Discussion Let's name some nice PC gaming systems/companies.

[4freedomssake]

Keep it under 3K if you're listing a particular model.

 

[Darkbreeze]

Are you asking for recommendations on a new system?

 

[Why_Me]

https://www.corsair.com/us/en/c/gaming-computers

 

[Karadjgne]

Nice pc prebuilt systems under $3k that are even closely related to the price they ask.
1.
2.
3.........

Here's the problem. It doesn't exist as a definition, because everyone's definition is different. For instance, Falcon Northwest builds an amazing pc, it's buttoned down, perfect wiring, well thought out components, bios set and tweaked, it's at the pinnacle of prebuilt pc's. And you'll pay for that service, that time, that work. So you end up with a somewhat lackluster performer compared to CyberPower PC who puts that money into faster, better components, but you generally have to fix stuff, tweak it yourself or rma pieces because they are broken.

So define nice? A gorgeous pc that performs well in all areas and will do so until software renders it obsolete or a rice rocket that gets amazing fps but looks like crud, overheats, needs hours of your own personal attention to repair (and it's brand new), and probably won't last 2-3 years before going belly up.

And don't forget Asus, Dell and some others who have a pretty nice pc initially, but if they don't have overheat problems in a big way, tend to use proprietary parts (everything from the motherboard to the gpu and psu) so even something as simple as replacing a case fan requires a rocket scientist.

 

[4freedomssake]

Are you asking for recommendations on a new system?

I usually build my own systems with my father being my hands due to my disability. But his health isn't the best right now. So I wanted to get everyone's two cents on a system.

 

[4freedomssake]

Here's the problem. It doesn't exist as a definition, because everyone's definition is different.

I used nice just as a word and also because I don't want a piece of crap system with ugly wiring and awful technical specifications. A system with non proprietary hardware would be my want as well. The system would need some high powered hardware for content creation.

This post was also created to get your definition of nice.

 

[Lafong]

Puget Systems is another possibility, but I haven't checked them out lately.

They assemble, you choose the parts from their list of available parts. The exact parts you want may not be on their "available" list, but they generally have high end choices....in several categories.

 

[Darkbreeze]

Fair enough and makes complete sense. Unfortunately, some others will probably need to chime in on who they'd recommend in terms of a prebuilt that might meet your requirements (Which are, what?) as I generally don't recommend nor buy prebuilt systems at all. Every system I've had since probably about 1996 I've built myself whether for me, or family or friends. But your case obviously is different if you are unable to do so due to a handicap and there are no other "hands" available to assist.

 

[Darkbreeze]

Puget Systems is another possibility, but I haven't checked them out lately.

They assemble, you choose the parts from their list of available parts. The exact parts you want may not be on their "available" list, but they generally have high end choices....in several categories.

They are also quite expensive, however, I would totally agree with any assessment that they offer very high quality assembly and configuration as well as a good selection of high end parts, plus, maybe even more important, they provide pretty top notch customer service after the sale unlike MANY of the companies doing pre or custom built systems. We all know that you don't get what you don't pay for, sometimes get what you pay for and occasionally don't get it even if you pay for it, so paying for it through a company known to not cut corners or disappear once you're payment has cleared is definitely worth it for some people.

 

[Lafong]

Here’s a Puget example:

Intel Core Z690 D5 Mini Tower

Core Z690 D5 MATX Workstation

Build a custom PC workstation with Puget's Core Z690 MATX. This compact tower system features Intel's 12th Gen Core processors with a micro ATX motherboard.

www.pugetsystems.com

$ 3397.35; Is that ridiculous? I have no idea; I didn’t check parts prices elsewhere.

Motherboard Asus ROG STRIX Z690-G WiFi (Intel Z690 mATX)

CPU; 13700k

RAM; 2 x 16 kit; ddr5 5600

Video; Geforce RTX 4060ti 8gb open air

SSD: Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus Gen 4 1 TB

Case; Fractal Design Define 7 Mini (black)

Power Supply; Super Flower Leadex Platinum 850W (80 PLUS Platinum)

Cooling; Noctua NH-U12A

Case Fans; PWM Upgrade Kit; apparently Noctuas

OS; Windows 11 Pro

 

[Karadjgne]

^ that's actually very reasonable for what's inside.

Gotta figure there's 3x kinds of prebuilts.

1. There's the 'big box' outfits like Dell, Asus, Lenovo, Sony, HP etc. You get the cheapest of the cheap as far as everything goes, some stuff may or may not be proprietary, but the price savings per unit often mean higher spec'd stuff.

2. Quasi-boutique. That's ppl like ibuypower, CyberPower PC etc who use aftermarket parts to build a pc, but those parts are also often built under contract by aftermarket companies, so you get ibuypower aio coolers built by NZXT etc, cases built by Aerocool etc. These are often higher powered systems, built for performance at a reasonable price, but the builds are shortcut by being slapped together, little QC, will require bios adjustments etc.

3. Boutique. That's Falcon Northwest, Puget, Origin etc. This is pay for play land, where the sky is the limit and so is the budget. You'll get brand name, top line parts, custom build, custom ordered, plenty of QC, testing, tweaking, wiring, sexyest pc's on the planet. But you pay for what you get and there's generally no corners cut except by the person doing the ordering.

So #1 is decent and somewhat cheap, but not really upgradable ans not repairable except by them, #2 can be upgraded, is better, but comes with worry, and #3 is the best of the best in everything, except the worst pricing.

 

[Lafong]

I ran the items in post 10 through PC Partpicker.

Looks to be right around 2000 for parts alone.

So 1400 for assembly, testing; warranty; their expertise.

 

[Karadjgne]

To fully build, tweak and test a pc with full wire management and all the other stuff involved can easily take a full day, or more, I've got an easy 24hrs in my mITX build alone, never mind the time spent tweaking and testing. Average shop time is $100/hr for active hands on time/diagnosis. $1400 for all they offer... About right. Also got to figure that price comes with phone/online tech support, with Falcon Northwest, it's the guys who built your pc, often the very person who built it, not some overseas, outsourced, clueless screen reader.

 

[Darkbreeze]

$ 3397.35; Is that ridiculous?

I dunno. Kind of seems like it. This is the identical build below and 1300.00 just to assemble, install Windows and provide a warranty for the work you've done seems a bit steep to me, especially when you could buy all these parts and have any reputable repair shop or builder do the assembly and OS installation surely for less than 300 bucks. Certainly less than 500, much less 1300.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i7-13700K 3.4 GHz 16-Core Processor ($401.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U12A 60.09 CFM CPU Cooler ($119.95 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus ROG STRIX Z690-G GAMING WIFI Micro ATX LGA1700 Motherboard ($297.45 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws S5 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-5600 CL36 Memory ($87.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus 4 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($349.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PNY VERTO GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 8 GB Video Card ($381.00 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design Define 7 Mini MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($109.99 @ B&H)
Power Supply: Super Flower Leadex Platinum 850 W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($199.99 @ Newegg Sellers)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 11 Pro OEM - DVD 64-bit ($149.99 @ Adorama)
Total: $2098.34
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2023-08-13 01:28 EDT-0400