Good PC Computer Builder

[sniper968]

I'm after a good PC computer builder. I don't want to buy an off-the rack computer by HP or Dell- I want something custom built using good quality combonents that match and sync together. Plus good quality service- crucial if the computer breaks down.

I walked around Sim Lim Square and Funan but its hard to tell whose well qualified.

I just want someone who knows his stuff, is uptodate on the various tech developments and knows which cpu+motherboard+graphics cards etc will make the best combo.

I'm looking to spend about $3000 on the system, I know a bit about computers but these days the changes happen so rapidly that its hard to keep up.

I plan to use the system as a multimedia media system to hook it up to my lcd tv - and use it to watch avi files, play a few top notch games etc...

any recommendations?

[Plavt]

Unless I am very much mistaken, if you are willing to pay that amount you would be far better off buying something 'off the peg'. Whether you buy from a shop or have it custom built it will be out of date just as fast.

[Bafana]

If your really interested I can pass you my mates number who built and looks after my home pc - For 3000 sing you will get a very very good prupose built machine. Far better then a off the peg and my mate will give you 1 year in house service as well.

[ksl]

Having been a customised computer builder with prc-data.dk for many years,
I would advise, that you know exactly what you want.

Desk top publishing, high graphic work, gameing, multi-media multi-level tasking, there is much to look into, and it's just a waste of money, if you don't get it right.

Compatability testing is very difficult and almost not possible for retail outlets, due to the specialised run in and monitoring of components, over at least 24 hrs, to pick up any system hangs, specialised bench marking applications are used.

Although what you can do, is search out the best machines on bench marking websites, check out the forums and reviews, to discover what is the Royals Royce of today.

There is a saying in the computer world, "That you don't need a Lamborghini for doing the job of a mini" otherwise, your money is just thrown out of the window.

Retail shops and many computer builders, will be happy to part your money from your wallet.

So do your research on the internet and discover what specification suits you, check the bench marking reviews, and list the components and hey presto, all you need is someone to put it together, that knows what they are doing, to tweak it, for best performance.

You may find what you want at
http://www.tomshardware.com/

they used to do benchmarking, years ago, early 90's not sure if they still do, although there are plenty of other websites around, to search out your dream machine!

Once you find it and it is tested on the bench, check for reviews of the specification, list them, and build.

The main problem is many people want the best and fastest, and when you ask, them what they wanting it for, they say Desk top publishing! So you get the "Lamborghini, when you really only need a mini"

What will it be most used for? Go for it

[sniper968]

Wow, I got three moderator replies! Thanks guys.

Yeah, well, I'm after a multi-media computer system - gaming, watching avi files etc.. I grab a lot of stuff off uTorrent. Just finished watching a documentary on Rome- amazing stuff but I think it'd be better if I was watching it on a high end graphics card.

Gaming, well... I can be a bit of a gamehead. Whenever I get terribly stressed I go and play an hour of gaming and at the end of it- I've totally forgotten about my problems. Amazing eh? Just finished Company of Heroes at a LAN cafe, it was good fun.

I'll go and read up on the system first. Its not terribly urgent. So I might as well peruse it for awhile.

if u know of a good competent computer builder - email me his phone number to smoothcoffee at gmail.com

Thanks.

[ksl]

Wow, I got three moderator replies! Thanks guys

Look again! I only see two Although my eyes are not what they used to be

[saint73]

Wow, I got three moderator replies! Thanks guys

Look again! I only see two Although my eyes are not what they used to be

You are not that old...you are right... two only...

[Bremen]

Try looking on the hardwarezone forums. They have a dedicated thread with detailed configurations for all sorts of uses and budgets. and they tell you where to get the parts too, or where to go to get it complete.

[bigfilsing]

Wow, I got three moderator replies! Thanks guys

Look again! I only see two Although my eyes are not what they used to be

Or is it your graphics guard

I've had some great advice and experience from Cybermind. They have outlets at both Funan and SL. I prefer SL as thats where they have the actual stock and so you can see ( and read up the specs) on what you want. Go during the week as they tend to have more time for you then. Oh and make sure they know you're a serious buyer as they get mobbed by "tourists" doing price checks.
Price lists for comaprison are here http://sg.hardwarezone.com/priceguide/download.php

Being a gamer myself for the same reasons of stress relief i am currently playing Rainbow 6 Las Vegas. This game has pushed the limits of hardware compatibility. Read the forums at UBI.com if youre interested. The graphics card issue is a biggy. You're looking at $S 450 plus for a decent game experience. The good news is you can get a VIVO card for that amount ( video in video out) so hooking up your LCD tv should give a great result. I find the UBI foums a great place as they give an actual users point of view on what hardware to get., rather than a manufacturers. Whether you like gaming or not it's a pretty broadly accepted fact that first person shooter games push the limits of home PC's and so are a good benchmark for performance. A vid card with HDMI or even component out gives some great results on a LCD or plasma.
The only universal rule that has stayed with us over the years is buy as much memory as you can afford and with Vista now out this has once again being proven.

If you have any specific questions post them here and i'm sure an answer will be provided.

Good luck[/url]

[sniper968]

Thanks... you should try Medieval Total War II - you are playing with a cast of thousands...

[Bafana]

Thanks... you should try Medieval Total War II - you are playing with a cast of thousands...

9dragons - Kung Fu based Online Multi Player. Its free and downloadable from the net with heaps of leveling up to do, quest, dungens, etc along with arena matches.

It is wasting all of my quality time at the moment

[sniper968]

Nonetheless, you ought to take a look at MTW2 and Rome Total War - there are also outstanding mods that incorporate the Lord of the Ring's Trilogy and the Silmarilion, and Napoleonic Wars.

The detail is simply breathtaking- with a good computer+graphics card you can be at all the major historical and fictional battles. You can see tremendous detail - like the armor scales on Selucian warriors, the sparkle of the the Cossack's blade... the shine from a legion of Trajan's army all in realtime.

[QRM]

The latest PC format mag recons you need about S$15,000 for a full on gaming machine!!

Last months mag showed how to over clock a S$300 chip to give the performance of a S$1800 chip has anyone actually manage to overclock with such huge gains?