The absolute BEST time to buy a computer?

By Tokar
in Hardware Hangout

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Tokar

Posted
Posted

I know RAM prices pretty much hit rock bottom in terms of prices around this time

(1GB of quality namebrand RAM for tunder $100 online).

When, in your opinion(s) is the best time to buy a COMPLETE system?

Sure there is black friday...which usually yeilds a $300 after-rebates system over at Microcenter. Its usually needs a graphics card upgrade, but outside of that its a pretty rockin' system.

Grand Master

drshdw

Posted
Posted

Buy a laptop when those crazy Dell deals come around.

Desktop, never really..the cheap ones like 200 AR suck basically. There is no good time to buy, just buy when you need to upgrade or get something new. There is always going to be newer better stuff coming out...

Experienced

echo

Posted
Posted

Black Friday, before christmas, week after christmas (stores try and push overstocked items), back to school (this is a pretty descent time to buy computer stuff since computers play such a HUGE part in school now most retail stores will come down on their prices, just like clothes stores do), and just generally anytime you see nice deals.

I don't know if you have a "Best Buy" around your area but sometimes they have pretty good package deals w/ rebates.

I will never understand purchasing retail,packaged PC's though. Why not just build your own. You can pick your case and another pieces to match YOUR needs. Most "pre-built" retail PC's are always missing something or too overpowering for your needs. They are never just right for you. So you either spend too much for something you really don't need or end up having to speed more for something you need.

Veteran

Tokar

Posted
  • Author
Posted
he's right, no matter when you buy it, a month later its not worth as much and there's something better out there

586265576[/snapback]

i understand that....

TV's, computer's...mostly everything loses value over time.

Im just wondering when prices are best to buy.

Grand Master

Ajapi

Posted
Posted
Never, 1 GB ram has always been under 100 bucks (ever since I could remember)

586266347[/snapback]

Yeah, but the good quality stuff has come WAY down....OCZ Platinum Rev.2 RAM used to go for $270 a few months ago...Now you can find it for like $150 ;)

Grand Master

chavo

Posted
Posted

Well, right now and the next few months is a good time for me. I am going to be building a new system to replace my ancient XP1800+.

I don't have a whole lot of money to spend so I'm going to get it a few pieces at a time. I ordered the ram last week, I got 1 gig of OCZ Premium for like $168 at newegg. I ordered that first because I can use it in my system now, until I get all the new parts. Next week I'm going to order the motherboard.

I'm probably going to go ahead and order one of the Dell 2005FPW's also. They are going for $389 for the next couple of days, with some coupons.

Still haven't decided on the processor though. It's going to be AMD64, but not sure if I'm going to get X2 or not.

Then last but not least is the graphics card. I have no clue about that, I'm still using a GeForce 4 here. Well we'll see what's out and how the prices are in a couple of months when it's time to order it.

So basically, the best time to buy is when it's best for you.

Grand Master

strekship

Posted
Posted

The answer is always and never. As soon as you get a new system, some new technology will come out. So even thopugh you got the top of the line one week, next week it will be outdated. Kepp an eye out for deals though and start stocking up on parts, then build your own.

Grand Master

drshdw

Posted
Posted
Well, right now and the next few months is a good time for me. I am going to be building a new system to replace my ancient XP1800+.

I don't have a whole lot of money to spend so I'm going to get it a few pieces at a time. I ordered the ram last week, I got 1 gig of OCZ Premium for like $168 at newegg. I ordered that first because I can use it in my system now, until I get all the new parts. Next week I'm going to order the motherboard.

I'm probably going to go ahead and order one of the Dell 2005FPW's also. They are going for $389 for the next couple of days, with some coupons.

Still haven't decided on the processor though. It's going to be AMD64, but not sure if I'm going to get X2 or not.

Then last but not least is the graphics card. I have no clue about that, I'm still using a GeForce 4 here. Well we'll see what's out and how the prices are in a couple of months when it's time to order it.

So basically, the best time to buy is when it's best for you.

586266519[/snapback]

DFI nForce4 Ultra-D

6600GT, or better.

Experienced

echo

Posted
Posted

yea, it's so much better to build your own. go ahead and get yourself a nice tower that you love. that will last you a long time. you shouldn't have to upgrade towers as long as you get a good one. i would go with antec...i love their p180 (i think that's the model). then fill it will up to date stuff and keep upgrading from there depending on your needs. i know some people who replace their mobo and processor like 7 times a year because they are always look to get stuff done just a little faster. it just depends on what you use your computer for. if you do alot of video editing or graphics work then you are going to want to stay up to date because speed and reliablity in that field of work can NEVER hurt.

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