Non mainstream pc builders

[vincewy]

I've recently done research on companies that build custom pcs (both laptops and desktops), I know, many can build desktops on their own, but not all of us have the time and energy to test different RAM, mofo, CPUs, and video cards.

I came across some companies that I thought build some really good pcs, these are great alternatives to name brand junks sold in most places today. My first list consists of high end, with custom made, painted cases.

All American

http://www.aacdirect.com

Biohazard

http://www.biohazard-computers.com/

BOXX

(No longer makes gaming pc, but their workstation are among the best)

http://www.boxxtech.com/

Falcon Northwest

http://www.falcon-nw.com/

Hardware Gods

(not sure if it's still around, but they have unique vacume cooling rigs)

http://www.hardwaregods.net/

Hypersonic

http://www.hypersonic-pc.com/2001/index.asp

Maingear

http://www.maingear.com/index2.shtml

Overdrive

http://www.overdrivepc.com/

SavRow (UK, but can ship to US)

http://www.savrow.com/

Thunderbox

http://www.thunderboxpc.com/

Velocity Micro

http://www.velocitymicro.com/

Voodoo (I actually like their old chassis better)

http://www.voodoopc.com


My second list consists of companies offering quality units without fancy cases

ABS

http://www.abs.com/index.asp

Addict PC

http://www.addictpc.com/

Game PC

http://www.gamepc.com/index.asp

Gentech

http://www.gentechpc.com/index.html

Hyperkore

http://www.hyperkore.com/

L2 (LanLabs)

http://www.shopl2.com/

Predator

http://www.predatorgamingpc.com/index.html

Puget

http://www.pugetsystems.com/

Tasty Computers

http://tastycomputers.com/index.htm

Vigor Gaming

http://vigorgaming.com/index.html

xVx

http://www.xvxonline.com/index.html

Zeus PC

http://www.zeuspc.com/xcart/customer/



Some of the companies were taken off due to deteriorating tech support (Alienware, Cyberpower, etc), if anyone has a good company to recommend, feel free to list them.

 

[steve11]

I have purchased from voodoo recently (a laptop) flawless stuff, well worth the close to a grand price hike.

I work in IT, build all my own PC's and overclock them much farther then any of those companies will (case in point my budget 3.2, 2gb ram, 6800gt pc is at 4.4 ghz, 1000fsb, 6800ultra+ speeds, my amd 64 set up is even more sick but since it's not completely 100% 3days of stress tests stable I won't spec post it).

I didn't want to deal with building a laptop for my wife that ran xp, she's a mac user. Voodoo built a great PC, I have the name of the tech that built it, and can request him to trouble shoot it. The laptop was well built, it had the standard "amd 64 hickups" but I can't fault them for it, it's an AMD issue because they didn't have an in house chipset maker at the time. I fixed them on my own, took 5 mins. I'm sure voodoo could have done the same, as again it's not their product, it's the chip makers problem.

I got a binder full of documentation, who made it, stress test results, frame rate results, was top notch stuff. This saves me hours of having to do it myself to figure out where said laptop stands. The free t-shirt was nice, though not anything people would care about.

I have one HUGE gripe with voodoo though. They use reliable parts, not performance parts. This is proven by their wide use of asus parts for mobos, asus blows, dfi and abit kill it for performance. Though again, since they sell PC's and don't tweak them I understand that.

Their choice on graphics cards (evga) is smart, though evga is plauged with problems as of now, but what they sell to voodoo seems good... dunno why. I think voodoo also uses BFG which is just as good. I can't complain on their gpu picks.

Their "liquid cooling" system is iffy. They do use top parts, but a custom dangerden kit will slaughter theirs, yet cost you more (yes it makes voodoo look cheap) but it's only worth it if you have the ability to do the OC on your own and support it.

I don't buy voodoo desktops for those reasons, they blow compared to what I configure. But their laptops aren't bad.

I'd note I also I own a falcon NW pentium 2 pc, oc'd and still alive and kicking

 

[The Drizzle]

I just ordered a new PC from CyperPower. Came out to $640 shipped. Geforce 7600GT, athlon 3800+, 512MB ram (got a gig im gonna throw in) 180gb harddrive. I thought it was a good deal. I priced it out on newegg to see how much it would be to build myself and it came out around the same price.

My friend ordered from cyberpower also and is very pleased with the outcome.
www.cyberpowerpc.com