Building Your Own Computer

Where do I purchase computer parts?

As a kid I always went to the local computer show (or at least the closest one I could find) for my computer parts. But the easiest place is a retail store, such as EggHead software, Software ect., and Fry’s Electronics.  Many of these retails stores now have websites that allow you to buy parts online.

Computer Shows or Online

These shows are usually at your local fairgrounds. The shows are usually advertised in the paper and can be found on the Internet. Here you can buy parts at wholesale prices. But of course there are some disadvantages.

Most computer shows are only once a month, so if you want to exchange a part in person you must wait a whole month or else pay for shipping. Also the wholesalers usually have a one month exchange policy on non-defective parts and a restocking fee. So you better know what you want when you buy it. Finally they limit you to the manufacturer warranty, many stores extend the manufacturer warranty with warranty upgrade packages. (By the way, I would avoid paying for an extra warranty period, if the component dies in a few years, you would be needing to replace it anyway because it would be so out of date.)  Good online places to look would be
Tech Depot or Cyberguys.com.

Retail Stores

If you have plenty of money to spend, I would get your parts from a retail store. Even though they are more expensive you get extended warranties, all the free advice you want, and can easily exchange defective, non-compatible, or unwanted parts with no questions asked. It is my local retail store that I owe most of my computer hardware knowledge. I was a young 17-year old who would come in all the time with no money, but plenty of questions and dreams.

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Parts You Need To Buy
The Motherboard
Peripheral Overview
Piecing It All Together
FAQ

Article last reviewed: 07/21/2003

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