CUSTOM DESKTOPS
Let's build a computer to meet your needs!
Updated 09/21/2024
WHY BUILD A CUSTOM COMPUTER?
A custom desktop allows you to get the exact configuration you want or need for your particular
situation.
A custom desktop is 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.
CHOOSE YOUR DESIGN ROUTE
There are three methods for clients who would like to purchase a custom desktop.
1) You can simply determine your budget and we can design it in the best possible way to meet your
budget. If the items below look intimidating, then this is the recommended route.
2) You can specify absoultely everything in the list below. We can help you make these choices as
needed.
3) A combination of the first 2 options. You will be helped every step of the way.
USAGE
This helps us to determine how to design your computer. This is required regardless of how your computer
components are chosen. These are some typical use cases.
1) Home use for Internet and paying bills. - Basic system with Windows Home Edition
2) Gaming / Video content creation - Higher end system with discreet graphics card
3) Business desktop - Basic system with Windows Professional
4) Engineering / Video production / Graphic design / SolidWorks / AutoCad etc...
DISCREET GRAPHICS CARD
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.
A discreet card is not needed for Internet, paying bills or using Microsoft
Office.
PROCESSOR / CPU
The brand of processor is is a matter of preference. AMD has been favored over the last year as being
price competitive and doesn't have the over heating issues.
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 Gen 12 is recommended as Gen 13 an 14 have had serious overheating issues.
Any chip ending with a 'K' has built in graphics - You will NOT need a discreet graphics card.
Any chip ending with a 'F' does NOT have built in graphics - A discreet graphics card is
required.
CPU COOLER
AIO Water cooling (More effective at a higher price)
FAN TOWER Air Cooling (Lower cost / more reliable)
MEMORY
All games currently work with 16g but you might want 32 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.
MOTHERBOARD SIZE
Several 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 accomodate large 40 series video cards.
MOTHERBOARD CHIPSET
The choice of chipset is going to depend on the chosen processor. The board must be socket
compatible.
CASE SIZE
Several 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 accomodate large 40 series video cards.
NVME SLOTS
Nearly all motherboards now support 1 NVME boot drive and and some will support an optional second NVME.
There are even a few board that suppurt as many as 4 but they tend to be pricey.
NVME CAPACITY
Typical sizes 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.
OPTICAL DRIVES
NONE/CDRW/DVDRW/BLUERAY - Typically NONE unles you have the need for one. Most software is downloaded at
this point. If you do require one, a case with the appropriate bays is required.
3.5 DRIVE BAYS
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.
5.25 DRIVE BAYS
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.
POWER SUPPLY
Choices may include 550/650/750/850/1000. However 550 works for general computing unless you have chosen
a discreet video card. We will help you size the power supply accordingly.
FANS
The qty of fans will depend on the case. Plan on at least 2-4 case fans and 1-2 CPU fans.
Gaming computers will have a lot more fans to help to cool the processor and video card which generate
significant heat.
RGB LIGHTING
Do you want lighted fans or case lighting? (popular with gamers).
