This is just a post for my personal benefit, documenting computer parts retailers I use, have used, and generally trust…
When I am buying PC Parts or Hardware – I generally shop around amongst these sites to find the cheapest prices for what I want and the cheapest shipping. I trust these retailers and I’ve shopped with them all at least once – you should too!
| Source | URL | My Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | https://www.amazon.co.uk | Surprisingly, PC parts from Amazon can sometimes be cheaper than anywhere else. |
| Ebuyer | http://www.ebuyer.com | Pretty good prices for all round PC parts. Sometimes competitive/beating Amazon and most other sites. |
| Scan | http://www.scan.co.uk | Good site. Focused around general PC usage and gaming. I don't often buy from them now though as prices can be better elsewhere. I am meant to have life-time free delivery after registering for it at a trade show a few years back, but my last order I had to pay for. Maybe my life-time free delievery was time limited? D: |
| Overclockers.co.uk | http://www.overclockers.co.uk | Dedicated to gaming / performance use. Not always the cheapest source. I've built gaming PC's using parts from Overclockers before. They also have a very active and helpful community in their Forums. |
| CCL Computers | https://www.cclonline.com | Originally I stopped using CCL as they only used the Amtrak courier chain (now defunct) for delivery, and had issues with Amtrak deliveries at the time. I do sometimes still find CCL beats the prices of some other sites. |
| Dabs.com | Defunct - now part of BT Group | Dabs no longer exists - but they used to be an excellent source of business-related hardware. |
| MicroDirect | Defunct - now part of Amazon? | MicroDirect used to offer competitive prices. It now seems going to their site redirects to the Amazon Electronics category. |
| Novatech | http://www.novatech.co.uk | Directed more at performance / gaming. Not always the cheapest source of parts. |
| CPC / Farnell UK | http://cpc.farnell.com | More directed at general electronics consumption. I hobby with Raspberry Pi's and often buy electronics parts from them. Also sell other electrical goods and appliances. Good community too. |
| RS Components UK | http://uk.rs-online.com | Another electronics site for Raspberry Pi and general electronics needs. |
| Server Case | https://www.servercase.co.uk | Dedicated more towards server PC's, retails various case types, pre-built servers and components. |
| Tier1 | http://www.tier1online.com | For laptops I typically go for IBM/Lenovo Thinkpads. They're sturdy, last a long time and parts are readily available years after a model goes out of production. I can still buy parts for my early 2000's IBM T20. Tier1 sell refurbished and B-grade machines, which are perfectly acceptable for everyday use. |
… I’m sure I’m forgetting a few sites… I’ll update this list as and when I remember them.
Do you have a preferred retailer? Feel free to respond within the comments. Please keep all comments constructive. Personal recommendations are acceptable. Outright advertising spam will be removed.