This guide will help to get you started on where to start shopping and where to start looking for parts to buy. Once you have mastered this, you can find parts very cheaply around on the internet. Always remember, before buying off the internet, check the reputation of stores in places like forums or with friends.

The Computer Markets/Computer Fairs - A good alternative to buying parts off the internet is to go to computer markets. These are held in many cities around Australia including Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney. These places have many stalls selling computer parts for bargain prices (sometimes). They allow negotiating which can make a cheap part even cheaper.

The only problem is, if you are looking for exclusive or obscure brands like XFX, you won't find them. They only stock Gigabyte and Asus motherboards and anything which has only just been released will not be found. Try waiting a few weeks after the release and you will find it. Also beware of credit card surcharges, fakes (not much to worry about with computer parts though - just MP3 players) and ask about the return policy. Most of the time, if you are unhappy with the product and want to replace it then the store keepers will be happy to.

Staticice - This is the place to start if you want to find the cheapest price for your parts. Staticice is a search engine which looks for prices on the parts you want and lists them from the cheapest to most expensive. Just type in the model number for your parts or a description (i.e. clock speed, brand) and you're away. Be careful which stores you look at. Some of the stores on it aren't very reputable. Stores such as MSY have given people headaches. Normally, it is best to stick with the registered shops (the ones with the picture of their logo). These stores are the most reputable. Another thing to be careful of is the location of the store. For example, if you were in Canberra and ordered a part from Perth it would cost you alot more than if you had ordered the part from Sydney. This often eliminates the saving you make from buying the part from further away. For this reason, always take into account postage when buying parts over the internet.

IJK - I find this store a very good place to start looking for prices. I have had very good experiences with this store, they are helpful and if you go to their actual store (located in many major cities) they are ready to negotiate. One thing I recommend is if you are buying parts, try to buy most of the parts from the same store. This makes the store keepers more willing to negotiate and if you build up a relationship with them, this will get you even better prices. By buying from the same store you can save lots of money on postage as well. This is one of the stores I can recommend, at least as a starting point. This is a good store to start from.

Eyo - Eyo is another good store to look for prices. They might be a little bit more expensive than all the other stores but their customer service is excellent. Often they have good deals on parts and mave many specials. I recommend checking this store out

Mwave - Mwave sells a lot more than just computer parts, they sell many accessories for computers such as fan controllers and extra cables. They also sell mobile phones, iPods, TVs and games. This is a really good store with good customer service. They have a lot of cheap parts and have lots of deals and cashback offers. They even have a rewards program which gives you credit to spend on other items. Postage is also quite cheap if you buy in bulk.

AusPCMarket - AusPCMarket is a store with an extremely wide range. They even stock niche products and brands which can't be found in many places. At first glance, they may seem a bit expensive but this is because all their prices include postage. This is the advantage of buying there. This is a very good store if you are looking for parts which you can't find anywhere else

This is a short guide on where to start looking for prices. Remember that whatever parts you decide on, always shop around. You can get massive discounts on parts. Also remember that in these uncertain times companies are doing price hikes due to the falling Aussie dollar. if you find a good deal which you are happy with then buy it.

For more websites to start shoopping for parts, have a look at the Links section for a constantly updated list of shopping websites to visit