Which components to buy first?

[acctingman]

Hello

If someone where to buy a component or two at a time when building a new PC, which, in order of least importance, would you suggest they buy first? I'm looking to do this over the next 2-3 months.

Thanks!

 

[paperwastage]

case / PSU / HDD / SSD (depending if you already have an eye set on a size / wattage/GPU/...)

could probably throw RAM in there too

 

[Essence_of_War]

Here's the problem.

Many components you may buy have warranties with different conditions depending on their source. You really don't want to have a component sitting around using up some easy return period while you're not using it, and not even sure that it works!

If you don't have the money to buy your whole build at once, the best plan is probably to save the money, rather than buy components one at a time, then buy all of your components within the same week-ish window, so you'll be able to build quickly and take care of any problems within warranty/return/exchange periods.

If you absolutely cannot possibly wait, you could conceivably get your:
CPU, MoBo, RAM, SSD/HDD, PSU, Case

assemble that into a working rig, and then later add in:
CPU heatsink (optional), GPU, any additional SSD/HDDs

but that really only works because the first list is a working build on its own.

 

[Ken g6]

If you have an old computer to cannibalize, you could conceivably:

1. Get a new CPU/mobo. You also need RAM if your old computer's RAM won't work. You also should probably use a case, either your current one or get a new one. You can then use your old PSU, at least one drive (even if it's a USB drive for Linux), and possibly any GPU.

2. You can at any point from here get a new case, PSU, more RAM, or drive(s), and a new copy of Windows if you need it. If I had to pick one thing to get first it would be an SSD (assuming you want one at all), followed closely by Windows (assuming you won't use Linux.)

3. You shouldn't upgrade your video card until you have your final PSU, and probably your final case too; but you should keep in mind the video card you want when purchasing any new PSU and case.

 

[acctingman]

After much deliberation and the opinions stated here I'm just going to throw $100 a paycheck into a separate account. Once I save $1000 then I'll buy.

Thanks

 

[JackMDS]

After much deliberation and the opinions stated here I'm just going to throw $100 a paycheck into a separate account. Once I save $1000 then I'll buy.

Thanks

Smart Move. :thumbsup:

When you are going to get close look here it is update weekly.



http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2192841

 

[acctingman]

Smart Move. :thumbsup:

When you are going to get close look here it is update weekly.



http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2192841

Yep.....amazing thread!!

 

[Essence_of_War]

Feel free to make a new thread when you're ready to buy/build and we'd be more than happy to help you find the best deals!

 

[acctingman]

Ya know....I visit (mainly lurk) on a ton of different forums (PC gaming, miniature gaming, sports, etc...tons of them) and HANDS DOWN....this is the most friendly and helpful forum ever.

You who help/post/offer advice should pat yourselves on the back.

/clap!!

 

[lucklessgorath]

Order from amazon first. Wait eight days then order from new egg.

Since you are poor like me I know you will be using the cheapest shipping option they offer.

Both orders should arrive on the same day.

Seriously, placed two orders last Wednesday. New Egg order arrived today and then two hours later I get an email from amazon letting me know that my order finally shipped and will arrive on Tuesday the 28th. WTF?

 

[acctingman]

Deleting this and starting a new post

 

[mfenn]

Order from amazon first. Wait eight days then order from new egg.

Since you are poor like me I know you will be using the cheapest shipping option they offer.

Both orders should arrive on the same day.

Seriously, placed two orders last Wednesday. New Egg order arrived today and then two hours later I get an email from amazon letting me know that my order finally shipped and will arrive on Tuesday the 28th. WTF?

Amazon has better depot coverage, and so will generally be faster. BUT, for any given item, speed totally depends on the item in question and availability of said item.

 

[mfenn]

Smart Move. :thumbsup:

Agree 100%. It's always better to have that money sitting in the bank where it collects interest (or at least doesn't lose value) than it is to have it sitting on your desk in the form of individually-useless, quickly-depreciating computer parts.