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Where do you buy your hardware?

dud

dud

Diamond Member
All, I am in the process of building two Duron-based systems. I am looking for 2 MSI Pro 2 MBs each with 128 MB PC 133 mem, 2 Duron 700s w/fans and 2 GeForce II video cards. I have built a few systems and usually bought locally but the prices at the local vendors (Orlando) are all unreasonably high so I have decided to try buying over the net (I promised myself I would never do this). I have checked a number of on-line sources and the best seem to be Mwave and AccessMicro. I would prefer to buy all parts from one vendor but I have had problems finding one vendor that has a good selection/price on all of these parts. Please share your favorite vendor with the rest of us and why they are. Also, if you have one(s) to avoid, well that would be appreciated too. I am not looking for necessarily the cheapest, just the best overall value.
 
A lot of people tell you to buy from as few vendors as possible to reduce shipping costs. But I usually buy when there's a coupon promotion or free shipping promotion. Check the Hot Deals forum periodically. And also the For Sale/Trade forum, think Jimmygates can get his hands on them...
 
second vote for mwave.com They got fairly good deals on most of the parts.. unfortuanly I'm local, so they'll charge me tax.. but I can always walk in to pick up my stuff.

 
I agree with Mixxen: Allstarshop is very good. Many people overlook them, and they're shipping costs are better than mwave. A good case w/250 ps for $30, MSI K7Tpro2-a 108, good prices on tbirds and durons etc.
 
Do your research upfront on the vendors reputation and return policy. Use a credit card. Be certain you're buying what you really want.

I used Sunshine Star recently and it was as good an experience as I've ever had. Product shipped on-time, fair price, answered all my questions pre-sale, price as agreed, happy customer. Would buy again. I've also purchased from TC Computers (before Insight acquisition), Micro-Pro, and Crucial. Had a stick of RAM go bad that I purchased from TC Computers (before acquisition by Insight) and they replaced it no hassle.

I've had major problems with Egghead.
 
Dud

I haven't tried the two online retailers that you mentioned. However, an excellent company that I have purchased several processors and my KT7 RAID motherboard from is ATACOM. They have the board that you are looking for. As of today the 18th they are selling it for $111.95. Sometimes they have been about 5 dollars more than other online retailers but I have saved a good amount on the shipping. Their customer service has been excellent.

Their website is http://www.atacom.com They have always been friendly and prompt in shipping. They have good prices on processors too. They may be willing to give you a deal since you are buying two.
 
I actually spend most of my time on deciding what to buy. The purchase, for me is pretty simple. I look for the best prices on the item on pricewatch or ibuyer and then check any vendor with a good price that I don't recognize with resellerratings, and if they have a 5 or better rating from a significant number of raters and the shipping ain't too bad, then I go for it.

Works for me, but then I don't look for coupons, return policies, and all the rest that you realy should. I mean, like, how anal are you going to get over a few bucks. 😉

Some stuff that I might return, or that are difficult to return, like monitors, I won't buy on line.
 
I'm surprised this wasn't mentioned already but...

Ebay!

I've probably saved over $500 in the last month alone.
Some bids can even beat the most aggressive reseller rates.

 
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