Computer purchases - tricks for getting cheap stuff
Last night, I took a fair amount of time assembling a build with the help of 4chan's /g/. Using various guides, I assembled a machine worth $1100, using all the available deals I thought I could find. After I posted this build, people showed me where I was going overboard, where I could cut corners, and where I could get the best deals. Eventually, we trimmed it down to $800, and I still could have gone lower if I wasn't so vain about the case.
So, I thought I'd share with you some of what I learned last night, and hope that some of you know other tricks to getting stuff cheap or free around the Internet (without piracy hohoho).
First, how I got Windows 7 Pro for $30!
-There's a student deal for this upgrade, if you have a school email address, go to here:
http://www.microsoft.com/student/en/us/software/windows.aspx
Fill out the form there, buy the thing for $30, and download it!
If you're not upgrading, you can still use this if you can manage to get your hands on an installation of Windows XP - something that's easier to do these days, apparently. You could also be dubious about it :O
Then, how I cut back on costs on Newegg:
-A lot of products are made by several companies, but the product itself is essentially the same. For RAM, if you just look at what a handful of quality companies (Kingston, G.Skill, Corsair) are selling, see what's cheapest, you can usually save yourself some cash. The same goes for other pieces of hardware, just look around various companies.
Mobos - Gigabyte, Asus, MSI
graphics - Gigabyte, Asus, Sapphire, XFX, MSI
Case - Coolermaster, Antec, Lian Li
PSU - Antec, Seasonic, Corsair, OCZ, Silverstone
HDD - Samsung, Western Digital, others - here, they're so cheap, it harder ever matters. There's a Samsung 1TB drive that rocks for like $80
The real beauty of Newegg comes from the combo deals, though. Even after you've found the cheapest version of whatever piece of hardware you're looking for, you should browse some of the combo deals for various items. Use the Combo Deals search page (http://www.newegg.com/Special/Combo.aspx?listType=combo&name=Combo-Deals) to look for the specific model of item you want (not necessarily with the company name), and see if you can find it paired with other models you want, or maybe slightly different versions of those.
And, when in doubt, ask a forum, like 4chan's /g/. They seem eager to help, most of the time. Just do enough research on your own to make them feel like they're helping someone smart.
Here's my final build:
It's a good card. The 5770 was my other option in building this computer, but I went with the more expensive 460 because that has become everyone's new 5770. Sapphire is a good manufacturer, and that particular model appears to be in good standing on Newegg.
The 5770 does also play FFXIV pretty well.
I should revise my earlier statements that building a computer is super easy.
While it is easy, it is also an extremely daunting task. You're going to want to pay attention to a guide carefully, or have a friend that knows what he's doing. I could probably field some questions at this point, but be careful with this process.
building a computer is indeed easy, but as you said, only of you know what you're doing.
I've got 2 computers so far, and both of em I've built myself.
One of the main advices I can personally give about making gaming desktops is not to go for the most expensive, but rather look at how the prices change.
For the newest components, the change in price is the largest one, while the difference mostly aint that big. therefore, you're mostly best off with with the better ones from the range with small price-difference.
Mostly these components cost about half the newest one costs. and by the time that component is starting to come short for games, you can buy a new component with the saved money that's even better than the original expensive one.
There are some exceptions on this though. Because the motherboard and CPU are the hardest to replace ( especially the motherboard), it's wise to invest a bit extra in these components rather than in the others.
so if you're trying to cut down on your expenses, cut down a bit on your graphics card or so first, since it's rather easy to replace when you got some new cash.
It's funny that you mention the motherboard, because mine just busted. Suuuucks.
haha, what type did you get?
had to have my motherboard replaced once, but the new one I got is one I'm really happy with.
I quite like gigabyte, especially with the dual bios ^^
mine is a gigabyte 870A somethingsomething
it failed after i arrived in japan, so it might not have been its own fault. Still frustrating.
you know gigabyte has a 3y warranty?
anyway, I'm most likely gonna build a new one in a year or so.
and most likely it's gonna be a gigabyte motherboard again.
both my previous and my current pc have one :p
but ye, can quite imagine it's frustrating. because if your motherboard fails, it's like nearly rebuilding your whole computer again.
which reminds me, still have to send in my submission for a contest here.
best composition for €1500 gets the pc sent home :p
I'd like some opinions on this card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102873&cm_re=Ra...
I dont know a whole lot about hardware so feel free to tell me things that seem obvious. That card is right in my price range but if I can get something better for the same amount or a little more i'd really want to know.
i'm mostly buying this to play FFXIV, so if anyone knows what this card or others in its price range scored on the benchmark i'd love to hear it. Thanks for the help!