Where To Buy Custom Computers? Shop)

[y4na]

I'm in Canada, Oshawa and was wondering if anyone could recommend a local or big shop where I can get a custom computer?

[Zephik]

Any reason you don't want to build one yourself?

[y4na]

Well custom computer shops usually install the OS for free, and I don't really have a copy so I'm going to be saving $100+.

[d_stilgar]

The "free" OS is usually factored into the labor and parts. You pay for it one way or another. I'll build you a PC if you want though.

[x88x]

The "free" OS is usually factored into the labor and parts. You pay for it one way or another.

/\ This. You'll get it cheaper building it yourself and getting an OEM copy of the OS (or use Linux :D ). Plus it's a lot more fun!

[nevermind1534]

Yeah, they still pay for the OS. They just install it for free (covered in labor cost as stated earlier by d_stilgar).

[y4na]

The "free" OS is usually factored into the labor and parts. You pay for it one way or another. I'll build you a PC if you want though.

What do you mean you would build me a PC? How would that process work?

[d_stilgar]

If you send me a PM telling me what you want to spend and what you would want to use the computer for, I'll go to newegg.com and build a system on your budget that will do what you want. For $5-600 I can do a decent gaming computer with a 20" monitor or bigger. It really all depends on what you want. At this time I'm too busy to do a custom case, but if you browse Newegg.com for one you like, then that should be a pretty good start for you.

[Datech]

Also, what do you mean by 'custom' computer. If it is BYOPC (Build your own PC) you are looking for, d_stilgar has the process in the above post. Simply give one of us a price range and we'll build you a system online. You would then have the option of shipping it to your house and building it yourself, or shipping it to one of us and having us build it and ship it to you.

If you are looking for a computer mod, like what we do on this site, there would probably be a lot more involved. As a basic comparison, when I do a computer mod for someone my price starts at $400 + all computer components, tools, and materials I need. That includes two mandatory design meetings between me and the client, and $200 plus all component costs up front.

But, as anyone on this site will tell you, it is a much more fun and much cheaper experience to take the time to learn and do it yourself. All of us are here to help you through it! That's what this forum is all about!

[y4na]

I have about $500 right now, going to get around $200 at Christmas and shoveling snow until I reach $100, therefore I will be around $800 by the years end and I'm going to be buying a monitor from my friend for around $140 and will be looking at $100 in accessories (keyboard, mouse, speakers). Leaving me with a total of $560 and my dad will probably chip in another $500 so my build should be around $1060 and will be looking to upgrade my PC near my birthday, June 20th, will get another $200. And I'm looking at buying from this shop: www.bestbytecomputers.com but their stock is out. I should also mention I got a estimate last month from their shop and the labour cost stated $13. Also in Ontario we have like 14% tax I believe. Would anyone post a build from their site costing around $1060?

My dad does not easily give trust therefore I doubt he would import computers from people I barley know (no offence) and he apparently built a computer about 8 years back and says it's more expensive to build, although I'm still trying to convince him it's not! But he's very very stubborn. So I'm stuck :/ I don't want to spend $1000 on a prebuilt computer that I could have built for $100 dollars cheaper and because I have no OS I don't think I can build a system myself considering I have only experience in building IKEA furniture :/

Also, maybe if I could find a builder that lives near me? Like Whitby, Ajax, Toronto?

[x88x]

You mention that your dad is convinced that it's more expensive to build, but what do you want to do? If we compile a convincing cost comparison, would that be enough to convince him to let you build it? (Assuming you do want to.)

BTW, $1000 will build you a very nice computer.

[y4na]

You mention that your dad is convinced that it's more expensive to build, but what do you want to do? If we compile a convincing cost comparison, would that be enough to convince him to let you build it? (Assuming you do want to.)

BTW, $1000 will build you a very nice computer.

I want to build one but I don't want to encounter problems from lack of experience, also it's the OS I have to think about! If there was a solution to that... Also, I want to buy the parts online and I think I can convince my dad by using his credit card, but he is very unpredictable. His input is to buy it from a local shop so when it breaks down they can fix it.

[Zephik]

Agreed, $1000 in "build-it-yourself" will give you like what? Probably a $1500-$2000 "factory-built" PC? Companies charge so freaking much it's crazy. You won't be saving $100 or around there building it yourself, you'll be saving at least five times that!

I mean hell, I could build my DREAM computer with $1000. I could build a great rig for around $600 and I can build a cheap-o budget build for $300-$400.

If you got money to spend, building it yourself is MUCH cheaper. If you are on a very tight budget, factory made is the cheaper option. For example, Dell offers PC's starting at $200. I couldn't build one that cheap even if I tried. It's funny how that works.

By the way, another added benefit to building it yourself is you get much higher quality parts. Companies use very cheap parts, even in their "high-end" rigs. You may not have a warranty if you build it yourself, but most individual parts have limited warranties AND who needs a warranty when you have google? Seriously, I solve 99.9% of my problems through google. Go to a repair shop and I bet you they use google constantly to fix PC's as well. Plus, since you're building with higher quality parts, having hardware failures isn't as likely. (excluding user error, like overclocking accidents, not plugged into a surge protector, etc)

Welcome to 2009/2010. Your dad would have been right EIGHT YEARS AGO. But today? Not a chance. If he wants to be stubborn about it, then show him this thread and make sure he reads every reply/post. My father is the same way, you can't convince him of anything unless you throw a list of parts and prices in front of his face.

By the way, I've been seriously into computers since I was 8 years old. I'm 22 now. I've also been on this website since 2003. Do that math. :)

[y4na]

So can anyone help me with the OS problem?

That sounded ignorant. Sorry

[x88x]

Well, there's plenty of people on here who can give you advice on building the system. As for the OS, assuming you don't want to have to reinstall every 120 days :whistler:, honestly it's just something you need to budget into your setup. It sucks, but hey, until MS releases the code for DirectX or the gaming industry gives up its love affair with DirectX (neither of which is likely to happen any time in the remotely near future), we're stuck with it. Additionally, even if a local shop can match newegg's prices, the shipping might actually be less than the tax (14%!...that's just horrendous...).

Check with your local shop, I found that a lot of the local shops that I've seen only offer, like, 30 days of free service. In which case, you're not any better off. Actually, come to think of it, the only shop I've ever seen that didn't charge anything at all for the OS...didn't actually include a license...so you'll wanna confirm that too.

As for fixing any problems if it breaks, I think you know the answer to that already ;)

EDIT:
Zephik makes a very good point about cheap computers; I'd forgotten about those...but if you want anything with decent or better performance than you're gonna be cheaper building your own.

[y4na]

Gah I wish there was a fellow Canadian that would help me... And there's all these reviews on newegg that make me shudder at the thought of building a pc by myself.

[Datech]

Well, it sounds like you are a student. Can someone link to the information about students being able to get Windows 7 for $30 or so?

As you can see from my tag line, I'm a Windows 7 fanboy. It is incredibly easy to install and use (more so than XP, and much better than Vista), and if you can get it for $30 why not?

As you can see from this thread, we are all more than willing to help you out. Just let us know what direction we should go.

[x88x]

I saw this a while back; just found it now. It's a really quite good guide by Toms Hardware on building your own PC (with lots of pictures!).
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/building-pc,511.html


Tell you what, next summer I'm gonna be taking a road trip up that area on my bike, and if you haven't built the thing by then, I'll be glad to swing by and walk you though it. (There a fair few Canadian members around here though....they must be hiding :P )


EDIT:

Well, it sounds like you are a student. Can someone link to the information about students being able to get Windows 7 for $30 or so?
Unfortunately, that's only for college students. (Sorry if I'm guessing wrong, y4na).

[y4na]

Well, it sounds like you are a student. Can someone link to the information about students being able to get Windows 7 for $30 or so?

As you can see from my tag line, I'm a Windows 7 fanboy. It is incredibly easy to install and use (more so than XP, and much better than Vista), and if you can get it for $30 why not?

As you can see from this thread, we are all more than willing to help you out. Just let us know what direction we should go.

Yeah, but I'm in grade 9 so I can't get that thing that you are talking about. Trust me I've researched.

[y4na]

I saw this a while back; just found it now. It's a really quite good guide by Toms Hardware on building your own PC (with lots of pictures!).
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/building-pc,511.html


Tell you what, next summer I'm gonna be taking a road trip up that area on my bike, and if you haven't built the thing by then, I'll be glad to swing by and walk you though it. (There a fair few Canadian members around here though....they must be hiding :P )


EDIT:

Unfortunately, that's only for college students. (Sorry if I'm guessing wrong, y4na).

Wow maybe I should save up even more money like around $1500 to build a sexy rig by summer time, but I doubt I can wait. And that guide is extremely helpful! Thanks +rep!

I also found the second part: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/building-pc,518.html

[Zephik]

Here is another option, one that both you and your dad will like. Take your money and be patient with it. Think of it like... fishing. You have to patient and wait until the moment is right. Sure, you could catch the small fry right now, but if you wait and be patient, you'll land yourself a monster.

In other words, keep a sharp eye out for stellar deals. They are definitely all-around the web. It might be a bit tricky for foreigners, though. But, for example, this deal was on Woot today.

http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/10/12/woot-loaded-gateway-desktop-pc-for-480/

About a month ago, someone here listed a deal on an HP Blackbird that was being sold for $700, which is a ridiculously good price for one of those.

Anyways, just something to think about. There is usually quite a bit of luck involved with snagging one of those deals, sort of a right place right moment deal. Just thought I'd mention it anyways.

[x88x]

Haha, thanks.

One thing I just noticed on the Toms Hardware guide, and it talks about IDE drives. Any new components you get will actually be SATA, which is infinitely easier to deal with. No more master and slave crap, just plug in the cable :D

[mohsin]

I would recommend you to build one by your self. Still if you want to buy it from a shop you can always find then on techwholesalers.com. If you are capable enough to build it your self then go ahead. Otherwise its always better to go for a better option. Be true to your self.

[XcOM]

1 x Sony Optiarc 24X DVD/CD Rewritable Drive Black SATA Model AD-7240S-0B - OEM $32.49
1 x Athenatech A416BS.H350 Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 350W Power Supply - Retail $38.49
1 x Maxtor MaXLine II HDD-5A320J0-NDW-R 320GB 5400 RPM IDE Ultra ATA133 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Retail $42.99
1 x Antec EarthWatts EA750 750W Continuous Power ATX12V version 2.3 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS $119.99
2 x G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1200 (PC2 9600) $102.99 ($205.98)
1 x GIGABYTE GA-X48-DQ6 LGA 775 Intel X48 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $199.99
1 x Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core $187.99
1 x SAPPHIRE 100284L Radeon HD 5750 1GB $136.99
1 x Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM $299.99

Grand Total Inc Tax:
$1,194.90

I know i went slightly over budget, you could trim that down, but that system is future proof really, and for comparasian, heres what it would cost for the closest matched PC from a manufacturer:

Dell:
$1,307
for Core i7 running at 2.66, (Closest Match)
4GB ram,
No-name motherboard (Built to a budget in otherwords)
500gb hdd,
Nvidia GTX 260 (Closest match)
Windows 7 Ultimate x64

and not to mention this will prob all be run on a 350w PSU and will die in a few years, which not to mention the dell warrantie only lasts for 1 year, buy from new egg and you get 3 years (iirc, i know ebuyers covers you for 3 years anyway)