection does take longer than the rest no matter which section you pick - it is purely due to the amount of information processed during the first selection.

Thanks for the comments, please keep them coming

[Dyre Straits]

I have always built my own systems based first on CPU and then the motherboard. Everything else is decided upon based on those two things very first. The PC case becomes simply an incidental item once all other components are selected. I don't see any benefit of this being a first option.

So, as others have stated, I think the options tree...and the subsequent limitations...should be based on CPU and MoBo first...in whichever order is most desired.

TheGeek should be flexible enough to allow the user/builder to decide which items he/she wants to start with and then go from there.

[TheGeekOfficial]

Originally Posted by Dyre Straits

I have always built my own systems based first on CPU and then the motherboard. Everything else is decided upon based on those two things very first. The PC case becomes simply an incidental item once all other components are selected. I don't see any benefit of this being a first option.

So, as others have stated, I think the options tree...and the subsequent limitations...should be based on CPU and MoBo first...in whichever order is most desired.

TheGeek should be flexible enough to allow the user/builder to decide which items he/she wants to start with and then go from there.

We have put the motherboard selection last because the general novice user has no idea which motherboard to select, they normally will just go with whatever is cheapest.

However people who do want to select CPU first then motherboard are able to do that.

[Takaharu]

I can see the benefit of having the motherboard towards the end but, using the same logic, the case should be the very last thing.
If you think about it, if you choose a small, cheap & cheerful case then, logically, you won't be able to fit, say, two extra-long graphics cards. If the configuration tool has been done correctly then a case that is too small to accommodate the large components will not display those components and the "novice" will not know that those components aren't visible.

See where I'm going with this?

FYI - 2GB RAM is typical for a home PC. I use SQL, Office, Excel, Visual Studio and various other applications on my PC at work (Win7 Pro) and I only have 2GB. 4GB is a tad overkill for someone doing wordprocessing and browsing the Internet.

You can also "kill" the flow of the configuration tool by clicking on one of the items that isn't available. For example, I clicked on cooling products when the next component was the processor and it didn't come up with anything. Keep the flow going - as soon as one component is selected, move the user onto the next. Provide the ability to go back to any earlier steps, by all means, but going forward is linear so keep it linear.

You may also want to consider enlarging the space for the description of products - I'm presented with a tabloid newspaper column with an essay of what to take into consideration with the next component with a massive gap on either side. You have space - use it. The description box should change size; when you're presented with the component page, fill the screen with the description and categories. Then, have it displayed as it currently is for reference purposes and have an enlarge button so it can fill the screen again.

There needs to be some justification between manufacturers. RAM & CPU you've separated into different manufacturers but the harddrive you've combined into solid state and standard. Why do I want a more expensive Seagate drive when I can get a Hitachi for less? I like the price of the 300GB Velociraptor though - in the same league as Caviar Blue. Also, why do I want to pay £10 more for one Velociraptor 320GB compared to another?

My PC is finished. Really? I don't need an operating system? Surely that should come out and scream at me that this £600 PC that I just priced should be £100 extra for it to work.

Promote the latest technology. This will help your sales, it will help the customer and it will avoid "why didn't your Geek thing tell me about USB3?". Socket 775 is still available, suitable and usable. However, 1156 and 1366 have their benefits, especially with DDR3. Similarly, promote USB3 and SATA-3 on motherboards and cases.
Marketing SATA-3, USB3 and Socket 1156/1366 is up to you but I need to know that they're all there for me as the latest technology.

Colours - change the goddamn colours. Green and blue on orange on yellow. Would you have that in your house?

Right, that'll do for starters. Speaking of which, a dirty great big BETA at the top would be useful.

[Takaharu]

I think I broke him.

*prods The Geek