I'm looking for affordable but decent recommendations for a PC case, CPU, and possibly RAM, with a total budget of around $300. I've already received GPU suggestions, so I'm mainly trying to figure out the rest of the build. I understand that cheaper parts usually mean older hardware or compromises, but I'd still like to get the best performance and value possible. Should I buy used, look for an older office PC, or build from individual components?
3 Answers
Look for a used office desktop with an Intel 8th-generation processor or newer and 16GB of RAM. Avoid slim or ultra-small models because they usually can’t fit a normal graphics card. Once you find a suitable PC, use whatever money remains for the GPU. It’s better to buy the computer first so you can check the power supply wattage and whether it has the PCIe power connectors your graphics card needs. An RX 580 8GB could be worth considering if you find one at a reasonable price, although it is older hardware.
A high-end CPU such as a Ryzen 7 7800X3D would use up the entire budget by itself, so it wouldn’t leave enough money for a complete, working PC. For this price range, prioritize a functional used system over one expensive component.
With a budget this tight, used hardware is probably your best option. Prices and availability vary a lot by location, so it’s difficult to recommend exact parts without knowing what’s available near you. Expect to consider older systems rather than a brand-new build.
Right, I’m looking for a complete setup rather than spending the whole budget on just the processor.