About PC36

Hand-built gaming PCs from Torquay, Devon

Who we are

PC36 is a UK custom gaming PC builder, founded in 2022 and based in Torquay, Devon. We hand-build every system to order, stress test it under real workloads, and ship it ready to use out of the box.

We've completed over 1,000 builds to date. Our Trustpilot rating is consistently excellent

We exist because the prebuilt PC market is full of compromises that the buyer rarely sees — low-grade components chosen to protect a margin, bloatware preinstalled for kickbacks, warranties that are difficult to claim against. PC36 was built to do the opposite: transparent component choices, a clean Windows install, and a warranty handled directly by the people who built the machine.

How we build

Every PC36 system is hand-built by expert technicians in our Torquay workshop. Nothing is assembled on a production line. Nothing is shipped without being tested.

Our standard build and validation process:

• Component selection matched to the customer's stated use case, with any trade-offs called out openly on the product listing before purchase.
• Hand assembly with neat front-of-case cable management. Rear cable management is tidy but deliberately not over-tied, so future upgrades don't require dismantling the build.
• Stress testing before any system leaves the workshop:
  • 20 minutes of real gameplay in Fortnite at 1440p Low settings and Cyberpunk 2077 RT Medium
    
  • 60 minutes of combined Prime95 and FurMark to torture-test CPU, RAM, and GPU under sustained load. Longer burn-ins can be requested by the customer
• Clean Windows 11 setup with a local account preconfigured to a username of the customer's choice. No Microsoft account walkthrough on first boot, no bloatware, no trial software, no preinstalled "optimisers." The PC turns on and is ready to use.
• Driver and firmware updates applied before shipping, so the system arrives current.
• Robust packaging designed for UK courier networks. Every PC36 system ships in a double-boxed configuration with internal bracing to immobilise the GPU and CPU cooler, dense void fill to absorb impact in transit, and sealed with branded PC36 tape.
• Mobile-friendly setup guide provided with every order, so the customer can follow it on their phone while unboxing.

Cross-section of the PC36 double-box packaging method

Inner case box placed into the outer shipping box with void fill between layers

Sealed with branded PC36 tape before dispatch

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What's included as standard

• 3-year parts and labour warranty, with extension options available on each product listing + technical support
• Clean Windows 11 installation with local account ready to use
• Comprehensive stress testing under both synthetic and real-game loads
• Double-boxed packaging with internal bracing for safe UK delivery
• Mobile-friendly setup guide and direct contact with the builders, not a call centre

Warranty and support

The PC36 warranty is 3 years parts and labour as standard, with extension options available on each product listing. Technical support is included for the lifetime of the system.

Most issues can be diagnosed and resolved remotely without the PC leaving the customer's desk. Where a system does need to come back to the workshop, the standard process is a drop-off at any DPD pickup point, with diagnosis typically completed within 7–10 working days of receipt. A premium service upgrade adds doorstep collection and queue-jump priority, reducing typical diagnosis to 1–3 working days.

GPU faults are handled under the manufacturer's RMA process, which we manage on the customer's behalf and chase throughout. GPU RMA turnaround is typically 2–4 weeks and is at the manufacturer's discretion. All other faulty components are replaced directly by us. Where exact replacements are unavailable, substitutes are always of equivalent specification - though perfect model like-for-like replacement is not always possible due to market conditions. In that instance, we discuss options with the customer which may involve a different model that offers equivalent performance

Our philosophy

PC36 is named after 1936 — the year the first programmable computer was built. The name is a deliberate reference point. PC building has, over the last decade, drifted into a culture of upsells, subscription software, RGB-for-its-own-sake, and components specified to hit a price rather than a purpose. PC36 takes the craft back to its roots: choose the right parts for what the customer actually does, build the machine carefully, test it properly, and hand it over clean.

That's the through-line in everything we do. Clean component selection. Clean assembly. Clean Windows install. Clean documentation. Clean warranty process. No noise, no upsell pressure, no chatbots — just a well-built PC and a real person at the other end of the support channel.

Behind the company

PC36 was founded by a working NHS doctor with a long-standing background in PC building, repair, and diagnostics. The medical training is not incidental: the same diagnostic discipline that applies to clinical work — methodical testing, honest communication, and a refusal to guess — shapes how every PC36 build is specified, tested, and supported.

Frequently asked questions

Where is PC36 based?

PC36 builds every system in Torquay, Devon. Our registered office is in London.

Who builds my PC?

Every PC36 system is hand-built by an expert technician in our workshop. No production lines, no third-party assembly.

How long does a PC36 build take?

Standard lead time is typically 7–14 working days from order to dispatch, depending on specification and current workload. Live chat can confirm a current estimate for any specific build.

Is PC36 a limited company?

Yes. PC36 is a UK limited company, founded in 2022.

What warranty do PC36 systems come with?

3 years parts and labour as standard, with extension options available on each product listing. Lifetime technical support is included.

Does PC36 install bloatware or trial software?

No. Every PC36 system ships with a clean Windows 11 installation, current drivers, and a local user account ready to use. No bundled software, no kickback installs.

Can I customise a PC36 build beyond the listed configurations?

Yes. Custom orders are handled through live chat, where the builder will spec a system around the customer's specific use case and budget.

How does PC36 differ from large prebuilt PC retailers?

PC36 hand-builds and stress-tests every system to order, ships with a clean Windows install, and handles all warranty and support directly. Component choices and trade-offs are disclosed on every product listing before purchase.

Is a PC36 PC good value compared to building it yourself?

If you have the time, the knowledge, and the confidence to handle a fault on your own, self-building will usually save you money on parts. We won't pretend otherwise. What you pay us for is the building, the testing, the clean setup, and a single point of contact if something goes wrong — handled by the people who built the machine, not a returns desk. For a lot of people, that's worth more than the saving. For some, it isn't, and we'd rather you self-build than feel oversold. If you're not sure which camp you're in, ask us in live chat and we'll give you an honest answer.

What happens if my PC36 PC arrives faulty or develops a fault?

Get in touch and you'll reach the people who built it, not a call centre. Most issues can be diagnosed and resolved remotely without the PC leaving your desk. If a system does need to come back, the standard route is a drop-off at any DPD pickup point, with diagnosis typically completed within 7–10 working days. A premium service tier adds doorstep collection and priority handling, reducing typical diagnosis to 1–3 working days. Faulty components are replaced by us directly; graphics card faults are handled under the manufacturer's RMA process, which we manage and chase on your behalf.

Does PC36 deliver across the UK?

Yes. We ship to mainland UK addresses, with every system double-boxed and internally braced for courier transit. Delivery timeframes and any restrictions for remote areas can be confirmed in live chat before you order.

What components does PC36 use?

We use current-generation parts from established brands — AMD and Intel CPUs, NVIDIA and AMD graphics, and reputable motherboard, memory, cooling, and power supply makers. The exact components for each system are listed in full on its product page, including named power supply models, because we think you should know precisely what you're buying. Where a component varies due to supplier availability, any substitute is always of equivalent specification. If you'd like to confirm the precise models in a build before you order, just ask in live chat and we'll talk you through them.

Can I upgrade a PC36 PC myself later?

Yes, and we build with that in mind. Rear cable management is kept tidy but deliberately not over-tied, so you can add storage, memory, or a new graphics card down the line without dismantling the build. Many of our systems are built on current platforms with genuine upgrade headroom. We're also developing a set of PC building and upgrade education resources to help owners make confident changes themselves — if that's of interest, ask in live chat and we'll point you to what's available. And if you're planning to upgrade later and want to make sure a particular build suits that, mention it and we'll steer you toward the right one.

Why is PC36 more expensive than the cheapest prebuilts I can find?

Because the cheapest prebuilts cut corners you can't see — lower-grade power supplies, slower memory, restrictive motherboards, and bloatware installed for kickbacks. We don't. Every component is chosen for the job it's doing, the trade-offs are listed openly before you buy, and the price reflects parts we'd be happy to run ourselves. The level of service adds to it too: a human-first approach, with the people who built your PC on the other end of the support channel. Customers often find that small extra outlay repaid many times over in support that's responsive and straightforward. If budget is the priority, tell us your number in live chat and we'll build you the best honest system we can for it.

PC36 is a UK limited company. Registered office: 20-22 Wenlock Road, London, N1 7GU. Builds are completed in Torquay, Devon.