I'm wondering if anyone knows of a good company online or even in stores that can build me a FULLY customized pc. I'd love to build it but I don't want to risk receiving a dead motherboard again and then having to exchange it which could take weeks. I would just like a company (reputable hopefully) to build, test, and give me a warranty. You guys know of any good names? Monarch PC?? Thanks a bunch.

OR

I would love to build my own, are there any companies with actual stores that I could buy all my pieces from and return if necessary. I have nightmares about shipping and restocking fees. Thanks a ton.


Ryan

No Money = ABS Computers

Money = Alienware

More Money = Falcon-NW

LOTS OF MONEY = VooDoo PC

The problem with the big chains is they have a limited selection of parts. One thing you can try is to see if there are any Net sellers that are local to you. There are several near me that also have a 'retail' window at their wharehouse where you can buy what you've found on their website in person.

Check Six,
Shakespeare

Add AAC to that list, thier computer are cheaper and performs better.

Only go for those guys if you wanna pay a lot of money. Actual stores?? Go Google or Yahoo local search and you can find a bunch.

I like Falcon nw but there not cheap, so the abs systems on newegg might be for you.

Just read a good article about a company called Maingear.

http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=OTMz

Havent had actual experience from this company, but have heard some good reviews.

IBUYPOWER

Overdrive PC

Puget Systems

I got my last 2 systems at this place: MBX
they will build just about anything you want. Comes with a 3yr warranty and support with a clue.
if you want cheap/inexpensive DONT go there
if you want a reliable PC - they have worked well for me.

I actually have experience with having Falcon NW building my last Gaming PC for me, if you have the $$ and really are apprehensive about building your own system then by all means I highly reccomend them to build your system for you. They really do build a top of the line system and stand behind it 1000% in case anything at all goes wrong with it.

When I first got mine, it over heated ( I think the UPS guys played drop the crate with it a few times) and falcon not only built me a brand new rig but, showed me how to set it so it ran slower while they built my new system then overnighted my new system to me, upgraded that systems cooling and video card at no cost to me at all, just because they felt bad that I had to go through that troubel and it wasn't even their fault.

Myself I've moved beyong having them build me a system but I do have to say at the time it sure did feel good to have a custom built system by the pro's, It's just something about having one of their systems sitting in front of you. If I ever get rich I'll have them make my systems exclusively, exactly to my specs every year, lol! Good luck to you.

Dell or Gateway jk

Build Your Own (Hint, Hint, Read Below, Hint, Hint )

Don't they run in line with alienware?

yes they do!!! for the same components and price those two old birds only lags behind by like 50 frames, not that much of a deal....

I just checked out ibuypower. They are incredibly inexpensive. This is amazing!

I know! They advertise in computer gaming world all the time. Really knocks my socks off.

Let me know if you buy one; I want to hear reviews.

Whenever I try to build a PC (theoretically, because I can't afford to actually order the parts) I always compare the PC with ibuypower's equivalent customized PC to see if I can beat their price.

Some of their cases look hilarious, but of course you get to choose which one you order so you're not stuck with a goofy banana case.

HardOCP has been doing system reviews of almost all these manufacturers, and others that have been listed in this thread. Hop over there and read a few of them first, they do a pretty thorough job.

I think they rated the Maingear system the best so far:

[H]ard|OCP System Reviews

yeah ibuypower is a good choice, one i'd go with.

With finding a store near you, how about a computer fair? try the one I attend= http://www.marketproshows.com/

Buyer beware. After looking at their website and contact information, I wonder if they are some sort of a sister company of Cyberpower, who I've dealt with before. To sum up Cyberpower, their customer support is absolutely atrocious.

Be sure to check out reselleratings.com. Looks like a handful of unhappy customers when it comes to customer support, which was my problem with Cyberpower. The systems are cheap, but don't expect them to help you when the system fails.

I also just ran their system config. thingy and a machine identical to the one I just purchased parts for is well over $100. Take a closer look at their specs.

I'm not trying to knock them, but just be aware of what you're getting.

heard bad things re: ibuypower (suposedly owned by cyperpower) besides 0 support, 3 people said that they GLUE the MB to the case! sure would be fast assembly. I have ranted about Monarch Computer (MCS) before. The site has a huge selection & labor is reasonable but I have a dead SATA2 socket in the ASUS P5N32SLI-dlx MB and they wont answer e's and phones. 24/7 support is closer to 12/5. I would rather buy a HP and learn a foreign language. resellerratings has them rated very good but I think that MCS has all their employees sending in fake ratings instead of helping customers. They have been accused of selling used parts, etc also.
Go to the forums/help site for any manufacturer & see what people have problems with.
Velocity Micro has fair prices & c/s is excellent.

Interesting... I've wondered how some of these MFGs could get their prices lower than newegg prices less the shipping..

some of MCS's parts prices are a little high (~therefore a hidden build charge). I guess, if a person has time & skills, I think that peace on earth can be achieved by dealing with warranty issues direct w/ manufacturer and not a computer manufacturer (try to get free Windows support from OEM!)