A few weeks ago, my wife decided that we should purchase a new computer.
I already had parts on order for 2 other builds that I wasn’t sure I had time to get done, and she wanted something that would look and work well. At this point I decided that I could not get the build done in the time frame she wanted, nor would it look good.
I contacted TilDeath with a parts list I wanted and budget amount. We changed a few things and came up with the following:
NZXT Tempest case
OCZ 700 W
Gigabyte GA-EP45T-UD3P
Intel E8400
OCZ Vendetta 2
OCZ 4 GB 1800Mhz Ram
WD 640 GB HD
Samsung DVD
EVGA GTX 260 VC
After several phone calls back and forth about supply problems from some vendors
and solutions that were offered by others, the build began. I had also asked for a lighted switch to be mounted so the lights could be turned off. This delayed assembly for 1 day, but, was worth the wait. (Don’t worry Rich, I won’t mention that you were on your way to FedEx with the box when you remembered that you forgot to purchase, locate and install “That Damn Switch”)
The computer arrived Tuesday in perfect condition.
After getting everything connected and fired up, I called Rich and we got the computers and printers talking nice to each other – something I probably never would have been able to do without his help as they are both Vista machines and I’m just not fluent in Visturdish.
The cables are all well hidden and shrink wrapped and the box – which almost had to be put on my computer desk (darn) because it is so darn big – is much quieter than I expected. Rich tried to talk my wife into putting it on my desk during one of our phone calls, but she refused to even get on the phone to listen to reason.
Thanks for trying though.
I’m currently running the system at 3.4, but the presets allow a simple, 1 touch in the BIOS to crank it up from stock 3.0 to Uber Fast.
Something else new to me was setting up user accounts for each family member to help control the kids from surfing to sites they should not be at, as well as minimizing the installation of junk and possibly damaging programs. Rich gave some great tips on how to get this done properly.
I was going to post some pics of the computer, but if TilDeath finishes his posting on how he does his builds, the finished product will be the same. Attention to detail and producing a perfectly matched (not just the hardware, but also the computer to the customer) system.
The only problem with the computer is one of the LED’s on the fan mounted on the clear plastic side tends to blink on and off.
Rich is getting a replacement fan and sending it along with some heat shrink tubing for me to replace it.
I think when it is all totaled up, we spent 10 hours plus talking on the phone or sending emails to get the build done just right. Try getting that from anyone else. I highly recommend giving Rich a call if your interested in getting a new computer, and if you live down south, stop in for a tour of the office and a FREE steak dinner.
