Custom PC Builds & Build Rescue in Irvine

First step: power it off and stop trying to boot. Most failed-build issues come down to a few culprits we check in order: motherboard standoffs in the wrong spots, RAM not seated all the way (you usually hear a snap), the EPS CPU power cable not plugged in, the CPU cooler holding the lid open, BIOS needing an update for your CPU, or a dead PSU. Free diagnostic at our shop. Most builds we see come back alive.

Two paths. If you bring the parts: labor starts at $149 for a straightforward build, more for complex builds (full custom loop, multiple GPUs, etc.). If we source the parts: labor starts at $249, plus parts at retail with no markup games. Pre-build consultation is $99, credited toward the build if you proceed. Free quote before any work.

Gaming is the most common request but we build whatever you need. Streaming rigs (often two-PC setups), content creation workstations (high core count for video editing or rendering), VR-ready systems, and emulation boxes are all regular work. We talk through your specific use case during consultation.

Yes. Overclocking, undervolting (often a bigger win on modern CPUs), memory XMP/EXPO, fan curves, GPU power and fan tuning. Performance tuning service starts at $149. This is also where we fix thermal throttling problems and rebuild fan/airflow layouts that aren't working.

Standard AIO (all-in-one) liquid coolers, yes, all day. Custom open water loops with hard tubing, GPU blocks, distribution plates, and reservoirs are something we don't take on at the shop. They are great projects but require ongoing maintenance that does not fit our service model. For a clean AIO or air-cooled high-end build, we are the right shop.

Yes. Handheld gaming devices are a regular part of our work. Steam Deck (OLED + LCD), ROG Ally and Ally X, Lenovo Legion Go, Nintendo Switch (Lite + OLED). Liquid damage, no-power, screen, joystick drift, board-level work. See our case study on a board-level ROG Ally X liquid damage repair for the kind of work we do on these.

We do GPU swaps, CPU upgrades (including new motherboard/CPU/RAM combo when the platform is changing), storage upgrades, AIO installs, and cooling improvements. Upgrade labor starts at $89 for a single component and goes up from there. We are honest about whether an upgrade gets you the performance you want or whether a fresh build makes more sense.

A clean build with parts on hand is usually 1 to 3 days from start to handoff, including 24 hours of stability and thermal testing. Builds where we are sourcing parts can take longer depending on availability (current GPU and CPU supply varies). We give a realistic timeline at the consult.

Yes. 90 days on the build labor itself (cable management redoes, RMA assistance, BIOS reflashes, anything we did). Individual component warranties come from the manufacturer (1-3 years for most parts, longer for some PSUs and SSDs). We help you file RMAs if a part fails inside the manufacturer window.

Yes, but we are honest at the consult about whether the part is worth using. Used GPUs from reputable sources are common. Used motherboards have a higher failure rate. Used PSUs we usually push back on (they are the part most likely to take everything else with them when they fail). We test used parts during the build.

Computer Clinic Irvine, 18021 Sky Park Cir Suite H2, Irvine, CA 92614. Free parking. Walk in any time during business hours. (657) 321-9934. UCI students get a discount with valid UCI ID.