I'm looking for opinions on custom computer builders. I will be purchasing a computer sometime in January and am toying with the idea of getting it custom built. I've started research into this issue and have come up with a few names I'm looking more into. Can anyone tell me their experience or opinion on the following companies?

MainGear Computers

Digital Storm Custom Systems

Falcon Northwest Custom Computers

ORIGIN PCs

Is there anything I should keep in mind when dealing with companies like these? Any opinion or advice from you guys would be most appreciated.

Generic reply: Build it yourself, it really isn't hard.

X2

No, I'm not interested in building it myself. I don't have time, don't have desire. I thought this was clear.

You might want to check these guys out as well. I think you'll get more bang for your Buck. Several friends and I have used them and have been very satisfied.

Cyberpower

Some of the boutique builders are long on sizzle and less on the steak. They add bling and marketing pizazz when they should offer better, newer components. One builder was still pushing DirectX 9 video cards with their prime machines. That's inexcusable IMO. The more a builder names specific components the better. Example: "Intel x58 chipset mobo" versus "Asus P6X58D mobo". Check shipping costs too.

Check Main: http://mainperformancepc.com/

I've heard CyberPower is good too.

Falcon NW has the best customer service and performance options; but you definitely pay for it.

You didn't say anything of the kind in your post so how on earth would it have been clear?

Hello Enigma, I have a Custom desktop and laptop from Origin. I will only buy from them, Great Build, and BEST CS there is. Lifetime support is just a phone call away. Call them, to see and feel the difference good customer service can do for you. Cheers,Tell them ORIGIN#70 says hello..Jim

I know the business of ordering online is still different in the USA than over here (we have more brick&mortar stores closer to us) but I still recommend checking out two or three local places, possible by reference from a friend.

I've never seen a "custom build webshop" that really seemed to have his heart in the same place as the cool & friendly geeks who built my machine.

Two of our computers are custom-built Lian-Li cases from crazypc.com. These two cases:



this one but I added red lighting to it so that the entire dragon glows red

and this one:



...but without the words "celestial" of course


...after i got the case I either purchased the hardware i wanted myself and put it in myself or in one case when i didn't have the desire or time to build it myself....i took the empty case down to my favorite computer shop and they ordered the parts i wanted from newegg.com or they installed the parts i had already ordered. But because they can get the parts cheaper then i can i usually let them order the parts i want.

This is one that a buddy of mine does and he is based in Atlanta. He builds some great custom PC's and spends quite a bit of time on the phone with each customer detailing exactly what you want and how you want it done. He even helped me with some stuff and I didn't get him to build my last one. He will however get my next build just because I want to pay him back for all the help he has given me. He also just built a system for a squaddie and it was an outstanding build from what I have been told by my squaddie.

System built for Atticus4 of VF-17 an Ace's High squadron: http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,294228.0.html

http://www.tdcomputersystems.com/

Around two years ago I was buying parts from NCIX.com.

I noticed they had a $50 option that would build your parts into a PC.

I thought why not.

They claimed it would be 1-2 weeks, but I got it roughly 1 month later.

I had everything aside from the OS, video card and something else (which I ordered from newegg for less money). They assembled everything else and tested it before shipping it to me.

The PC came with all of the original part's boxes, and was good to go. All I had to do was plug in my video card and OS.


For $50 the price was not bad. NCIX.com has decent prices, and with a $50 fee it is not bad if you do not want to build it yourself.

Again, the only issue was the wait. They said they where backed up because it was the holiday season.

There certainly seems to be a lot of options out there. Thanks for the feedback.

I'll second that. I can't really say much about their customer support, because I have not needed to avail myself of their services... the computer just works.

Use their online configurator to tweak it to what you want. Keep an eye open for free upgrade offers. etc. I bought mine when the Intel i7 980 Extreme Edition cpu was coming out, and CyberpowerPC had a free upgrade from the i7 960 to the i7 975 (the previous Extreme Edition). Up to that point, I was pretty much using their configurator as a reference, with an eye toward buying the parts and building it myself. That free upgrade combined with the convenience, etc., was enough to tilt the balance in favor of having CyberpowerPC do it for me. No regrets here.

I used to work at the same company as this guy. He got laid off so started a pc modding company full time. Sells alot of parts, but also custom builds. Does alot of theme pcs for the mags like CPU, Maximum PC, etc. Kind of like the "American Choppers" of PCs. Check out his youtube vids. Bill Owen mnpctech

http://www.mnpctech.com/

Great guy. Tell him Joe Anderson sent you. LOL

Edit: found one of his magazine covers... Personally I liked some of his other projects better.



Check out Page 40

http://www.computerpoweruser.com/Images/SmartComputing/DigitalIssues/CP____1012__/pageflip.html

I build them for myself and family members -- too much fun to contract out

However, risk is involved. Screwing the pieces together is not hard. Its "what do you do when it doesn't work". The stress of that situation is not for everyone.

I think a $50 to $100 assembly charge is very fair for a working computer. Perhaps more if the work is guaranteed for a significant period of time.

I build mine too...and when I built my first one I didn't know anymore than difference between a motherboard and a video card, barely.

Front Side Bus speed? PCI-X? Northbridge/Southbridge????

If you do it, and do a little reading, the only tech support you will ever need is yourself and the good folks here.

Tremendous sense of accomplishment....it's just SO cool to turn on that power button for the first time and it actually starts up.

Easier than assembling some "do it yourself" furniture I have bought.

edit: And we haven't had a good "talk thru" build here in a long time.

You can't beat Falcon NW's support. But that's also the option that gives you the least bang for the buck.

My parts for my build are between here and California and here and Mesquite Texas. Some show up today according to the lady I talked to at UPS. She said the delivery person could not find my house on the map. I told her UPS comes here all the time and she said the regular delivery person is overloaded so they are sending out part-timers with the overloads and all my stuff is with the part-timer.

As for building a computer, I ain't skeered. I figure the biggest hassle will be mounting the Ximatek heatsink bracket since I have not done that before. And dealing with UPS.

This is great. I am in the same boat--My old ( 04) monarch needs replacing.

My special needs are that being fulltime RVers the computers cooling system ( I need that for all that high tech heat producing parts that will go in to it) must be able to withstand the shaking and vibration of 800 miles of travel twice a year from Arizona to Colorado.

Are cooling systems that tough??? My computers have worked well for our 18 years of this lifestyle-- we pack up carefully. Can't stand any leakage in our 5th wheel trailer!!
What are the "BULLET PROOF" coolers???

Thanks in advance for you input.

CW3SF

Just permanently shock mount your tower, something like rubber engine mounts but maybe a little springier should work...unless you go four wheelin in your RV.

I used to haul a full tower with me when I went to work on boats in the Gulf of Mexico. It wasn't even permanently mounted, I would just bungee cord it to a couple of hooks I put in a wall. We would take quite a pounding at times, no problems.

Now the Salt Air environment is another story...........

Yes, that is one reason why I will not build my own. I prefer to leave it up to the professionals.

Building a gaming rig is a lot of fun. I think.

I plan to choose a set of hardware for a new computer and price them at Origin,Falcon NW, & Cyberpower.

What I need from you folks is input on your experience with those Comp.'s and some idea of just how long they have been doing this.

The CS who speak english well is a must. With my old "helecopter damaged" ears I can not understand most of the non-native english CS workers.

Thanks CW3SF

Guys I honestly can't recommend this guy enough....

http://www.tdcomputersystems.com

I posted about his shop earlier and his website doesn't have a bunch of stuff showing but anything you might think about from places like FalconNW, CyberPower and Origin he can provide with better customer service than they have ever had. I had a FalconNW system way back ages ago and it was great but like everything their customer service is lacking just a little bit now.

He is based in Atlanta, GA and spends at least an hour on the phone with you gathering information before offering suggestions.

His desire to help us flight sim/gamers out is a great thing and he has built dozens of systems for guys that play Aces High and other flight and FPS games.

Thanks for the input.

Just letting those interested know I've purchased a custom build unit form Origin PC. It is being built as I type this. I should see it in about 2 weeks. Very excited, very looking forward to getting back into flight sims and my tank sim. I will now be able to fly with beautiful frame rates! Also, gonna reistall ARMA 2. Thanks for the help and suggestions.

I have my gaming Rig, http://s753.photobucket.com/albums/xx175/Celticcoho/ORIGIN%20FREEDOM/ from ORIGIN, Order #70 if you do their Forum, Also Eon18 laptop for wife and New Office desktop too, All from ORIGIN PC. No better PC builder that i know of..Cheers, Jim

P.S. Both Fighter Jet and Laptop are on their site, Both Custom Paint..

Very cool looking computer. I didn't go that far for custom painting. I only did a yellow case with green lights.

I installed a Xigmatek 92mm LOKI for my AM2+ motherboard. Extremely easy. It was my first time as well. Far easier than my Sunbeam 92mm (DO NOT get the Sunbeam, especially the 120mm).