I'm talking Houston only. I need to recommendations on build-your-own PC stores. My mom's Dell just got wacked by lightning. The power supply is out and after two days (before I could get over to check it out) the cpu had seriously overheated, so I am expecting motherboard damage as well. Seems the power supply was leaking power without a cpu fan on, and the cpu was blazing hot to the touch, even with those big Dell cooling fins. I briefly considered the idea of buying a new power supply to eliminate that as a problem (I am not going to pull her motherboard and hook to my power supply). If that didn't work, I was going just have her buy a new machine. Now I am thinking, uhhhh, she is currently on Win95, and I don't want to scare her with a new OS and left to move all her hd data over (addy's and files, ugh) and teaching her the new OS. I don't care how much easier my Win2000 is, she'll think it is harder because it doesn't look the same. So, I just want to buy a new box and motherboard and install her old harddrive into it, and wipe my hands of any learning curves for her. For me, this is much less painful than fielding a tech support phone call everyday. I love my mom, but teaching her about computers is worse than trying to explain Rudy's 4th quarter rotations to ZRB. So the Question What are the good places to buy build-it-yourself PCs, nowadays? I've been out of the loop for about 4 yrs. I've used ChipSmart before and learned to keep all my receipts for damn sure. Anything inside the loop is a bonus.
I built my PC using parts bought from <a href="http://www.gamepc.com">GamePC</a>. I'm not sure how their prices fare but they have alot of supply and their service quality is top notch in my opinion. At the very least, it's a good start to find parts and comparison shop around. I recommend checking them out. But, if you have to buy local, then I dunno. Surf ------------------ [This message has been edited by Surfguy (edited July 10, 2001).]
Thanks for thinkin' of me crispee! Naturally, I've GOTTA prop my guy Mike and my friends at Lightspeed -- If you see Mike, David, Cy or Warren tell them I sent you (Mark), and they should be extra helpful. Anyhow, Lightspeed is a good place for finding PC parts -- they could help you find what you're looking for if you're uncertain. Some of the current parts combinations can get kindof tricky, and they can help you out. They've usually got good inventory on hand, they have lifetime warranty, and prices are usually good. They're at 5302 Bellaire Blvd., near where Bellaire meets Bissonett. It'll be inbetween Firestone and the former CNB Bank. <a href="http://www.golightspeed.com/map.htm">Here is a map</a> to their place, and their website is http://www.golightspeed.com Now, if you know exactly what you want, and you know exactly the hardware combinations you want, some other places are pretty good. I'm a big fan of EPO -- Electonic Parts Outlet. I'll be honest, some of their stuff is total junk, but some of it is great. It's like a techie's toystore, they've got all kinds of really unique stuff you won't find anywhere else. Prices are usually good, service is mediocre at best. They have a fairly good selection, and their prices are often the best around. I also like Electrotex. I haven't been to the one here in Houston, but I have friends who swear by it. I visit the one in SA often. They're like EPO, but I'd say they've got a lesser selection. But their cables and such are typically a little better quality. But you CAN'T BEAT EPO'S FAN SELECTION!! http://www.electrotex.com/ Now, Fry's is the new megastore. I went there last week -- I suggest against it just because I like to support local businesses over giant chains, so I'd recommend Electrotex or EPO or especially Lightspeed over Fry's. But, Fry's has a really, really solid selection. It's by far the best stocked, and has the biggest variety (although Lightspeed can get you whatever you want). http://www.frys.com/ Now, there are a few other places I can recommend, but not over Lightspeed, EPO or Electrotex. They were our suppliers at Lightspeed, and they've always got the largest inventory on hand. But not all of them sell to consumers, and they're not always the best places to go. <a href="http://www.gy.com/biz/44312/Houston_tx.htm">This link</a> has listings for all the Houston computer stores. The ones I am familiar with and like the best (other than the aforementioned) are Lucky Computer, Arsys, BASS Computing. Let me know how things go! I'll think of more and post later tonight if I have any other good suggestions. ------------------ CC.net's most courteous driver Oh yeah, and I'm looking for a job right now, so hire me please [This message has been edited by Vengeance (edited July 10, 2001).]
Are there any EPO's other than the one adjacent to WillowBrook mall? ------------------ Anyone need a C/C++/Win32/HTML/PHP/SQL/Java/Perl/x86 coder?
http://www.epo-houston.com/ Sorry, I forgot to post the link. Yeah, the one I goto is on Fondren in between Richmond and Harwin. It's in a strip mall -- the corner store. Brick. ------------------ CC.net's most courteous driver Oh yeah, and I'm looking for a job right now, so hire me please
Ditto. Mike Angwin has a great rep in the old BBS community as well as PC knowledgable people in general. He's a really nice guy and often goes out of his way to help people. If he and Lightspeed Systems are still around, then I'd go to them. ------------------ "Yes, it's true. Kelvin Cato DOES have plenty of heart. I think the downside of Hakeem's six weeks absence is the upside of Kelvin Cato's emergence as a power in the NBA." jscmedia - 12/2/99 7:13pm : the off-season is truly a great time to reflect.
Yeah, and ask him about the BBS. He loves to talk about it ------------------ CC.net's most courteous driver Oh yeah, and I'm looking for a job right now, so hire me please
At first, I thought you meant CCX and then realized it was another business. Mango ------------------ Get it right or just don't do it! Resistance is futile....you will be assimilated. Start more Webber threads!
