There are a LOT of replies that say it is much cheaper to build your own computer rather than to buy one. I have worked with computers for many years and have built many myself. The parts cost me more than I can build a computer for.
Is that because I only use top quality parts? When I look at the cost of each part at dozens of different places, I still can't find them at less than I see complete name brand systems on sale.
Is there some trick that I'm missing or some supply places that I'm overlooking. Or is it simply a matter that I'm using premium quality parts and the people who are answering are using cheap parts?
Since some people will ask, the reason that I sometimes do build a computer from scratch is that the customer wants the best quality. Another reason is if they want a machine that will do best for a particular task. Many of my customers use the computer for a specific work task like video editing or DJ work.
mysticman442008-04-25T18:56:47Z
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Several different answers to this question, depends on which person is giving the answer. For some people they simply have it in their mind that buying parts individuallys is cheaper, and they don't even bother checking the links to see how much the computer costs and what it has in it. I sincerely believe you could post a link to a brand new top of the line computer being sold for $50, and inevitably somebody would post "you could get it cheaper by buying the parts individually" without even clicking the link.
The second reason is something that you were getting at, a lot of these people are using either cheap parts, or are getting used parts off of eBay or whatnot.
Now as someone who builds my own computers myself as you do, I can tell you that newegg is fantastic place to buy. I would say that when it comes to the high end computers, you can usually save a bit of money by buying and building yourself than by buying prebuilt (plus most companies do not use the high quality parts that you and I prefer.) But as far as low end computers, I have found the reverse true, there is no way you can outbuild a $600 Dell by building it yourself.
B&M stores that have good prices: Microcenter, Fry's, BrandsmartUSA. However, not all of these stores are everywhere.
Online retailers (in no order): Mwave ClubIT TigerDirect NewEgg Directron (also have a B&M store in Texas) Amazon (sometimes better, usually not) Buy.com (not a huge selection, but good sometimes) NCIXUS (Haven't used them, but they seem good on prices)
Performance PC parts (ie water cooling, case mod stuff) Jab-Tech Danger Den (some of the best water cooling around) Performance-PCs.com SVC (Silicon Valley Computers) Petra's Tech Shop FrozenCPU
Part of the way you get dirt cheap prices is to sign up for the newsletters with the deals, and compare prices at multiple sites. Some manufacturers rotate mail in rebates through multiple companies. So for a month the rebate could be at Newegg, then it could be at NCIXUS, then it could be at TigerDirect, etc. By shopping around you can normally find the rebates and sale prices.
I've built many computers for customers, friends, family etc. and I use the best parts too. The best thing is to shop around. I get my parts from a variety of places, all offering discounts on bulk buys.
Depending on where your from you can try scan.co.uk, ebuyer.com and various other sites for quality parts at cheap prices.
It also helps to have contacts in the industry. If I can find a part, i'll call a few mates in the industry and get it for a bargain price.
I get my parts from local stores like Fry's electronics (if u have one near by) and online like newegg.com, tigerdirect.com and buy.com (sometimes they have super good deals).
for example: i could get a 22" widescreen LCD from tigerdirect.com for $200 shipped rather than from bestbuy or circuitcity for $350.
if you are not one of those who like to overclock your computer...
something like this will work:
AMD quad CUP + motherboard combo = $179 + tax from Fry's. 8600GT video card = $65 shipped from buy.com 22" LCD = $200 shipped from tigerdirect.com 2gb memory = $28 shipped from newegg.com HDD= $50 shipped from buy.com
all together for less than $600 and you can play most 3D video games at MAX video setting without lagging.