My brother found an i7-9700K, an ASUS Maximus XI motherboard, and a GTX 1080 Ti at a thrift store for only $10. I've never built a PC before, so I'm trying to figure out what else I need. I'm assuming I'll need thermal paste, a CPU cooler, a case, a power supply, RAM, and storage. I also have a Wi-Fi antenna. What parts should I buy, and can I realistically finish the build for around $200–$300?
3 Answers
You’ll also need storage, preferably a 1TB SSD. Before buying everything, put the parts into a compatibility checker such as PCPartPicker. For this CPU, look for a cooler that supports the LGA1151 socket; a dual-tower air cooler around $35 should be plenty. You’ll need DDR4 RAM, and 16GB is usable while 32GB is more comfortable. A decent 650W–750W power supply should handle the system, but don’t cheap out on the PSU just to save a few dollars. A basic compatible case is fine.
Try to test the motherboard, processor, and graphics card with a computer shop or someone who already has compatible parts before spending your whole budget. Thrift-store hardware can have hidden faults, and the 1080 Ti may have been stored or handled poorly. If everything works, the remaining budget will probably go mostly toward RAM, storage, the power supply, and the cooler.
An 800W supply is more than you need, but the wattage itself isn’t a problem. The important part is getting a reputable model with proper protections; a suspiciously cheap $40 unit is not worth risking a 1080 Ti and the rest of the build. Also check the exact RAM kit and make sure it’s DDR4, since the Maximus XI platform does not use DDR5.
So far I found an 800W power supply for $40, 32GB of Corsair Vengeance DDR4 for $140, and a new case for $50. I’ll check the PSU model and try to test the parts before buying the rest.