So, I moved to the area a few months ago, and my desktop is really due for an upgrade, now that my wallet has (mostly) recovered. Was wondering if anyone had any recommendations on where to get parts; only places I could find googling were Best Buy and Office Depot, and I prefer to not shop at either of those, if I can avoid it.
Posted Aug 18, 2022, 6:46 AM UTC
I miss ENU inc
Oh shit they closed?? To be fair, I haven't been there in years.
They couldn't compete with amazon
True. But that was THE place to go if you wanted to really talk nerd stuff. :)
I used Newegg when I built my PC back in 2019. Couldn't find much local for the prices I found on there at the time.
Best Buy is pretty much the best option for local pickup options for parts.
I agree with u/squizzoc
RTX4k series and a new round of Ryzens are due out in fairly short order. You've gone this long, set them bones aside and wait for the new generation of CPUs and GPUs (and VR headsets, while we're broadly on the subject)
As far as where to get the parts - I'd go direct to the manufacturers and sign up for whatever 'club' they might have and buy direct from them when the time comes.
I got my RTX 3080 direct from EVGA for MSRP at the height of Scalper Season last go-round.
Microcenter.com, NewEgg.com and Amazon.com.
Also keep in mind the RTX 4000 series is suppose to release this year, so you may want to hold off. It’s the only thing stopping me from building my new rig.
Scalpers will buy them all up immediately unfortunately. :/
Along with new AMD processors, supporting PCIE 5, DDR5, and the 4000 series Nvidia cards. I'm doing ALL those upgrades at the same time. Stock permitting. :)
Local part shops have been mostly killed off by Big Box stores and online retailers. ENU was terrific but went belly-up. Haven't found any local shop within decent driving distance. Portland has several, tho.
Last two systems I built and later upgraded were Amazon builds. Prices are decent sometimes good, and they tend to have wide availability. NewEgg has really gone horrible between third party sellers and policy changes, and Worst Buy reserves high-demand items for their membership club.
i miss fry's
I understand not wanting to support big box stores, but Best Buy made it super easy for me. I recently ordered a new GPU, paid for it online and had it shipped to the store on Hayden Island. Walked in, they handed it to me, and I walked out. No sales tax either, which helps on these big purchases.
Not sure about local, mom & pop stores though. Like others have said, the prices will be marked up and not everyone can afford that right now. YMMV.
Try I-5 computers in downtown Vancouver
never open
They're a little bit further out, but Northwest Computer Accessories in Clackamas has been locally owned for over 30 years, and is going to have a lot of the kinds of parts that you used to be able to get at Fry's or Radio Shack - not just the "over the counter" stuff from a place like Best Buy.
nwca.com
Depending on how many parts need upgrading you might want to look for a new system at CyberPowerPC. They've apparently got back to school specials too.
I go to best buy but I've been meaning to visit Cutting Edge Computer Solutions in Vancouver next time
Newegg.
Use newegg.
For new in box parts, Best Buy is your best choice. They are going to have the right deal and uphold the warranty. Walmart is another mega corp that sells parts but I assume you have the same feelings. Most smaller brands are gone (RIP Fry's)
You might be able to order through a small repair shop but they are going to mark it up and you won't get the receipt. If you want to avoid Best Buy you might as well go through the manufacturer or find a site to ship the parts directly to you like Newegg (or Amazon).
I had the same issue when I moved here from Houston, TX. Didn’t realize how spoiled we were with Micro Center right down the street. I ended up buying my new GPU from Newegg. I tried Best Buy but during the pandemic they never had stock. That’s gotten better now. I try to avoid buying from them too but the choices are pretty limited. Unless someone wants to organize a road trip to the nearest Micro Center, then I might be interested. LOL.
Micro Center should set up shop on Hayden Island, they’d make a killing and draw from the entire PNW.