quick question about buying hardware

[fowozolo]

If you are buying a few pieces at a time for a new build is the GPU the best thing to buy last in hopes of a price drop or should I just buy it all at once. I was planning on buying pieces over 2 months or so but may just buy it all at once.

[doctorgonzo]

Most components drop in price as time goes on, not just GPUs. If you don't have all the money you need now and you want to be strategic about timing your purchasing, perhaps you should do some research to see what new technologies or products are going to be coming out in the next month or two. When something new comes out, the prices for existing devices usually drop, so if you know that there is going to be a new video card or processor or what have you coming out in six weeks, I'd wait on those components.

[MakeYourslf2012]

It's best to wait until you have the money for a full build, then buy all together.

[gherkin]

Agree with MakeYourslf plus it will save on postage/shipping if you get it all together especially if your in the UK, although I'm not sure what shipping prices are like Stateside

[fowozolo]

Thanks guys. I think I will just buy it all. I have the money but was trying to be strategic like the one guy mentioned. I am going to buy a few pieces to stick in my current PC (dvdRW and TV tuner) then I will just buy the rest in one sweep. Thanks again.

[Staren]

If you really want to split the cost over a few orders, the stuff you can buy now without stressing over the best deal is the case, optical drives, hard drives, and power supply (if you know what parts you're going with and just waiting). Sometimes the RAM if there is a good deal going, and like the PSU, you have a good idea what you need. The stuff you should wait until you're ready to build on are the motherboard, CPU, and Video Card. The motherboard is another iffy one. If you arn't building a high end gaming system, then it can be on the buy as avalible list as long as it's a good brand, and has the CPU socket type / graphics interface you want. I have done this before. It just takes a little more thought on your part to do right.

[jfk]

Originally Posted by Staren If you really want to split the cost over a few orders, the stuff you can buy now without stressing over the best deal is the case, optical drives, hard drives, and power supply (if you know what parts you're going with and just waiting). Sometimes the RAM if there is a good deal going, and like the PSU, you have a good idea what you need. The stuff you should wait until you're ready to build on are the motherboard, CPU, and Video Card. The motherboard is another iffy one. If you arn't building a high end gaming system, then it can be on the buy as avalible list as long as it's a good brand, and has the CPU socket type / graphics interface you want. I have done this before. It just takes a little more thought on your part to do right.

Agreed. This is the route I took when I built my sig rig. Although I only spread it out over a 2 month period, I DID save some $$$ without winding up with an outdated rig.

[fowozolo]

Originally Posted by Staren If you really want to split the cost over a few orders, the stuff you can buy now without stressing over the best deal is the case, optical drives, hard drives, and power supply (if you know what parts you're going with and just waiting). Sometimes the RAM if there is a good deal going, and like the PSU, you have a good idea what you need. The stuff you should wait until you're ready to build on are the motherboard, CPU, and Video Card. The motherboard is another iffy one. If you arn't building a high end gaming system, then it can be on the buy as avalible list as long as it's a good brand, and has the CPU socket type / graphics interface you want. I have done this before. It just takes a little more thought on your part to do right.

Thanks Staren. That is exactly the information I wanted to know. Still not sure if I will string it out a few months or not but I wanted to know what parts to buy in advance if I did.

[glc]

I'd wait on the hard drive too - the capacity vs. price factor keeps dropping. Ram, motherboard (unless you are waiting for a new socket type), case/PSU, and peripherals are safe. Opticals are fairly safe because the speed factor is pretty much topped out now.