I'm trying to build a gaming PC for around $200 and I need some advice on the specs. I'm not aiming for high-end performance like 4K ray-tracing; I just want to run games like Red Dead Redemption 2 without massive lag. I'm considering a used i7-4770K paired with a GTX 970. What do you think? Is this setup worth it, or are there better options out there in the used market that could yield better performance? I also need to know about the motherboard and power supply. Appreciate any tips!
5 Answers
Keep an eye out for a GTX 1060 or RX 480/580 if you can find them! The GTX 970 has that notorious 3.5GB VRAM issue, which might hold you back in more demanding games. Do a bit of hunting, and you might score a solid deal!
You're probably going to want to snag a complete used PC instead of hunting individual parts, especially with that budget. Look for systems that already have components similar to what you're after. Sometimes people just want to offload entire setups—could save you some hassle!
That i7-4770K and GTX 970 combo isn't a total loss for $200, but you may struggle with the motherboard prices—they're going up! If you can, consider a Ryzen 1600 with an RX 580. The RX 580 outperforms the 970 in newer titles and you should be able to find a used B450 board for around $40-50. Don't forget, you’ll also need DDR4 RAM, a decent PSU (I recommend an EVGA 500W), and maybe a cheap case from Facebook Marketplace. RDR2 will run, but don’t expect to crank up those settings too high!
Honestly, your best bet is finding a used gaming PC. Check out local classifieds – I've found some sweet deals on older systems that people just want to get rid of. You could potentially find an Optiplex or something similar where you can just pop in a budget GPU like a 1050 Ti or 1650. Those cards are easy to run, too!
If you're not aiming for esports titles, consider switching to a Linux gaming distro for your OS. They're free and a great way to save some cash!
Exactly, that 3.5GB issue is a real bummer! Glad you mentioned it.