custom pc

[cjb1118]

does anyone know any sites where you can custom build a pc (like dell.co.uk), that are good prices , im in the uk

[Gees]

I went with Dell - twice now. Get on their mailing list and they will send you special offers/prices almost weekly! :cD

PS - I am also in the UK. Did loads of shopping around - could not beat Deal for the reliability and customer service. Just a personal opinion, of course. :c)

[pixel]

Just a suggestion. Why not build your own?

You can take the parts that you want to keep from your old PC (like DVD writer etc.) and put them in your new PC. You may find all you need to buy is a new motherboard, processor, and RAM, all of which you can buy as a bundle.

If you want to have two seperate PCs then it is probably easier just buying a custom one as you are planning to, although I always build my own PC's.

[Faustus]

Dell is OK as an OEM, personally I think they cut some cheesey corners sometimes. Depending on how much you are going to spend however I hear their new XPC machine is great. Of course I'm assuming they offer that model where you are at. Personally I always considered building one myself half the fun.

[pixel]

See, here is a simple upgrade bundle: http://www.komplett.co.uk/k/ki.asp?action=info&AvdID=1&CatID=44&GrpID=1&p=40431&s=fp

Here is also info on building a PC: http://www.buildyourown.org.uk/

[Gees]

Dell is OK as an OEM, personally I think they cut some cheesey corners sometimes.

That could very well be true. But we specified just about everything that went into it. Even changed our minds about some stuff midstream and even after if was delivered and they were very obliging.

We upgraded to a larger monitor and they sent that before collecting the smaller one - we had 2 for about a month. :c) And they arranged collecting that and all the transport fees. So, of course, I was very pleased with them.

I only offered the info if you don't have the time or interest in building one yourself (and want someone to blame if it all goes horribly wrong!) :cD

(Oh and you can talk them down in price too. We got a better graphics card at the same price by talking with a sales rep.)

[flaninacupboard]

UK company, can build a machine to your spec, much cheaper than Dell i should think, and good service. Three or four machines ahve come from these people

http://www.eclipse-computers.com/

Or just build your own with parts from www.ebuyer.co.uk

[gmatov]

Problem is, too many people are terrified by the thought of opening their case, or starting from scratch.

It doesn't help when they see posts such as the ones screaming "Unplug it! I got electrocuted once when I tried to fix my TV (whatever)!"

3.3, 5, and 12 volt? C'mon, now!

You're right, all the OEMs cut the prices to their suppliers to the bone, and, naturaly, the suppliers cut corners on the parts they make for the OEMs.

You would be better off, even with a little knowledge, building your own. This is not where "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing."

Get a book, if you have to, read a little, ask here, or elsewhere. And, most components you buy will have a decent explanation of how to install.

If this doesn't appeal to you, go to someone local, ask what they would charge to build a similar unit. At least, if it breaks, you carry it in, plunk it on the counter, tell 'em you'll be back tomorrow to pick it up.

I read somewhere that 18% of the OEM shipped 'puters were defective on arrival. Most problems were cards, etc., coming loose from handling in transit. If you are afraid to get into your machine, what good does a phone tech telling you to reseat everything do?

Cheers,

George

[flaninacupboard]

And, most components you buy will have a decent explanation of how to install.

Not always true. If you buy OEM parts (which you would get from the two links i suggested) then you get no instructions, fixings, cables or software. the only exception is OEM graphics cards, which usually come with drivers.

But PC's are built by Lego. If it won't fit in a slot, it doesn't go there, keep going till you find the hole!

[Solarjetman]

If you buy OEM parts (which you would get from the two links i suggested) then you get no instructions

They may not come in the box, but I have never seen a company that you cannot download the instructions off their website.

[Faustus]

Yes it does help to have a little knowhow when building your own, bun install help of SOME sort should come with most hardware. And as said before if it doesn't then try their website.

[g_shocker182]

Custom DELLs:

http://www.dell.com/us/en/dhs/products/series_dimen_desktops.htm

[mrtristan]

Just a suggestion, if you do decide to build your own PC, store all of your hammers, sledge hammers, and large blunt objects far, far away from your computer room. You should also avoid the second floor in your home, so that you don't break as many parts, when you throw it out the window.

Seriously, though, building your own PC is the best way to learn a little about how the hardware works. It's really not that hard, although it can be intimidating the first few times. I learned to trouble shoot a lot of problems by building my own computers.

[flaninacupboard]

Well all the OEM har drives i have purchased come as just the drive. no box, no software (disk/partition management seems to come with all boxed drives) no IDE cables, no mounting kit, nothing.

If you do up a list of components you think you want, post them here, we'll let you know if you missed anything. When you get all the stuff, put it together piece by piece, and when you get stuck just give us a shout, someone will help

[gmatov]

Flan,

I no longer buy OEM, "whitebox" components. What you save, you often end up spending on cables, etc.

And, worst of all, the warranty is from that vendor, rather than the maker..

The first time this hit me wasa when I bought a MoBo and CPU from a local vendor I had built a relationship with, I thought. When I asked him, a while later if I had a 1 year warranty, he told me no, 30 days.

Now, I will be damned if I would have bought these particular parts with 30 days on an AMD 1200, at about 40 bucks more than C show boxed price.

Wrong time to burn out, show wasn't for several weeks, had to have it now.

Never again!!!

Cheers,

George

On the other hand, if money's that tight, you can save a buck.

[flaninacupboard]

Well perhaps i've just been very lucky with these things. I can only think of two PC components that have ever died on me, that's two "caviar" hard drives. they were both second hand when i got them, and many years old.

But honestly, PC World sell the consumer version of the pioneer 106 for £199.99, on special offer. it's usually £229.99. I can buy the OEM drive for £128.99. £101 difference. that's what, $160? That's four expensive screws and a really expensive IDE cable......

Tell a lie, three components. My old Taxan monitor broke, but that was about 8 years old, and again, second hand when i got it. Regardless of who offers the warranty period, if the product is not of merchantable quality (a £130 DVD burner that breaks after 31 days of normal use isn't) you are entitles to compensation, be it refund repair or replacement. Well, that's how our law works anyway.

[gmatov]

Flan,

Yeah, it must be an 80 wire cable.

I should probably qualify my post, some things you can get way cheaper, and with the expectation it will last longer than 30 days. I think that is what they are banking on, if a CPU doesn't burn up in 30 days it's likely to last for longer than you want to use it.

Then, too, here in the US we have the "rebate", where you surrender a bunch of money for 2 or 3 months, and get the device fairly cheap.

And, too, we have comp shows monthly in my area, a 100+ vendors in close proximity, look at A's price, turn around, see B's price, so they compete fiercely. I paid 90 USD for a boxed AMD 2400, w/fan, 55 pounds? I don't have Sterling on my KB, sorry.

Most of my stuff lasts long enough to pass it on to my kids machines, upgrade theirs as I upgrade mine. CD-ROMS, do seem to die in their machines, don't know why 'less they game a bunch.

Ah, well....

Cheers,

George

[holistic]

OEM is the way to go IF and only if you have been at the home build gig for a few years.

Example : I just got a new 120Gb drive last week (shrinkwrapped) no doc's ,no cables - nothing. But in my box-0-tricks there live 40 and 80 (ata66+) cables galore. The documents were obtained by a quick visit to the manufacture website and a download of the *.pdf file.

Tough luck on you local vendor relationship George, but i have nothing but good service from my "computer parts pimps" .

To site an example : When i got into the video scene some 2 1/2 years ago, i went down there asking about 'video capture cards'. Having no idea (both of us) they suggested a $400 ASUS card (6800deluxe from memory). Ouch - "What if it dosen't work" - i asked. No problem simply bring it back (original packaging of course) and you will get a refund. - no store coupon - no stocking fee. EXCELLENT ! . As it turned out ,I didn't like the card - more like i couldn't get it to capture with Virtual Dub / huffyuv instead of its own capture software. Returned it - no questions asked.

Stores like this "mom - pop" type operation must understand the concept of GOODWILL . Taking a hit on a defective motherboard @$150 is better than loosing the business of 10 cutomers (me and the other 9 i will not refer) at a possible income of several thousands.
The big retailers don't give a $hit and for that reason they do not get my business.

][

[gmatov]

Holistic,

No argument.

What did that 120 cost, and as you are quoting dollars, are you US or UK?

If US, 'member a few months ago the 160 for 70 after rebate. If UK, forget the rebate. Also, if UK, I have bought a PCPlus or 2, and the UK prices are shocking, compared to here. Probably 20 to 50 % higher.

And then, really, what's to a HDD. You set the jumpers, install, fdisk-format. The only reason to use the utilities is if your BIOS doesn't support large drives, then you screw the drive for any other machine, and I swap mine in and out all the time, they'd never read in a newer machine..

Cables, I buy by the 10 pack, pulling them out and swapping them causes the ends to lose their contact. Pisses me no end when I boot and one isn't there, or no found press F1 to continue.

No big deal, that store, I don't know if they're on their ass or just won't cut prices enough to come to the shows, haven't been there for 6 months or more, and a local has to keep his name before the buying public. Really, they want to get into servers and rackmounts and enclosures, seems they only keep that store open to pick up a stray buck or 2..

Ah, wellll

Cheers,

George

[holistic]

To answer you question George
$108 US - Have seen cheaper, but prefer to take my business to this (particular) store.
Model : ST3120023A
http://www.seagate.com/cda/products/discsales/marketing/detail/0,1081,556,00.html

Oddly it wasn't regonized in the BIOS using the HiPoint ATA66 controller chip on my motherboard. It works fine as a plane jane ATA33 drive.
Speed is a non issue as I bought it to store 9+ hours of DV content because I just cannot seem to catch up to my home video projects.

][

[Craig Tucker]

I always bulid my own and buy most of my parts from www.cclcomputers.co.uk (they are very reasonably priced). However if you specify what you want they will build it for you for a reasonable fee. £25 from what I can remember.

[gmatov]

Holistic,

Buck a gig straight up is reasonable. No wait for a rebate. I think they could have thrown in a cable for a buck or 2.

My last Seagate was in the 3 or 4 gig range. Most every other brand but, since. Happy with most of them.

Don't know why yours isn't detected, or won't run at 66.

Craig,

40 bucks is reasonable, actually, wish I could get it for those I have built for friends/acquaintenances, but, being non-businessman, everyone seems to think I want to do it just for the fun of it.

40 bucks would make me a little happier with the tech support calls I get, almost like I adopted these people by building them a 'puter.

Had the same when I was into home improvements. 10 years later a window counterbalance breaks, "You have to come fix it.".

Ah, well, can't stand the heat, get outa the kitchen.

Cheers,

George

[holistic]

Don't know why yours isn't detected, or won't run at 66

Its an antique George, Lucky to get it running at all. (Abit BE-6 II)
Flashed for latest* (2 years old) BIOS -

][

[subclubkid]

I loved building my last box. Picking every little part that went into it was great, and I got a damn good deal. I ended up with a 2.4C P4 w/HT, 512 RAM (corsair with platinum heat spreader), Giga-Byte motherboard with tons of Candy on it, 120 GB Western-Digital, 128 Raeddon video card with VIVO, a nice huge Chieftec case that can fit just about anything else I could imagine wanting to put in there. And a nice Lite on 52x CDRW. Theres probably more in there, but that just the main stuff that makes me drool.

also I get all my stuff from www.newegg.com

[adebov]

www.novatech.co.uk

reasonable prices & good support

you can also collect from them - if you live anywhere near Portsmouth