Cumputer parts sourcing.

This isn't really a post about computer help per se, but more about the availability of PC parts.

Now, the last time I built a computer was probably well over ten years ago, but I remember being able to walk into a store, and buy everything I wanted with no difficulty. If by some off chance the store didn't have what I was looking for I could get them to order it, and I'd have it rather quickly.

Well, today I went to three different stores. They barely had anything, and the selection available was pretty dated. If I wanted to build an office computer back in the early 2000s I'd have been fine, but they didn't have anything current gen. I asked if they could order what I was looking for, and the first two stores flat out told me no. The third store told me they could, but they wanted my money up front, and told me they couldn't give me an estimated date for delivery.

I thought about going to Best Buy, but I friggin hate Best Buy.

So, I just finished spending some time on the internet, and even on the main MSI or ASUS pages their stock is out. I was able to find what I was looking for on Newegg, and some other less reputable places, and some things were suspiciously low in price.

My question is what is going on?

What happened to being able to get whatever you wanted from one place, and why is it that some things are flat out out of stock?

Can anyone give me a suggestion or a website they trust to get everything from?

I guess I could use Newegg, but the last time I bought something off that site they sent me a used part, instead of a new part, and gave me a hard time in giving me the difference.

a reply to: AutomateThis1

The problem is Covid and try buying it all on Amazon. There are websites that will give you different builds and where to source each part and then you know the parts you are getting work together.. pcpartpicker.com

I personally recommend Tiger Direct.

They always have great prices, and their customer service is pretty spot-on.

My wife and I both have Dell workstations we bought off lease. Top of the line machines with Intel Xeon processors; we paid $500 apiece. Tiger Direct.

a reply to: AutomateThis1

Computer stores have been a dying business model for quite a few years now. The online marketplace has all but killed the small retailers. Most of the popular chains bailed out before the going got tough.

The remaining ones survive on repairs rather than sales.

I built my latest PC using parts I ordered from Amazon, all brand new, boxed and at a decent price.

That's not too bad. I'll check those places out.

This computer will be used for photo and video editing, and while I'm at it probably for gaming.

So, I've been checking out the new gaming pc stuff. If it can handle current gaming requirements, then it should be able to handle everything I want it to do.

I could just buy a computer, but since it's been so long since I've built one.. I wanna build one lol.

a reply to: Wide-Eyes

That's good to know.

I haven't bought anything off of Amazon in years.

But as long as I can actually get new parts, and not an old part in a new box I guess I'll give it a shot.

a reply to: AutomateThis1

Yep, building your own is far more satisfying.

As for second hand parts, that's far more likely on EBay.

My only advice for shopping on Amazon is reviews, reviews, reviews and more reviews.

originally posted by: AutomateThis1
a reply to: Wide-Eyes

That's good to know.

I haven't bought anything off of Amazon in years.

But as long as I can actually get new parts, and not an old part in a new box I guess I'll give it a shot.

I built a computer, years ago, to take with me to S. Korea. I bought a video card from Tiger Direct that was faulty. The military was picking up my stuff to ship over there, in two days. I called Tiger Direct, explained my situation, and they sent me a new card by next-day air... on their dime. Pretty awesome. I've stuck with them ever since.

(No, I do not work there.)

Try Newegg.com.

It's one of the online parts dealers. We have a MicroCenter in the area and they carry a pretty large stock of instore parts; they also sell online and are one of the bigger online dealers along with Newegg.

So, I'm still looking at all these new parts. Looking at motherboards at the moment. Why is it that the specs of the products can be so similar, identical in some instances, and yet priced differently. Within the same brand.

I've been staring at the Asus motherboards for at least half an hour and I'm just sitting there like what's the friggin difference?

In some instances there's the obvious AMD vs Intel, in other cases it's the same, but it just looks different.

Ughhhh. Have I been out of the game too long?

I'm trying to compare MSI vs Asus vs etc etc. But damn it's turning into a pita.

Alright, I'm turning this into a proper computer help thread.

The price isn't an issue, but I'm not going to pay more money on something that isn't worth and just soend money for the sake of spending money.

I'm going to spend a portion of the next hour coming up with a list of parts and I would appreciate any opinion from knowledgeable peoples.

originally posted by: ketsuko
Try Newegg.com.

Second that. However, it depends on where you live. I'm assuming the OP is in North America, as they referenced Best Buy. If you're in Canada, there's stores like Canada Computers, PC-Canada, mikes computer shop, etc. I've bought numerous items in store from Canada Computers and they're usually well stocked.

a reply to: AutomateThis1

I've built my own systems for over 20 years, and the 1 thing I always do with a 1st build, is go with a high end MB. You can get a lower end CPU, less gb of memory for both the MB and video card, etc. Then in a few years, if you want to upgrade, the MB has the capacity for you to upgrade those components, which usually drop in price and so you future proof yourself for about 5 years at least.

Me, I bought an Asus Sabertooth 990FX about 7 years ago, with 4 GB ram, 1 GB Nvidia GPU and a FX4100 CPU. A few years later, RAM prices dropped, I upgraded to 16 GB of Ram, then a while later got a FX8350, and then a GTX1070. As long as the MB is high end at the time and has the capacity to upgrade, it's well worth paying for that initial investment

Real time update:

Whew boy I saw some of the high end graphics cards by Nvidia.

Lol. I might have to buy a Titan RDX for poops and giggles at some point just to see what I can do with it.

a reply to: TortoiseKweek

Yep, I usually go for ASUS by default.

My tablet is ASUS as well, it's served me well for about 5 years now.

a reply to: AutomateThis1

Unless you want to get into overclocking or SLI just grab a decent brand basic motherboard with the socket you want.

Cumputer sounds like a Coomers PC.

a reply to: TortoiseKweek

Yeah I'm a Tennessean. I've used Newegg before, but they gave me a hard time. I bought an ASUS ROG laptop and they sent me the wrong one and I had to oester the crap out of them to take it back and send me the one I actually ordered.

Later I went to buy a new housing and the one they sent me was obviously used. Idk what happened, but the box was in perfect condition. When I unboxed it there were scratches all over it, and it wouldn't even stay shut. They gave me a hard time over that one too.

I'm open to trying them out again.

originally posted by: TortoiseKweek
a reply to: AutomateThis1

I've built my own systems for over 20 years, and the 1 thing I always do with a 1st build, is go with a high end MB. You can get a lower end CPU, less gb of memory for both the MB and video card, etc. Then in a few years, if you want to upgrade, the MB has the capacity for you to upgrade those components, which usually drop in price and so you future proof yourself for about 5 years at least.

Me, I bought an Asus Sabertooth 990FX about 7 years ago, with 4 GB ram, 1 GB Nvidia GPU and a FX4100 CPU. A few years later, RAM prices dropped, I upgraded to 16 GB of Ram, then a while later got a FX8350, and then a GTX1070. As long as the MB is high end at the time and has the capacity to upgrade, it's well worth paying for that initial investment

That's the main reason we bought the off-lease Dell workstations. Serious motherboards/CPUs/chipsets, heavy duty power supplies and easy upgrades. Buying off-lease saved us a ton of money.

a reply to: AutomateThis1

 When I unboxed it there were scratches all over it, and it wouldn't even stay shut. 

You were sent a refurb.

A scrappy one at that.

The price isn't really a big deal for me. I have a range I'd like to stay in for the most part. For instance I don't need a $2000+ graphics card.

But if I see something that I really just want for no other reason just to have, the government can pick up the tab.