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Thread ID: 116316	2011-02-27 00:29:00	Custom PC building [2 ?'s] (not building it myself)	AnokFero (13401)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1181686	2011-02-27 00:29:00	I am going to be looking into the world of Custom PC building. In part of looking for tips and tricks on this subject, I went looking around the mag's at my local store and found a copy of "PerfectPC" which is from an Aussie mag competitor. The program asks for your budget limits and based on the information set it will give you the components, they list each components 'current' price and the end total which is either at your budget or below. My first question is: "Is there such a thing as "PerfectPC" that is tailored for New Zealand?" My second question is: "Is there an NZ based company that can slap this together that comes recommended?"	AnokFero (13401)
1181687	2011-02-27 00:43:00	1. I dont think so. Depends what (you want it to have), and what you're going to do with it / use it for after you build it. And it'll probably be out of date sooner or later anyway. Mobos etc get updated pretty fast these days 2. Places like Computerlounge / Ascent (I think - I usually put them together myself) can put them together. Altho, it may depend on if they've got the parts in stock. They can probably get them from somewhere, if they havent	Speedy Gonzales (78)
1181688	2011-02-27 02:30:00	1: "Perfect PC" relies on perfect for what? A perfect gaming PC will be very different to the perfect word processing PC. I guess the ideal NZ PC would be some eco friendly type thing with lead free components and ultra power saving techniques (in view of the "clean green image"). Other than that, specs are up to you. 2: Yes, a lot of places will build them for you (speedy listed some good ones) although, if you can i'd recommend finding a trusty mate to show you how to do it yourself. That way if something goes wrong you'll know whats what inside the PC and how it all goes together. also handy for upgrading stuff too, not fun having to drop off the whole PC for graphics card upgrade when you can do it yourself.	The Error Guy (14052)
1181689	2011-02-27 03:06:00	Building a PC is easy, its when everything turns pear shaped thats when the fun begins. Do you know how to fault find, and sort out why it wont start/run ? A few things you may also want to consider -- The warranty -- When something goes wrong with components, YOU have to replace them, generally at no cost while in warranty. Most components these days come with longer than a 1 year warranty, 3-5 years - The purchaser wont be to happy if they have to wait weeks or months for you to get replacement parts from suppliers. Any one with a bit of knowledge can put together a Computer - its the service after thats important. Question for you: What happens when a component fails, still in warranty, but the supplier cant supply due to being obsolete, lets say a motherboard -- What are you going to do ??	wainuitech (129)
1181690	2011-02-27 04:21:00	What happens when a component fails, still in warranty, but the supplier cant supply due to being obsolete, lets say a motherboard -- What are you going to do ?? Same as we do? Get whatever similar board they have.	pctek (84)
1181691	2011-02-27 04:25:00	Same as we do? Get whatever similar board they have. Fair enough answer if there is one available, BUT what if its now obsolete, the current working CPU or RAM wont fit a new board - in other words, good components wont work on the new board ? And before you say it doesn't happen it does.	wainuitech (129)
1181692	2011-02-27 04:27:00	@The Error Guy: The application asks for a budget limit, then has applications of 3D Gaming, Video Editing and All-rounder. On top of that it has Intel/AMD CPU and ATI/Nvidia Graphics preference. Fault Finding: My fault finding skills might not be the greatest, but even I if I had such skills that would be "better than most", internet research is always there for the taking. Its a matter of then filtering said information to make sure its applicable to the situation being experienced. Computers don't need fancy additions; downgrading the additions of hardware would at least see if its linked to anything in that area. Default settings typically help as well; be that bios or other settings depending on where faults are happening. Disabling bios settings, or changing boot order has helped out greatly in the past before. I like software more than hardware, hence why I rather have someone else build it. Obsolete failed motherboard? ... While I haven't read the available sites found with a quick Google (www.google.co.nz), that's the first thing I would find out about. (IE any tips to ensure its the motherboard and not me guessing). Motherboard Troubleshooting Procedures (motherboards.mbarron.net). Home Built System (www.tomshardware.com). The supplier would likely know of something I could 'upgrade' to, even if it meant that I needed to replace ' list here '. And if it did mean that more money had to be spent, then this PC will become the "main" again, and if this fails, the "very old and outdated laptop" will be a third backup. @wainuitech's: "And before you say it doesn't happen it does." But not often.	AnokFero (13401)
1181693	2011-02-27 04:46:00	@wainuitech's: "And before you say it doesn't happen it does." But not often. When you put on the real warranty it does happen - esp with boards having 3 years. How does twice in 3 months sound like ? I've run my own business for long enough and worked on and built ( literally) hundreds computers for many years, so I can tell you it does happen. This is why the rip off merchants, only put on a one year warranty. The question still didn't get answered though - danced around saying looking for answers on the net, which can sometimes be OK, but if its obvious failure, and the motherboard cant be replaced - yet other components are still OK the purchaser isn't going to be to happy with a answer of "I cant get a board to replace your failed one" -- you have to provide a working solution or options. Dont get me wrong - building can be rewarding, but a lot of people also know the Consumer Guarantees act - If you sell someone a PC, you have to handle the warranty and you could very easily be out of pocket to fix it.	wainuitech (129)
1181694	2011-02-27 05:20:00	The supplier would likely know of something I could 'upgrade' to, even if it meant that I needed to replace ' list here '. And if it did mean that more money had to be spent...Was the answer. If a replacement cant be made then component upgrade would done again, and instead of this PC becoming a secondary PC, it would default to the main again. [edit] Sounds like your question, can't be solved. Let me reverse the question, in the event this happened to you, what would you do?	AnokFero (13401)
1181695	2011-02-27 05:41:00	Sounds like your question, can't be solved No incorrect - the question HAS to be solved, other wise the purchaser would be left standing without a working computer. Simple answer - either offer a working solution, OR change the other components to suit what is available. Hence the comment "you could very easily be out of pocket to fix it" I have had just that happen - the Original Motherboard was now obsolete even though it was still well within warranty - the Supplier (or any of my other suppliers) couldn't supply one that would work with some of the other components. All I'm trying to point out is WHEN there are problems, you have to fix them - simply selling a computer, then thinking thats the end of it is wrong. When things go wrong (and they do) you have to be prepared to fix them, even if it costs you in the long run - other wise theres a name for people who dont, rip-off's OR cowboys. Rip Off merchants & cowboys are a dime a dozen.	wainuitech (129)
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