Hi! Need Some Help w/ $350 PC build

[gomathas]

Budget (including currency): $350

Country: USA (Chicago Area)

Games, programs or workloads that it will be used for: Hopefully Baldur's Gate 3, Cyberpunk 2077, TF2, Dota II, Deadlocked

Other details:

Hey everyone! I've been playing games on my dad's old laptop for a while now, but the laptop just absolutely died. As far as I can tell, the hard drive is dead. Everytime I turn it on I hear this weird whirring noise. In any case, the laptop is/was a 2011? 2012? something in that timespan IBM thinkpad. It worked well enough for light games, and I've put hundreds of hours into minecraft with my buddies on it, but I'm going to college this fall, and I want an upgrade. I've saved a solid chunk of change (or so I thought) for a computer, but I can't really spare more than $350 right now. The one nice thing is my friend recently upgraded his computer, and he has an old set of RAM. He said its DDR4 2666, and its 16 gigabytes. That much is nice, as from what I've seen RAM is really expensive. I was hoping you guys could help me get a computer for $350. I'm willing to buy used parts if I have to, but that's certainly not the goal. I have an old monitor, keyboard, and mouse, so that stuff isn't super important. I thought I'd have to buy windows but my friend said you can get it for like $10, so I'll just do that.

 

[dizmo]

Sadly, with the games and budget you have, a new PC is too far of a stretch. A used console would probably be the best gaming experience you're going to get with that budget. If you want a PC, you're definitely going to have to go used to get something worth running.

[EffeectFTW]

If your budget is 350 we are pretty much looking exclusively at used market for most of the parts.

 

Start looking at Dell Optiplex/Lenovo workstation pcs in your area. Specifically ones with 8th gen Intel up or Ryzen 2nd gen up and ones with a PCIE X16 slot. 

[RJonline7]

       At $350 with those games, you're gonna have to learn a thing or two from one of the Scrapyard Wars series. Dumpster diving, keeping an eye out for offices disposing of old hardware and look for some really good used deals especially now that RAM isn't an afterthought anymore.

 

Be careful to not get scammed! When people are on a tight budget is when people are most vulnerable to getting scammed.

 

       My first suggestion would be that if you were satisfied playing on your dad's old laptop, just for now, you could spend a bit of money to have it fixed. If it truly is just the drive, you just have to buy a replacement for it, if it was on an HDD before, you could switch over to an SSD and it'll feel way snappier than it used to. I'd still recommend you troubleshoot it or at least have someone troubleshoot it to make sure it really was just the drive and not something else before you go buy a new drive.        I'd recommend this solution if you wanna continue saving up more money to buy a better PC at a higher budget later on. You didn't mention having any other issues with the old laptop so you might as well consider this option.

 

       As for your Minecraft saves, if it truly was the HDD that died, sorry to hear that mate. If it was that valuable to you, you could try a few things to try to at least get it back so you could copy it over to your new drive.

 

       You could try just running on onboard graphics for now, in that way, you could actually get yourself a decent CPU and later on, you could always just get yourself a graphics card.

       I don't even know if Baldur's Gate or Cyberpunk 2077 will even run at useable framerates without a graphics card. If you really wanna go for it, I recommend looking up some benchmarks of these two games on onboard graphics both on AMD and Intel CPUs so you could at least get a feel for how well or poorly they'll run on onboard graphics.

       I'm sure Dota 2 will run fine on onboard graphics since my cousins only played on onboard graphics all the way back in 2014 and I didn't hear them ever complain about it.

       I haven't heard of Deadlocked, I Googled it and a bunch of different games came up. I'm gonna take a guess that it's this Fortnite/TF -like game(?). If so, it's a shooter so I imagine it's at least well optimized because if I were the developer of any potentially competitive games, I'd definitely prioritize making sure my players won't have performance issues ever but who knows.

 

Other than that, going onboard graphics, you're definitely gonna have to deal with lower quality settings at least until you get a graphics card. Best of luck!

[jaslion]

Only way to go is buying a FULL used gaming system. For 350 it wont be great but should be sorta doable.

 

For 350 you cant build a gaming capable new pc. Starting price is twice that basically.

[Chrizl1990]

Can you not try saving up a bit more? Do you have any friends or neighbours who might have any old hardware they no longer need?

Realistically, you would need to double your budget to get anything half decent.

[podkall]

8 hours ago, gomathas said:

I have an old monitor, keyboard, and mouse, so that stuff isn't super important. I thought I'd have to buy windows but my friend said you can get it for like $10, so I'll just do that.

You can download Windows for free from Microsoft's website, it's just not going to be activated.

 

8 hours ago, gomathas said:

Budget (including currency): $350

For a budget this low, your best bet would be used parts or used build, but more than one generation behind.

 

We're looking at desktop systems so old they might barely run modern Minecraft, so BG3 or Cyberpunk very hard to run if even possible to run.

 

For example, this 300$ system on ebay: (+ you'll probably pay some $ for shipping)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/156458463356?_skw=broadwell+gaming+pc&itmmeta=01KFNANGJNXZTCFJS46C96HQQE&hash=item246da6b07c%3Ag%3AkoQAAOSwLu5nDRPd&itmprp=enc%3AAQALAAAA0O7PUuNWmJ%2B%2BUShgI9tQz%2Fqotz6Dz4enaRC%2BonK4iy2aMvjB%2FTnCFGHB3r97K5LrnGp72F76utQCOq1fUP%2FJqQgC3IJhJOlqBMoFz19zfgYIGAYAFWM9qM3rmbOtXcbX%2BUtmveaX25le7eaVNjQIdcf%2BTBO99IcFgan34jBHHubssN%2Bg8t7NmOxkmUVflb3GJgwId7NVGd7UC%2BiDdidp70nl1kzgZMZzGSjbgLoIR69YM73QS7udsT2bSf%2BsTRtKU7x5EYpQgzESoOaDArIjHNk%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR9SJ1qr9Zg&LH_BIN=1

 

 

For whole system you get pretty decent parts, though quite old parts, CPU is old despite being 8 cores, old 8 core isn't the same as new 8 core CPU.

 

FX 8350 is a 2012 CPU.

But it does have RX580 which is like, not terrible GPU, the GPU itself can run decent amount of games, it's the rest of the system that might be bit weaker.

 

Benefit of system like this, is it's got everything, no need to look for overpriced RAM (though here it's DDR3 so nothing crazy), no need to look for PSU, case, cooling, nothing, if you buy whole system you should get whole system as long as it's sold like that. And if the system survived with it's PSU the PSU is pretty decent at least too regardless of brand or model.

 

Lastly upgradeability can also be limited, like here, or expensive with little to no gain, or no headroom, like with the 430W PSU in this build. (but for such little price on old PC, you can't expect too much)

[jaslion]

1 hour ago, podkall said:

You can download Windows for free from Microsoft's website, it's just not going to be activated.

 

For a budget this low, your best bet would be used parts or used build, but more than one generation behind.

 

We're looking at desktop systems so old they might barely run modern Minecraft, so BG3 or Cyberpunk very hard to run if even possible to run.

 

For example, this 300$ system on ebay: (+ you'll probably pay some $ for shipping)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/156458463356?_skw=broadwell+gaming+pc&itmmeta=01KFNANGJNXZTCFJS46C96HQQE&hash=item246da6b07c%3Ag%3AkoQAAOSwLu5nDRPd&itmprp=enc%3AAQALAAAA0O7PUuNWmJ%2B%2BUShgI9tQz%2Fqotz6Dz4enaRC%2BonK4iy2aMvjB%2FTnCFGHB3r97K5LrnGp72F76utQCOq1fUP%2FJqQgC3IJhJOlqBMoFz19zfgYIGAYAFWM9qM3rmbOtXcbX%2BUtmveaX25le7eaVNjQIdcf%2BTBO99IcFgan34jBHHubssN%2Bg8t7NmOxkmUVflb3GJgwId7NVGd7UC%2BiDdidp70nl1kzgZMZzGSjbgLoIR69YM73QS7udsT2bSf%2BsTRtKU7x5EYpQgzESoOaDArIjHNk%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR9SJ1qr9Zg&LH_BIN=1

 

 

For whole system you get pretty decent parts, though quite old parts, CPU is old despite being 8 cores, old 8 core isn't the same as new 8 core CPU.

 

FX 8350 is a 2012 CPU.

But it does have RX580 which is like, not terrible GPU, the GPU itself can run decent amount of games, it's the rest of the system that might be bit weaker.

 

Benefit of system like this, is it's got everything, no need to look for overpriced RAM (though here it's DDR3 so nothing crazy), no need to look for PSU, case, cooling, nothing, if you buy whole system you should get whole system as long as it's sold like that. And if the system survived with it's PSU the PSU is pretty decent at least too regardless of brand or model.

 

Lastly upgradeability can also be limited, like here, or expensive with little to no gain, or no headroom, like with the 430W PSU in this build. (but for such little price on old PC, you can't expect too much)

Id for sure look for something better as a fx cpu is utter junk. 300 is enough for a 10th gen i5 + like gtx 1660 combo

Just a looking around of a minute gets you thrice the pc for 400

https://www.ebay.com/itm/136813792516?_skw=rtx+2060&itmmeta=01KFNFPWNBKQMRY01CX5MX6PAF&hash=item1fdabccd04:g:82MAAeSwYlxpMJMf&itmprp=enc%3AAQALAAAA4O7PUuNWmJ%2B%2BUShgI9tQz%2FqC8xDXWOl8Mzpku5707FTiibNxA1JwdLEpeGpupkfgCukvVlfMTawuMeAHp5QM0Kd4pGpvD%2FDiYGjMalGCJelHHcwD3thTF5%2Bfo7UXEIZFNeqpE2fKt6nOwPCLz4VNm8AOybZsD1Padp5xRfdzj4ojAGAahqUiQ%2FxI0z%2B2eKd2H2Wm7abBsIvmpqu7PgDHd532k5g28ZBnMJodZv8MifUwEaSZ1KPGVonjjtwd75gw0FX2JmxTiUKjEPlvCwVUWORhw%2Fv6%2FvkpSgI1%2Bw6RYdpP|tkp%3ABFBM7Mrbr_1m

2060 ryzen 1700

[podkall]

10 hours ago, jaslion said:

d for sure look for something better as a fx cpu is utter junk. 300 is enough for a 10th gen i5 + like gtx 1660 combo

Just a looking around of a minute gets you thrice the pc for 400

I wouldn't call that FX complete junk, for example, Dead by Daylight recommends FX-8300 CPU to run the game, but of course I know personally this info might be bit outdated, since the recommended specs sheet might still be old while the game went through several graphic updates and overhauls.

 

Also RX 580 is not to be slept on, -> 1650Super/GTX1060 raster power with 8GB of VRAM

 

10 hours ago, jaslion said:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/136813792516?_skw=rtx+2060&itmmeta=01KFNFPWNBKQMRY01CX5MX6PAF&hash=item1fdabccd04:g:82MAAeSwYlxpMJMf&itmprp=enc%3AAQALAAAA4O7PUuNWmJ%2B%2BUShgI9tQz%2FqC8xDXWOl8Mzpku5707FTiibNxA1JwdLEpeGpupkfgCukvVlfMTawuMeAHp5QM0Kd4pGpvD%2FDiYGjMalGCJelHHcwD3thTF5%2Bfo7UXEIZFNeqpE2fKt6nOwPCLz4VNm8AOybZsD1Padp5xRfdzj4ojAGAahqUiQ%2FxI0z%2B2eKd2H2Wm7abBsIvmpqu7PgDHd532k5g28ZBnMJodZv8MifUwEaSZ1KPGVonjjtwd75gw0FX2JmxTiUKjEPlvCwVUWORhw%2Fv6%2FvkpSgI1%2Bw6RYdpP|tkp%3ABFBM7Mrbr_1m

2060 ryzen 1700

costs 400 though, but worth consideration, slightly better than FX I suppose

 

both PCs would pass for Minecraft, maybe like single player games year 2016 and less, with games closer to 2016 or after needing medium or low graphics settings

[spacepickle]

Honestly I have a system I’d sell you for $350. Here’s a rough parts list, it wouldn’t include every HDD but most of the stuff would be with it. Probably a little better performance than what others are suggesting here. You’d also have to pay shipping, which would be rather expensive considering the difficulty of shipping something so complicated. It’s not an absolute beast and it’s a little short on storage, but it should run all the games you listed. I played a bit of RDR2 on it at 1440p and it worked great at medium settings. 
 

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/2TTtxg

 

no pressure whatsoever but if you want more details feel free to DM me, the price is negotiable within reason because I’m honestly not super sure what this is worth. 
 

to moderators: hopefully this isn’t considered advertising, I would argue that I’m attempting to help solve a problem by posting a viable and cost-effective solution. If not, I apologize and won’t be offended if this gets nuked.

[jaslion]

18 hours ago, podkall said:

slightly better than FX I suppose

Its a r7 1700 its actually double the cpu power. The fx 8320 has such low single core performance that in some modern games it legit cant even reach 30fps no matter the gpu. Its genuinly a problem.

 

Fx was bad the day it came out. I know it was my cpu and the only reason to get it was due to being cheap as can be. The i3 3220 was matching it in a lot of games. All it had was due to being 8 threads (its really a 4c/8t cpu its not 8 real cores amd got sued because of false advertising) is that in hevay multi threaded loads it would edge out a i5 3470. A by then last gen chip. 

 

I dont want op to do a wrong purchase here. The advantage of a custom built one too is that 1700 system can have a ryzen 5000 cpu in it at a later date for way cheap. Which is up to quadruple the chip the fx is.

 

Rx 580 hell yes that card is still nice to use today and play almost any game at 1080/60fps still. Which is a damn good run. Its the only good part of that rig really.

 

Its why i said a 10th gen i5 - gtx 1660 vombi is VERY achievable a very popular thing in prebuilts back in the day and games well! 

[podkall]

2 minutes ago, jaslion said:

Its a r7 1700 its actually double the cpu power. The fx 8320 has such low single core performance that in some modern games it legit cant even reach 30fps no matter the gpu. Its genuinly a problem.

 

Fx was bad the day it came out. I know it was my cpu and the only reason to get it was due to being cheap as can be. The i3 3220 was matching it in a lot of games. All it had was due to being 8 threads (its really a 4c/8t cpu its not 8 real cores amd got sued because of false advertising) is that in hevay multi threaded loads it would edge out a i5 3470. A by then last gen chip. 

 

I dont want op to do a wrong purchase here. The advantage of a custom built one too is that 1700 system can have a ryzen 5000 cpu in it at a later date for way cheap. Which is up to quadruple the chip the fx is.

 

Rx 580 hell yes that card is still nice to use today and play almost any game at 1080/60fps still. Which is a damn good run. Its the only good part of that rig really.

 

Its why i said a 10th gen i5 - gtx 1660 vombi is VERY achievable a very popular thing in prebuilts back in the day and games well! 

It's very interesting, and good you mention this.

 

I wasn't proposing them to buy the build I found, I just showed them how decent of a PC can be found when looking for them on websites like ebay, it took me like few seconds to find that PC, so there's probably way better choices if you are lucky or look hard enough.

[jaslion]

3 minutes ago, podkall said:

It's very interesting, and good you mention this.

 

I wasn't proposing them to buy the build I found, I just showed them how decent of a PC can be found when looking for them on websites like ebay, it took me like few seconds to find that PC, so there's probably way better choices if you are lucky or look hard enough.

Oh yeah same mine was likr half a minute. I just typed in rtx 2060 hit desktops/aio's in filter and boom the third result as the first and second were some junk xeon v2 and i7 (2600) thing for 500. 

 

Its usually how I find the best deals. Type the gpu you want and boom usually hits of shittily written posts that happen to mention that phrase

[podkall]

3 hours ago, jaslion said:

Oh yeah same mine was likr half a minute. I just typed in rtx 2060 hit desktops/aio's in filter and boom the third result as the first and second were some junk xeon v2 and i7 (2600) thing for 500. 

 

Its usually how I find the best deals. Type the gpu you want and boom usually hits of shittily written posts that happen to mention that phrase

I simply wrote gaming PC and filtered by price and that one was one of the first few results