Monarch custom built computer

[Marie Boyer]

Someone on this board kindly steered me toward Monarch computers. (Thank you very much Sevenal!) I configured a computer for DV editing for about $1450 (including 3 years on site service, parts and labor). Same thing locally is $1900 (without the 3-year parts warranty but with great support).

Can I completely trust Monarch for computer and support down the road? The ratings on this site, as well as others, are top-notch. Just checking before I take the plunge. I appreciate all advice!

[Ballast]

If it sounds to good to be true...

http://resellerratings.com/seller2079-p12-s4-d1.html

[rrbasich]

I discovered Monarch on my own about 3 years ago and bought a computer from them. They looked ok, pricewise, and the build options looked good. So I took a chance with them, and had them build a $2300 computer.

I now regret having done business with Monarch. Let me explain why. I wanted a computer built for audio, with extremely low noise. Instead they built a screamingly loud metal box, with the CPU fan, case fans, and power supply fans producing a grating whine that has been unbearable. When I complained to the manager at Monarch, I was not given any options to have components replaced. Long story short, I got stuck with $2300 of junk computer, and have never been able to use it for audio.

I hope you do not have to go thru similar dissapointment and trouble. Good luck!

[sevenal]

You get what you pay for with them just make sure the check list is grade a componets.

list the complete deal here and let the members critique it.

I bought one system form them 2 1/2
years ago, i sold it after one year , got 80% of the money back and my customer still uses the pc every day.

There has never been a hardware problem with that PC to this day.

Get a good power supply, top name brand parts and spec it out to your needs.

But I did say there are about 100 members here that could build a custom box from this forum.

Some of these peeps really know there stuff and if they can turn a couple hunderd you can put what you want in it.
But it is cash and cary for the most part.

Good Luck

Don't be in a hurry to through down $1500

Let the mambers see what your ordering.

Get a email quote with all items included and post it here if you need further input.

sev

[Marie Boyer]

Thanks. You are the one who told me about monarch (on another discussion board).

I am ordering:
XP Pro
Pentium 4 / 3 ghz/ 800 FSB
ASUS P4C800 E-Deluxe motherboard
Antec 430 Watt (true power)
Case is enermax (low end but salesman said it was nice)
1 GIG RAM corsair 400
2 SATA hard drives 80 & 250 Western Digital
Pioneer DVD R/W (nice one)
Video card is ATI 9250 Radeon 256 MB
Low end keyboard, mouse, speakers
3 year warranty & service plan

I think that about covers it. $1480 (including shipping).

p.s. Where are all the people raving about Monarch? I guess I expected more like you to weigh in on this.

[sevenal]

People talk about bad things and are content to say nothing about a fair deal.

Thats not that great of video card for a $1500 box.
not a bad video card but heck for 1.5K I would expect sum
BANG !! in the vid dept.

Also a couple of sweet silent case fans to keep it all COOOOOOL.

The rest looks nice.

Truth ? it looks like a $949 home build, arter rebates.

For 1.5K you could do better perhaps.
Take your time

[crossedup]

XP Pro ~ $160
Pentium 4 / 3 ghz/ 800 FSB ~ $180
ASUS P4C800 E-Deluxe motherboard ~ $170
Antec 430 Watt (true power) ~ $70
Case is enermax (low end but salesman said it was nice) ~ $60
1 GIG RAM corsair 400 ~ $170
2 SATA hard drives 80 & 250 Western Digital ~ $200
Pioneer DVD R/W (nice one) ~ $60
Video card is ATI 9250 Radeon 256 MB ~ $65
Low end keyboard, mouse, speakers ~ $25
3 year warranty & service plan

All prices pulled from pricewatch and, of course, dont include shipping. Total of $1160 approximately. If you could get it after rebates, as Sev says, he was right in the ballpark.

If you know little to nothing about computers, the 3 year warranty would probably be worth the differance to you.

Me personally, I never have a computer together and running more than 6 months or so before ive moved on

[Marie Boyer]

Okay guys. So, I could built it myself for about $1000 after rebates on the parts. But I cannot change a lightbulb. So, no chance I am going to build it myself. Is it worth the added $500 to get the above specs in a monarch-built computer with the three year service? Can you recommend some place other than Monarch?
p.s. Videoguys recommend an HP workstation for a high quality DV editing computer. Since I am spending so much, should I just go high-end and buy a workstation from HP?
p.s.s. As you can tell, I am floundering out here on my own. Appreciate the help!

[JPMiller]

Generically, where are you located, like city wise?
you can get a reasonable deal sometimes by buying a HP, E-Machines ETC, IF you do some research and realize you are going to be VERY limited in being able to upgrade...
If you are able to, you could find someone locally to build you something geared toward what you want to do with it for much less than a bigname prebuilt...

[Marie Boyer]

Located in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. I have spoken with two local computer builders. Both will build SAME specs for $350 more than Monarch.

p.s. I am thinking about bolting from Monarch and just buying what the Videoguys recommend as the top computer for Dv editing, an HP workstation. I can get one with everything, including a monitor for just under $2000. Even with Monarch, I still have to buy a monitor, which will get me up close to $2000. The Monarch specs do not include the more advanced intel chipsets, with PCI-E (which I do not need now, but believe me, I do not want to need them in the future after dumping big bucks for the computer).