Where to order a configurable PC?

**Ahiga** · June 18, 2006, 01:31 PM

Right now, I've come to realize that my 3-4 year old Alienware is really pushing it, despite upgrades in video card and hard drive (It will overheat now, Im thinking I'll try and find a way to increase cooling and -maybe- when their prices go down, upgrade the processor to a better AMD or Intel from this Pentium 4 3.0 ghz...if that's even possible). So I want to look into getting another PC which will be able to have the same shelf life as this one, where only 3 or so years after it came out did it start to have difficulty with running the current top of the line games.

Alienware, however good their customer service is, still seems too expensive to go back to if there's an alternative. I'm not tech saavy, so making my own PC is ruled out, but configuring my own from a company I can call tech support from is what I would be aiming for.

Right now, the only two I know of are "Ibuypower" and Alienware. Are there any other such sites whom essentially help me configure my own PC and offer customer service and so on? Thanks.

**SweetDreamz** · June 18, 2006, 04:53 PM

Monarch Computers.

**Shaun** · June 18, 2006, 05:00 PM

Well, the best thing to do is build a PC from scratch, you save a lot of money that way.

Get the parts from www.novatech.co.uk/novatech or www.ebuyer.com , those are the sites that i go to. Remember, you can also get a bargain off of www.ebay.co.uk, I found a 512mb sapphire X1900XT on there for £250!

Dont settle for anything less than a AMD 64 X2(X2 means dual core) 4000+, and try and get one with an AM2 socket, although the performance difference is very minimal right now, its good for future upgrades, and it support DDR2 RAM, of which you should get at least 1GB.

Also look at the hardware buyers guide http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=52737 before you make a descision.

**wipeout140** · June 18, 2006, 05:40 PM

Originally Posted by Shaun

Well, the best thing to do is build a PC from scratch, you save a lot of money that way.

Get the parts from www.novatech.co.uk/novatech

Novatech are great i got my laptop from there and have great deals

**Hadrian** · June 18, 2006, 05:37 PM

Good advice from Shaun but I agree with SweetDreamz also. funkb got a hell of a deal from Monarch. So good that even though I build my own, before I do, I'm gonna ask them to configure and price the same system I'm thinking about building, and see if they beat my cost. They have some serious buying power, maybe enough to make it worth letting them build a system for me, plus, they warranty their work, unlike myself! CyberPC is very competative too....

**Ahiga** · June 18, 2006, 08:46 PM

Thanks guys. I do need to ask - Will Monarch, Ibuypower, or Alienware lower prices at all because of the Intel and AMD decrease? I doubt Alienware will, but if Monarch or Ibuypower might, then I will wait the time for the prices to drop. I'm just thinking that only the individual sales of Intel or AMD will decrease, and not the companies selling them. =\

I'll probably come back with specific questions in the future. AGP vs PCI + SLI, for example. :original:

**danzig** · June 18, 2006, 08:51 PM

Originally Posted by Ahiga

Thanks guys. I do need to ask - Will Monarch, Ibuypower, or Alienware lower prices at all because of the Intel and AMD decrease? I doubt Alienware will, but if Monarch or Ibuypower might, then I will wait the time for the prices to drop. I'm just thinking that only the individual sales of Intel or AMD will decrease, and not the companies selling them. =\

Alienware wouldnt lower prices if AMD and Intel stood outside their HQ and threw processors in the air

Ill throw my 2cents in for Monarch as well, they did a great job with my pc and they were nice enough to kick up shipping to next day after it took longer then expected to finish the pc.

**Ahiga** · June 18, 2006, 09:00 PM

I just did a really rough run through Monarch, the price (2,900) was a bit above what Ibuypower gave me (2,800), but I believe I might have gone higher on certain things from the Ibuypower's. Plus, though it likely would tamper with the warranty, I could go and omit a few things I know I can find elsewhere at a cheaper price. However, if it would jeprodize the warranty, then maybe it's not worth it.

As of right now, though I'll be sure to do some research myself I am getting sold on the idea of Monarch. How is their customer service? It sound's very friendly from what they did for you Danzing. I wish Alienware did the same for me when they totally fubared my first shipment (I think I got a bit off the upgrades I did when I sent it back, but I forget.

)

**danzig** · June 18, 2006, 10:46 PM

Originally Posted by Ahiga

As of right now, though I'll be sure to do some research myself I am getting sold on the idea of Monarch. How is their customer service? It sound's very friendly from what they did for you Danzing. I wish Alienware did the same for me when they totally fubared my first shipment (I think I got a bit off the upgrades I did when I sent it back, but I forget.

)

Had one issue/question I had to contact customer service after my pc arrived, went email route and got a response in less than an hour. They were quick in getting back to me and offering alternatives when for some reason my ram/motherboard choices werent working too. Mind you this is just my experience from them but I have nothing but praise for them.

**Hadrian** · June 18, 2006, 10:49 PM

PM funkb, he just got through dealing with Monarch and is very happy so I imagine he could tell you about his experience with them. He also altered their package and did some considerable upgrading and they accomodated him so, drop him a PM....

**Sir Robin** · June 19, 2006, 03:52 PM

You should also check out Velocity Micro and Maingear.

They may not have as good a price as places like CyberPowerPC but they have received some good reviews, like here and beat Alienware significantly in wallet stress.

Additional: I also like to check sites like Reseller Ratings to see the reviews from customers.