How to Build a PC for Less: Where to Buy Every Part at the Lowest Price
Building a PC is almost always cheaper than buying pre-built — if you know where to buy each component. Here's the complete guide to getting the best prices.
Building your own PC can save you $200-$600 compared to a pre-built with equivalent specs — but only if you buy components at the right prices. Here's where each part is cheapest.
CPUs: Amazon, Newegg, and Micro Center
For Intel and AMD processors, these three are your starting points. Micro Center has an in-store price on CPUs that is almost always the lowest available — often $20-$50 below online retailers. If you have a Micro Center nearby, it's worth the trip for a CPU purchase alone.
Online, Amazon and Newegg trade the lowest price back and forth. Check both before buying. Newegg's Shell Shocker deals can be exceptional value on CPUs.
GPUs: Newegg, Best Buy, and B&H Photo
Graphics cards are the most price-volatile PC component. Newegg runs the most GPU deals and their open-box section has legitimate savings. Best Buy carries GPUs and their price match policy is useful. B&H Photo is worth checking for NVIDIA and AMD cards — they occasionally have the lowest price with no sales tax in most states.
Avoid buying GPUs from Amazon marketplace third-party sellers — pricing is often inflated and warranty support is complicated.
RAM: Amazon and Newegg
RAM pricing on Amazon and Newegg is extremely competitive and fluctuates daily. For most RAM purchases, checking both takes 30 seconds and can save $10-$20. G.Skill and Corsair both run direct Amazon store promotions worth watching.
Storage (SSDs): Amazon and Newegg
SSD prices have dropped significantly and both Amazon and Newegg are competitive. Amazon Lightning Deals on SSDs are common — if your build isn't time-sensitive, waiting for a deal on a reputable brand like Samsung, WD, or Crucial is worthwhile.
Motherboards: Newegg Wins
Newegg has the widest motherboard selection and the most competitive pricing. Their combo deals — CPU plus motherboard bundles — can save $20-$40 versus buying separately.
Cases and Cooling: Amazon
Amazon's selection on cases and cooling solutions is the broadest and pricing is generally competitive. For coolers specifically, check the manufacturer's own Amazon store — Noctua, be quiet!, and Corsair all sell direct.
Power Supplies: Amazon and Newegg
PSU pricing is similar across both. For a component this important to system stability, stick to reputable brands like Seasonic, Corsair, and Super Flower — and don't optimize purely for lowest price.
The Smartest Approach
Use PCPartPicker to plan your build — it tracks prices across major retailers in real time and alerts you to price drops. For individual components, cross-check with CheapestFinder to catch any retailers PCPartPicker might miss.
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