Aseem Kishore · August 19, 2012 · 5 min read 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 your 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 webcams 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 80s 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 (BestBuy.com)
Note: Sadly, Frys.com has ceased operations and they have closed down all of their stores. It’s one of the few from back in the days that didn’t survive! We now recommend BestBuy.com.
With CircuitCity and Fry’s electronic stores now gone, the best brick-and-mortar store left is BestBuy. They have managed to survive through the pandemic and have done a great job with online deals and their rewards program.
They regularly have big blowout deals around holidays and other events (like competing against Amazon’s Prime Day). They also own the GeekSquad, so whatever you purchase can be setup, repaired, or upgraded by their team if you like.
It’s best to join their rewards program so that you can get points for every purchase (BestBuy also sells a whole lot of stuff other than computers and tech), free shipping, and early access to deals during Black Friday, etc.
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!
