Customizing, And New Desktop PC ?

Robert11

New member
Power User
Local time
6:54 PM
Messages
542
Hello,

Am about to look into getting a new Desktop PC for the house.
No gaming; just mainly internet surfing, YouTube, etc.

Presently have a HP Pavilion Desktop that is about 4 years old.

From what I can see, only HP seems to allow extensive component selections and customizing.
Seems like you can order it with a range of component choices for just about everything, even including the power supply size. Kind of nice to have all these options.
(I don't want to do it myself from purchased components)

I guess I have two main questions, please:

a. Am I missing anyone else (name brand) who also offers this customizing when ordering?

b. And, the main question, I guess, is how does HP stack up in quality against the other "name" brands on
Desktop PC's these days ? Thinking of Dell, Lenovo, Asus, and...?

Is it all pretty much the luck of the draw, or is it pretty well acknowledged that these days one
of them is "substantially"and meaningfully better in quality (and service) than the others ?

*If not, should I go with HP again ? Which series ? Caveats ?

Any and all thoughts would be most appreciated.

Thanks,
Bob
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7 64bit
Look at Dell. They offer customizing in many of their models. I have some limited experience with Lenovo and they have some customizing too.

HP is going through reorganization and splitting of the company. Who knows what will happen with this.

There is always the "build it yourself" option too.

Am about to look into getting a new Desktop PC for the house.
No gaming; just mainly internet surfing, YouTube, etc.

Do yourself a favor do not limit your choices based on that criteria. My advice to my clients (and most heed my advice) is to "buy overkill" or "buy as much as your wallet can stand".
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
My Own Build
OS
Windows 10 64 bit
CPU
Intel i7 6700K
Motherboard
ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
Memory
16GB Corsair Dominator
Graphics Card(s)
Intel CPU Graphics
Sound Card
RealTek
Monitor(s) Displays
27" Dell S2719dgf
Screen Resolution
2560X1440
Hard Drives
1 TB Samsung 850 EVO SSD for Win 10 Pro
500GB Samsung 850 EVO SSD for Win 10 Insider
2 TB drive for backup
PSU
EVGA Supernova 750G2
Case
BeQuiet Silent Base 600
Cooling
Deepcool Captain 120EX
Keyboard
Microsoft Wireless 2000
Mouse
Microsoft wireless
Internet Speed
100 MB/sec (Cable)
Antivirus
Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes
Browser
Edge/Firefox
Other Info
Cakewalk (Sonar) by BandLab and Studio One 4.1 Pro recording studio software. MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface, Frontier Tranzport wireless control unit, Behringer X-Touch Control Surface.
Five USB connected optical drives for CD Audio production using Nero BurningROM
:D There is a myriad of suppliers offering "customised build" pc's. If you Google you'll be spoilt for choice.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Self Built with TLC
OS
Windows11 Pro
CPU
Intel Skt 1200 Comet Lake Core i-7 3.80 GHZ
Motherboard
Gigabyte Z590 UD AC
Memory
32GB [4 x 8gb] Crucial Ballistix XMP DDR 4
Graphics Card(s)
ATI [MSI] Radeon RX 5500 XT 8GB DDR6
Sound Card
Realtek HD 7.1 Onboard
Monitor(s) Displays
iiyama G2730HSU-B1 27" G-Master 75Mhz HD LED
Screen Resolution
1920 X 1080
Hard Drives
Samsung EVO 970 NVMe 1TB [Boot drive]
Samsung EVO 850 SSD 500GB
Western Digital DC WD10EFRX-68PJCN0 1TB
Western Digital DC WD1002FBYS-02A6B0 Enterprise 1TB
PSU
Corsair TX750M
Case
Zalman Z9 Plus
Cooling
Thermalright True Spirit 120 BW
Keyboard
Havit KB432L blue key mechanical
Mouse
Havit KB 432L Programmable
Internet Speed
Fibre To The Home 100Mbps from KCom
Antivirus
Avast Free
Browser
Firefox
Other Info
Logitech C525 HD Webcam
Epson XP-640 Expression-Premium printer with direct CD/DVD printing
I've had absolutely zero luck with HPs, so I'm probably not one to ask, but I would recommend that you at least look at ASUS. If the quality of their motherboards and graphics cards is any indication of the quality of their PCs, you should wind up with a pretty solid rig if you go with them.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Mellon Labs (custom build)
OS
Win 7 Pro x64/Win 10 Pro x64 dual boot
CPU
AMD FX 8350 Vishera @ 4200
Motherboard
ASUS M5A97 R2.0
Memory
16 GB Mushkin Blackline DDR3-2400 @ 1866 (9-10-10-10-31)
Graphics Card(s)
XFX Radeon R9 280 Double D Black Edition
Sound Card
Realtek HD Audio on MB. Sounds great.
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer 24", Acer 22"
Screen Resolution
3840 x 1080
Hard Drives
1 x Mushkin Chronos 120 GB SSD (Win 10)
1 x Samsung 850 EVO 250 GB SSD (Win 7)
1 x WD 1TB SATA Blue
1 x WD 1TB SATA Green
PSU
Corsair TX-750
Case
CoolerMaster HAF 912+
Cooling
Coolermaster Seidon 240M Liquid AIO. 6 case fans
Keyboard
Logitech G710+
Mouse
Logitech G500s
Internet Speed
Much better since I got fiber, but still way overpriced.
Antivirus
MSE, Malware Bytes for scanning
Browser
Firefox
Other Info
Corsair VOID USB headphones.

A Mellon Labs X-1 - LCD Smartie driven system status display.

Brought to you by the letter E
From OPo

Hi

Thanks for all the help

All of Asus desktop pc s. Surprisingly only still come with W 8

Any idea when they will be avail with W 10. Bob
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7 64bit
Hi,
What comes installed doesn't really matter that much it is a free upgrade to 10
But you should make sure you tell them that is your intention to upgrade to 10 so ask about driver availability for 10 for the unit.

Customizations start with hardware ASUS has some good stuff and so does Dell.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom assembled by me :}
OS
Win-7-Pro64bit 7-H-Prem-64bit
CPU
i7-5930K 2nd i9-9940x both water blocked VRM's too
Motherboard
ASUS SABERTOOTH X99 2nd ASUS x299 Apex
Memory
Trident-z 3200C14 2nd Trident-z 3600C16
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA 1080ti ftw3 2nd Titan Xp both water blocked
Sound Card
Built-in Realtek
Monitor(s) Displays
1-AOC G2460PG 24"G-Sync 144Hz/ 2nd 1-ASUS VG248QE 24" 144Hz
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080 144Hz
Hard Drives
2-Samsung M.2 Evo & Evo Plus
2-Samsung 850 EVO 500GB SSD's/ 3-2.5 W.D. Black 1tb-&3-1tb/3-3.5 WD Black 1tb hdd's
PSU
EVGA SuperNOVA 1000-P2 2nd 1200-P2
Case
2-Corsair Obsidian Series 450D Black ATX Mid Tower
Cooling
Custom water loops
Keyboard
Logitech G710+/ 2nd Logitech G910
Mouse
2-RedDragon M901 Perdition 16400 dpi Gaming mouse = wired
Internet Speed
Comcast Ping 19ms 89.31mbps download speed 6.12mbps upload
Antivirus
Malwarebytes Pro/ Superantispyware Pro
Browser
FireFox & Pale moon
Other Info
2nd ASUS X299 Apex/Intel i9-9940x with Custom water loop/7H-Prem-x64/Corsair 450D case/Ram Trident-z 3600C16 4x8gb / Samsung970Evo plus 500gb SSD/Dual ssd EZ swap evo/PSU EVGA SuperNova 1200w-P2 80+Platinum/GPU Titan Xp /8-ML-140 on push-pull on 2-280GTX rads
I've had absolutely zero luck with HPs, so I'm probably not one to ask, but I would recommend that you at least look at ASUS. If the quality of their motherboards and graphics cards is any indication of the quality of their PCs, you should wind up with a pretty solid rig if you go with them.

ASUS seems to load a lot of crapware on it's computers. Good hardware but I don't like there software.
HP is almost as bad.
Dell and Lenovo less so.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Lenovo IdeaCenter 450
OS
Windows 10 Pro X64
CPU
Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz
Memory
16.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz
Graphics Card(s)
Intel Integrated HD Graphics
Sound Card
Realtek HD Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
HP 22" LCD
Screen Resolution
1680 x 1050
Hard Drives
250GB Samsung EVO SATA-3 SSD
2TB Seagate ST2000DM001 SATA-2
1.5TB Seagate ST3150041AS SATA
Keyboard
Dell USB
Mouse
Lenovo USB
Internet Speed
Cable via Road Runner 3MB Upload, 30MB Download
Antivirus
Windows Defender, MBAM Pro, MBAE
Browser
Seamonkey
Other Info
UEFI/GPT
PLDS DVD-RW DH16AERSH
I've had absolutely zero luck with HPs, so I'm probably not one to ask, but I would recommend that you at least look at ASUS. If the quality of their motherboards and graphics cards is any indication of the quality of their PCs, you should wind up with a pretty solid rig if you go with them.

ASUS seems to load a lot of crapware on it's computers. Good hardware but I don't like there software.
HP is almost as bad.
Dell and Lenovo less so.
Perhaps if the OP goes with Win 10, he won't have any of the crapware left when the upgrade is done. I know, wishful thinking. It's a shame when you have to de-crapify a brand new computer.

You can get an ISO of Win 10 and do a new install, and then use your key to activate. That would completely get rid of the crapware, and leave the OP with a good, fresh install. As long as there are drivers for the hardware...
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Mellon Labs (custom build)
OS
Win 7 Pro x64/Win 10 Pro x64 dual boot
CPU
AMD FX 8350 Vishera @ 4200
Motherboard
ASUS M5A97 R2.0
Memory
16 GB Mushkin Blackline DDR3-2400 @ 1866 (9-10-10-10-31)
Graphics Card(s)
XFX Radeon R9 280 Double D Black Edition
Sound Card
Realtek HD Audio on MB. Sounds great.
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer 24", Acer 22"
Screen Resolution
3840 x 1080
Hard Drives
1 x Mushkin Chronos 120 GB SSD (Win 10)
1 x Samsung 850 EVO 250 GB SSD (Win 7)
1 x WD 1TB SATA Blue
1 x WD 1TB SATA Green
PSU
Corsair TX-750
Case
CoolerMaster HAF 912+
Cooling
Coolermaster Seidon 240M Liquid AIO. 6 case fans
Keyboard
Logitech G710+
Mouse
Logitech G500s
Internet Speed
Much better since I got fiber, but still way overpriced.
Antivirus
MSE, Malware Bytes for scanning
Browser
Firefox
Other Info
Corsair VOID USB headphones.

A Mellon Labs X-1 - LCD Smartie driven system status display.

Brought to you by the letter E
Asus Comments

Hello,

Am going to take up the offers of a few of you nice folks in helping me decide on a new Desktop PC.
Hate to admit it, but now at my age many of the nuances escape me.

No gaming. Just a lot of internet, playing with photos, etc.

Can go up to about $ 800 or so.

Have read about all the horror stories on trying to reach customer service, get help, etc. re HP and Dell.
And, "most" folks seem to feel that Asus in this price range has a more quality product.
Still agree ?
Service and help better ?

Anyway, surprisingly, Asus still does not seem to offer any Destops with W10 already installed.

The last thing I want to go thru is trying to upgrade a brand new PC to W10, and
have to worry about the Drivers, etc.
Just want something out of the box that has W10, works, and will last, hopefully, about 4 years, at least.
(hope I do, also)

Questions: Still think it's worth waiting for Asus to offer W 10 pre-installed rather than an HP or Dell
who have it now ?

And, any idea when Asus will have it ?
I spoke with one of their phone reps., and, as you would expect, they know nothing.

BTW: my same comments for Lenovo. No Desktops with W10 now, apparently.
How do they compare ?

One "nice" thing about HP is that they offer an awful lot of customizing; much more it seems than the others.

Thanks for help, and opinions, as always,
Bob
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7 64bit

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom assembled by me :}
OS
Win-7-Pro64bit 7-H-Prem-64bit
CPU
i7-5930K 2nd i9-9940x both water blocked VRM's too
Motherboard
ASUS SABERTOOTH X99 2nd ASUS x299 Apex
Memory
Trident-z 3200C14 2nd Trident-z 3600C16
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA 1080ti ftw3 2nd Titan Xp both water blocked
Sound Card
Built-in Realtek
Monitor(s) Displays
1-AOC G2460PG 24"G-Sync 144Hz/ 2nd 1-ASUS VG248QE 24" 144Hz
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080 144Hz
Hard Drives
2-Samsung M.2 Evo & Evo Plus
2-Samsung 850 EVO 500GB SSD's/ 3-2.5 W.D. Black 1tb-&3-1tb/3-3.5 WD Black 1tb hdd's
PSU
EVGA SuperNOVA 1000-P2 2nd 1200-P2
Case
2-Corsair Obsidian Series 450D Black ATX Mid Tower
Cooling
Custom water loops
Keyboard
Logitech G710+/ 2nd Logitech G910
Mouse
2-RedDragon M901 Perdition 16400 dpi Gaming mouse = wired
Internet Speed
Comcast Ping 19ms 89.31mbps download speed 6.12mbps upload
Antivirus
Malwarebytes Pro/ Superantispyware Pro
Browser
FireFox & Pale moon
Other Info
2nd ASUS X299 Apex/Intel i9-9940x with Custom water loop/7H-Prem-x64/Corsair 450D case/Ram Trident-z 3600C16 4x8gb / Samsung970Evo plus 500gb SSD/Dual ssd EZ swap evo/PSU EVGA SuperNova 1200w-P2 80+Platinum/GPU Titan Xp /8-ML-140 on push-pull on 2-280GTX rads
Back
Top