Things You'll Need:
- Internet Connection
- Web Browser
- Telephone
- Excel or any other spreadsheet program
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Step 1
Decide what you want to achieve out of your computer. Are you a gamer? Are you a writer? Are you an office applications kinda guy? Then decide on your budget. The gamer would probably require the most exciting purchases since everything needs to be high-end. Compromise is not an issue. If you're a writer, then just go with the minimal specs. Read up on sites like Tomshardware or Anandtech for more information.
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Step 2
Scour the internet for good prices. Two of the best sites available: Pricegrabber.com and Pricewatch.com - they will offer you with the best opportunities to find the best prices. Pricewatch is especially useful since it allows you to have a breakdown of the item that you need by price, without really searching too hard.
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Step 3
Once you've located the items that you need, record them down onto a spreadsheet - cost, quantity, location they're shipping out from, etc. The last is important if you're being impatient.
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Step 4
Purchase extended warranties for all your parts if they're less than 3 years. True, this might be overkill, but most users switch to a new PC only every 3 years on average. So make sure your parts last just as long. You don't want to end up with a crashed hard drive and then having to purchase a new expensive one when an additional $5 will give you a free replacement.
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Step 5
Make sure you buy from reputable sources. Check to make sure they have a return policy of at least 7 days. That's enough time for you to build and test your computer out for any defects. Some problems might occur only after the return period has expired. That's where the warranty comes into play.
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Step 6
Call up the company if you're unsure. Some give out free shipping on their site, but with a few caveats. So make a quick call to confirm the details.
