- Top Pick: Greensen Magnetic Screw Organizer Pad Magnetic Screw Tray Storage Board 6 Compartments with Strong Magnet Module for Smartphones Computers Glasses Small Parts
- Best Value: Intel EMS3400BSDA McAfee – Extended service agreement – parts and labor – 1 year – on-site – 24×7 – response time: same day – for P/N: EMS-3400-BA
- Premium Choice: Computer Case Screw Kit with Countersunk Head Design and Metal Parts
Buying peripherals is different from buying a GPU or a motherboard. There’s no bottleneck calculator, no VRAM number that tells you whether you made the right call. Most of the decision comes down to feel, which you can’t get from a spec sheet, and reliability, which you mostly find out about after the return window closes. Here’s how the main sources actually compare, and where each one tends to let you down.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Updated October 2026 – added Best Buy, price-comparison tools, used-parts sources and a compatibility checklist.
Gaming Sites for PC: Where to Buy Hardware and Games
The best gaming sites for PC hardware are Micro Center, Newegg, Best Buy, B&H and the large general marketplaces, while PC games are mainly bought through Steam, the Epic Games Store and GOG.
| Site | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Micro Center | CPU and motherboard bundles, trying peripherals in person | Stock depends on your local store |
| Newegg | Wide component selection, PC Builder compatibility tool | Marketplace sellers; prefer items sold by Newegg |
| Large general marketplaces | Fast shipping, easy returns, peripherals | Third-party sellers; check who ships and sells the item |
| Best Buy | Everyday upgrades, open-box deals, same-day pickup | Rarely the cheapest for enthusiast parts |
| B&H | Headsets, audio, streaming and creator gear | Smaller gaming selection |
| Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG | Buying the games themselves | Regional pricing and launcher lock-in |
Amazon
Amazon is the default for a reason: huge selection, fast shipping, and a return process that doesn’t require arguing with anyone. For keyboards and mice specifically, it’s also become the place where you can read a thousand reviews and still not know if a switch set will feel mushy, because switch feel is subjective and review scores average that out. The practical move is to use Amazon for anything you’ve already tried or that has a well-established reputation, and treat the Q&A section and 1-star reviews as your real spec sheet (they’ll tell you about coil whine on a mouse, double-click issues, or software that stops working after a Windows update).
Counterfeit and gray-market risk is real but overstated for peripherals specifically, since margins are thin enough that fakes are less common than with, say, SD cards or GPUs. The bigger risk is third-party sellers shipping open-box returns as new. If “Ships from and sold by Amazon.com” isn’t in the listing, check who the seller is before buying something expensive like a wireless headset.
Micro Center, Newegg, and B&H
Micro Center is the best option if you live near one, full stop. You can test keyboard switches and mouse shapes in person, which matters more for peripherals than for almost any other PC component. A mouse that’s perfect for your friend’s medium-sized hand can be uncomfortable in yours after twenty minutes, and no return policy fixes that discomfort, it just refunds it. The catch is inventory varies wildly by location and online pricing isn’t always competitive with Amazon.
Newegg has recovered some credibility after a rough stretch with marketplace sellers a few years back, but I’d still stick to listings fulfilled by Newegg itself for anything over $50. B&H is underrated for headsets and audio-focused peripherals because their return policy and customer service are genuinely better than most electronics retailers, though their peripheral selection skews toward streaming and content creation gear rather than gaming.
Buying Direct from the Manufacturer
Logitech, Razer, Corsair, SteelSeries, and HyperX all sell direct, and it’s worth checking their sites before you buy, not because of price (direct is rarely cheaper) but because of two things: open-box or refurbished sections, and warranty handling. If a mouse’s left click starts double-firing eight months in, which is the single most common failure mode for gaming mice, having bought it direct means the manufacturer handles the claim without you needing a receipt from a third party. Buying direct also sometimes gets you bundle deals or early access to colorways, which nobody needs but some people want.
The downside is slower shipping and worse return flexibility than Amazon. If you’re buying a wireless gaming mouse you’re unsure about, buy it somewhere with an easy return path first, and only go direct for a replacement or a second unit once you know you like it.
Mechanical Keyboard Specialty Sites
If you’re past the point of buying a prebuilt gaming keyboard and want to get into hot-swappable boards, custom switches, or artisan keycaps, that’s a different ecosystem entirely: sites like KBDfans, Keychron’s own store, and smaller group-buy communities on places like geekhack. This is a rabbit hole with real costs (a board, switches, and keycaps separately can run $200-400) and real shipping delays, since group buys often ship from manufacturers months after you pay. It’s worth it if you’ve already decided you like mechanical keyboards and want to tune the experience. It’s a bad place to start if you’ve never owned one, because you won’t know what switch weight or sound profile you actually prefer yet.
Where Is the Best Place to Buy PC Parts Online?
For most builders the best place to buy PC parts online is Newegg or Micro Center for core components and a large marketplace with easy returns for peripherals, with PCPartPicker used to compare prices across them.
Each retailer has a different strength. Micro Center is known for processor and motherboard bundle discounts, but in-store availability matters because many offers are location-based. Newegg built its reputation on PC components and offers a compatibility-focused PC Builder tool. Best Buy is a dependable choice for everyday upgrades such as SSDs, monitors and cases, and its open-box section can turn up good finds. B&H ships worldwide and carries quality components alongside its camera and audio range. Walmart, Target and Costco tend to be better for budget prebuilt systems and basic accessories than for high-end parts.
Is PCPartPicker a Store?
No. PCPartPicker is a price-comparison and compatibility tool, not a retailer, so it never ships a part itself.
You assemble a build on the site, it checks that the parts fit together, and it lists current offers from retailers such as Newegg and Best Buy. Use it to find the lowest price across stores, then complete the purchase on the retailer’s own checkout. Always confirm the seller name and return policy there, because prices shown on a comparison page can come from marketplace sellers.
Where to Buy What
| Peripheral | Best source | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming mouse | Amazon | Easy returns if the shape doesn’t fit your hand or grip style |
| Mechanical keyboard (prebuilt) | Amazon or Micro Center | Test switch feel in person if you can; otherwise rely on reviews for a known model |
| Custom mechanical keyboard | KBDfans, Keychron, group buys | Selection and parts compatibility Amazon doesn’t carry |
| Gaming headset | B&H or manufacturer direct | Better warranty handling for driver failure and mic issues |
| Webcam, mic, misc. peripherals | Amazon | Commodity items, price and shipping speed matter most |
Buying Used or Refurbished Computer Parts Safely
Used and refurbished parts can cut costs, but only buy from sources with a return window and a clear seller history.
Common options include eBay, retailer warehouse-deal sections and manufacturer outlet pages. Treat components differently by risk. Cases, coolers, fans and monitors rarely hide damage and are usually safe to buy used. Hard drives and power supplies carry more risk because wear is invisible, so favor units with a warranty. For graphics cards, ask for proof the card works, avoid listings that say “for parts”, and be cautious of unusually low prices, which can signal mining wear or a scam. Pay with a method that offers buyer protection and keep screenshots of the listing until the return window closes.
Computer Parts Buying Checklist
- Check the seller: look for “sold by” and “ships from” lines, and prefer the retailer itself over a marketplace reseller for anything expensive.
- Confirm compatibility: match CPU socket and chipset, RAM type (DDR4 or DDR5), case clearance and power supply connectors before ordering.
- Read the return policy: note the window, restocking fees and whether opened electronics are accepted.
- Compare total cost: add shipping, tax and any rebate paperwork before deciding a deal is cheaper.
- Keep packaging: hold boxes and anti-static bags until the build boots and runs stable.
- Register the warranty: save the invoice, since manufacturers usually ask for proof of purchase.
Sites to Buy Computer Parts: Quick Answers
Are big online marketplaces safe for computer parts?
Yes when the item is shipped and sold by the marketplace itself; for third-party sellers, check ratings, return terms and shipping origin before buying expensive components.
Is Micro Center cheaper than Newegg?
Not always. Micro Center often wins on CPU and motherboard bundles, while Newegg can be cheaper on cases, coolers and storage, so compare both on the day you buy.
Where should I buy a gaming mouse or keyboard?
Buy from a retailer with easy returns first, such as a large marketplace or Micro Center, because shape and switch feel are personal and cannot be judged from specs.
What Actually Fails
Across all these sources, the thing that breaks isn’t usually build quality in the way people expect. Mice fail at the switches (double-click or missed clicks), keyboards fail at the USB connector or a sticky key from spilled liquid, and headsets fail at the headband padding or a frayed cable near the connector, long before the actual electronics give out. None of that is store-dependent, it’s just mechanical wear. What is store-dependent is how painful it is to get a replacement when it happens, which is the real argument for buying from Amazon or a retailer with a no-questions return policy during year one, even if a direct-from-manufacturer purchase would’ve saved you five dollars.
If you’re assembling a full peripheral set at once, buying a mechanical gaming keyboard and a gaming headset from the same retailer at least means one return process to deal with if something’s wrong out of the box, rather than three.
