Occasionally in the jobs I’ve had (as well as the tinkering I do at home) I have to purchase parts. Replacement parts, new parts, spare parts and sometimes just parts. I recently came across a good source for cheap CPUs, Census PC. An online retailer, Census PC has it all (including a really, really cool selection of barebones Shuttle PC’s that would make a perfect homebrew TiVo system!). CPU’s, mother boards, ram, monitors, fans, water cooling supplies, anything your heart desires they have and they have decent prices too (of course, the pvr system I built using a shuttle slimline case was over $1100 when I was done).

You can select a barebones box and customize it how you want with the hardware you want and the OS (or no os) you want. They offer versions of Vista online, but you can always buy the box blank and load your own on it. They seem to be the perfect resource for DIYer’s or anyone looking for parts in general.

For those not in to building your own systems, they also offer a ton of Video Game System stuff (My favorite is the wii sports pack which transforms your wii mote in to a tennis racquet’s or golf club!). All around, Census PC seems to be a perfect place to shop for your computer and gaming needs!