Got an old laptop or desktop and want to upgrade the hard drive and memory without having to buy a new computer? Or maybe you’re getting rid of an old machine and want to build you own dream machine? Either way, you’ll want to find compatible computer parts for the cheapest price.
There are lots of online retailers that sell computer and tech-related items, but there are a few that have consistently provided great deals on lots of computer hardware components.
In this article, I’ll mention a couple of websites I use to find good deals on parts. If you have other sites or methods you use, please feel free to post them in the comments!
By the way, if you aren’t sure which exact part to get that will be compatible with a motherboard, etc., make sure to check out PC Part Picker, an awesome site that will allow you to build and price out a custom PC. The best part is that it will tell you if certain parts are incompatible with each other.
NewEgg.com
Newegg.com has always been a great choice for buying all kinds of computer parts ranging from web cams to hard drives to video cards to power supplies to fans, etc, etc.
They just have a ton of stuff and geeks love to buy their gear from there. They also have a great return policy, so if anything is not working, you can always return it for free and get another one.
What I like about Newegg is that they have Shell Shocker deals, featured daily deals and eggextra! deals going on all the time. You can find some really cool stuff for cheap with some of these deals.
Micro Center
Micro Center is known for having great deals on CPUs, so always check their site and you might find the lowest price for the CPU you are looking to purchase.
They also have brick and mortar stores, so you can go in and try to find a deal too. Also, you can purchase something online and go pick it up the same day if you live close by, which is a nice perk.
The stores are also a really fun place to hang out because they have gaming setups, a system builder’s center, and lots more stuff to kill time. Lastly, the people in the store actually understand tech, so you can ask them questions and they’ll be able t answer.
TigerDirect.com
If you are looking for some hardware, it’s always a good idea to check on Newegg and TigerDirect and buy it from the retailer that is cheaper.
They have a really good shipping policy and you can usually get free shipping on orders greater than $100. TigerDirect has been around since the 80’s and they really have some awesome deals.
Another way to find great deals is to sign up for their deal alerts at their retail stores. I happen to live in Dallas and TigerDirect has a local retail store, which means I find even better deals at the retail store sometimes than on the website. If you happen to live near a TigerDirect retail store, then sign up for those email alerts!
Crucial.com
Crucial.com is one of my favorite sites because it really helps you if you are not a techie and need help in finding the right parts for your specific system. Before they used to just give recommendations for memory, but now they also will help you find compatible internal hard drives and solid state hard drives.
They are not really a hardware retailer, but since most consumers are really ever only upgrading their memory or buying a new hard drive, it’s perfect for finding the right hardware for your system.
I always use Crucial to find the right item and then search on Newegg and TigerDirect to see if I can find that part cheaper there.
Frys.com
If you have a Fry’s Electronics store near you, you can find some crazy deals on lots of computer parts.
They have a huge array of items and they are always having big sales on small and big ticket items, especially in the store. You can check out their ads or follow some deal sites like TechBargains that have a Frys Deals section.
I was recently able to grab a new iPad 2 16GB Wifi for $300 and pick it up at the store when they had a two-day sale on iPads. That’s the cheapest price by far I was able to find!
Amazon.com and eBay
Last, but not least, you can find some good deals on Amazon and eBay if you really hunt for bargains. If you are an Amazon Prime member, you can get free shipping and get it faster than you might be able to get it on other hardware sites. If you don’t mind buying something used, you can always find great deals on eBay.
What are your favorites sites and places to find the best deals on computer parts? Let us know in the comments. Enjoy!