I'm working on assembling a super budget-friendly PC with under $200. I know the power supply unit (PSU) is crucial, but I'm curious about what other components I shouldn't skimp on or consider buying used. Any advice?
7 Answers
I'm okay with buying a used PSU as long as it’s from a reputable brand. Just steer clear of low-quality ones. But be wary; with just $200, buying used can be a gamble on sites like eBay or Facebook Marketplace.
I actually bought a used setup myself; it's like striking gold if you find the right deal!
You might want to consider getting a used office PC for around $100-150. Then, you could use the rest of your budget on a decent GPU. For instance, a 6th to 8th generation i5 with a 300-watt PSU could work, allowing you to safely power a GTX 1060 6GB via a molex to PCIe adapter. Just ensure your case has enough room for the GPU; if not, you might need a dremel to modify it.
Try to hunt down a free office PC that a company no longer needs and see if you can fit an RX 6600 into it!
In today's market, $200 doesn't stretch very far at all.
If you're set on the $200 limit, prioritize your spending. I'd rank it this way: GPU first, then CPU, motherboard, PSU, SSD, RAM, CPU cooler, and lastly the case. As for used parts, I’ve had no issues buying from eBay, just be cautious about what you choose.
Honestly, you should really focus on the PSU since $200 isn't enough for much else. It's the most important part, so don’t cheap out on that.
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