Piece by piece or all at once? [$1600 PC Setup planning]

[User1868]

Ok so the problem is that for now I don't have enough $$ to buy myself a full PC setup (for now), but I have enough to buy CPU+MOBO+RAM (in Poland)

Another thing is that I'm currently in Poland (sales tax can reach 20%) where PC parts are more expensive and next year I'll be going to the US (Oregon - so no sales tax) and some of the parts will be cheaper.

 

My question is: Should I buy piece by piece and than put it all together eventually (here in Poland) or wait (will take me about a year to save up) until I go back to the USA and build the computer as a whole and bring it back?

 

Here is the PC partpicker link for the US prices (I also don't want to wait for the mail in rebates so the price is about $1630 for the US price):

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/LDxKmG

 

I have made the same list with the Polish prices in the screenshot (converted to USD for a easier comparison)

 

***NOTE: I don't need speakers and for me for now any old mouse and keyboard will do. If you have a suggestion PLEASE comment - I was thinking of getting a cheaper case (I would love for it to have window side panel)***

[ZetZet]

Bringing a whole computer on a plane will cost you about the same and getting warranty afterwards will be a huge pain in the ass.

 

Doing this you will also pay taxes in US which is added after checkout so add like 10% to us prices.

[Silyy097]

It depends whether you need your new com desperately or not.

 

If you were to build even part of it now, wouldnt it be a hassle to bring it over to the US?

 

If you were to build part of it, I assuming you would be doing something like a CPU, Motherboard, RAM, Case and hard drive, and run off the IG?

[Raffy98]

I did piece by piece, but i bought the Graphics Card as last.

So if in the meantime something better and convenient came out i would have replaced it.

[User1868]

Bringing a whole computer on a plane will cost you about the same and getting warranty afterwards will be a huge pain in the ass.

 

That is why I was thinking of going Micro-ATX and a case like the Bitfenix Pandora (yea no optical drive - I know)

Or I would buy all the stuff in the US and buy the case here

[User1868]

It depends whether you need your new com desperately or not.

 

If you were to build even part of it now, wouldnt it be a hassle to bring it over to the US?

 

If you were to build part of it, I assuming you would be doing something like a CPU, Motherboard, RAM, Case and hard drive, and run off the IG?

 

Well I currently live in Poland so the only hassle would be the PC case - it would have to fit in a bag (even the checked - in baggage) or I would just buy one here 

I can wait if I must but (see my signature) my current PC is getting slow (really want to play GTA V)

[PineappleHolidays]

Make the entire build a bit cheaper and buy it in poland.

 

RMA's will be a pain if something dies, and if it does, you have just lost all the savings you made by going to the us.

 

 

On top of that, pc parts take a lot of space, so unless you show up in the us with no extra clothes, you will have a average sized bag and ~20kg to bring the pc back

 

I did have the same idea as you for my first build;

What I bought was the CPU, RAM and PSU, and even that was a pain in terms of size / weight, and I didn't save much in the end

 

On top of that, you can re use some of your current pieces, the case, keyboard, windows, mouse.

[User1868]

On top of that, you can re use some of your current pieces, the case, keyboard, windows, mouse.

 

If I was piecing it than I would take some parts from my current computer but I would eventually like a new computer (ssd boot - my current HDD is around 500 GB and almost full - so 500 GB ssd's are expensive) and I would give my little brother my current PC (he has a "gaming laptop" with a i3 and etc.)

 

But you are also right about components dying

 

I have 5 people in my household so I have plenty of space to even out the weight

[sms1202]

Buying it as whole reduces shipping costs

[PineappleHolidays]

If I was piecing it than I would take some parts from my current computer but I would eventually like a new computer (ssd boot - my current HDD is around 500 GB and almost full - so 500 GB ssd's are expensive) and eventually have a whole new computer

Yes, things like the ssd can be easly upgrade over time.

 

But the basic system ( mobo, ram, cpu, psu ) should be bought at the same time to be able to test them and use them.

 

The rest ( hdd, case, cooler, gpu ) can be added over time.

 

Buying it as whole reduces shipping costs

 

This is also a good reason to buy the basics together

[amp88]

Buying power for PC components almost always increases over time. That is to say that the specifications of equipment you could buy with X amount of money right now will almost certainly be lower than you could get for the same price in 1 year from now. There are a few exceptions (such as a good sale offer, a bundle deal or very specialised hardware), but for the majority of common components it holds true. Instead of buying components now and waiting a year for the rest you would probably be better off waiting a year and buying everything at the same time. I'd advise not to buy components in the US and take them back to Poland, unless you don't mind the extra hassle of trying to RMA them if you have a problem.

[User1868]

Buying it as whole reduces shipping costs

 

I wouldn't be shipping it - I"m going to the US for my vacation - I would bring the PC back myself

[TheGeeker]

I would just buy everything and some bubble wrap and just check an extra bag into the plane for 50 USD. it can be 50 pounds to no case but everything else should be fine. Put it in your clothes and stuff. 

[sms1202]

I wouldn't be shipping it - I"m going to the US for my vacation - I would bring the PC back myself

Ok, part by part is good then

[G27Racer_188]

I would advise you to not get that monitor VX238H. Instead get VX239H. Its pretty much same as 238 but it is IPS so it will have better color. I have VX238H and sometimes colors look weird, and VX239H is only a bit more expensive.

[User1868]

I would advise you to not get that monitor VX238H. Instead get VX239H. Its pretty much same as 238 but it is IPS so it will have better color. I have VX238H and sometimes colors look weird, and VX239H is only a bit more expensive.

Ok thanks, I'm not a monitor expert and I really only chose this one because it was available in both country's

[User1868]

Doing this you will also pay taxes in US which is added after checkout so add like 10% to us prices.

I have dual citizenship - no taxes for me (I'm also a resident of Oregon so no sales tax even when buying)