Moving to Taiwan

[Ryan Norton]

I'm going to be living in Taiwan for a year while I do a graduate program at National Chengchi Univ... I have a laptop I'm taking but I'd like to put together a system I can play all these great upcoming games on (DoW Dark Crusade, Company of Heroes, a couple others I can't think of right now).

I assume that with so many mobo manufacturers, etc. based in Taiwan, PC component availability will be pretty good. I bought a Core 2 Duo E6400 that didn't arrive in time for me to assemble a system with before I leave for Asia, so maybe I should take that with me and then buy mobo, RAM, optical drive. etc. once I get over there? What do you guys think? Any Taiwanese know what the CompUSA/Fry's of Taipei is? Thanks!

 

[Markbnj]

I have no doubt you will be able to buy everything you need, and at good prices.

Enjoy your stay, should be quite an experience. Just keep an eye out to the west, and have a plane ticket ready.

 

[piasabird]

Yah man look for some shops in Taiwan. That is where they make all the stuff we buy here. Well a lot of it anyway. Taiwan is where most of the big motherboard manufacturers are based. If they ship all that stuff over to the US, then it should be cheaper there.

I would consider Intel Core Duo from a strictly performance based point of view. I dont see how AMD is really making a big price break on their products anymore. A lot of computer products are all just based on personal preference.

You might want to look at the difference in the availability of a good steady power source. Do they use 220 in Taiwan?

 

[jonnyGURU]

Originally posted by: Ryan Norton
I'm going to be living in Taiwan for a year while I do a graduate program at National Chengchi Univ... I have a laptop I'm taking but I'd like to put together a system I can play all these great upcoming games on (DoW Dark Crusade, Company of Heroes, a couple others I can't think of right now).

I assume that with so many mobo manufacturers, etc. based in Taiwan, PC component availability will be pretty good. I bought a Core 2 Duo E6400 that didn't arrive in time for me to assemble a system with before I leave for Asia, so maybe I should take that with me and then buy mobo, RAM, optical drive. etc. once I get over there? What do you guys think? Any Taiwanese know what the CompUSA/Fry's of Taipei is? Thanks!

Are you joking?

Taipei SPITS on CompUSA/Fry's. They have entire city blocks dedicated to computer stores that sell the newest, latest and greatest.

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/jonnyGURU/IMG_0241.jpg

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/jonnyGURU/IMG_0242.jpg

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/jonnyGURU/IMG_0243.jpg

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/jonnyGURU/IMG_0244.jpg

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/jonnyGURU/IMG_0245.jpg

I bought a Gigabyte board and 3300 chip the day after AMD released the AM2 while in Taipei. 😀

 

[SuperSix]

I like how all the boxes are strapped shut..

 

[Ryan Norton]

Haha, whoa, PC boner. What cross street was that? I get into Taipei on Saturday AM and will have some time to shop before I make my way to campus 🙂

 

[jonnyGURU]

It's where they moved the Guanghua market to earlier this year. The first picture was taken at Jinshan South Rd. and Civic. Walk down Jinshan and take a left on Bade Rd, and there's more stores.

And remember, when you're over there, they're not Nazi's... they're Buddhists. 😉 But an inverted swastika is often the sign of a good place to eat. I'm not a vegetarian, but I got tired of "surprise" chicken feet and uncooked prawns. Chain food is typical (lots of KFC's and McDonalds over there) and there's a local chain called "Mos Burger" which serves a burger which is basically shrimp on a rice patty. Their breakfast is good, though... Bacon, egg and peanut butter on a bun. 🙂 Of course, Sushi is Sushi and there's nothing wrong with wok fried squid.

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: SuperSix
I like how all the boxes are strapped shut..

just like frys. but without the returned stickers on em😉

 

[orangat]

Originally posted by: Ryan Norton
........
I assume that with so many mobo manufacturers, etc. based in Taiwan, PC component availability will be pretty good. I bought a Core 2 Duo E6400 that didn't arrive in time for me to assemble a system with before I leave for Asia, so maybe I should take that with me and then buy mobo, RAM, optical drive. etc. once I get over there? What do you guys think? Any Taiwanese know what the CompUSA/Fry's of Taipei is? Thanks!

I can't remember if they have a national chain like Fry's but there are whole buildings whose stores specialise in computer parts and electronics just like Imbi/Lowyat in KL or SimLim in Singapore. I've only been to Nova plaza and it was crowded and hectic while I was there. Guanghwa market is probably a bigger place though.

 

[jonnyGURU]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo

Originally posted by: SuperSix
I like how all the boxes are strapped shut..

just like frys. but without the returned stickers on em😉

Fry's, Tiger, CheapGuys... Everyone is doing that now if they don't keep the product behind a counter. Can't trust people anymore. Just look at video cards. They now have to put a window in the box so you can see the S/N sticker on the card and match it with the number on the box because people were returning 6600 cards in 7800 boxes. 🙁