Free computer builds for CP members

Sami
Sami Posts: 4,634
edited December 2009 in The Clubhouse
I am a nerd and I enjoy working on computers, just as I enjoy doing wood work. I already do free computer repairs for our subdivision and I thought I'd extend this to CP as well.

How it works is you decide what kind of computer you want. Obviously there are cheap deals on your basic computers but if you want a gaming rig or HTPC, the prices go way up and you're better off building one yourself. I can help in finding parts, building it and configuring it for your needs. The last part is the time consuming part and also the most confusing. Whether you want the latest Windows or Linux on it, I can help with that. Overclocking for gaming or building a quiet machine for HTPC with Bluray playback and ripping.

Either you buy the parts and have them shipped to me, or have me find and buy them according to your specs. Small deposit required for the latter unless you're a long time polkie with good feedback and 100% committed. I will then do the work and have it shipped back to you, at your expense of course.
Post edited by Sami on
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Comments

  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited September 2009
    Good karma! I used to do this for everyone when i was in college. Loads of fun.

    Not in for precisely that reason, but someone should do this. Oppurtunity to save a buttload of money if you don't have the skills to do this yourself. :)
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

    Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii

    Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999

    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

    HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 18,994
    edited September 2009
    Would you happen to do data recovery from a HD that went south?
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited September 2009
    Thats great Sami and your local.
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • nadams
    nadams Posts: 5,877
    edited September 2009
    treitz3 wrote: »
    Would you happen to do data recovery from a HD that went south?

    trietz - not to step on Sami's toes, but if he doesn't, I do. Of course, it all depends on what "went south" means.
    Ludicrous gibs!
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  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited September 2009
    nadams wrote: »
    trietz - not to step on Sami's toes, but if he doesn't, I do. Of course, it all depends on what "went south" means.

    I certainly don't mind, the more people help us out, the better.

    I don't really do that much low-level data recovery so if the hard drive is mechanically bad, it might be outside of my scope. treitz, let us know what the story is and we'll figure out who is the right person that can help you.
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 18,994
    edited September 2009
    Thank you both. I gotta run right now but I will get back to you both and let you know what went down when I return. Thanks again.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • FittyFieFo
    FittyFieFo Posts: 482
    edited September 2009
    Sami,

    Great offer to the Polkies. I've been going back and forth on whether to either keep my PS3, or get rid of it and buy the Oppo. Then I would build a computer (doesn't have to be amazingly fast or needed for video game playing) for Music/web surfing only. This "media center" would be hooked to my TV via HDMI (optical out to my receiver)

    I keep trying getting quotes from Newegg/Tiger Direct. I got two estimates ranging from $500-$700. On your OWN time, and really bored, I want to see what you come up with (To Sami). --trying to find a lesser price

    My buys would need:
    - Motherboard/Processor/videocard/harddrive(500GB?)/2 GB Ram/fans/case. --also the case would be on it's side (no standing)

    I have Windows XP, a DVD Drive.

    Remember, doesn't have to be amazingly fast, just for music/web surfing/videos. The case doesn't have to be the best either (black would be nice)

    Yes, I do know the PS3 does all of this, but I rather have a devoted computer for the "Home Theater." Plus, I don't play any games.

    I'm still weighing my options for the PS3 vs Oppo/Computer. PS3 seems to do everything, but there's something I'm not liking about it. (In the end, I'll most likely be keeping the PS3, it is a fantastic blu-ray player)

    EDIT: I would be building this computer myself too.
    Samsung LN52A850 (52" 1080P LCD TV) | RTi A9's (Fronts) | Csi A6(Center) | FXi A6 (Rear Surrounds) | SVS PB12-NSD (Sub) | Oppo BDP-103 | Panamax M5300-PM

    Pre-Amp: Marantz AV7005 | Amp: Emotiva XPA-5 | Speaker wires: Signal Cables | Interconnects: Signal Cables
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,536
    edited September 2009
    Nice Kharma, you're a brave soul. Years ago I stopped telling friends I was a computer tech, because they ate-up my weekends. It's been about 4 years since my last build.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited September 2009
    FittyFieFo wrote: »
    I keep trying getting quotes from Newegg/Tiger Direct. I got two estimates ranging from $500-$700. On your OWN time, and really bored, I want to see what you come up with (To Sami). --trying to find a lesser price

    My buys would need:
    - Motherboard/Processor/videocard/harddrive(500GB?)/2 GB Ram/fans/case. --also the case would be on it's side (no standing)

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811144162
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148411
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820178134
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.254104

    $324.95 shipped with $15 MIR. Built in HDMI w/audio on the motherboard (HD4200 chipset). If there isn't audio on this chipset, this one does have it:

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127436&cm_re=msi_4350-_-14-127-436-_-Product
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,383
    edited September 2009
    Great Karma Sami! I have been looking for a media server for some time now, and when I get ready to do so I will send you a pm.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,589
    edited September 2009
    I have been looking at computers for over a year now...

    Im looking for a Quad Core - preferably 2.5 ghz + with atleast 6mb of cache
    1gig + vid card - need HDMI out if possible
    4-8 gigs of ram
    surround sound sound card
    I dont need a ton of storage - 100+ will do it, preferably 7200 RPM.
    Oh yeah - Blu Ray drive would be a huge plus.

    I want a quiet case, quiet fan, just a quiet computer.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited September 2009
    Vr3MxStyler2k3 wrote: »
    I want a quiet case, quiet fan, just a quiet computer.

    Water cooling!!! :)

    PM sent.
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  • ryanjoachim
    ryanjoachim Posts: 2,046
    edited September 2009
    When I get my finances back in order, and my garage in order, i'll have my tech "shop" back up and running.

    When that happens i'd be more than willing to help Sami out if he ends up getting a bit overloaded.

    EDIT -

    One of the best Karma's i've seen yet Sami, great job! It's easy for guys like us to forget sometimes that putting together a working computer isn't east for non-tech people.
    MrNightly wrote: »
    "Dr Dunn admitted that his research could also be interpreted as evidence that women are shallower than men. He said: "Let's face it - there's evidence to support it."
    mystik610 wrote: »
    Best Buy is for people who don't know any better. Magnolia is for people who don't know any better and have more money to spend.
    My System:


    TV: SAMSUNG UN55B7000 55" 1080p LED HDTV
    HTPC: Chromecast w/ Plex Media Server. Media streamed from Media Server.
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  • FittyFieFo
    FittyFieFo Posts: 482
    edited September 2009
    Sami wrote: »
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811144162
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148411
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820178134
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.254104

    $324.95 shipped with $15 MIR. Built in HDMI w/audio on the motherboard (HD4200 chipset). If there isn't audio on this chipset, this one does have it:

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127436&cm_re=msi_4350-_-14-127-436-_-Product

    Sweet!

    Thanks Sami, I will take this into consideration, also sending you a PM.
    Samsung LN52A850 (52" 1080P LCD TV) | RTi A9's (Fronts) | Csi A6(Center) | FXi A6 (Rear Surrounds) | SVS PB12-NSD (Sub) | Oppo BDP-103 | Panamax M5300-PM

    Pre-Amp: Marantz AV7005 | Amp: Emotiva XPA-5 | Speaker wires: Signal Cables | Interconnects: Signal Cables
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  • WilliamM2
    WilliamM2 Posts: 4,773
    edited September 2009
    steveinaz wrote: »
    Nice Kharma, you're a brave soul. Years ago I stopped telling friends I was a computer tech, because they ate-up my weekends. It's been about 4 years since my last build.

    Not only weekends, but the calls would start right when I got home from work. Now I just do free work for a couple of friends, and close family. Everyone else pays.

    After you've built and configured 2 or 3 hundred computers, it's not that much fun anymore.
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  • ryanjoachim
    ryanjoachim Posts: 2,046
    edited September 2009
    I know this is Karma, but I would hope that anyone who recieves this help from Sami would offer something in return. Not necessarily money, but maybe something you were looking to put on the flea market or some service you could offer.

    This is a great service to people, and it could end up taking a good amount of time out of his day for each project.

    Just a suggestion.
    MrNightly wrote: »
    "Dr Dunn admitted that his research could also be interpreted as evidence that women are shallower than men. He said: "Let's face it - there's evidence to support it."
    mystik610 wrote: »
    Best Buy is for people who don't know any better. Magnolia is for people who don't know any better and have more money to spend.
    My System:


    TV: SAMSUNG UN55B7000 55" 1080p LED HDTV
    HTPC: Chromecast w/ Plex Media Server. Media streamed from Media Server.
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  • ryanjoachim
    ryanjoachim Posts: 2,046
    edited September 2009
    WilliamM2 wrote: »
    Not only weekends, but the calls would start right when I got home from work. Now I just do free work for a couple of friends, and close family. Everyone else pays.

    After you've built and configured 2 or 3 hundred computers, it's not that much fun anymore.

    You've got that right. I still enjoy the buying and using of a new computer...but the building part can get really tedious after a while.

    Computers nowadays are so much easier to work with though...I remember the days when diving into a computer case meant taking care not to slice your wrists wide open, and you almost always came out with a few cuts.
    MrNightly wrote: »
    "Dr Dunn admitted that his research could also be interpreted as evidence that women are shallower than men. He said: "Let's face it - there's evidence to support it."
    mystik610 wrote: »
    Best Buy is for people who don't know any better. Magnolia is for people who don't know any better and have more money to spend.
    My System:


    TV: SAMSUNG UN55B7000 55" 1080p LED HDTV
    HTPC: Chromecast w/ Plex Media Server. Media streamed from Media Server.
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  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited September 2009
    The cases certainly are much easier to work with now, some more than others but almost every case now has easy click-ons for drives. Less **** around... :)
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  • kawizx9r
    kawizx9r Posts: 5,150
    edited September 2009
    Awesome karma, but I might have to take one of you up on your offer regarding memory recovery off a hard drive gone south. My HDD just doesn't spin up anymore, I read about a few quick fixes but that's one thing I'd prefer not to open up myself. Got lots and lots of music+pictures (from vacation and from my tours in Iraq) and I can't retrieve any of them :(
    Truck setup
    Alpine 9856
    Phoenix Gold RSD65CS

    For Sale
    Polk SR6500
    Polk SR5250
    Polk SR104


    heiney9 wrote: »
    Any clue how to use the internet? Found it in about 10 sec.
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  • Kex
    Kex Posts: 5,157
    edited September 2009
    Great idea Sami! Not in for the moment, but maybe in the future ... this could become a very hot thread!
    Alea jacta est!
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited September 2009
    Nice karma, not in due to just building my own rig.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
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  • jwhitakr
    jwhitakr Posts: 568
    edited December 2009
    Sami - anyone take you up on this offer? From the thread I can't see anyone who did ... which is just crazy considering how awesome it was for you to offer it to fellow Polkies!

    If there were any takers, I'd love to see some pics of the final result of the build.
    My HT
    HDTV: Panasonic PT-61LCX65 61" Rear Proj. LCD
    AVR: Harman Kardon AVR 235
    Video: 80GB PS3, Toshiba HD-XA1 HD DVD
    Fronts: Polk Audio RTi8
    Center: Polk Audio CSi3
    Amp: Emotiva LPA-1
    Surrounds: Polk Audio R150
    Sub: HSU STF-3

    The only true barrier to knowledge is the assumption that you already have it. - C.H. Dodd
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  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited December 2009
    No takers yet. I have couple of extra power supplies and cases ready if someone wants to take advantage of post Black Friday deals. From gaming cases to basic cases, all power supplies are quality pieces as I don't bother buying junk.
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited December 2009
    wow Sami this is tempting .... i will pm you this afternoon.. and see what you recommend for a new desktop build.
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited December 2009
    danger boy wrote: »
    wow Sami this is tempting .... i will pm you this afternoon.. and see what you recommend for a new desktop build.

    I just posted this in the FS section, it's a fast computer for the money AND it is built from quality components, not cheap junk: http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1234185#post1234185
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  • cstmar01
    cstmar01 Posts: 4,424
    edited December 2009
    wow super nice karma!

    I will have to keep this in mind as well now with my recent problems with my stupid POS computer (dell), such as won't regonize hardware through USB, 5 DVD burners brandnew that failed to be even recongized by the computer and then when they were failed to even work, or burn anything and jamed when just trying to load a normal DVD, and various other glitches, I will have to get something soon.
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