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I recently built 2 white boxen for home use. I used newegg and had no complaints. But TC Computers was quicker and cheaper. I ordered a mobo/cpu/fan combo about 2 months ago, and it was on my front porch >> 25 hours to place the order! And every day they have a 'Todays Deal' item in addition to weekly specials. I find myself checking their site every day to see what the deal of the day is. Dangit, didn't I get that HTML code right???

I'll just throw this into the bag. I like TCComputers (http://www.tccomputers.com) very much. When I do my research it doesn't always end up that they have the best prices, but I can say that I've developed a relationship with them. I keep buying parts from them, and they keep delivering. I haven't been disappointed yet with a bad part or a damaged delivery.

TC Computers

for MB/CPU/CASE/etc

then grab a couple of super quiet case fans here:
Silencer Case Fans

I build my own this way and couldn't be happier. I'm ready to build another now and will go to those 2 places again to order.

I've also ordered from Directron and was happy with them as well.

PC

I like Thompsons computer warehouse as well. Calling your CC company to add your shipping address to your Credit Card Bill To address will eliminate the delay for verification calls. I've ordered four processors from them in the past three months. Excellent shipping time. Excellent price and exactly as advertised. I prefer the OEM versions. But they sell Boxed as well. Can't vouch for the price on the Boxed as I've never bought one like that.

Another site I like is TC Computers now part of Insight.com. The memory from All Components has performed well for me. They also have better selection of accessories and addons. I like the ThermalTake heatsink cooling fans.

On the positive side, several purchases from Insight were perfect with good support when a video card fried itself. TC Computers was always good for motherboards and what not (and now owned by Insight). Buy.com and Amazon have also been good to me. So on and so on for about two dozen purchases.

I think the summary here is bad experiences with big (and expensive) on line retailers, less than 10%. Bad experiences with small, fly-by-night retailers, more than 70%. Gee, you really do get what you pay for.

Uhhh... have you checked prices lately?

Just some examples:

30.7GB HDD: US$115.00

2 sticks of 64mb pc-133 sdram: 29.00x2=$~60

Wow, just made it in under the wire... maybe the shipping will put it right on with the price.

Just some advice... When I built my last PC, I did it by buying all the components I wanted from TC Computers. I basically bought an unassembled system, minus a few things I already had (floppy drive, NIC card). Then I got TC to apply a "full system discount" as though they had sold me a complete system. This is important, because unless you get very good deals on your components, you're going to end up paying more for a system you put together yourself (but you're also going to get exactly what you want). By getting a complete system, you'll also get a copy of Windows and maybe Office (which, let's face it, most of us still need).

I'm sure there are other companies that do the same thing as TC. You basically find a place with good prices that also sells complete systems. Then you might have to be a little sneaky. Pick a system that's most like the one you want. Then say, "Oh, by the way, I want to substitute this motherboard for that one, this video card for that one, etc... Oh, and I don't need a keyboard or a floppy drive. Oh, and you might as well not assemble it either. Thanks."

Well, the systems must cost >$2000 (USD)! Let's see - 128MB Stick of RAMBUS RAM, $780, Newest Pentium3-850, $530, that's $1310 before mobo, HD, CD, case, KB, Mouse, etc... Not to mention assembly, business overhead, some profit,and that requisite copy of Windows! Granted these prices are retail, so the cost to big manufacturers should be lower...
[NOTE: Pricing from Treasure Chest Computers

Heres some spec/price links. The price is about dead-on for retail market.

Baby AT w/2M cache
Baby AT w/1M cache

DFI also makes a identical board in ATX. As for the CPU, you should be able to pick up a retail-box K6-2 500 for about $100. (the 400 can be had for about $50).

Heres some spec/price links. The price is about dead-on for retail market.

Baby AT w/2M cache
Baby AT w/1M cache

DFI also makes a identical board in ATX. As for the CPU, you should be able to pick up a retail-box K6-2 500 for about $100. (the 400 can be had for about $50).

This year I went around ordering parts for a new computer. For two of the pieces (Athlon 550MHz CPU, and an Enlight case), I just pointed my browser over to PriceWatch and just found the cheapest price. Placed my order for those 2 parts on the 17th, and all those got here on the 22nd. The other three parts I ordered (Asus K7M motherboard, IBM Deskstar harddrive, and some ram) I order from TCComputers. I did this with two seperate orders, but only one of the orders arrived. I placed the one that arrived I placed on the 17th also, but the one that has yet to arrive I placed on the 18th. I was actually quite amazed that everything amazed myself. Had a lot of problems 2 years ago with ordering online, stupid company kept on screwing me over.

This year with ordering online has been pretty good so far. But you still can't beat going out to the mall to get all the shopping done. And while your out shopping, you can preview all the ladies.

Its not what it is, its something else.