I don't know much about PCs and have about $250 to spend. I mainly want to play Valorant and League of Legends at 1080p with more than 60 FPS because my current laptop struggles badly. I'm open to buying a complete used computer or finding parts locally, but I'm not sure what specs matter or how to spot genuinely good deals. What should I look for, and is this budget realistic?
3 Answers
It’s difficult, but not completely impossible for those games. Keep checking local listings and be ready to buy quickly when a good deal appears. A complete older desktop will usually be cheaper and easier than building from individual parts. Look for something with 16GB of RAM, an SSD, and a dedicated graphics card such as a GTX 1050, GTX 1060, or GTX 1650. Make sure the power supply can safely handle the graphics card and test the computer before paying.
Your budget is extremely tight, especially if you also need a monitor, keyboard, mouse, or other accessories. Check local computer-reuse groups, estate clear-outs, and older office desktops being sold cheaply. Buying parts gradually can work, but it may take time and could end up costing more than expected. If nothing suitable appears, saving a bit longer or using a console or cloud gaming service may be more practical.
Don’t focus only on the graphics card. For a roughly $250 system, I’d aim for an Intel i5-8400 or newer equivalent, 16GB of RAM in two sticks, and at least a 128GB SSD, ideally paired with additional storage. A GTX 1060 or GTX 1660 would be useful if you can find one at a fair price, but the condition of the whole system matters more than having one impressive component.
Thanks! I’ve seen a few listings with GTX 1060s and 1660s around my budget. I’ll make sure to check the processor, RAM, storage, power supply, and overall condition instead of judging by the GPU alone.