Okay so here is a bit of a back story... A while ago I decided that I was going to buy my first computer, I wanted something that allowed me to game and had portability so I decided on a gaming laptop. After a bit of research I realized this was a stupid idea so I'm now buying a budget laptop with good battery life and getting a gaming desktop. I'm still tossing up whether or not building my own desktop is worth the risk but while I'm making that decision I am also comparing prices and building my dream laptop for my price range. I decided to use newegg to find parts but unfortunately I discovered that they do not deliver to New Zealand, where I live. As I see it there are now four roads I can travel down.
1) Use a package forwarding service like bongo international, shipito or bundle box.
2)Order from NZ. This options present the problem of price look at these two products from newegg and an online New Zealand computer parts store
www.accent.co.nz.
MSI N560GTX-Ti Twin Frozr II 2GD5/OC, GeFo : Ascent Technology 400664 Newegg.com - MSI N560GTX-Ti Twin Frozr II 2GD5/OC GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
The one on accent is 100 USD more expensive than the one on newegg. I'm pretty sure the cost of shipping via a package forwarder to NZ would be less than that and the price difference will of course increase with the product price. Also newegg has a greater variety.
3) Buy computer parts from Australia or a website that offers good prices and international shipping. Funnily enough on an Australian website called gamedude.com.au the video card used in the last example was more expensive and was only listed as 1.5gb...
4) Buy a pre-built PC which will have the same cost effectiveness problems but will remove stress and worry and the chance of me screwing up building my first PC. I will have the budget laptop to fall back on if a component is ruined by static etc. and until I get enough money for a replacement but I would rather not have to go through that.
Advice on which option I should take or a new one would be good. Also advice on websites and services I could use would be appreciated and so would advice on components to use.