So I decided this summer to work REALLY hard and get enough money for an EPIC gaming computer. I ended up with only about $1,200 and was sadly not going to get the epic gaming rig I wanted. My parents however (yes I'm 17 and I live in my parents house..... no big deal) decided that they would double what I was going to put into a PC because they were so proud of me getting a job. YAY! So every night after I finished working, I would sit on my computer for about 2 hours and just pick out the computer parts for my build, asking forums (even here on the forums) and specialists from all over what they thought of what I was going to put into my computer. It was great I was going to finally get a computer that can handle games from after 2008 and probably into the future. This is where problems arise though.
My dad didn't think I had what it takes to build a computer myself, and he started to make fun of me and call me names when I told him how much I wanted to spend on computer parts. He said, "ya ok, maybe if you were into computers a bit and weren't so pathetic, like actually do stuff in your spare time, I might consider letting you build it but it's just too dumb right now." Oh my god. What an asshole I thought. "You should look into something like Dell because they have great customer support and warranty and blalallaa and more bullshit like that." And so beaten down I half-heartedly looked into what I could get with dell. I went to their alienware section and picked out a reletively cheap "gaming" computer "ONLY $,1700 BASE" it said (plus shipping + handling + customer service fees which would have been free had I gone with component retailer.) I built it up to the highest specs I could within my budget and only managed to get a dual 270 build into the system
Here are the specs:
i7-4820
8GB 1600
24xDVD drive
No Monitor
1 TB HDD
Dual AMD Radeon R9 270 (not x's)
Gross alienware case (thats only worth like $200)
Windows 8.1
Cost = $1,914.09
+ Tax = $2,162.92
Now here's the thing. I don't like Alienware. I do not support buying it under any circumstance but I was just so fed up and I wanted my computer NOW that in a blind rage my dad had made me so upset that I agreed to buying from them. I just today realized what an awful idea it was to even consider letting my dad with though. I could build a similar build for $1,272.68 (http://pcpartpicker.com/user/HumorousCrustacean/saved/g8RgXL) and I feel like a fucking idiot. I'm so mad at myself and I just felt like sharing this shit story with the world. I'll probably ask my dad to cancle the purchase of the alienware and push myself building the computer again to him but nonetheless. NEVER GO WITH ALIENWARE. You will always pay a premium and that premium is huge. It's just not worth it.
Edit: Thanks everyone for the kind words and advice. I will definitely be building my own computer now. I'll return if I need help.
I think the issue here is not that you weren't able to convince your father that you're able to build your own PC. The issue is that you didn't look for other options than Alienware.
Here's a good build from Cyberpower: http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/Gamer_Infinity_XLC
Some other custom PC retailers:
http://www.ibuypower.com
http://www.ncix.com
http://www.originpc.com
http://www.maingear.com
Also you're quite lucky that your parents want to split the cost 50/50 of your PC. When I was your age my parents didn't give me anything for my system. This is first world problems at its finest.
I know it's a first world problem but if they are going to split the cost with me 50/50 I would still want something that reflects the cost of what I paid. If the end cost is$2,200 for a system I want to have a $2,200 system. Also Alienware doesn't put much effort into providing a motherboard with much room for upgradability or overclocking ability.
Here is my recommendation: Seeing as you are on the Teksyndicate FORUMS, I would assume you know at least a bit (or a lot) about technology. Tell your dad that you are into computers (and have been for a while), and the reason you haven't done anything with computers is because computers cost quite a bit of money, and hands on experience isn't always an option. Tell him that you know about the building process, and explain it to him in light detail. With proof that you can build a computer (or proof that it isn't really that hard), you might be able to convince him. I faced a similar first world problem when I wanted to build a computer initially, but now its just a matter of saving up (I'm not exactly rolling in cash and I have a similar agreement to what your parents have, its just that I can't legally get a job).
If you absolutely have to get a pre-built machine, I would go with NCIX as NEPHTYZ suggested. They only charge $50 for assembly and (I believe) have free shipping, so you really are just paying for the parts. If you are able to build though: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/qJZnyc Trust me. I do this kind of stuff all the time. Also, single GPU is the way to go.
My cousin has an alienware laptop, works beautifully, price is insane, he says its well worth it, lighting and badass looks.
Cancel the order, then go to a local computer store and talk to the guy, much better than the online stuff, may be more pricey, but you got much more trust and reliability.
I know some people who swear by Alienware because the customer support and warranty... They are like, "Someone came to my house a day later and fixed it for free!" ... but for that price you could just buy two of everything and fix it yourself.
If you can, return it. Tell your dad that you will get help from Tek Syndicate. You can post questions while you build... and I bet there are even some who would hop onto Google Hangouts or something with you to help you. That CPU is fastish, but WAY outdated. The platform is nice, but X99 is coming out very, very soon and it will be obsolete.
For that money I could build you a system that is easily twice as fast... you know what... their price makes me so pissed that I'd be happy to build the damn thing myself, make a video of it, and then send it. I'd rather you build it yourself so you can learn how, but if it makes your father happy, Tell him that Logan will build it on camera if you return the Alienware and send the parts to us and cover shipping. We can get you a beast for that price.
#1 - Do not let your father tell you what you want in a PC (respectfully). A PC is a PC. There is no compromising when it comes to performance. I work at a small shop that sells Dell PC's for a living. I NEVER recommend an Alien-ware to a customer that comes in wanting a gaming system. I have to steer them away and show them that the performance per $ is not equal to spending less and gaining that much more with your money. I am a custom gaming rig builder at this shop as well. I enjoy building them and as a person who deals with customers I want the best for my customers not because it's my livelihood but because it's their money...
#2 - Some lessons are costly... trust me. I've made plenty of mistakes with my money.
#3 - Be patient when it comes to building computers. Some people build their PC's over a long period of times. Months on end.
#4 - Get your money back! Contact Dell/Alien-ware and tell them you are not impressed with the product you received. You feel as though you have over paid for a product that does not deliver. You may have to be forceful with them. Hold your ground!
#5 - Breathe! You'll be okay. When you finally get the system you want be humble about it. Because when you get it there will always be something better coming out. :)
Some grown ups are non-constructive. This is a the clear meaning of destructive criticism. There is no constructive criticism because any criticism is still being critical. If only some grown ups would learn to be mentoring.