Very light gaming PC

[hkeo83]

Hi all, new here but I've been familiar with LTT for some time. I am interested in learning how to build a computer but I do not have much free time so I was thinking I would buy a complete PC and learn by upgrading it over time. The main purpose for this PC would be light gaming (Civ 6, age of empires, total war) and I don't really care about how the graphics look (at least for now) and would only want the games to run smoothly. I thought craigslist would be a good place to start and I found this:

 

https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/sys/d/gaithersburg-dell-desktop-pc-with-27/6981771940.html

 

"I am selling my very good condition Dell SFF Desktop (Corei3 3.60GHz, 8GB ram/500GB HD) with Like new Multi-color gaming Keyboard & Mouse with a like new Dell 27" S2719H Monitor. I am selling it because I got an iPad Pro and a laptop from work so I don't need this anymore. I added an GT710 Graphics card and PCI wifi card to this system. I will include a set of Altec Lansing speaker.
It has the latest Windows 1903 update and I will also install Microsoft Office
Spec:
Intel Core i3 3.6 GHz Processor
8GB memory
500GB HD storage
Windows 10 Pro 64-Bit
GT710 Graphics
2x 3.0 USB ports
6x 2.0 USB ports
HDMI output
27" Full HD IPS monitor
1920 x 1080 at 60Hz
24.07" x 7.35" x 17.89"
HDMI and VGA input
Cooler Master Devastator 3 Gaming Combo with RGB Keyboard and Mouse
I can meet at Rockville or Twinbrook metro station
Cash and pickup only"

 

This seems like a good deal to me but as I said I don't have any experience buying a computer like this. Also, if you have any idea what upgradability would be like please let me know.

 

Thank you!

[Necrovarius]

That GT710 seems sketch. I know you said you would upgrade it, and you may want to upgrade that first. Also, i would ask what Processor Specifically. he states its just an i3 which can be anything! That being said, if its still decent, I would talk him down on price.

[homeap5]

Man, forget about that Dell SFF, Lenovo XXX etc. crap. Especially if you want to upgrade anything. I bet it's something like 4th gen i3 on cheapest chipset (two USB3.0 onboard starts from 4th gen H81 chipsets, on previous generations you need better mainboard), slowest DDR3 memory you can find without possibility to upgrade (I bet only 2 slots), crappy PSU that can  handle only this configuration (and probably not standard ATX). Well, yes, it's gaming PC, because Solitaire and Minesweeper are games too. Damn, Atari XL was gaming computer, but I think you want something better.

[Necrovarius]

1 minute ago, homeap5 said:

Man, forget about that Dell SFF, Lenovo XXX etc. crap. Especially if you want to upgrade anything. I bet it's something like 4th gen i3 on cheapest chipset (two USB3.0 onboard starts from 4th gen H81 chipsets, on previous generations you need better mainboard), slowest DDR3 memory you can find without possibility to expand, crappy PSU that fits only this configuration (and probably not standard ATX). Well, yes, it's gaming PC, because Solitaire and Miner are games too. Damn, Atari XL was gaming computer too.

While I agree, I have had dell/lenovo prebuilds turn into some nice sleepers. Not super high performance, but still good.

[homeap5]

1 minute ago, Necrovarius said:

While I agree, I have had dell/lenovo prebuilds turn into some nice sleepers. Not super high performance, but still good.

If you know how to use it and don't expect great performance - sure. People uses computers years ago and for the same tasks as then, now the same computers will be the same good. You need only PC AT and small slow HDD to write great bestseller novel.

 

About OP - I saw that type of ads many times, people want to sell their Dells or Lenovo computers and prices are really low. Quality too. But most important is what OP wants. Sometimes people wants advice and that is cool. But in many cases they want to confirmation that their own decission is good. If we confirm - OP will be happy. If not - he probably buy it anyway.

 

[Epimetheus]

Usually people look for Optiplexes and get an i5 as the minimum-never get below and old i5- and then put a low power gpu like a 1650 or 1050 ti in there