Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: Dragon on April 17, 2009, 09:27:18 AM
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A few weeks ago, my wife decided that we should purchase a new computer. :O 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. :confused: 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 :mad: 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”) :devil
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. :lol
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. :cry 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. :furious Rich is getting a replacement fan and sending it along with some heat shrink tubing for me to replace it. :aok
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. :D
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I got all my peripheals in yesterday.He has guided me on getting the best for the buck.And I have a desk top corner reserved for mine.An I want my steak :D
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What? I never got offered a free steak dinner! :furious
You got off lucky with just 10 hours - between my not speaking Vista and unknowingly screwing up some settings trying to install a home network, we spent much more than that getting mine straightned out. I remember thinking at the time, "I'm glad i didn't get this from Gateway or one of those places!" Trying to deal with a barely English-speaking, read answers off the monitor types would have driven me nuts!
Contacting Rich was the best computer decision I ever made. I've had mine for about 2 months now, and still marvel every time I turn it on at how quietly and smoothly it runs, not to mention playing AH with all the graphics settings maxed out. Plus, the blue fan lights go so well with my Saitek X45 joystick - makes it look like a matched set! :)
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What does a system like the one he built for you cost ?? Lemme guess if you have to ask you cant afford it :rofl :salute
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What does a system like the one he built for you cost ?? Lemme guess if you have to ask you cant afford it :rofl :salute
I would contact Rich and let him give you a quote - I think you'll be pleasantly surprised! Of course it depends on what your needs/wants are, etc.
I do know that after I got mine, I added up the cost of the parts if I had purchased them from Newegg and one other place (can't remember offhand which one), and the price I paid came to just over $100.00 LESS than if I had bought them myself! And don't even mention the time and knowledge it takes to put it together, etc. Overall, a great value IMHO. . .
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CC i'll give him a holler i just dont have the time to build another one. Built the one im useing now but its a at least 7 years old and still runnin single core. Its gettin tired and needs to be replaced.
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the thing is that prices change so much that a quote is for right then.You aint gonna get any better anywhere else.Mine aint even here yet and the service is over the top
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Layaway...
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Smokey,
Don't make the mistake Skullman and I did - make sure you make arrangements for your FREE STEAK DINNER right up front, or you might never see it! :D
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MMMMMMMMMMM steeeeeaaaaaakkkkkk
(http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd45/smokey23_photos/images.jpg)
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If I don't build my own computer again when I get a new one, I'll be sure to contact TD as it seems he has the upper hand here. :)
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I wanted to mention before this costs me anymore $$$, the free steak giveaway ends at 4:20 PM today 4-20-09. :)
I spent a few hours on the phone tis weekend with Rich working through a problem on my computer that I built. Ended up with a bad stick of RAM and a busted VC. Again, thanks for your time sir. :salute