Hardware & Technical Recommendations for UK custom pc company

Zog Oakley · Sep 3, 2013

After years of travelling constantly I'm now fairly settled and think that I will be replacing my laptop with my first ever gaming desktop.

I don't plan to build one, so am looking for a reputable UK company that uses good quality parts and offer decent warranty options.

Does anyone have any recommendations or indeed whatever the opposite of a recommendation is!!

Thanks in advance

Z

Ashley Barley · Sep 3, 2013

Hi Zog, welcome to the forums.

Overclockers UK are commonly considered to be one of the best sites for gaming PCs. I'd advise checking them out.

Cody · Sep 3, 2013

I've found PC Specialist to be pretty good, and cool to deal with.

withnail · Sep 3, 2013

Just ordered a gaming laptop from PC Specialist and am pleased with the price and the service!

Bear in mind that it is about 3 weeks for delivery unless you pay to expedite it.

Zog Oakley · Sep 3, 2013

Thanks, Ill have a look at both of those.

Someone suggested CyberPower to me as well - does anyone have any experience with them?

Z

jabokai · Sep 3, 2013

I always build my own, but have used Overclockers (that Ashley suggested) and, based on my experience with them for components, recommended them to a friend looking for a custom built machine... and he was happy with it/them.

I've heard people talk about Chillblast and Beast before but have no personal experience.

Zog Oakley · Sep 3, 2013

Thanks. I'll have a research.

Want to make sure I'm all set up for next year's big event

Nagual · Sep 3, 2013

Dabs and Scan are worth a look too.

withnail · Sep 3, 2013

Nagual said:
Dabs and Scan are worth a look too.

It's just the courier you have to worry about

Nagual · Sep 3, 2013

withnail said:
It's just the courier you have to worry about

Well... yeah, however I'm probably just unlucky. Mistakes, errors etc can happen to anyone. That said...

I've used Scan before with no problems at all, and their prices are quite keen, I'd recommend anyone to at least sign up for the newsletters from all the companies mentioned in this thread to make sure you're aware of any good offers, usually time limited.

jabokai · Sep 3, 2013

I'd definitely recommend Scan for components too, not sure about their gaming rigs though? Are they any good? I remember looking in the past and they didn't seem very current, or high spec.

Philip Coutts · Oct 3, 2013

As a bit of a technophobe I am in need of help. Pretty sure I've nailed down a spec for a pc involving an AMD FX 8350 and a GTX 770. I've had a look around the internet and the following companies are quoting a pretty similar price to build a sytem; overclockers, pc Specialist and Dino PC. Has anyone had any dealings with any of them. After a look around the internet there are a lot of people saying good things about most of them but as ever their are a vocal minority with only tales of horror about all 3. Any advice would be greatly received.

Oh and while I'm at it is water cooling a good thing or a bad thing? Pretty sure I want to go down this route but some part of me thinks water and electrics shouldn't mix!

Oss133 · Oct 3, 2013

Philip Coutts said:
As a bit of a technophobe I am in need of help. Pretty sure I've nailed down a spec for a pc involving an AMD FX 8350 and a GTX 770. I've had a look around the internet and the following companies are quoting a pretty similar price to build a sytem; overclockers, pc Specialist and Dino PC. Has anyone had any dealings with any of them. After a look around the internet there are a lot of people saying good things about most of them but as ever their are a vocal minority with only tales of horror about all 3. Any advice would be greatly received.

Oh and while I'm at it is water cooling a good thing or a bad thing? Pretty sure I want to go down this route but some part of me thinks water and electrics shouldn't mix!

I have only used PC Specialist out of the 3 vendors you mention. I got exactly what I asked for. Build quality was good. It is still working several months later so I am pleased with them and would use them again.

Out2lunch · Oct 3, 2013

I always used to use Overclockers for components but now more often use scan as their prices are generally better.

Both offer top class service and very swift shipping.

I normally build my own computers but recently couldn't beat a pre build from Overclockers for a PC for my Dad, who wanted a new machine add the old one was a little slow for video editing (it was running xp and about 8 years old). Dad couldn't be happier with his new machine especially now that I've managed to get Civ II running on it...

Philip Coutts · Oct 3, 2013

Thanks chaps +1 rep for the advice. Swaying towards PC specialist as they seem to get decent feedback from most people. Unfortuanately I'm not confident enough to build my own system at the moment although I think if I'm upgrading in future I would have a go at replacing individual parts. Also the cable management of these companies is beautiful!

jabokai · Oct 3, 2013

Pretty much what Out2lunch said - I generally use Scan for components now as they're cheaper and the RMA process has been very smooth for me.

And Overclockers for custom builds I can recommend (second-hand as it was a friend that used them and was very happy with the machine).

Building your own is FUN, although slightly nerve racking the first time.

Oss133 · Oct 3, 2013

Philip Coutts said:
Thanks chaps +1 rep for the advice. Swaying towards PC specialist as they seem to get decent feedback from most people. Unfortuanately I'm not confident enough to build my own system at the moment although I think if I'm upgrading in future I would have a go at replacing individual parts. Also the cable management of these companies is beautiful!

I have built my own in the past but the hassle involved doesn't justify the saving for me. It's OK if the build works first time but when it doesn't, I do not have the tools and spare parts to track down why. The last one I built had two separate problems. The first was that the power unit was not giving out the power it said it was. The other was that the motherboard needed the BIOS updated to run the OS I was installing at the time (Vista). I could not find these issues myself and had to turn to the professionals. It finished up costing me more to build it myself than to just buy one from a decent vendor in the first place.

Philip Coutts · Oct 3, 2013

jabokai said:
Pretty much what Out2lunch said - I generally use Scan for components now as they're cheaper and the RMA process has been very smooth for me.

And Overclockers for custom builds I can recommend (second-hand as it was a friend that used them and was very happy with the machine).

Building your own is FUN, although slightly nerve racking the first time.

Pah, tried to rep you for the advice but the computer says no, something about spreading love around a bit more

I would really love to have a go at building my own but the fear of messing up some pretty expensive kit is too great for me.

Nagual · Oct 3, 2013

Philip Coutts said:
Thanks chaps +1 rep for the advice. Swaying towards PC specialist as they seem to get decent feedback from most people. Unfortuanately I'm not confident enough to build my own system at the moment although I think if I'm upgrading in future I would have a go at replacing individual parts. Also the cable management of these companies is beautiful!

Out of the ones you mention, I'd try PC Specialist. Not had any dealing s with them, Overclockers well, a mate had issues with them, they couldn't find a fault - where it's so bleeding obvious they couldn't have looked properly. Dino - not sure.

As for building a PC, if you can wire a plug or follow simple written instructions you should be fine. Oh, I don't mean to be insulting when saying that, I know some folks may have reading issues or dexterity issues

Philip Coutts · Oct 3, 2013

oss133 said:
I have built my own in the past but the hassle involved doesn't justify the saving for me. It's OK if the build works first time but when it doesn't, I do not have the tools and spare parts to track down why. The last one I built had two separate problems. The first was that the power unit was not giving out the power it said it was. The other was that the motherboard needed the BIOS updated to run the OS I was installing at the time (Vista). I could not find these issues myself and had to turn to the professionals. It finished up costing me more to build it myself than to just buy one from a decent vendor in the first place.

Yeah you lost me there when you startted talking about BIOS and stuff, I just don't think I have enough knowledge to build my own at the moment. Probably have just enough knowledge to be dangerous.....but not Elite Dangerous....I'll get my coat

Thanks for the advice, having been away from PC gaming for a number of years it is really helping to make my mind up. I've tried to rep a few of you but it tells me I need to spread the love around a bit more but have a virtual +1 rep for all your help.