Hey everyone! I'm still in school (read: broke) and I need a gaming PC that won't break the bank. My dad is willing to help out, but there's no way he's going to spend over $450. I'm not expecting a high-performance machine, but I want to be able to play games like Fortnite, Apex, and Roblox, and ideally, I'd like to record my gameplay too. I considered getting the STGAubron PC bundle, but the bad reviews were a major turn off for me. Any suggestions or advice on what I could do?
7 Answers
A Dell OptiPlex from the last decade can be a good option. Pair it with a GTX 1660 or even a 3050, and you'll be able to play most games. Plus, you can find cheap SSDs to make a solid setup within your range!
STGAubron is a serious scammer. They tend to sell older used office PCs and make them look new. Check their specs carefully! For your budget, I recommend looking for used PCs that are relatively new and not from big brands. Aim for one that is ATX sized and has decent specs, and then find a good used graphics card to pair with it.
Try to educate yourself more about PCs. Get a feel for the market and learn how to spot a good deal. Buying used can save you a lot, but be cautious to avoid overpaying or getting scammed. Always ask for opinions before making a purchase!
With your budget, expecting to play and record at decent quality is going to be challenging. I think it’s possible to piece together a good machine for $450, but it's more likely you'll struggle to do both simultaneously. Focus on finding a solid deal on used parts and be prepared to do some research to avoid getting scammed.
It really depends on where you live, but honestly, with $450, it might be tough to record and play at good quality simultaneously. The budget is just really tight for those features.
You should definitely consider going for second-hand components. For the price you’re aiming at, something like an AM4 CPU with DDR4 RAM would be around $450 new, but you'll probably have to rely on integrated graphics, which won't be great for gaming. I suggest looking into a used 3600x CPU, an AM4 motherboard, and pairing it with a graphics card like a GTX 1660 Super or a 3060. This setup will play most games at 1080p and about 60fps, plus it should handle recording at the same time. Good luck!
You can also check for giveaways or gifting sites to get some parts for free!
Totally agree! That 3060 is pretty capable. If you can snag a decent CPU and enough RAM, you might even be able to stream in 1080p, although not at the highest frame rates.
Honestly, cheap plus gaming usually means disappointment. Everyone I know who cut corners ended up frustrated with their setups. I'd suggest saving a bit more if you can or looking into refurbished options that offer some level of performance.
You can sometimes find bulk deals on office PCs that are being sold off cheap. Just put in a new SSD and a graphics card, and you could have a decent gaming machine.
Where exactly do I look for used PCs?