Cheapest way to build PCs

[IsmetGS]

I really want to build PCs just for the fun of actually building them, but I want to do it in the cheapest way possible. What techniques do u guys know of? Especially for ones in the U.K.

[8-Bit Ninja]

2 minutes ago, IsmetUcur said:

I really want to build PCs just for the fun of actually building them, but I want to do it in the cheapest way possible. What techniques do u guys know of? Especially for ones in the U.K.

Buy used parts, build the pc, and then sell the pc (possibly even for profit?)

[IsmetGS]

6 minutes ago, 8-Bit Ninja said:

Buy used parts, build the pc, and then sell the pc (possibly even for profit?)

Where do u think would be the best place to sell it? eBay?

[8-Bit Ninja]

Just now, IsmetUcur said:

Where do u think would be the best place to sell it? eBay?

ebay, facebook market place, craigslist 

[IsmetGS]

7 minutes ago, 8-Bit Ninja said:

ebay, facebook market place, craigslist 

What motherboards are pretty cheap but somewhat decent? 

[aisle9]

20 minutes ago, IsmetUcur said:

I really want to build PCs just for the fun of actually building them, but I want to do it in the cheapest way possible. What techniques do u guys know of? Especially for ones in the U.K.

You can get used Optiplex and HP workstations from secondhand shops all the time, and often at very low prices if you're willing to do some cleanup. Scrounge around the internet and track down the best deals you can on parts that would complement your system. CPU upgrades, additional RAM, more/faster storage and low-profile GPUs are a few ideas. If you snag the right deals and choose the right parts, you may be able to sell the system for what you put into it, possibly a bit more. My PC hobby is approaching the point of self-sustaining both because I've way, way slowed down my purchases and because I'm taking a shot at the cheap systems that can be revived when I see them, slowly assembling them into something better, then selling them off. The whole process is taking months per build from initial system purchase to sale right now, but it's pretty cool spending $100 on an ancient system plus updated components, then selling it for $150-175.

 

Of course, you can also just start buying up PCs are yard, garage and estate sales, then pulling the best parts from each to make a couple of decent PCs out of the stack of absolute garbage you purchased. 

[ARikozuM]

12 minutes ago, IsmetUcur said:

What motherboards are pretty cheap but somewhat decent? 

One that works? I wouldn't go too old. 775 is as far back as I would go.

[GDRRiley]

if it cann't fit in a core 2 duo/quad or a 2+ core xeon don't get it. it is too old to be useful 

[IsmetGS]

Currently this is what I have lined up:

Cit 2036 comes with 500w psu (£22.50 $28.50)
Gigabyte g31m-es2l (£22 $28)
Intel pentium e5400 (£11 $14)
Asus gtx 650 (£49 $62)
8gb ddr2 (£13.88 $17.38)
Seagate 500gb (£20 $25.35)

 

Total £139.65 $175.74

 

i feel like I've cheaped out on the CPU or have gone too much on the GPU

Edited December 5, 2016 by IsmetUcur