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 to make the system work. I'm assuming I'll need a CPU cooler and thermal paste, a case, a power supply, RAM, and storage. It also came with a Wi-Fi antenna. My total budget is around $200–$300, preferably less. What parts should I buy, and is there anything important I should check first?
4 Answers
A decent 650W power supply should handle an i7-9700K and GTX 1080 Ti. An 800W unit isn’t harmful, but quality matters much more than extra wattage, so avoid an unknown cheap model. Make sure it has the proper PCIe power connectors for the graphics card.
You’ll still need storage, since neither the motherboard nor the graphics card provides it. A 1TB SATA or NVMe SSD would be a good starting point. You’ll also need a CPU cooler; a reasonably priced dual-tower air cooler should be around $35. Use a parts compatibility checker when choosing the case, RAM, storage, and cooler.
For memory, 16GB or 32GB of DDR4 should be plenty. $140 for 32GB is quite high, so look for a cheaper compatible kit and put the savings toward a reliable power supply and SSD. You’ll also need a case with enough room for the motherboard and 1080 Ti, plus thermal paste if the cooler doesn’t include it.
Try to test the motherboard, processor, and graphics card before spending the rest of your budget. Used parts can have hidden problems, especially if they were stored or handled poorly. A computer shop or an experienced friend may be able to test them first.
That helps a lot. I found an 800W power supply for $40, a 32GB DDR4 Vengeance kit for $140, and a new case for $50. I’ll compare prices and make sure the power supply is a reputable model before buying.