Build or buy pre-built from Monarch?

[hjack]

I'm fed up with Dell and the like so I have been looking to build my own system but during my research ran across Monarch who can (potentially) build it for me for not many more dollars. Since my time is worth something it might be smart to have Monarch just build the system for me, but honestly I don't know if I can trust them or not. Their pricing is radically different than the boutique builders (Alienware, Voodoo, Falcon), so different that I am wonder what I am missing and if I won't end up with a compromised system. Here's what I am looking to put together:

AMD FX-55
Asus A8V-SLI (I'm not that interested in SLI but I figure going PCI-Express is a good move)
1 GB Corsair
2x 75Gb WD Raptors
Geforce 6800 Ultra

Any feedback on Monarch or on building it myself?

 

[Gurck]

Monarch is a good company, but I (and most others here) would rather build and would recommend that.

 

[Mo0o]

Seems like money is no object so you might as well save yourself the trouble and go with monarch. You can always check their ResellerRatings if you're not confident.

 

[hjack]

ha! if money were no object I would be looking at Falcon Northwest or Voodoo! I find the idea of building it myself appealing but would also like a company to send me new parts when they break.

 

[imported_Computer MAn]

Originally posted by: hjack


AMD FX-55
Asus A8V-SLI (I'm not that interested in SLI but I figure going PCI-Express is a good move)
1 GB Corsair
2x 75Gb WD Raptors
Geforce 6800 Ultra

Any feedback on Monarch or on building it myself?

If your not interested in SLI just go for the NForce4 Ultra chipset instead of the SLI board. You still get all the features just not SLI. I'd say build your own to save yourself some money too.

 

[Mo0o]

Originally posted by: hjack
ha! if money were no object I would be looking at Falcon Northwest or Voodoo! I find the idea of building it myself appealing but would also like a company to send me new parts when they break.

With a system like that im surprised you're on a budget

 

[thecrecarc]

really.... can u degrade to a fx53 and give me the extra money?

 

[boatillo]

I've bought a lot from monarch in the past (never a whole system) but they generally have very competitive prices.

 

[GlobalHPSJoe]

Originally posted by: hjack
I'm fed up with Dell and the like so I have been looking to build my own system but during my research ran across Monarch who can (potentially) build it for me for not many more dollars. Since my time is worth something it might be smart to have Monarch just build the system for me, but honestly I don't know if I can trust them or not. Their pricing is radically different than the boutique builders (Alienware, Voodoo, Falcon), so different that I am wonder what I am missing and if I won't end up with a compromised system. Here's what I am looking to put together:

AMD FX-55
Asus A8V-SLI (I'm not that interested in SLI but I figure going PCI-Express is a good move)
1 GB Corsair
2x 75Gb WD Raptors
Geforce 6800 Ultra

Any feedback on Monarch or on building it myself?

Our systems have consistantly rated right with the top builders out there. I've personally always built my own system, but I'm going to have the guys build my next one for me just for the wiring job alone.

 

[rileychris]

Joe,

What so tell us more about the wiring the guys will do for us as compared to doing it oursleves?

 

[ts3433]

If you're not doing SLI, get the Chaintech VNF4/Ultra--it's a mere $120. If you can wait a month or two, ATI will be releasing the ~$300 X800 XL, giving you performance near that of the 6800 GT for a bit less, but otherwise, a 6800 GT is a good choice.

If you are not afraid to do light, easy overclocking, go with a S939 3200+, as they reach 2.6 GHz very easily. Keep the value RAM even if you do that; see Zebo's memory roundup in CPU/OC for details.