Buy or Build?

[tank12758]

What would get me the most bang for my buck (for gaming): a used pc off of facebook marketplace or building a pc? And when should I get this: before or after the new cards release? 

 

Thanks! 

[Haro]

Depends, budget? what "used pc"? specs for both new and used? price?

10 hours ago, tank12758 said:

: before or after the new cards release? 

so ampere? wait for it to release and check what it has to offer first.

[jaslion]

Totally depends on what used system you find. For sure get one after the new cards roll around. Either way you look at it people will and are selling their 2000 cards far cheaper already and the launch of the 3000 series will only accelerate it.

[AndreiArgeanu]

If you're looking at a lower budget like 400$-500$ and lower, you're much more likely to find something better used, but you're also very likely, not to have a great upgrade path with older hardware. And depending on where you live it can actually cost more to go used than to buy new.

[LordVetinari]

What sort of budget do you have? What do you intend to play? 

 

IMO the odds of finding the system you want, in the condition you would want, for the price you want, on FB market place are slim to none.

 

You could of course get something very cheap second hand and have an upgrade budget - this can work out well but can take time to a) figure out exactly what you have bought (people sometimes don't know what they have or are downright dishonest) b) figure out compatibility issues and c) account for parts you assumed good going wrong. 

 

All that can be fun of course, and may get you 'better' bang for buck. But you may have to accept having a half built PC for a while and/or manage your expectations of what you can play and fps...

 

No idea what the new cards will do to the market for a few months - a lot will depend on availability of the new cards. 

[Aereldor]

If you can spend $400, buy new. Any less and I'd look into used, or maybe an APU build with the option to upgrade later.

 

PCPartPicker Part List

Type	Item	Price
CPU	Intel Core i3-9100F 3.6 GHz Quad-Core Processor	$71.88 @ Walmart
Motherboard	MSI H310M PRO-VDH PLUS Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard	$56.99 @ B&H
Memory	Patriot Signature Line 8 GB (1 x 8 GB) DDR4-2400 CL17 Memory	$28.95 @ B&H
Storage	ADATA SU635 240 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive	$25.99 @ Amazon
Video Card	MSI Radeon RX 570 8 GB GT OC Video Card	$139.99 @ Newegg
Case	DIYPC MA01 MicroATX Mini Tower Case	$29.98 @ Newegg
Power Supply	EVGA BR 500 W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply	$49.99 @ Walmart
	Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
	Total	$403.77
	Generated by PCPartPicker 2020-09-10 05:28 EDT-0400