Places to buy a premade gaming PC

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SunTiger

25 posts

Geek

#289064 10-Aug-2021 11:49

From looking around online there are a number of NZ sellers of pre-built gaming PCs:

PB Tech

Paradigm PCs

Computer Lounge

Ascent Technology

So the only issue is which one does everyone recommend based on personal experience? I've purchased smaller items from PB Tech before such as powerboards and a keyboard, but am having trouble finding online reviews for all these stores. Previous threads on this forum seem to indicate that AMD is better value for money overall compared to Intel and I'm looking to spend anywhere from $2,000 to $3,000 on the computer only, no accessories needed.

My current desktop was purchased from a shop in Melbourne in 2018 when I was living there, it's a good one and only cost about $2,000 but it looks like prices have gone up a bit since then lol. So what are everyone's thoughts?

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25 posts

Geek

#2757893 10-Aug-2021 11:52

Also I went to post in the "Offers and Wanted" forum to see if there were any 2nd hand gaming desktops for sale but there is a restriction on posting for newer members, does anyone know how many posts have to be made before members can post in that forum?

wratterus

1687 posts

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#2757896 10-Aug-2021 12:02

GPU pricing is bonkers at the moment, and everything is generally dearer than a few years ago.

Computer Lounge generally have a very good reputation for custom built machines, but really anyone should be fine. If you can, use someone local to you.

gbwelly

1243 posts

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#2757910 10-Aug-2021 12:25

SunTiger:

My current desktop was purchased from a shop in Melbourne in 2018 when I was living there, it's a good one and only cost about $2,000 but it looks like prices have gone up a bit since then lol. So what are everyone's thoughts?

As others have said they are all ok. A friend bought one from PB Tech, but they just subbed the build out to PP as it turned out.

What are you wanting to play? Perhaps you only need a new GPU?

rb99

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#2757914 10-Aug-2021 12:32

Excuse the ignorant question, but what are the advantages of buying a gaming PC when you can I presume get an entire PS5 or whatever for half the price of a decent graphics card ?

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rb99

tchart

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#2757944 10-Aug-2021 13:05

+ Mighty Ape

Lias

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#2757957 10-Aug-2021 13:25

Paradigm is a drop shipper, so you'd be buying a premade PC they are just on selling. Ascent is also much in the same boat. They are both good reliable companies generally, but neither is what I'd consider a Gaming PC company.

PB Tech are generally decent but are less of a specialist gaming PC company and RMA support continues to be very hit and miss.

Computer Lounge have historically been considered the best Gaming PC company in NZ (but they too can be hit and miss on RMA's these days).

You've also missed CL's main competition, Playtech, who I won't personally ever recommend because I think the owners a #^%*&*W (and can also be hit and miss on RMA's.. seeing a trend here), but it would be remiss to not mention them.

My 2 cents would be CL is your best bet, as noted thou now is a terrible time to buy and GPU prices are insane.

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Lias

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#2757958 10-Aug-2021 13:26

rb99:

Excuse the ignorant question, but what are the advantages of buying a gaming PC when you can I presume get an entire PS5 or whatever for half the price of a decent graphics card ?

Better performance generally, upgradability, customization, game tweaks/mods, cheaper games, etc.. also not being a dirty console peasant...

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gbwelly

1243 posts

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#2757960 10-Aug-2021 13:27

rb99:

Excuse the ignorant question, but what are the advantages of buying a gaming PC when you can I presume get an entire PS5 or whatever for half the price of a decent graphics card ?

I guess that question applies to PC gaming in general. Generally, there are many more PC games, games look superior, run at superior frame rates, can be played using mouse & keyboard, and the absolute bargains to be had during the Steam summer sales to name a few reasons.

ShinyChrome

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#2757964 10-Aug-2021 13:42

rb99:

Excuse the ignorant question, but what are the advantages of buying a gaming PC when you can I presume get an entire PS5 or whatever for half the price of a decent graphics card ?

As the others have already covered, you have the option to spend more money for better performance and have an upgrade path, but I would say the big difference is the second part there: 'gaming PC', namely that you can do a lot of other non-gaming things with it too.

I went back from the PCMR to being a console peasant as it's just so much easier for me to flick on a console, picked up a gamepad and start bashing away.

OP, dare I ask if you have thought of DIY? nz.pcpartpicker.com is your friend if you want have a go at specing something to do some back-of-the-napkin price checks. They also have plenty of completed builds if you have the time to invest in getting yourself up-to-speed, but I acknowledge the effort isn't worth it for everyone.

Prebuilts can be just as cheap as DIY, but I find that they end up cheaping out on some parts (mobo, power supply, storage) to make the CPU/GPU combo look good.

timmmay

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#2757983 10-Aug-2021 14:30

PBTech built my non-gaming PC based on the parts I selected. It didn't work right, they repaired it within a few days - it was the PSU. I would use them again. I used to build my own but can't be bothered any more.

tchart

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#2757988 10-Aug-2021 14:44

gbwelly:

run at superior frame rates when using a $1000 graphics card

There, fixed that for you...

We have consoles and PC's in our household so I 100% agree with the availability of games and their pricing.

However if you're a casual gamer a console and something like gamepass on Xbox is very appealing. For example the other day I wanted to play River City Girls (a retro 2D beat-em-up). This was $30 on Switch, $36.99 on Steam but free on game pass. So game pass paid for itself in one transaction.

Dairyxox

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#2758004 10-Aug-2021 15:06

Dell have some good specials on gaming PC's (couple of hundred cheaper then PBTech), however I feel that if you want to go that route, then you need to be prepared to do some tweaks/fixes to get it right.

For example Dell often sells desktops specifying 'dual channel' memory configurations, and when you open the box there is only one stick.

Also know there is proprietary stuff, so don't count on upgrading much (or do your research). For example the heatsink mounts are welded to the case tray. The power supply uses dell connectors not ATX standards.

alavaliant

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#2758063 10-Aug-2021 16:19

I've bought two basic gaming computers (good enough but not top of the line spec) from pbtech. They seemed to run fine and haven't had any problems with them. Haven't had a reason to return/ask for repairs with anything I've bought from them so can't speak for how good follow up service is.

alavaliant

222 posts

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#2758065 10-Aug-2021 16:21

SunTiger:
Also I went to post in the "Offers and Wanted" forum to see if there were any 2nd hand gaming desktops for sale but there is a restriction on posting for newer members, does anyone know how many posts have to be made before members can post in that forum?

I don't know for sure but I can tell you I've not reached that threshold yet. So based on other posts I've seen I'm suspecting it's around 100 posts?

Handle9

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#2758093 10-Aug-2021 17:21

rb99:
Excuse the ignorant question, but what are the advantages of buying a gaming PC when you can I presume get an entire PS5 or whatever for half the price of a decent graphics card ?

At the moment there isn't an advantage.

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