My old E-Machine 390 is slowly dying on me after five years heavy usage. I'm wanting to investigate getting one built to my own spec and wonder if any forummers have recomendations as to where to go? I don't want to use Dell (heard too many horror stories) and would like to buy in Sheffield. Thanks.

pc medics build up systems very good prices as well

pc medics
118 halifax road
2348080

To be fair to Dell they sell decent enough kit at a good price, I've never had a problem with any of their stuff (laptops, desktops, servers). You tend to hear so many horror stories as they shift so many units so it's inevitable. Margins on IT equipment are so low these days it's very hard for the smaller system builders to be competitive.

Can't be of much help with recommending any of the smaller places just suggesting Dell aren't all bad (I'm not saying they make the best kit in the world either, they don't) :)

Try these lot, they sell Asus PCs/laptops. (http://www.therealcomputershop.com)

Asus probably make the best motherboards and graphics cards in the world. They also build Sony Vaios, all the Apple laptops, as well as the Playstation 3, Apple iPod/Nano...

(in other words, they make excellent kit, and some of the best known brands use their hardware)

3 year warranty, all disks, all loaded up into windows, all anti-virus...

Yeah you will pay a bit more for them but its worth it.

Try these lot, they sell Asus PCs/laptops. (http://www.therealcomputershop.com)

Asus probably make the best motherboards and graphics cards in the world. They also build Sony Vaios, all the Apple laptops, as well as the Playstation 3, Apple iPod/Nano...

(in other words, they make excellent kit, and some of the best known brands use their hardware)

3 year warranty, all disks, all loaded up into windows, all anti-virus...

Yeah you will pay a bit more for them but its worth it.

Asus is good kit. Even my cheapo Asus motherboard is rock solid and hasn't let me down, unlike MSI, Abit, Gigabyte....

there are plenty of guides and forums on the internet if you dont mind building it yourself

there are plenty of guides and forums on the internet if you dont mind building it yourself

true...but its a lot easier, and less stressful (!) to get a decent quality one from a small shop...esp. if you haven't built before...

UNless yuo want a gaming PC just buy a ready made one from ebuyer or somewhere. It's ot worth thehassle of making compiuters any more unless you want it to have a high spec video card in it. Dell computers are crap but they are also very cheap!

If you buy the parts and bring them to me ill stick them together for you £10

If you buy the parts and bring them to me ill stick them together for you £10

stick? i hope you mean place in slots :hihi:

stick? i hope you mean place in slots :hihi:


You must be really bored!

If you buy the parts and bring them to me ill stick them together for you £10

and then are you going to load windows, do the updates, put anti virus/ anti spyware on, do a burn test / hardware check..?

if not, who will?

What about the warranty, does the customer have to seek out each manufacturer's details to send anything back, or are you dealing with it 'as a system'?

probably not...

£10 for screwing the parts into the case does not equate to 'building a system'...

Thanks for all suggestions so far - has anyone had dealings with Crown Computers on London Road?

Crown are a good bunch, I used to get roped into fixing printers for them every time I went in but they have been around for a while and I used to buy all my bits from them. I think they will do you a good machine and will look after you afterwards so go see them.

Thanks for all suggestions so far - has anyone had dealings with Crown Computers on London Road?

crown are okish...think they use quite cheap parts though.

"crown"
i bought my first pc from them many moons ago
amd 450 lol
good set of lads then if its the same lot

The lads @ complex will look after you.

give them a call, you will beable to buy cheaper online but they are pretty cheap for a shop, and will look after you should you have any problems.

and then are you going to load windows, do the updates, put anti virus/ anti spyware on, do a burn test / hardware check..?

if not, who will?

What about the warranty, does the customer have to seek out each manufacturer's details to send anything back, or are you dealing with it 'as a system'?

probably not...

£10 for screwing the parts into the case does not equate to 'building a system'...

John,what a numpty! i sat with my partner while writing my offer disscussing the time scale on which a numpty like you would shout the kind offer down,that seems to be the trend with some on this web site.
Im not going to explain to you who i am or my qualifications,or justify my offer of help.
The offer still Stands!!

http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=238988

My old E-Machine 390 is slowly dying on me after five years heavy usage. I'm wanting to investigate getting one built to my own spec and wonder if any forummers have recomendations as to where to go? I don't want to use Dell (heard too many horror stories) and would like to buy in Sheffield. Thanks.

Micro Direct, or RAMs Computer...(in Manchester.)
I've not really had many dealing with the ones in Sheffield. Cos I don't think they go for the branded items or higher spec range... It's more about overall budget, from what I can remember.

I think Dell has a good overall customer service which makes a big difference.

I think Dell has a good overall customer service which makes a big difference.

Now, see, that's the problem cos all I have ever heard about Dell customer service is that it stinks, people's queries go unanswered, help lines are expensive and that they really don't care once they have got your cash - anyone know differently?

Now, see, that's the problem cos all I have ever heard about Dell customer service is that it stinks, people's queries go unanswered, help lines are expensive and that they really don't care once they have got your cash - anyone know differently?
Well, I suppose it depends. I was just talking to a friend today, and I asked her why she wanted to go with Dell. She told me that she used to work for a company which do their contracts, and that is why she wanted a DELL.

I had a bit of a quick scan, and I think not many companies allow you to choose the components any more like Gateway used to offer.

There's a difference between components to helpdesk standard and customer services' standard too. I know they offer an on-site service which not many people offer much these days... or it will get subcontracted out to a different company. Offering this is at least good, isn't it?

John,what a numpty! i sat with my partner while writing my offer disscussing the time scale on which a numpty like you would shout the kind offer down,that seems to be the trend with some on this web site.
Im not going to explain to you who i am or my qualifications,or justify my offer of help.
The offer still Stands!!

sorry if i offended you, but the original post was about getting a new system specced up and built. This, unless i'm mistaken, would involve building the thing, and then putting all the software on.

Or would you let the OP do that themselves? Cos if so, thats not really supplying a system.

I'm not 'doing you down' or in any way trying to undermine you. But having sold PCs, laptops and components for the last 4 years, and worked at a large tech place for the preceeding two, i like to give realistic advice - i.e that covers all the angles, not simply the 'stick it all together and then let them deal with the rest' approach.