Building or upgrading a PC can be expensive, but with smart shopping strategies, you can save hundreds of dollars while still getting high-performance components.
Whether you’re building a gaming rig, a workstation, or a budget PC, knowing where and how to buy parts at the best prices is crucial.
This guide will show you the best ways to save money on PC parts, including buying strategies, discount opportunities, and cost-cutting tips.
1. Plan Your PC Build in Advance
Before buying any parts, create a complete parts list to avoid impulse purchases or compatibility issues.
✅ Steps to Plan Your Build:
✔ Define your budget and performance goals (e.g., gaming, video editing, office work).
✔ Use PCPartPicker.com to check compatibility and compare prices.
✔ Decide which components are most important (e.g., CPU & GPU for gaming).
✔ Check upgrade paths to avoid unnecessary spending on future upgrades.
Planning ahead prevents overspending and buying parts you don’t need.
2. Look for Deals, Sales, and Discounts
Many retailers offer discounts during specific times of the year.
✅ Best Times to Buy PC Parts:
✔ Black Friday & Cyber Monday – Huge discounts on CPUs, GPUs, and accessories.
✔ Back-to-School Sales – Great for laptops, RAM, and storage.
✔ Amazon Prime Day & Seasonal Sales – Discounts on all PC parts.
✔ New Component Releases – Older models drop in price when new hardware launches.
💡 Tip: Use websites like Honey, Keepa, or CamelCamelCamel to track price history and get alerts when prices drop.
3. Buy Used or Refurbished Parts
Buying used or refurbished PC components can save 20–50% compared to new parts.
✅ Best Parts to Buy Used:
✔ Graphics Cards (GPU) – Look for models with good cooling and low wear.
✔ CPUs – Processors last long and rarely degrade.
✔ Monitors & Accessories – Many used monitors work like new at lower prices.
✔ Power Supplies (If Certified Refurbished) – Only buy from trusted sources.
❌ Avoid buying used: Hard drives, SSDs, and motherboards (risk of hidden issues).
✅ Best Places to Buy Used Parts:
✔ eBay – Check seller reviews and warranty offers.
✔ Facebook Marketplace & Reddit Hardware Swap – Local deals with room for negotiation.
✔ Newegg Refurbished & Amazon Warehouse – Certified, tested, and often include a return policy.
Always test used parts immediately to ensure they work properly.
4. Consider Previous-Generation Hardware
New hardware is exciting, but last-gen components often offer similar performance for much less.
✅ Best Previous-Gen Deals:
✔ CPU: Intel 12th Gen i7 or AMD Ryzen 5000 series (still great in 2024).
✔ GPU: RTX 3060 Ti or RX 6700 XT instead of RTX 4060 Ti.
✔ RAM: DDR4 is cheaper and still fast enough for most users.
Unless you need cutting-edge technology, buying last-gen saves you a lot of money.
5. Compare Prices from Multiple Retailers
Never buy from the first store you visit—compare prices across multiple platforms.
✅ Best Websites to Compare Prices:
✔ PCPartPicker.com – Compares prices across Amazon, Newegg, Best Buy, and more.
✔ Google Shopping – Finds the lowest price across retailers.
✔ r/buildapcsales (Reddit) – Tracks daily deals on components.
Even a small $20–$50 difference per part can lead to major savings when building a PC.
6. Avoid Overpaying for Unnecessary Features
Many PC components come with premium features that don’t add much value.
❌ Avoid Paying Extra For:
✔ Overkill Motherboards – A mid-range board ($100–$150) is fine unless overclocking.
✔ RGB Lighting – Looks nice but doesn’t improve performance.
✔ Ultra-High-Speed RAM – Anything over DDR4-3600MHz or DDR5-6000MHz offers diminishing returns.
✔ High-Wattage PSU – Most builds run fine on 550W–750W unless using an RTX 4080/4090.
✅ Focus on performance first and add aesthetics later if your budget allows.
7. Bundle Components to Save Money
Some retailers offer discounts when you buy multiple components together.
✅ Best Bundle Deals to Look For:
✔ CPU + Motherboard Combos – Saves $20–$50.
✔ RAM + SSD Packages – Often cheaper than buying separately.
✔ Monitor + Peripheral Bundles – Keyboards and mice sometimes come free.
Check Newegg, Micro Center, and Amazon for bundle discounts when buying multiple parts.
8. Sell Your Old PC Parts to Offset Costs
If you’re upgrading a PC, sell your old components to fund new ones.
✅ Where to Sell Used PC Parts:
✔ eBay – Best for reaching a wide audience.
✔ Facebook Marketplace & Craigslist – Great for local sales (no shipping fees).
✔ Reddit Hardware Swap – Trusted community for selling parts.
Selling an old GPU or CPU can easily cover the cost of a new upgrade.
9. Consider Prebuilt PCs or Laptops for Better Value
Sometimes, a prebuilt PC can be cheaper than building one from scratch due to bulk pricing.
✅ Best Budget Prebuilt Gaming PCs:
✔ Acer Nitro 50 (GTX 1660 Super, i5-12400F) – $750
✔ Skytech Blaze II (RTX 3050, Ryzen 5 3600) – $800
If you find a good deal on a prebuilt PC, upgrading RAM, storage, or GPU later can still be cost-effective.
10. Watch for Free Shipping and Extended Warranties
Some retailers charge extra for shipping, increasing the total cost.
✅ How to Avoid Extra Fees:
✔ Use Amazon Prime, Newegg Premier, or Best Buy TotalTech for free shipping.
✔ Check return policies before buying—some stores charge restocking fees.
✔ Buy parts with at least a 1-year warranty for peace of mind.
Free shipping and extended warranties can save you from unexpected costs later.
Conclusion: Save Money While Building the Best PC for Your Budget
✔ Plan your build in advance to avoid unnecessary purchases.
✔ Look for deals, sales, and discounts to get the best price.
✔ Buy used or last-gen hardware for huge savings without sacrificing performance.
✔ Compare prices across multiple retailers to avoid overpaying.
✔ Sell old parts and consider prebuilt options for extra savings.
By following these money-saving strategies, you can build a powerful PC without going over budget.