Questions people actually ask us.

We pick it up from your home or business with free white-glove service — or you ship it to us if you're out of state. We'll tell you exactly what's going on and what it'll cost to fix, before we do anything. No surprises. The $24.99 diagnostic fee is free if no repair is performed — for any reason. If we fix it, the $24.99 is credited toward your repair cost.

Most repairs are done the same day. If we need to order a part, next day. When we diagnose it, we'll tell you a real timeline — not a vague 'a few days.'

Windows PCs, yes — desktops and laptops from any manufacturer. We don't service Macs or Apple devices. If you're not sure whether we can help, call and describe the problem. We'll tell you straight.

Yes. For software issues, virus removal, slow performance, and many other problems, we can connect to your computer remotely and fix it without you having to bring anything in. Remote support is $50/hr. We'll tell you at the start how long we expect it to take.

We go slow and careful with this. We won't do anything that risks your data without explaining it to you first. And we'll tell you honestly what's recoverable and what probably isn't — we don't make promises we can't keep. If a drive has failed, we'll tell you what recovery options exist and what the realistic chances are. We don't make promises we can't keep.

Call ahead and we'll make sure someone's ready for you. Walk-ins are welcome but appointments get priority. (706) 203-2563

Malware is the umbrella term — any malicious software. A virus is a specific type of malware that copies itself onto your machine, often through a download or email attachment. Ransomware is a particularly aggressive type that encrypts your files and demands payment to unlock them. The good news: most modern malware infections show up as a slow computer, unwanted pop-ups, or weird browser behavior — symptoms you'll notice. Ransomware is the one that hits without warning, which is why backups matter so much. (See our blog post on backup strategies.)

Depends on what kind of weird. If you hear clicking or grinding from inside, shut it off immediately — that's almost always a failing hard drive, and every extra minute of operation reduces recovery chances. If it's overheating (very hot to touch, fans screaming), shut it down and let it cool. If it's just slow, pop-up heavy, or acting strange, you can keep using it, but back up anything you care about right now before doing anything else. When in doubt, copy your important files to a USB drive, then shut it down and call us.

Three things stop 90% of computer problems: (1) keep Windows and your browser updated — most malware exploits known holes that were patched months ago; (2) have a real backup, not just OneDrive sync (read our guide on backup setups); (3) think before you click — most infections come through fake download buttons, sketchy email attachments, or "your computer has a virus" pop-up scams. Antivirus matters too, but Windows Defender (built in) is genuinely solid for most people — you don't need to pay extra for Norton or McAfee.

Honest answer: it depends on the part. A 5-year-old PC that needs a new SSD or more RAM is absolutely worth fixing — those upgrades make even older machines feel fast again. A 5-year-old laptop that needs a new motherboard or screen often isn't worth it — by the time you add parts plus labor, you're at 60-70% of a new mid-range laptop. Our rough rule: if the repair cost is more than half of what a comparable replacement would cost, we'll usually recommend replacing. We'll always give you the real numbers so you can make the call.

You pick a starting point from our catalog, configure it how you want, and either request a free quote or reserve your build with a $500 deposit. We respond within 24 hours with a final price and timeline. Once confirmed, we order the parts, assemble everything, run it through stress testing, and ship it or arrange local pickup. Most builds take 5–10 business days from confirmation.

Before anything leaves our shop, we run the machine under sustained load — CPU and GPU benchmarks, temperature monitoring, memory tests, storage verification. If something's going to fail early, we want it to fail here, not in your home. Machines that don't pass don't ship.

Parts and labor for any manufacturing defect or component failure. If something breaks under normal use within a year, we fix it at no charge. The warranty doesn't cover physical damage, liquid damage, or parts you've replaced yourself. We'll always be straight with you about what's covered.

Absolutely. The catalog is a starting point. If you have specific parts in mind, a specific use case, or something you've seen elsewhere that you want us to match or beat — call us or request a custom quote. That's what The Legend build is for: no spec sheet, no limits.

ROG Strix is ASUS's premium gaming line — better cooling, higher factory overclock, more RGB, premium finish. Used in our high-end and flagship builds. TUF Gaming is ASUS's mid-range line — still excellent quality, more understated, better value. Used in our entry and mid-tier builds. Both are reliable. The difference is mostly aesthetics and factory overclock margin.

Yes. We ship anywhere in the US. Every build is packed with anti-static materials, GPU support brackets, and shipping insurance. We've packed a lot of machines — they arrive safely. Local pickup in Dawsonville is also available.

Call us immediately and don't throw away any packaging. We'll walk you through documenting the damage and handle the insurance claim. We'll either repair or replace the affected components. You won't be stuck holding a damaged machine.

For gaming specifically, the GPU does the heavy lifting — it's the single biggest factor in your frame rate. CPU matters too, especially for competitive multiplayer games (where frame consistency depends on the CPU) and for streaming. RAM and storage are commodity — 16-32 GB DDR5 and a 1 TB NVMe SSD are standard. The rule we follow: spend 40-50% of your budget on the GPU, 20-25% on the CPU, the rest on everything else.

For most builds, air cooling is fine — modern air coolers from Noctua or be quiet! perform within a few degrees of comparable AIO liquid coolers and are quieter. We recommend AIO liquid cooling for high-TDP CPUs (Ryzen 9, Core i9) under sustained heavy load — video rendering, 3D work, long compile sessions. Pure aesthetic AIO setups on a $700 build are mostly a waste. Our premium builds (Titan and up) include AIO cooling because the components actually need it. Custom-loop liquid cooling is coming soon for buyers who want the full look and the lowest possible temps.

Windows itself takes about 50 GB. A single modern game can take 100-200 GB. A small Steam library plus your day-to-day files fits comfortably in 1 TB. If you play many AAA games or do video editing, 2 TB is the sweet spot. Beyond that, you're mostly storing cold archives — better served by a cheap second drive than an expensive primary NVMe. Don't overthink it: 1 TB NVMe is fine for most people, and you can always add another drive later.

A well-built PC bought today should run new games at solid settings for 4-5 years, and remain serviceable for casual play and everyday use for 8-10. The first part you'd typically upgrade is the GPU (around year 4-5 if you want max settings on new releases). CPUs last longer — modern Ryzen 7 or Core i7 chips are still plenty fast 5+ years later. Storage tends to outlive the rest. The honest answer: buying a $1,500 build that lasts 5 years works out to $25/month, which is cheaper than most subscriptions.

It means we're watching your machines so you don't have to. Software updates happen in the background. If something starts looking wrong, we catch it before it becomes a problem. When something does break, you call one number and we handle it. You don't think about IT — we do.

No long-term lock-in. Month-to-month. If we're not the right fit, you can cancel. We'd rather earn your business every month than trap you into a contract.

Honest answer: it depends. If you have one computer, you probably just want someone to call when things break — the Starter plan at $79/mo is probably right. If you have a team of 5+ and downtime costs you real money, managed IT pays for itself. If you're not sure, call us and describe your situation. We'll tell you what we'd actually recommend.

Yes — network, computers, email, Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, printers, POS systems, backup, security. We do full new-business tech stack setups for businesses opening in North Georgia. One flat quote. Most businesses are operational within a week.

If you can only do one thing: turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA) on every account that holds money or customer data. Email, banking, payment processor, payroll, anything cloud-based. MFA stops something like 99% of automated account takeover attacks even if your password leaks. The second thing: have a real backup that ransomware can't reach (off-site, immutable). Everything else — antivirus, firewalls, training — matters less than these two. We help set both up if you don't want to figure it out yourself.

For most small businesses in 2026, cloud (Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace) is the right answer — no server hardware to maintain, automatic backups, works from anywhere. You'd want an on-premise server in specific cases: heavy file workflows where cloud bandwidth becomes a bottleneck (think video production, CAD), industry compliance that requires data to stay on-premise, or a specialized application that only runs locally. We can talk through your specific situation and recommend the honest answer — including telling you when cloud is genuinely all you need.

Yes. We understand the sensitivity around patient data and set up practices accordingly — encrypted backup, secure workstations, staff device management. We're not HIPAA compliance attorneys, but we know what matters and we set things up the right way.

Because nobody likes opening a bill they weren't expecting. You know the number before we start. That's it. No hidden fees, no "additional labor charges," no surprises. If a job turns out to be more complex than expected, we tell you before the price changes — not after.

They include the parts, professional assembly, stress testing, Windows 11 Pro, cable management, a year of warranty, and shipping. The parts alone on most builds are 70–80% of the price — the rest is our labor and your warranty. Compare the parts list to what you'd pay ordering everything yourself and assembling it, and you'll see the value. We don't pad the margin — we price honestly.

It locks in your parts pricing and lets us order components. GPU and CPU prices shift week to week. The deposit freezes your quote. It's fully applied toward your final balance — it's not a fee, it's a down payment. If we can't build to spec for any reason, it's fully refunded.

Not directly through us at the moment — but we accept all major credit cards, and many cards have 0% APR promotional periods that work well for a build purchase. Call us if you want to talk through options.

GPU support bracket installed before transit to prevent sag damage. Anti-static wrap on all components. Custom foam cutouts if the standard packaging isn't sufficient. Outer box sized so there's at least 3" of padding on all sides. We also have a full packing guide if you're shipping a machine to us.

Not currently. US only. If you're in Canada or elsewhere and have a specific situation, call us — we'll see what we can do.

Yes. Local pickup in Dawsonville, GA. We'll let you know when it's ready and arrange a time. You can inspect everything before you take it.

We're based in Dawsonville, Georgia. Repairs are done in-person (or remote). Custom builds ship anywhere in the US. Call for the current service address — we want to make sure someone's there to meet you. (706) 203-2563

That's literally what the number is for. (706) 203-2563. We'll spend as long as it takes to figure out what you actually need. Sometimes that's a $24.99 repair. Sometimes it's nothing. We're good either way. We'd rather you make the right call than the expensive one.

Three things, honestly. (1) Most "my computer is slow" problems aren't hardware — they're disk space, malware, or 30 startup programs. Worth checking before you spend money. (2) Your data isn't really backed up if it only exists in OneDrive or Google Drive — sync is convenient, but if you delete a file or get ransomware, both copies disappear. You need a real second copy somewhere disconnected. (3) Most "tech support" pop-ups and "your computer has a virus" warnings are scams — Microsoft never calls you, no legitimate antivirus uses a phone number, and any pop-up demanding immediate action is trying to manipulate you. Close the browser, restart, you're probably fine.

We have a free PC valuation tool and a marketplace where we can help you sell your machine. Check out sell.html for an instant estimate. We may also purchase directly — call us if you have something specific in mind.

Refer someone who books a repair or build and you both get $75 off your next service. No codes, no hoops — just tell them to mention your name when they call. Details at referral.html.

Us. (706) 203-2563 or info@howardresourcegroup.com. We stand behind our work. If something isn't right, we want to know and we want to fix it.