CUSTOM DESKTOPS

Let's build a computer to meet your needs!

WHY CHOOSE A CUSTOM-BUILT DESKTOP?

• A custom desktop allows you to get the exact configuration you want or need for your situation.
• A custom desktop is easier to upgrade and service as it utilizes off the shelf parts.
• A custom desktop allows you to load up the system with as many drives as you want.
• A custom desktop can be created as basic black or fancy as you want by using LED lighting and LCD screens.
• A custom desktop will not be loaded full of unwanted bloatware.
• Manufacturers such as HP, Dell and Lenovo are using more and more proprietary parts. Some of these are difficult to obtain, making computers unfixable. (Especially laptops).

DETERMINE YOUR BUDGET

You need to determine how much you’re willing to spend. The price range of desktops is huge! It's comparable to buying a car.
Spend less - get less. Spend more - Get more.

DETERMINE YOUR USAGE

This guides us as to how we should design your computer. This is required regardless of how your computer components are chosen. These are some typical use cases.

• Home use for Internet and paying bills. - Basic system with Windows (no graphics card)
• Gaming / Video content creation - Higher end system (with discreet graphics card)
• Business desktop - Basic system but may have extra features. (no graphics card)
• Engineering / Video production / Graphic design / SolidWorks / AutoCAD etc. (with discreet graphics card)

CHOOSE YOUR DESIGN ROUTE - WE'RE FLEXIBLE!

There are three paths for clients who would like to purchase a custom desktop.

• We can design and assemble the computer in the best possible way to meet your budget. This is the route most clients pick.
• You can specify absolutely everything in the list below. We can help you make these choices as needed. Then we complete the assembly.
• A hybrid combination of the first 2 options. We help every step of the way.

COMPONENT OPTIONS

PROCESSOR / CPU - REQUIRED

The brand of processor is a matter of preference. AMD has been favored recently as being price competitive and doesn't have the overheating issues of Intel.
 

AMD

 An AMD 5000 or 7000 series is recommended.
 Any chip ending with a 'G' has built in graphics - You will NOT need a discreet graphics card.
 All AMD CPU chips can be overclocked.
 

INTEL

 INTEL Gen 12 is recommended as Gen 13 and 14 have had serious overheating issues that are not being covered by warranty.
 The choice of Intel CPU chips can get confusing.

 Chips ending with a 'K' are unlocked and support overclocking.
  This include built in graphics. You will NOT need a discreet graphics card.

 Chips ending with a 'KS' are top tier (i9 Only), unlocked and support overclocking.
  This include built in graphics. You will NOT need a discreet graphics card.

 Chips ending with a 'KF' are unlocked and support overclocking.
  These do NOT have built in graphics - A discreet graphics card is required.

 Chips ending with a 'F' are considered mainstream. They are locked and do NOT support overclocking.
  These do NOT have built in graphics - A discreet graphics card is required.

Additional information can be found in Blog Post #42.

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CPU COOLER - REQUIRED

AMD stock cooler

Many mainstream processors include a stock cooler. Higher end processors do not. The cooler must be large enough to dissapate the heat produced by the CPU.

• FAN TOWER Air Cooling (Lower cost / more reliable / longest life)
• AIO Water cooling is available and is typically used for gamers. These are more effective but come at a higher price. They have a lifespan of 3-5 years.

Additional information can be found in Blog Post #49.

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DISCREET GRAPHICS CARD - OPTIONAL

Gigabyte 4060 graphics card

This is NOT needed for general use computers if you are simply on the Internet, paying bills or using Microsoft Office.

This is HIGHLY recommended for ALL gaming, engineering / video production / graphic design desktops. We typically use NVIDIA based cards made by Gigabyte or MSI branded cards unless you have another preference such as AMD.

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MEMORY - REQUIRED

Nearly all software and games currently work with 16g, but you might want 32g for future compatibility.
Users running engineering software or video editing may want 64g, or 128g. Other applications may also require more memory. Consult the system requirements of your software.

In most cases you will receive 2 sticks of memory unless you choose to go with a larger amount, in which case it will be 4 sticks (requires an ATX board.). The use of a single stick is NOT recommended as it will negate speed benefits of the memory.

Additional information can be found in Blog Post #28.

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NVME DRIVE - REQUIRED

NVME drives have replaced the traditional spinning hard drives as well as the 2.5-inch SSD drive. An NVME drive has a much faster interface to the motherboard. It therefore achieves the highest speeds possible.

We normally use Samsung, SK Hynix, Western Digital or Crucial brands depending on current pricing. These brands are very well-known and highly respected in the industry.

Typical sizes (capacity) are 500g, 1tb, 2tb, 4tb & 8tb. However, 1 or 2tb is are your most common sizes as the 4 and 8 are very expensive. The cost difference between 500 and 1tb is negligible.

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MOTHERBOARD - REQUIRED

Six sizes available but the most popular are ITX and ATX. Depending on your use, you may want a larger case for more disk drives, fans or to accommodate large 40 series video cards.

• Choose Mini-ITX if you want a smaller system. These have 1 slot typically used for a video card.
  NOTE: ITX boards are more expensive.
• Micro ATX is a mid size board, but is much less common. These support 2 slots.
• Go with ATX if you want a larger system with room for expansion. These have 3 slots.

 

MOTHERBOARD CHIPSET

 The choice of chipset is going to depend on the chosen processor (AMD or Intel).
 The board must be socket compatible with the processor.

 

NUMBER OF NVME SLOTS

 Nearly all motherboards now support 1 NVME boot drive, and most will support a second NVME.
 There are even a few board that support as many as 4, but they tend to be pricey.

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WIRELESS NETWORKING (WI-FI)

• Many motherboards have built-in Wi-Fi 6, and some will even have Wi-Fi 7.
• Some motherboards do NOT have built-in Wi-Fi. However a separate Wi-Fi card can be added.
• Please be sure to let us know if you require Wi-Fi.

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CASE - REQUIRED

 
ITX cases shown in black or white

Several case sizes are available but the most popular are ITX and ATX.
You may want a larger case for more disk drives, fans or to accommodate larger video cards.

 

3.5 DRIVE BAYS - Normally NONE

 This is where you install extra SSD drives or laptop spinning drives.
 If you want, we can use disk drives from your old computer as secondary drives in the new computer.
 Most cases will have at least 1 even if you don't plan on using it.

 

5.25 DRIVE BAYS - Normally NONE

 This is where you install any optical drives such as Blu-Ray or DVD-RW. This can be added or omitted.
 We can even use optical drives from your old computer.
 Most ATX cases will have at least 1 even if you don't plan on using it.

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OPTICAL DRIVE - Normally NONE

Blu-Ray drive

Optical drives include CDRW, DVDRW and BLU-RAY. - Typical usage would to be able to load older software or to rip DVD and Blu-Ray disks for use with Plex or Jellyfin. Otherwise most modern software is downloaded at this point. If you do require an optical drive, an ATX case with at least one bay is required.

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POWER SUPPLY - REQUIRED

Modular Power Supply

Choices may include 550/650/750/850/1000.
A 550 will works for general computing unless you have chosen a discreet video card.
ITX cases will require an SFX (small form factor) power supply.
We recommend using a modular power supply. (The extra/unnecessary cords can be disconnected and removed to reduce clutter.)
We will help you size the power supply according to your needs.

Additional information can be found in Blog Post #53.

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FANS - REQUIRED

Case Fan

The qty of fans will depend on the case. A basic computer will have 2 case fans and 1 CPU fan.
Many cases will come with a 2 or 3 basic fans. Gaming computers generally need more fans to help to cool the processor and video card which generate significant heat.

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RGB LIGHTING - OPTIONAL

Do you want lighted fans or case lighting? (popular with gamers). RGB lighting can looks amazing but has no other tangible benefit other than to impress your friends. It will increase your cost.