Computer Parts Prices

[Georigueur]

So i've been looking at computer parts since December last year up until now.
One thing i've noticed is that the price seems to keep going up!
They were at their lowest at Christmas so I wanted to know, is there specific periods when computer parts are at their cheapest/most expensive or does it just fluctuate all year round?

[Phaz0r18]

Not that I'm any sort of expert on the topic but personally I don't think computer parts are as affected by the usual supply/demand that changes prices throughout the year.

I think people are more likely to buy parts around release time, i.e. people are more likely to upgrade the graphics card at launch rather than waiting for Christmas...

I also think it's got a little to do with the supplier you buy from, scan.co.uk has told me that their price depends on which supplier they bought from and that their stock from eastern Europe is much more expensive than stock they get in from America

[Georigueur]

Not that I'm any sort of expert on the topic but personally I don't think computer parts are as affected by the usual supply/demand that changes prices throughout the year.

I think people are more likely to buy parts around release time, i.e. people are more likely to upgrade the graphics card at launch rather than waiting for Christmas...

I also think it's got a little to do with the supplier you buy from, scan.co.uk has told me that their price depends on which supplier they bought from and that their stock from eastern Europe is much more expensive than stock they get in from America

Thanks for that. Do parts release at varying periods or is it like Smartphones at specific periods of the year?

[Georigueur]

Not that I'm any sort of expert on the topic but personally I don't think computer parts are as affected by the usual supply/demand that changes prices throughout the year.

I think people are more likely to buy parts around release time, i.e. people are more likely to upgrade the graphics card at launch rather than waiting for Christmas...

I also think it's got a little to do with the supplier you buy from, scan.co.uk has told me that their price depends on which supplier they bought from and that their stock from eastern Europe is much more expensive than stock they get in from America

So maybe this means that we should be more vigilant for stock that comes from America lol

[Funkstar]

So i've been looking at computer parts since December last year up until now.
One thing i've noticed is that the price seems to keep going up!
They were at their lowest at Christmas so I wanted to know, is there specific periods when computer parts are at their cheapest/most expensive or does it just fluctuate all year round?

It fluctuates all year round, and despite what you seem to be seeing, they do generally drift down. A lot of things can have an effect on pricing though, exchange rates, supply and demand, technology cycles (how old the latest generation of a component is and when it is due to be replaced), natural disasters (has there been anything preventing the large manufacturers from producing their components)... and i'm sure there are other factors in there too.

what parts in particular have you been watching?

[hb904460]

I read that the reduced production in China due to the Chinese New Year celebrations have pushed up prices in the short term for electronics made there.

[Georigueur]

It fluctuates all year round, and despite what you seem to be seeing, they do generally drift down. A lot of things can have an effect on pricing though, exchange rates, supply and demand, technology cycles (how old the latest generation of a component is and when it is due to be replaced), natural disasters (has there been anything preventing the large manufacturers from producing their components)... and i'm sure there are other factors in there too.

what parts in particular have you been watching?

CPU, graphics cards and computer cases but all parts needed to build a comp generally

[Georigueur]

I read that the reduced production in China due to the Chinese New Year celebrations have pushed up prices in the short term for electronics made there.

Have you got a link to an article?

[hb904460]

I read in a newspaper, think it was the Times business section.
This website, although focused on USB drives gives some snippets:
http://www.usb2u.co.uk/articles/tag/chinese-new-year/

"In the weeks just before Chinese New Year as demand for USB sticks increases its no surprise the price increases - usual supply and demand rules apply! The higher prices tend to linger for for several weeks after the holiday finishes before gradually failing over the following months."

[Georigueur]

ok, thanks mate