When is a good time to buy?

Aerozord · 12-18-2014, 11:16 PM

So I've been doing some more troubleshooting and my motherboards onboard soundcard is definitely going. The back port already blew and the front port often gets into distorted crackling audio. I'd think the wire was frayed if it wasn't doing it to two different sets of speakers.

While I am still having the random shut off issue I haven't confirmed the issue. I figure since replacing the motherboard will require disassembling the entire thing anyways I might as well replace the PSU and maybe the case as well.

Now this isn't immediate, but what is immediate is lack of funds. With the holidays I figure there has to be a point when things go on sale maybe last minute christmas or post-holiday clearance. So when is a good time to look for this stuff cost-wise?

Azisien · 12-19-2014, 08:52 AM

Short answer: There are always deals going on with PC hardware, and hundreds of different retailers doing it. If you need a part, find a good price at the time when you can afford it and get it. Yes, of course, there will be Boxing Week sales and such, but not necessarily on the parts you want or need, nor will the discounts necessarily be that explosive compared to sales that happen a hundred times a year.

Doc ock rokc · 12-21-2014, 12:48 AM

For PC hardware...Febuary. No seriously Just after the CES (Consumer Electronics Show) at this point is when the most new hardware enters the PC scene at once. Because of this just a week prior and a week after websites and Comp Hardware stores try to empty their inventory to create space for the new goodies. Prices can get Dirt cheap if you know where to look.

phil_ · 12-21-2014, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doc ock rokc

Prices can get Dirt cheap if you know where to look.

Where do we look, Uncle ock rokc? Where do we look?

Doc ock rokc · 12-21-2014, 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phil_

Where do we look, Uncle ock rokc? Where do we look?

New egg is a good website and the Fry's Electronics chain is rather alright but varies from place to place.

phil_ · 12-21-2014, 02:34 AM

Keeping the TOR sites and IRC channels to yourself, huh? Well, it's a start.

Azisien · 12-21-2014, 02:58 PM

Newegg is actually mediocre these days. There are a variety of alternatives. Everyone should use PCPartPicker to not only check parts for compatibility, but also price comparison. It will display the prices of many different online retailers.

Microcenter has often insane deals on CPUs and MOBOs if you happen to live within reach of one.

And, this is a general point on consumerism, but absolute dirt-bottom price is not always the best path. Those price cuts aren't truly free, something had to be cut to get that price. It's most likely customer service or quality assurance, which is fine if the product you receive works, and otherwise... Have fun.

Aerozord · 01-01-2015, 05:14 PM

It just died on me and caused some damage to the OS, system restore fixed it up, I think but I cant wait anymore.

However while using PC part picker (and making some close matches since the specific parts aren't sold anymore) and noticed my power draw seems to be right at the limit of the PSU, could a lack of power cause sudden shut down?

[edit] nevermind I double checked, the PSU is 550w, if anything I was using way too much power

Aerozord · 01-08-2015, 02:32 PM

the new parts came in, I hope this fixes the issues or atleast doesn't make things worse.

Glass Pencil · 03-17-2015, 07:23 PM

If your power supply is underrated for your system load it will definitely shut down, moreover it will shutdown at the point where your power supply feels like giving up, which in turn can lead to OS errors due to improper shutdown and whatnot. Optimally you want your power supply to be at right around 50% max load during normal operation for best efficiency and stability, although better power supplies give you a wider power band or sweet spot to work with. (generally this is summed up in the 80 plus rating, like bronze, silver, platinum and I've even seen some labeled titanium.)

If you're going to replace the mobo it's really a great time to go all in on a system upgrade, depending on how old your system is. Chances are if its an older processor you'll run into trouble finding a brand new board to plug it in to.

What specific components did you have in your old build? Which ones did you replace and with what? Just curious.

12-18-2014, 11:16 PM	#1
Aerozord So we are clear Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Former murder capital of the world Posts: 13,824	When is a good time to buy? So I've been doing some more troubleshooting and my motherboards onboard soundcard is definitely going. The back port already blew and the front port often gets into distorted crackling audio. I'd think the wire was frayed if it wasn't doing it to two different sets of speakers. While I am still having the random shut off issue I haven't confirmed the issue. I figure since replacing the motherboard will require disassembling the entire thing anyways I might as well replace the PSU and maybe the case as well. Now this isn't immediate, but what is immediate is lack of funds. With the holidays I figure there has to be a point when things go on sale maybe last minute christmas or post-holiday clearance. So when is a good time to look for this stuff cost-wise? __________________ "don't hate me for being a heterosexual white guy disparaging slacktivism, hate me for all those murders I've done."

12-21-2014, 12:48 AM	#3
Doc ock rokc ...Really? Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: in Theory. Everything works here Posts: 3,961	For PC hardware...Febuary. No seriously Just after the CES (Consumer Electronics Show) at this point is when the most new hardware enters the PC scene at once. Because of this just a week prior and a week after websites and Comp Hardware stores try to empty their inventory to create space for the new goodies. Prices can get Dirt cheap if you know where to look. __________________ I have a Pesterchum its DangerousDoc I am ether fading out of Time, Space, or Reality...Or Simply my Typewriter is running out of ink

12-21-2014, 02:34 AM	#6
phil_ Just sleeping Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: At home, probably in bed. Posts: 6,482	Keeping the TOR sites and IRC channels to yourself, huh? Well, it's a start. __________________ Be T-Rexcellent to each other, tako.

01-01-2015, 05:14 PM	#8
Aerozord So we are clear Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Former murder capital of the world Posts: 13,824	It just died on me and caused some damage to the OS, system restore fixed it up, I think but I cant wait anymore. However while using PC part picker (and making some close matches since the specific parts aren't sold anymore) and noticed my power draw seems to be right at the limit of the PSU, could a lack of power cause sudden shut down? [edit] nevermind I double checked, the PSU is 550w, if anything I was using way too much power __________________ "don't hate me for being a heterosexual white guy disparaging slacktivism, hate me for all those murders I've done." Last edited by Aerozord; 01-01-2015 at 06:37 PM.

01-08-2015, 02:32 PM	#9
Aerozord So we are clear Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Former murder capital of the world Posts: 13,824	the new parts came in, I hope this fixes the issues or atleast doesn't make things worse. __________________ "don't hate me for being a heterosexual white guy disparaging slacktivism, hate me for all those murders I've done."

12-19-2014, 08:52 AM	#2
Azisien wat Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,177	Short answer: There are always deals going on with PC hardware, and hundreds of different retailers doing it. If you need a part, find a good price at the time when you can afford it and get it. Yes, of course, there will be Boxing Week sales and such, but not necessarily on the parts you want or need, nor will the discounts necessarily be that explosive compared to sales that happen a hundred times a year.

12-21-2014, 02:58 PM	#7
Azisien wat Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,177	Newegg is actually mediocre these days. There are a variety of alternatives. Everyone should use PCPartPicker to not only check parts for compatibility, but also price comparison. It will display the prices of many different online retailers. Microcenter has often insane deals on CPUs and MOBOs if you happen to live within reach of one. And, this is a general point on consumerism, but absolute dirt-bottom price is not always the best path. Those price cuts aren't truly free, something had to be cut to get that price. It's most likely customer service or quality assurance, which is fine if the product you receive works, and otherwise... Have fun.

03-17-2015, 07:23 PM	#10
Glass Pencil Sent to the cornfield Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 28	If your power supply is underrated for your system load it will definitely shut down, moreover it will shutdown at the point where your power supply feels like giving up, which in turn can lead to OS errors due to improper shutdown and whatnot. Optimally you want your power supply to be at right around 50% max load during normal operation for best efficiency and stability, although better power supplies give you a wider power band or sweet spot to work with. (generally this is summed up in the 80 plus rating, like bronze, silver, platinum and I've even seen some labeled titanium.) If you're going to replace the mobo it's really a great time to go all in on a system upgrade, depending on how old your system is. Chances are if its an older processor you'll run into trouble finding a brand new board to plug it in to. What specific components did you have in your old build? Which ones did you replace and with what? Just curious.