New PC required - please recommend PC Builder

I always bought my PC from the likes of Dell and on the whole it was fine with no major issues. My needs are very modest: office apps, browsing, no gaming (light for kids maybe - online only), streaming.

However, I got a new XPS 8900 (Windows 10) a couple of days ago and I am not sure about it. On the whole it is fast but from time time feels like it hangs or stops responding while opening something simple.

On top of that yesterday I was prompted by Dell Update that there is a new critical BIOS update, that I have promptly installed. Since then it got much noisier with what seems like a PSU fan going non-stop. It was very quiet before BIOS update.

I tried to restore the previous version of BIOS but that didn't help. I am sure this might be fixable with some suport from Dell but I am thinking about returning it and getting a new one built to my spec with SSD and other better components.

My main question is what are recommended decent PC builders these days with good customer after sales support. My quick search results show are that Scan, Novatech and Chillblast are apparently good.

Would anyone recommend one over another and why. Any other suggestions are welcome too. Thanks.

I've always found Novatech good for pre built stuff and often cheaper than buying and building the individual parts.

Thanks, Novatech looks very good and together with Chillblast seem to have the highest ratings on Trustpilot.

I'll be making phone calls later today to ask for advice on spec and get an idea of their customer service.

Edit: It appears that Chillblast only open Monday to Friday.

Edited by deleted (Sat 20-Feb-16 09:47:07)

For me, their CS has always been excellent.

Edited by Deadbeat (Sat 20-Feb-16 10:04:39)

I've used Novatech for many years and have always found their products to be of good quality and their CS second to none. A particular plus for me is the fact that they will supply computers without an OS.

Overclockersare pretty good as well, but they are not cheap. I never understood the fascination of Dell, I have not seen a decent Dell machine unless you spend a small fortune

I worked on a machine from Novatech a couple of months ago and was impressed by the build quality, the cable routing inside was really good.

Thanks to all of you for positive feedback about Novatech. I am going to keep this in mind and glad that I have researched PC builders for the future. I'll be definitely keeping Novatech at the top of my list but, oh dear, I have just managed to fix my old computer that xps 8900 was replacing.

It was a faulty graphics card that was causing it not to boot up properly (I should have tried it before really) and getting Dell ready for returning back focused my mind on investigating the problem I had one more time, as I knew there would be some waiting time for custom-built PC.
I�ll now focus on investigating a good, quiet and reasonably-priced custom setup with SSD and Skylake CPU.

Dell is a convenience thing and many people not that aware of the small PC builders I guess.

I have bought Dell from John Lewis due to their two year warranty and so the return is easy - I am just going to take it back to my nearest Waitrose. Also I had a mouse missing from delivery which was a bit annoying.

Interestingly, they (JL) have removed the machine from their website now.

But from now on, it's the reputable local PC builders for me for the exact specifications and hopefully better build and service.

If you really want custom, self building is pretty simple, particularly if you opt for a "motherboard bundle" as a base to start from. You'll need to do a little research on whether x component sits well with y component but you do get exactly what you want.
However, for your needs, I think prebuilt would probably be a cheaper option.

Another vote for Novatech, used them for years; great company.

In reply to a post by alext05:

Thanks to all of you for positive feedback about Novatech. I am going to keep this in mind and glad that I have researched PC builders for the future. I'll be definitely keeping Novatech at the top of my list but, oh dear, I have just managed to fix my old computer that xps 8900 was replacing.

It was a faulty graphics card that was causing it not to boot up properly (I should have tried it before really) and getting Dell ready for returning back focused my mind on investigating the problem I had one more time, as I knew there would be some waiting time for custom-built PC.
I�ll now focus on investigating a good, quiet and reasonably-priced custom setup with SSD and Skylake CPU.

That is good news then, the problem is it is not always easy to find out what is wrong with a computer unless you have got a part to replace the part that is faulty.

In reply to a post by alext05:

Dell is a convenience thing and many people not that aware of the small PC builders I guess.

I have bought Dell from John Lewis due to their two year warranty and so the return is easy - I am just going to take it back to my nearest Waitrose. Also I had a mouse missing from delivery which was a bit annoying.

Interestingly, they (JL) have removed the machine from their website now.

But from now on, it's the reputable local PC builders for me for the exact specifications and hopefully better build and service.

I have had a few Dell machines come to me with problems, most of them have been PSU problems, they seem to put the cheapest ones they can find in the machines, I normally replace them with Corsair units, they are a good price and reliable.
I have one in my second computer or I will do when I get it back, the PSU not the computer.

Having your machine built for you is good in that it is tested and if anything goes wrong you go back to who built it.

Deadbeat says about building it yourself, which is great, I do that myself, but if you muck up it could be expensive if it is proved the problem is not with the hardware but with the way you installed it.
I have had a couple of arguments over the years with sellers who say that it is the way it was installed and they tried to get out of giving me a new one. Not bad I suppose over the years just two.

The problem with building yourself is the OS, if you already got Windows or if you are going to use Linux then fine, other wise you are looking at another £75 for Windows oem home, saying that you are better off paying a extras tenna or so and getting the retail version.

One nice thing about building your own is that you can stand back and say I built that.

+1 for Novatech. They also do bundles built in a case and all you need is a HDD and OS. Bought two of these a few years ago, still going and nice and tidy inside.

I haven't used the other two, but can certainly recommend Chillblast!

They helped with the spec, it was built and arrived on time, and their after sales service is superb!

The computer is almost 5 years old now, and still working beautifully.
Just last week they did a remote 'visit' via Team Viewer and created some extra space for me on the SSD - all else is fine!

I bought a laptop from them too, and that was customised somewhat to suit my needs.

Any time I need another computer, I'll go back to them without a second thought.

Remote visit? yuk, i don't like that idea.

They did it once before four years ago when helping set up a very awkward monitor ...it seemed a bit odd then, but this second time, was fine.
I was talking to him on the phone all the time and could see everything he was doing.

I trust the company and people there as much as one ever can.
An unknown/new company with people I haven't spoken to before could be another matter.

Another recommendation for Novatech. Must have been using them for getting on for 2 decades now. Especially good for me as they are 20 minutes drive away so I can also avoid the horrors of missing the home delivery. I also have bought a few laptops from them in the past - they are one of the few that have done really high spec gaming laptops for a reasonable price (although laptops are a rebadge of another manufacturer and can be difficult to find drivers for!).

In reply to a post by TrishaH:

They did it once before four years ago when helping set up a very awkward monitor ...it seemed a bit odd then, but this second time, was fine.
I was talking to him on the phone all the time and could see everything he was doing.

I trust the company and people there as much as one ever can.
An unknown/new company with people I haven't spoken to before could be another matter.

I could not do that, no matter who they are.

I did set up a system to control my own computer once remotely, a mate of mine was using it so I thought I would scare him as he is always worried about people hacking into his computer. So while he was using my desktop upstairs I went downstairs to make a coffee and used the laptop to control my own machine. It was a laugh, he did not think so, but I thought it was funny.,

They closed the nearest store to me, along with many others, a few years ago. I do miss that ability to basically "click 'n' collect".

I thought they only had about 3 stores anyway - my closest store was their first and main store.

My local was in Cardiff.

When it's something myself or our son can't do, I'm grateful for their help.
We'd been trying for days to get the earlier monitor settings right a few years ago, so it was good to get such help ....didn't even buy the monitor from them either.

As for the hard drive space, it seems it was more than just moving or deleting a few things, so I was happy to let them do it ..and I was watching all the time, so nothing got deleted or put in the wrong place that I wasn't able to prevent (a database for ACDSee was one).

You have much more ability with tech stuff, so don't need that kind of help

That is fair enough, not sure what you mean about the hard drive being more than just moving or deleting a few things.

In reply to a post by zyborg47:

That is fair enough, not sure what you mean about the hard drive being more than just moving or deleting a few things.

I mean things like downloads and programmes I no longer need, and can delete myself .... but anything not easily visible to me, I don't mess around with

Afraid of getting your fingers burnt?

Something like that!
Never been one for pressing buttons just to see what happens!

Go on..... Just shut your eyes and prod. You'll discover a whole new world!

You know, it's people like you get me in a boatload of trouble

I like quietPC.

In reply to a post by Pipexer:

I like quietPC.

I did not think they was still going, they are a bit pricey. Never used them myself, but I do know of someone who used to and they used to think they was ok.

Thanks for recommendation.QuietPC has some seriously good reviews - I didn't realise it. I'll have a look at them for sure.

I like the idea of a quiet PC very much and am making changes to my current one to achieve a drop in noise (SSD and silent graphics card), and it's been great.

In reply to a post by zyborg47:

In reply to a post by Pipexer:

I like quietPC.

I did not think they was still going, they are a bit pricey. Never used them myself, but I do know of someone who used to and they used to think they was ok.

Their support is excellent too, will accept returns if the product is not up to scratch. I used them primarily for my latest PC and would happily pay a few £ extra (not loads tho!) for a couple of things for them because of their product/returns support.

Scan international computers, or Overclockers uk both will build a box to your spec's or they do some generic types where you pick some aspects

But i built my own rig and it was my 1st complete build Thankfully none of the hardware was DOE and all seems to be working intended ,I even got win7 installed on it without any real issues using the internal ODD method (Skylake CPU socket 1151) As i don't want microsoft's spyware in win 8.1 and 10 that secretly collects data about you , so microsoft can sell it

I have looked at the likes of chilblast in the past and i wouldn't want them to build me a dog kennel ,
So my advice would be to avoid them (Chilblast) as some of the hardware they use, like the cheapest nastiest PSU they can find or they jack up the cost by trying to sell you a 1tb ssd , when in reality most people would not need with a 1TB capacity but it's a big expense when the cheap PSU blows and wipes out all connected hardware as well, or worse still starts a fire, Any PC builder who gives a dam, will not scrimp on the PSU

There's a good web site for those who are interested in building their own PC's they also have a forum with quite a few knowledgeable members who help out, Pc partpicker-uk the part lists are sometimes a little behind with some parts like new cases, but it's a good resource as it also searches several shops for latest prices for each part you choose

Edited by tommy45 (Fri 26-Feb-16 20:07:58)

I remember Overclockers being rather unfriendly to their customers a while ago.

They probably all have failings to some degree, I have used scan a fair bit over the years and haven't really had any issues with them, Overclockers i don't use as much, but recently purchased a expensive GPU from them as they had a offer on that was the best i had found after trawling the web checking prices It arrived undamaged they use DPD so that helps, though they could of sealed the outer box they used as packaging fully with their security tape, but all was present and correct , but as to how good they are with after sales support for pc's that they have built i honestly don't have a scooby do

Edited by tommy45 (Fri 26-Feb-16 20:02:01)

Packaging was a major problem with them for some time ago... Second only to slagging off their customers as I recall. When goods were damaged due to packaging/couriers, it was often very difficult to get a replacement.
Things may have changed now but I still wouldn't use them.

Overclockers built me a PC a few years ago as I couldn't source the items separately to build one myself at the price point.
It came with a defective SSD connection that they tried to blame me for! Looks like they broke/bent the plastic tab on the SSD and just sent it out. I had to go through my CC company for a refund as they said I tampered with it. I had spent thousands of pounds in that place over the years for them to lose a customer over bad customer services.
Just my experience and they may have changed now.

Scan do insurance packages HERE in case you muck it up.
I have bought from them in the past also with no problems.


Hands up I have slipped with a screw driver while fitting a CPU cooler and scratched a motherboard, bladdy costly mistake at the time
Live n learn as they say

Quiet PC are still going as I ordered from them last week and the customer services are amazing and they will build you a nice PC too.

Have you thought about one of these QuietPc?

I bought one of these Acer Revo's about 8 months ago and its never missed a beat. I was rather sceptical about the size & performance but as an internet usable PC for non gaming [never tried] or professional work then for price point, quietness and footprint size I think they are brilliant and beat a normal tower case PC.

Aria PC is another place Aria

Edited by derekdel (Sat 27-Feb-16 16:16:45)