IBuyPower machines

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strebor

Weaksauce
Joined
Jun 29, 2004
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113
Please do not eat me alive for asking this, but I need a new computer. My old custom built one died (I suspect a dead mobo after some troubleshooting) and I want a new one. I see that Costco has Ibuypower machines, and they have one I like for $999. I know ibuypower doesnt have the best reputation but I assume prebuilt (rather than custom built) machines would be better. Anyway, I do have enough confidence to replace anything except the mobo and CPU if anything happens to go bad. I simply don't have the time or patience to build a new system myself now.

Anyway my main question is, is this machine good for the price and am I totally screwing myself with getting it?

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Produc...=2&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1

I would not be using it for heavy gaming but I would like to be able to play some newer games (Starcraft II when it comes out, Elder Scrolls, etc.)

If this is a totally bad choice, recommendations on where to buy a new machine would be awesome. Thanks!
 
It has alot of good stuff, but the video cards suck balls, maybe you could sell both for like 100 bucks and then go buy a 8800gt for 250.
 
Buy the dash! sugo 3 is nice and get intergrated video then buy a 8800gt. saves money.
 
Okay I am REALLY impressed with the Maingear dash. I am seriously considering it especially after reading a few glowing reviews about the company itself (including on [h] consumer). Is there any cons to this thing? I would probably get ingrated video and then just buy a new card later.
 
Ya thats what i said, and this would be a great buy! Get some pics up when it comes in. And Buy it this weekend! I think the 8800gt comes out monday.
 
The only con that I see for the Dash is that the technology isn't exactly fresh. You're not getting the next generation in components. However, what you're getting is hardware that's been tried, proven, and now has excellent OEM and vendor support. In other words, Maingear is able to give you better support in case you have issues.
 
with an upgraded video card, would it be able to play new games for a bit? i'm not into heavy games, but i would like to be able to play things like starcraft ii, elder scrolls oblivion, fable 2, stuff like that.

i really don't care about the newest technology i just want to run well for awhile.
 
I was really close to buying a system from MainGear, but stopped at their processor upgrades

$293 for a Q6600?

HELL NO.


Their other component prices are in line with their competition, their processor prices are a joke. (was going to build a Prelude)
 
Shivetya said:
Even with the COSTCO name behind it?
Click to expand...

A lemon is still a lemon,even if you call it something else,it's still sour!:D Costco has no control over the quality of a product.They might sell a lot of them to unsuspecting customers who aren't aware of IBuyPower's reputation,but when the returns start pouring in,they may regret this.
 
this is why i really wanted to buy it from costco. i know they certainly cannot control the quality of the product, but from my personal experiance i have never bought anything of really poor quality from costco. i've shopped there for years and trust their purchasing choices. i've just never bought a computer from them. it would really surprise me even given ibuypower's...less than good reputation, that costco would chose to sell a really bad product.

i'm sure it happens though.
 
strebor said:
this is why i really wanted to buy it from costco. i know they certainly cannot control the quality of the product, but from my personal experiance i have never bought anything of really poor quality from costco. i've shopped there for years and trust their purchasing choices. i've just never bought a computer from them. it would really surprise me even given ibuypower's...less than good reputation, that costco would chose to sell a really bad product.

i'm sure it happens though.
Click to expand...

Costco has radically changed their return policy. Mostly because they sold some really bad product and it came back to bite them. There is another thread on these very machines at costco.

Bottom line: Costco is on the hook for 90 days. After that they will help you on the phone but you have to talk to the vendor for any claims.
 
Well as I said, I'm okay with replacing anything EXCEPT the mobo and CPU. I'm now leaning towards the dash, despite my love affair with Costco. ;) I just don't know.
 
Ramrod said:
Costco has radically changed their return policy. Mostly because they sold some really bad product and it came back to bite them. There is another thread on these very machines at costco.
Click to expand...

I only found one other thread. Could you link me please?
 
A guy at work bought his kid an ibuypower machine and is very happy with it. He customized his on their website.
 
its not that hard to replace a CPU, i dont see why you have a phobia with it, but hey i cant swap an engine out of a car


on the costco return policy, it indeed is true that in 90 days you cannot return anylonger, and i am not sure if online returns can be done in store
 
Before you buy either, look at the reseller ratings for IBP and Maingear.......you'll choose Maingear.

I think [H] Consumer did an IBP computer once and it wasnt pretty.

Consider this: A beauty of a computer in the Dash for 800 bucks......with speakers,peripherals and a monitor.......add the 2900XT......the total is 1100, or get the integrated video and pick up an EVGA SSC 8800GT Monday for 279......you'd be able to run circles around those games you listed.
 
Whats so wrong with Ibuypower. A friend of my is thinking about buying a system from them. I can understand how they can have bad name for bad parts since it will let you get 2 8800Ultras in SLi with a 400w PSU, but thats really customer error. I have been trying to convince him to build himself but hes a bit lazy and just wants something nice deliverd to his door where all he has to do is plug and play. So whats the deal with Ibuypower?
 
This review is a year old however:


The Bottom Line – 2.0/10


The fact that this system scored in the “terrible” range should clue you in to what kind of experience you’re in for with iBUYPOWER. Our time with this box starkly illustrates how detrimental poor customer service and tech support can be to an otherwise satisfactory user experience. As iBUYPOWER offers nothing that isn’t available through other system integrators for a similar price, we see no reason to recommend their systems for any application.

link
 
My last desktop was an AMD XP1900 with MSI 4KTV MB, 256mb ram, and 40gb hard drive. It was an Ibuypower machine I customized on their website back in 2002. It lasted me up until my rebuild which I did two weeks ago. The only thing I had to do (because I chose to), was replace the video card. The only problem I ever had was with the VIA chipset on the motherboard which was not a fault of ibuypower's as I chose that motherboard over several others. Maybe I just got lucky I guess, but it would seem that if you can choose incompatible components for your build, they should have something that warns you or when one thing is chose, other choices are taken away as to avoid this.

Or, maybe an average home user should not try and customize every aspect of their system and stick with brick and mortar pc's.
 
I had a horrible experience with them. I ordered a machine from them, it got to my 2 weeks late. When I finally got it all setup it, it didn't work. I re-fitted all the components, and still nada. I had to send it back, they then took a month to "fix" it. The sent it back, still didn't work. So i wanted to return it, they were going to bullshit me and say that "my one month period to return the machine had expired" so I had to spend a week yelling at some guy in order to inform him that THEY had my machine for that ENTIRE time frame.

I eventually got a refund.

They suck.
 
As mentioned the video card configuration is horrible. Why even bother with two 8500gt in sli? I agree with selling them off and getting a 8800gt, however it doesn't exactly save you time. I have had a terrible time with the mobo that comes with the computer your thinking off getting, the over clocking potential was next to nothing. I would recommend keep looking.
 
Well I just wanted to update you guys that I did end up ordering the Dash. Maingear has already called me to confirm my order and everything. I'm impressed with their customer service already. So we'll see.
 
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