I'm looking for advice on whether I can buy or build a decent PC or laptop for my kid without spending more than $300. The goal is to find something that's not super slow; I want it to be good enough for typing and maybe running Roblox games. I already have some parts lying around, including a 1700 CPU, a 650w PSU, and possibly 16GB of RAM. I even have a 1080ti GPU, but that might be overkill for this purpose. What do you think?
5 Answers
It's definitely a challenge with that budget. If you go for a laptop, consider a Chromebook; they can handle Roblox and typing tasks just fine, and you can usually find them at a great price. If you want a desktop, look for used parts; you'll get the most bang for your buck that way. But don't expect anything fancy at that price!
You might also find a used workstation on sites like eBay that could fit your budget. They’re often capable of handling light gaming like Roblox. Building with your parts is an excellent idea too; just grab a cheap motherboard and case, and you’ll be all set!
Totally doable! If you search carefully for used AM4 parts, you can set up a decent low-end gaming PC. Look for a first to third gen Ryzen CPU and a compatible motherboard. The GPU choice is a bit tight on budget, but something like a 1060 ti or RX 580 can be found affordably. Just keep your peripherals and monitor in mind, as they can add to the cost!
Honestly, if you're on a tight budget like $300, you're better off searching for a good used prebuilt system instead of trying to put together a new one. Cheap laptops usually don't perform well, but a secondhand desktop could be a lot better for your needs. You can often find decent deals online.
That's what I figured! Thanks for confirming.
With a budget like $300, you're entering extreme budget territory. You can build a decent machine, but it’ll require used parts—older components from a few years back will be your best bet. Look into Ryzen CPUs, and you might find good deals on secondhand GPUs, too. Don't expect to play modern games smoothly, though; it's going to be more of a casual gaming setup.
I just did this for a casual gaming PC too; it was a fun project! Runs lighter games well, which sounds perfect for your needs.
Thanks for the suggestion! A Chromebook sounds like a solid option.