Best place to buy customized PC's?

Easy Mac · 04-16-2003, 10:37 PM

You guys seem pretty knowledgeable when it comes to technology, and I am in the market for a roughly new PC (anything is better than this crap). I'm looking at minimum 2 gig processor. Where is the best place to customize a PC for cheap? I'm not looking to build one myself, but rather am looking to piece one together by what they reccomend.

The best I found so far was at compaq for $475 (most people I know with one say they crash all the time), a 2 gig athlon w/ati aiw, dvd&CD-RW, XP Pro (need to use on my schools server), 80 gig 7200 HD, 128 memory (found a deal on crucial that was like 512 mb for $60 for the particular model). Unfortunately the deals that were running that would set all this up have expired, and now this crap would run me around $650/750. I already have a brand new monitor, speakers, keyboard/mouse.

Any help would be great, as a 450 AMD-K62 just doesn't cut it for even text-sims anymore (1 CM4 league, come on).

Daimyo · 04-16-2003, 10:51 PM

Check out the forums at fatwallet.com. People post tons of hot deal finds there. They very often have very nice Dell, Compaq, or Gateway systems that come out to $400 or less with coupons and rebates.

Whatever you do, don't stop at 128MB of RAM. Its probably cheaper to order it with 128 and then get 512 from somewhere else and put it in yourself. You can find name brand 512MB of 266mhz (sometimes faster) DDR for ~$50 if you shop around.

sabotai · 04-16-2003, 11:13 PM

I used to have a Compaq. Never had many problems with it, but it's a total bitch to upgrade.

I would say you go to a nonmainstream website or a "mom and pop" computer store.

sabotai · 04-16-2003, 11:14 PM

dola,

You may consider just getting a barebones system. It comes with all the essential upgrades (motherboard, case, CPU, RAM) and all you have to do is plug everything into the new one.

sabotai · 04-16-2003, 11:16 PM

double dola,

Here's the website where I bought a barebones from.

http://www.unitedmicro.com/

Alan T · 04-17-2003, 07:34 AM

A site that I use alot is:

http://www.pricewatch.com/

I usually use it alot to get computer parts at cheap prices, but they also have areas to get systems for cheap too.

The one thing I do just to protect myself is when I find one here, I just do a Better Business Bureau lookup on the company just to make sure there aren't any huge issues. I have found a few that had several BBB complaints for online orders, and a couple that did not have any listing. I usually tend to like going with one that did not have any black marks so to speak. Probably not foolproof, but I never have had a problem with this approach before.

(Got my wife a P4 - 2.53Ghz system with 512 MB of RAM about 6 months ago for between $400-$500 this way. Probably much cheaper now even)

Anrhydeddu · 04-17-2003, 09:07 AM

I got my customized PC at www.cyberpowerpc.com. My manager knew of my good experience and went ahead and got his PC from them as well. The main thing is do your homework. I made a mistake on the case I ordered and ended up getting a new case a few months later, for instance.

Edit: incomplete link

When I upgrade later this year, I will be purchasing the parts separately (MB/CPU/RAM) since I now have the confidence to do that. For parts, I am very fond of www.provantage.com where I have bought software and more recently, my case from.

GrantDawg · 04-17-2003, 09:22 AM

Dude, get a Dell. You can become cocky and funny.

Philliesfan980 · 04-17-2003, 09:52 AM

...... or go to jail for possession.

Havok · 04-17-2003, 10:04 AM

these guys makes kick ass gaming PC's for cheap. I bought 1 already and im getting a second one in a few months.

http://www.thunderboxpc.com/

BigDPW · 04-17-2003, 04:03 PM

I like my Alienware... try www.alienware.com

I have had it 2 years and love it... can always upgrade these too.. I have upgraded some myself and they do not void your waranty for at home upgrades as long as you inform them of the change so they have knowledge of it when you call their support line for help... BTW their customer support over the phone is top notch - not sure about their support on having to send it back and such because I have never had too...

Havok · 04-17-2003, 04:59 PM

Alienware is good... i've owned one myself. But the problem with them is, there prices are getting kinda high because they've gotta so big and the support is so-so to say the least. But they still make very good gaming computers for reasonable prices.

Beats the shit out of buying a computer from any of the big companys like Gateway, Dell etc....

Anrhydeddu · 04-17-2003, 05:18 PM

That was my experience as well. When I got my custom PC last summer, the comparable rig at Gateway and Dell was $1600. At Alienware, it was $1900. I paid $1050 at cyberpowerpc (and I got close to what I desired instead having to pick from limited choices). But today's prices may be different.

Easy Mac · 04-17-2003, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Anrhydeddu
That was my experience as well. When I got my custom PC last summer, the comparable rig at Gateway and Dell was $1600. At Alienware, it was $1900. I paid $1050 at cyberpowerpc (and I got close to what I desired instead having to pick from limited choices). But today's prices may be different.

Thats what I did, Alienware is just too pricey, but cyberpowerpc is affordable. I'm not getting top of the line stuff, but its a definite improvement from what I have now.

And whats the main difference bewteen 2100 and 2700 ram? Will I notice any speed difference, as it seems the motherboard I chose can handle either. I assume 2700 is better.

bosshogg23 · 04-17-2003, 05:34 PM

I bought a computer from Cyberpower PC in Dec. with a guarantee it would arrive before Xmas. They didnt even assemble it until the 22nd and of course it arrived late......without the monitor. I had alot of trouble getting them to admit it was their fault.

Aside from that, it was a quality computer that was roughly half the price of a similar Dell(which I also like).

AgPete · 04-17-2003, 08:59 PM

If you know how to build computers, I'd buy the hardware separately instead of buying a Dell, Gateway or other popular brand. I've always saved mucho cash by doing it myself. If you have a bud who knows how to build computers, have him or her teach you because they're really not that hard to build once you know the basics. The big computer companies do have some good deals though these days and probably the thing you save on the most is the free software they usually include in their packages.

daedalus · 04-18-2003, 04:00 AM

Just a thought . . . http://www.gotapex.com/deals.php comes up with good deals every new and again. A lot of the system bargains seem to be on Dell computers but they're still pretty good deals.

Blackadar · 04-18-2003, 06:03 AM

ibuypower.com

Easy Mac · 04-18-2003, 10:39 PM

Here's the setup I've picked. It's going to run me $500 counting shipping, but my mom is actually picking up half, to my surprise. I wanted to keep it @ or below $500:

CASE:_(BLACK) TWO TUNE ATX 350 WATT MED TOWER
MOTHERBOARD:_ALBATRON KX400+ PRO VIA KT333 W/ USB 2.0 & AC97 AUDIO*
CPU:_AMD Athlon™ XP-2000+ Processor
MEMORY:_256 MB PC2700 333MHz DDR MEMORY
Hard Drive: MAXTOR 60GB 7200 RPM ATA 133 HARD DRIVE
VIDEO:_nVidia GeForce-4 MX440 64MB 4X AGP w/ TV-OUT
CD:_16X DVD ROM
PCI 32 BIT 10/100 NETWORK CARD

Optional (may not get, since I can get it from my current computer):
480WATT SUBWOOFER STEREO SPEAKERS
PCI 32 BIT 10/100 NETWORK CARD

w/o these 2 I could get a cool silver see through case w/ sound activated neon light for an extra $1.

Already own:
CD/RW
Creative Labs 4.1 Inspire
Brand new network card
Optical mouse and internet keyboard
new 17" monitor
Buying XP from school for $60 after employee discount, and borrowing my girl's copy of Office 2000.

Giving the current computer to my sister after I remove the porn.

04-17-2003, 07:34 AM	#6
Alan T Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mass.	A site that I use alot is: http://www.pricewatch.com/ I usually use it alot to get computer parts at cheap prices, but they also have areas to get systems for cheap too. The one thing I do just to protect myself is when I find one here, I just do a Better Business Bureau lookup on the company just to make sure there aren't any huge issues. I have found a few that had several BBB complaints for online orders, and a couple that did not have any listing. I usually tend to like going with one that did not have any black marks so to speak. Probably not foolproof, but I never have had a problem with this approach before. (Got my wife a P4 - 2.53Ghz system with 512 MB of RAM about 6 months ago for between $400-$500 this way. Probably much cheaper now even) __________________ Couch to ??k - From the couch to a Marathon in roughly 18 months.

04-17-2003, 09:07 AM	#7
Anrhydeddu Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Oct 2002	I got my customized PC at www.cyberpowerpc.com. My manager knew of my good experience and went ahead and got his PC from them as well. The main thing is do your homework. I made a mistake on the case I ordered and ended up getting a new case a few months later, for instance. Edit: incomplete link When I upgrade later this year, I will be purchasing the parts separately (MB/CPU/RAM) since I now have the confidence to do that. For parts, I am very fond of www.provantage.com where I have bought software and more recently, my case from. Last edited by Anrhydeddu : 04-17-2003 at 10:07 AM.

04-17-2003, 10:04 AM	#10
Havok College Starter Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Florida	these guys makes kick ass gaming PC's for cheap. I bought 1 already and im getting a second one in a few months. http://www.thunderboxpc.com/ __________________ Maniacal Misfitz - We're better than you and we know it!

04-17-2003, 04:59 PM	#12
Havok College Starter Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Florida	Alienware is good... i've owned one myself. But the problem with them is, there prices are getting kinda high because they've gotta so big and the support is so-so to say the least. But they still make very good gaming computers for reasonable prices. Beats the shit out of buying a computer from any of the big companys like Gateway, Dell etc.... __________________ Maniacal Misfitz - We're better than you and we know it!

04-17-2003, 08:59 PM	#16
AgPete College Prospect Join Date: Jan 2001	If you know how to build computers, I'd buy the hardware separately instead of buying a Dell, Gateway or other popular brand. I've always saved mucho cash by doing it myself. If you have a bud who knows how to build computers, have him or her teach you because they're really not that hard to build once you know the basics. The big computer companies do have some good deals though these days and probably the thing you save on the most is the free software they usually include in their packages. __________________ Click here for the FOF2004 World Football League Dynasty (WFL) - Football Goes Global! OOTP5 Psychology Experiment (Incomplete but fun read for MLB fans.) The FOFC All-Time NFL Team - Voted on by FOFC members.

04-16-2003, 10:51 PM	#2
Daimyo College Starter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Berkeley	Check out the forums at fatwallet.com. People post tons of hot deal finds there. They very often have very nice Dell, Compaq, or Gateway systems that come out to $400 or less with coupons and rebates. Whatever you do, don't stop at 128MB of RAM. Its probably cheaper to order it with 128 and then get 512 from somewhere else and put it in yourself. You can find name brand 512MB of 266mhz (sometimes faster) DDR for ~$50 if you shop around.

04-16-2003, 11:13 PM	#3
sabotai General Manager Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: The Satellite of Love	I used to have a Compaq. Never had many problems with it, but it's a total bitch to upgrade. I would say you go to a nonmainstream website or a "mom and pop" computer store.

04-16-2003, 11:14 PM	#4
sabotai General Manager Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: The Satellite of Love	dola, You may consider just getting a barebones system. It comes with all the essential upgrades (motherboard, case, CPU, RAM) and all you have to do is plug everything into the new one.

04-16-2003, 11:16 PM	#5
sabotai General Manager Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: The Satellite of Love	double dola, Here's the website where I bought a barebones from. http://www.unitedmicro.com/

04-17-2003, 09:22 AM	#8
GrantDawg World Champion Mis-speller Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Covington, Ga.	Dude, get a Dell. You can become cocky and funny.

04-17-2003, 09:52 AM	#9
Philliesfan980 Banned Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Exton, PA	...... or go to jail for possession.

04-17-2003, 04:03 PM	#11
BigDPW College Prospect Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Raleigh, NC	I like my Alienware... try www.alienware.com I have had it 2 years and love it... can always upgrade these too.. I have upgraded some myself and they do not void your waranty for at home upgrades as long as you inform them of the change so they have knowledge of it when you call their support line for help... BTW their customer support over the phone is top notch - not sure about their support on having to send it back and such because I have never had too...

04-17-2003, 05:18 PM	#13
Anrhydeddu Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Oct 2002	That was my experience as well. When I got my custom PC last summer, the comparable rig at Gateway and Dell was $1600. At Alienware, it was $1900. I paid $1050 at cyberpowerpc (and I got close to what I desired instead having to pick from limited choices). But today's prices may be different.

04-17-2003, 05:34 PM	#15
bosshogg23 College Benchwarmer Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Philly	I bought a computer from Cyberpower PC in Dec. with a guarantee it would arrive before Xmas. They didnt even assemble it until the 22nd and of course it arrived late......without the monitor. I had alot of trouble getting them to admit it was their fault. Aside from that, it was a quality computer that was roughly half the price of a similar Dell(which I also like).

04-18-2003, 04:00 AM	#17
daedalus Pro Rookie Join Date: Oct 2000	Just a thought . . . http://www.gotapex.com/deals.php comes up with good deals every new and again. A lot of the system bargains seem to be on Dell computers but they're still pretty good deals.

04-18-2003, 06:03 AM	#18
Blackadar Retired Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Fantasyland	ibuypower.com

04-18-2003, 10:39 PM	#19
Easy Mac Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Here	Here's the setup I've picked. It's going to run me $500 counting shipping, but my mom is actually picking up half, to my surprise. I wanted to keep it @ or below $500: CASE:_(BLACK) TWO TUNE ATX 350 WATT MED TOWER MOTHERBOARD:_ALBATRON KX400+ PRO VIA KT333 W/ USB 2.0 & AC97 AUDIO* CPU:_AMD Athlon™ XP-2000+ Processor MEMORY:_256 MB PC2700 333MHz DDR MEMORY Hard Drive: MAXTOR 60GB 7200 RPM ATA 133 HARD DRIVE VIDEO:_nVidia GeForce-4 MX440 64MB 4X AGP w/ TV-OUT CD:_16X DVD ROM PCI 32 BIT 10/100 NETWORK CARD Optional (may not get, since I can get it from my current computer): 480WATT SUBWOOFER STEREO SPEAKERS PCI 32 BIT 10/100 NETWORK CARD w/o these 2 I could get a cool silver see through case w/ sound activated neon light for an extra $1. Already own: CD/RW Creative Labs 4.1 Inspire Brand new network card Optical mouse and internet keyboard new 17" monitor Buying XP from school for $60 after employee discount, and borrowing my girl's copy of Office 2000. Giving the current computer to my sister after I remove the porn.

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