Maximum PC

This sorta is and isn't education related.

I would like to be able to open my own computer store. I mainly want to specialise in high powered computers, mostly for gaming purposes. I know their is alot of big name high power computer companies like Voodoo and Alienware. But their isn't really anything in Canada. Basically want I need to know is what kind of traning am I going to require to pull this off. I know right off the bat I will need A+ cert. As well comments on my first 2 planned configurations would be nice. As well I need a name. I was thinking High Powered PC, but one of my friends said that it sounded too expensive, If anyone has any better ideas for a name please feel free to post em.

Down to the good stuff. These are the first 2 planned configurations that I will make avalible, as well I want to offer a midrange, low end and value series as well as a design your own.

AMD Edition

AMD Athlon FX-57 2.8GhZ
ASUS A8N-SLI Premium
Turbo-Cool 510 SLI
OCZ EL DDR PC-3200 Gold Dual Channel 1 GB
Western Digital Raptor SATA 74GB 10,000RPM
2x Maxtor DiamondMax 10 250GB SATA in RAID0
PlexWriter PX-716A DVD Burner
2x XFX GeForce 7800 GTX
Philips 190S6FB 19IN LCD
Logitech MX518
Saitek Eclipse Keyboard
Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS
Logitech Z5500 Digital 5.1 Speakers
Pick Your Own Case

Intel Edition

Intel Pentium 4 670 3.8GhZ LGA775 EM64T
ASUS P5AD2-E Premium
Antec NeoPower 480
OCZ EL DDR PC-4200 Gold Dual Channel 1 GB
Western Digital Raptor SATA 74GB 10,000RPM
2x Maxtor DiamondMax 10 250GB SATA in RAID0
PlexWriter PX-716A DVD Burner
XFX GeForce 7800 GTX
Philips 190S6FB 19IN LCD
Logitech MX518
Saitek Eclipse Keyboard
Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS
Logitech Z5500 Digital 5.1 Speakers
Pick Your Own Case

As you can see not too much difference between the 2. But hey let me know what cha think.

Unfortunately, you won't stand much chance against Monarch and Velocity. Building hardcore systems is a great idea, opening a store right off the bat is a bad idea. I've had my own business for about a year now. Made some money from just some side comments to people. Now I am looking at advertising and I got some new business cards going to the printer. And all from the comfort of home.

I've had my A+ for a while now. It come in handy. You need it to call yourself at least a professional to your customers. I'd say pay a professional graphic designer to do your logo and a business card, and print your cards at www.americasprinter.com. Good deals there.

Feel free to ask more questions if you want. I've designed my own invoices, letterheads, advertisements etc. Not a professional designer but I know my way around Illustrator enough

Good luck!

I do realise its gonna be hard. A very good friend just had to declare bankrupcy with his buisness. It was a comic book and gaming store. Mind you the city I live in is very small and the customer base for just about anything here sucks. I don't plan to start the buisness in this city im moving to a large city with a much better customer base. I know I am going to have a tough time competing with larger companies. I don't plan to sell just systems. I will also sell individual components. I am going to be partnering with a friend of mine. I am going to do the computers end of it. He is going to take some buisness courses because I am no good with things such as reading the market or well just about anything that has to do with buisness. Except for customer relations. Everyone seems to like me, and im very easy to get along with. Which I think is a good trait to have. Anyways it will be a long while before I get this off the ground. And I don't plan to rush right into this.

Trust me I'm the king of failed busness adventures....you have to lose money to make it...

most Noobs rather buy a PC form dell aka Hell...or the high enders just buy a sony....somehow you will need to convince your consumer base that your PC's are better than the other guys....

I know a place called mad mikes that does computers and what he does is give out lifetime wareties, uber consumer support......thats how I think you will have an edge IMO

psssst...VoodooPC is Canadian

As far as certs go, get whatever you want, since you'll be employing yourself it doesn't matter.

Look around at the PC stores in the town you're moving to, see what they have to offer and what you could offer that they don't.

oh, I didn't know Voodoo was Canadian. One thing I was thinking about offering is on site service. We come to the customer, that will have to come later tho when I can afford to hire someone else. As well I would prefer to have some certs. I do know quite a bit about computers and building them, but I don't believe that I know enough to run a buisness. I know enought that I can build my own computer, but as far as understanding errors that ocurr I am completly clueless, usually my solution is format reinstall, which isn't a solution for everything. I need to know more of the repair end of the buisness. Both myself and my friend that I am going to partner with agree that we are going to start this buisness with no loans, that way we can start the buisness with no debt. I don't know if anyone here knows of Kitchener, ON. But that is where I plan to start the buisness. Its a great city and I think the customer base would be just about right for this style of buisness. I have been to a couple of the computer stores that are their, they have a MDG store and a little personal one in Guelph. I will be looking at the rest of the places as well.

Our Gov't has all kinds of resources for starting a business:

http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/sc_x/engdoc/s ... ides=e_sta

For the certs, I'd suggest google'ing around for practice tests and pickup some books(MCSE) from the bargin bin at a local PC store to get you started.

As far as fixing other peoples PCs, the bulk of the work is usually software related...I'd recommend some hands on experience with windows: 98/98se, ME, 2000, and XP(setup an old PC and multi-boot).

As you confidence and knowledge grows, start repairing PCs for family&friends...it's an easy way to make some cash and you'll gain invaluable troubleshooting experience

I have had experience in 98/98se and xp not too much in me and 2000. I do fix friends and familys computers. Usually get paid in beer, lol. Thanks for the site btw that will come in handy.

I also had a thought of offering after hours lan party, reel in a bit of extra dough at little to no loss.

My guess is it'd be better for you to take some highschool classes before you start opening any businesses.
Your use of "There, Their" and/or "They're" is indicative of how you'll fare in the school of hard knocks.

On the other hand, you could just have some more beer and say WTF?
Good luck either way

LOL, I like the more beer and WTF idea. I have never been very good with engrish....

Maybe u wouldnt want to narrow down your target audience just yet. There is a LAN cafe in my hometown(New Orleans ill return someday) and most of the computers they sell/repair/upgrade are not for gamers at all they are for common joe people that dont even know what a integrated circuit is they just want to be able to print stuff out on their, its a great idea building to to a specialized area, but its hard for people to buy gaming computer that cost mucho $$$$, they might have trouble with a new company jumping out onto the market.

I used to be a partner in a PC business... then the wholesalers that I bought from started selling on the Internet at costs that equaled what I was buying it for. Sometimes a lot less. These people have great buying power, like a palette of RAM or processors in one purchase... You just cannot compete with them. Service and support would be the choice to start with with sales being a small part of the business but far from the focal point. Trust me, please... I see several here are preaching nearly the same. Listen to us, the voices of experience (at a deep cost!)

Good luck in whatever you choose!

A computer repair shop is a tough business. In my area, most people would rather but from Walmart or Dell. I really don't care if I never build another machine. Fixing BlueLight specials and Dells are where the money is.
Most of the machines I build these days are for repeat customers. I cannot compete when people can buy a machine for less than it costs me to build one.
It would seem to me that specializing in high end gaming machines is suicide.
I've been in business for 5 years now and am one of 3 remaining shops in the county. I've seen the come and go. Most of them last less than one year.
Think it out, pick your target market, research the market area and be prepared to finance your business for at least three years.
Good luck.

Does anybody know of anything similar for US based businesses?

You Too

i think limiting yourself to your own custom builds will be very difficult maybe you could start with a bit of everything maybe pick up some of the more popular machines from those companies and have variety because no matter what your deal is for my first or second pc i will probably buy a brand name Ive seen advertised.

I have been running my own repair shop for about a year, and it is tough. Nobody wants to buy a PC from you cause they can go to staples or futureshop and get one for $500. Most people don't understand that you get what you pay for. The only real money that I make is from labor/repairs. I wish you luck though. I've never been so poor, but I've never been so happy either. Working for yourself has it's advantages.

Can you provide me more information on this matter?

johntvery@operamail.com

johntvery@hotmail.com

you talking to me?