What are the best places online to find components for DIY rigs?

jazmann

Member
Mar 24, 2005
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First off, I'm pretty new to AT, so please forgive/move if this is not in the correct forum.

I have puchased two dells in the past, the latest in 02 was an 8200. Never really had any probs until recently decided that it was time to upgrade. Big problems, there.

After listening to the dell sales pitch (in barely understandible english) about the newest (non upgradeable) dell system that could be mine for a mere $1500-$1600, I began an internet search.

That is when I stumbled upon AT. I'm convinced, now, that I will be building my next rig.
I found newegg and just bought a 3520A. I found a deal at frys/outpost on a 120GB WD SATA. Both were found through AT. TYVM.

So other than newegg(great) and outpost(sales tax a bummer), what are some other reliable places to find good prices on components for a DIY rig?

I'm into gaming, somewhat. Mostly RPGs and RTS type stuff. But do play the occasional FPS. Doom3 is the reason I was looking to upgrade. Any feedback is much appreciated.
 

YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Moderator<br>A/V & Home Theater<br>Elite member
Aug 6, 2001
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Zip Zoom Fly is another great place.

I go to SVC sometimes too.

EDIT: Are you looking for suggestions for new components for that price? (you have a burner and HDD already, do you have a monitor / keyboard / mouse / speakers already too?)
 

shoRunner

Platinum Member
Nov 8, 2004
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definately keep checking out out the hot deals forum and maybe fatwallet. there is also chiefvalue (newegg's twin) & monarch that i can think of. you can also use pricewatch and resellerratings on websites your not so sure about.
 

jazmann

Member
Mar 24, 2005
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I plan on building my rig in the next month, money allowing.

Yes, Ive got some of the parts that will go into my new system already. I want my system to be somewhat future upgradeable. I know there has been lots of talk about PCI-E. Is this much more expensive?

Also, I think I'm leaning more towards AMD than Pentium. What are the adv/disadv of the two?

120GB WD SATA
NEC 3520A BLK
Keyboard/mouse

Need everything else. Looking to keep it below $600
My wife will continue using the dell, so the monitor and speakers will be tied up there.

Thanks to all for any advice.
 

justly

Banned
Jul 25, 2003
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The price differance for PCI-E is minimal, unless you already have an AGP card that you plan to use PCI-E is the better choice.

Advantages between the two really depend on what it is being used for, Athlon 64 is considered better for just about everything except the few areas where the P4 has the advantage. The P4 advantage is pertty much limited to two situations, streaming apps like encoding that can be highly SSE optomized and multitasking very demanding apps (the key word here is demanding, meaning apps that can utilize up to 100% cpu load).

Currently socket 939 (and 940 if you are considering the opteron line) are considered to be the most future proof (although nothing is a sure thing).

With a $600 limt "bang for the buck" might be more important than being "future proof" although you should be able to get both if you do your homework, especially if you plan to overclock.

 

Zepper

Elite Member
May 1, 2001
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those already mentioned plus:
monarchcomputer.com
www.ecspc.biz
directron.com
svc.com
jab-tech.com
hypermicro.com - for data storage stuff and SCSI
sidewindercomputers.com
geeks.com for odds and ends
gogamer.com for software and stuff.
provantage.com
and possibly gameve.com.

.bh.
 

jazmann

Member
Mar 24, 2005
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Thank you all, this will help me immeasurably. And thank you, Kooldrew for the link to UsandThems guide. It's great.