Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before commissioning your build — from process and pricing to shipping and support.
It's a conversation before it's a transaction. Start by filling out our build request form — just tell us what you're trying to do and your rough budget. From there, Jon will reach out to work through the details together: use case, preferred parts, aesthetics, cooling preference, and timeline.
Once you're happy with the plan, we'll send you an invoice link. Payment is completed on your end when you're ready. After that, we source the parts, validate each component individually, do the full build, run thorough system testing, and ship it to your door.
Generally 3–5 weeks from payment. Air or AIO-cooled builds are on the shorter end (around 3 weeks); custom hardline water-cooled systems take closer to 5 weeks due to the additional fabrication and leak testing involved.
Timing can shift depending on part availability and current order volume. We'll always give you an honest estimate upfront and keep you updated if anything changes.
Not at all — that's what we're here for. Many customers come to us knowing only what they want to do (game at 1440p, edit 4K video, run machine learning workloads) without knowing which parts are right. We'll build a spec around your actual usage and get the most performance out of every dollar you spend.
If you already have a parts list or strong preferences, bring them and we'll work with those too.
Yes, within reason. If parts haven't been ordered yet, changes are usually straightforward. Once parts are in-hand, changes may not be possible or may affect your timeline and cost. The earlier you flag a change request, the easier it is to accommodate — just reach out directly and we'll let you know what's possible.
Yes. We're based in Raleigh-Durham, NC and ship to customers across the entire country. All systems are shipped with tracking, full insurance, and signature confirmation required on delivery. Larger systems may ship on a pallet — we'll let you know before shipment if that applies to your build.
Your total cost is: part cost + our flat-rate service fee + shipping + applicable sales tax. Service fees range from $200 (mid-tower, air/AIO cooled) up to $600 (SFF with custom hardline loop). Depending on your parts selection, complete builds commonly range from around $800 on the budget end to $5,000+ for high-end or heavily customized systems.
We're happy to give you a full cost breakdown during the consultation before you commit to anything.
The service fee covers the time and expertise involved in sourcing parts, individually validating each component before assembly, the build itself, full system testing, packaging, and lifetime support after delivery. It's a flat rate — not a percentage of parts cost — so you don't get penalized for choosing better hardware.
The service fee structure is similar, but pricing on pre-configured systems is based on current part availability and market pricing. We aim to keep the service fee consistent with custom options. Ready-to-ship systems also have faster delivery since the build is already complete.
We don't currently offer in-house financing, but payment options may be available depending on the platform used for your invoice. Reach out and we can discuss what works best for your situation.
Yes — every component in a custom build is sourced new. We individually validate each part before it goes into your system. Used or refurbished parts are never used unless explicitly discussed and agreed upon with the customer first.
Absolutely. If you have specific parts in mind — a particular GPU, a case you love, a CPU you've researched — tell us and we'll build around them. The only time we'd push back is if there's a genuine compatibility issue or we think a different option would serve you better for the money, in which case we'll explain why and let you decide.
Softline loops use flexible tubing — more forgiving to route and easier to modify, while still delivering excellent cooling performance above standard AIO coolers.
Hardline loops use rigid acrylic or PETG tubing cut and bent to precise angles. They're more visually striking and are what you see in most high-end showcase builds. They take significantly more time to fabricate correctly, which is reflected in the service fee. Both cool exceptionally well — the choice often comes down to aesthetics and budget.
Yes — this is one of our specialties. Jon has professional-level experience in automotive painting, airbrushing, ceramic coating, and other finish applications. Custom paint jobs are available for all case sizes and can be added to any build order. If you have a specific color, finish, or design in mind, bring it to the consultation.
This depends on the situation. Reach out with the specifics — what you have, what you're trying to do — and we'll let you know if it's feasible and what would be involved.
Every system is packaged individually based on its specific size, weight, and fragility requirements. All systems ship with tracking and are fully insured. A signature is required upon delivery. Larger or heavier builds may require freight or pallet shipping — if that applies to your order, we'll walk you through it before it ships.
Every shipment is fully insured. If your system arrives damaged, contact us immediately with photos of the packaging and the damage. We'll work through the insurance claim and get your system repaired or replaced as quickly as possible. Do not discard any packaging if you're reporting a damage claim.
Reach out and we can discuss it. Being local to Raleigh-Durham, NC has its advantages — contact us and we'll see what makes sense for your order.
Every build comes with warranty coverage for defects in workmanship and component failures. Individual parts are also covered by their respective manufacturer warranties, which vary by brand and component type. Full details are on our Warranty Policy page.
It means exactly what it says. If you have a question about your system six months from now — or three years from now — you can reach out and get help. We don't cut off support after a warranty window. If you encounter an issue, a software quirk, a hardware question, or want advice on an upgrade, we're here.
Contact us right away. Depending on the issue, we'll diagnose it remotely, guide you through a fix, arrange to have the part replaced under warranty, or in more complex cases arrange for the system to come back to us. We figure out the best path for each situation individually — the goal is always to get you back up and running as fast as possible.
Yes — and we're happy to help when that time comes. Whether it's a GPU upgrade, more RAM, additional storage, or a full cooling overhaul, reach out and we'll advise on what makes sense for your specific build and budget.
Multiple ways — whatever is most convenient for you. Use our contact page, or reach out on Instagram, Facebook, or X (Twitter). We monitor all channels and respond to every message. Most responses come within 24–48 hours.
Yes — we offer dedicated B2B services for businesses with fleet deployment needs, workstation requirements, or ongoing system management. Whether you need a handful of workstations for a creative studio or a larger deployment for a research or enterprise environment, we scale to your requirements. Visit our B2B Services page for more detail, or reach out directly.
Yes. If you have a recurring need or a larger project in scope, reach out and let's talk through what that looks like. We're set up to handle meaningful volume and can work out terms that make sense for both sides.
Yes — we have a dedicated Brand Collaboration page with details on partnership opportunities. If you represent a hardware brand, peripheral company, or other tech-adjacent business and want to explore working together, reach out through that page.
Still have a question?
We respond to every inquiry — usually within 24–48 hours. No automated responses, no hold music. Just Jon.