Buying computers in Europe - advice

[Scandicci]

Hey everyone - I am running PR (BF2) currently on a great little Compaq desktop from 2005 that I have expanded to its limit and still have issues with some maps even on medium settings.

I want to buy a new PC for gaming. I am from the USA but live and work in Italy. I have always used Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, LED LCD TV, Digital Cameras and more! for computing purchases because of its prices and vast selection. Newegg will not ship internationally and customs fees for Italy would be too high anyway.

These are my thoughts/questions:

1. I am looking for something like this and preferably in this price range. Click here. It costs about $1300 - $1400 US dollars.

2. Is there a website in Europe comparable to newegg?

3. Can I buy a computer online from a website based in another European country and not pay heavy customs fees in Italy?

4. Does anyone know of a deal comparable to the one in point 1 above?

Thanks for any support and advice.

Best,

Scandicci

[Scandicci]

Well, judging by the lack of responses I guess this is problem that is not easily resolved. It seems that a $1200-$1400 computer in the USA goes for Euro2000 or more when purchased in Italy. I think my best option is to find a 'friend' in the US military stationed in Italy and have the new computer delivered to his/her military address. The US postal service delivers to US military all over the world and I can avoid the exorbitant Italian customs fees. I have plenty of contacts in the USMC and USN but none currently stationed in Italy.

Again, if anyone knows of a good European online retailer of PCs, let me know.

[SnipingCoward]

I can imagine that during the holidays there is less traffic in the forums so I suggest you give it a bit more time.

Proclaiming to circumvent customs like that does not sound as if it belonged in here.

[Scandicci]

I can imagine that during the holidays there is less traffic in the forums so I suggest you give it a bit more time.

Proclaiming to circumvent customs like that does not sound as if it belonged in here.

Snipingcoward,

sure thing. Sorry if I put the forums at risk.

Thanks, Scandicci.

[Scandicci]

An update for anyone in my situation that has been spoiled by cheap prices for computing goods in the USA and now lives and resides in Europe.

I did find a UK based company that will ship to Italy and honor warranties, etc. 'www.palicomp.co.uk' Custom Built PCs - Performance And Gaming PCs. They appear to be a reseller but the prices appear to be quite good.

This unit seems to be a very good deal.

The HD 6870 was tested here on Op Arrowhead and did quite well. I can imagine that it would do well on PR:BF2 also. Anyway the unit linked above has two 6870's in crossfire.

Does anyone have any experience with 'www.palicomp.co.uk' ?Custom Built PCs - Performance And Gaming PCs

Thanks

[gazzthompson]

i buy off here:

Overclockers UK
Scan.co.uk: Computer Hardware

Dont know if they will deliver to you, but check em out.

[Scandicci]

@gazzthompson

Overclockers UK does deliver to Italy. Scan.co.uk may not as far as I can tell.

Thanks for your suggestion. It looks like they are very competitive on pricing too.

Thanks!

[Raufbold]

Is hardware in Italy that pricy?

[Orford]

No the UK pound sterling aint worth **** at the min so exchange rate is a win for you with the Euro.

[Scandicci]

Is hardware in Italy that pricy?

From what I have seen on-line it appears that preassembled units for sale in Italy are more expensive and often have lesser components. For the same amount of cash you could get a better pc in the USA or in the UK. Germany might have some good deals too but I don't speak or read German.

[Raufbold]

This unit seems to be a very good deal.

This seems to be a good deal indeed, i did not find a german vendor that had a comparable rig for that price. Maybe i should start to shop in the UK too

[Scandicci]

Hello. It is me again bumping this to the top.

I found this UK based company.Chillblast
Do you any of our British forum members have any experience with Chillblast?

They seem to have extremely good deals on pre-built gaming systems.

[Dougalachi]

I was in your situation for a long time, as I also used to live in America. I just put a new rig together and spent a long time looking for the best vendor. I ended up buying everything except the GPU on Amazon (but not necessarily FROM Amazon). They have pretty good prices imo, and they also link to places that have cheap/cheaper prices. I bought the GPU at http://www.computeruniverse.net/default_english.asp