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Poor man's Desk PC Build Log

Brunoloureirosilva
By Brunoloureirosilva
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Posted

Hi

 

I'm planning to build a desk pc for the least amount of money possible.

even the components will be sourced for free or buyed second handed... 

I'm from Portugal... so it's not going to be easy...

 

let's get started:

The plan is this:

image.png.13166b4d42e05e7742ed7f3321f9080b.png

 

The dimensions are not yet defined because i have to find a piece of glass to put on top but.. it will be about 1200mmX600mm..the height will be 160mm tops... I want the desk as slim as possible. 

 

I already have some components... 

image.png.29a33fdeee042e8d4d870be683ab31dc.png

The Processor is a Core I5 750 and the motherboard is a gigabyte GA-P55M-UD2 with 2 sticks of 2G DDR3 and a 4G DDR3 Memory. All of this components were for free and they were the inspiration to start this project...

 The graphics card is a ASUS GTX 950 and it costed 80€... the PCI-E expander was about 5€ 

the disks and the power supply were also for free... and the 140mm fan

 

these are not great components but most of them were for free so i will not complaint. Also i want to watercool this components on the cheap as well but first i will built the desk.

 

now to find that glass!!!

 

see ya!

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Posted

Followed.

 

I personally find this kind of build to be way more interesting than most super-expensive projects with overkill hardware and billions of fittings, where modding often involves a 3d printer and a cnc mill (not that I wouldn't build verktøy cu if I had the money and skills, but still). I'm really interested in seeing how you'll build that desk (and possibly watercool it). Good luck!

main PC: metal tool case computer

secondary computer: triple boot Z400 workstation

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  • Author

Hi

 

Thank you everyone for the support

I already made a deal on the glass for 25€ but i will post it tomorrow...

 

to reply to alexsolo:

It does work but the extenter is not long enough... i think it wont hurt the performance but its my intention to get a bigger extension to connect the graphics card to the first slot

 

see ya!

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Hi

 

As i posted before i got a deal on a piece of glass. It was not easy and i was already searching when i opened this topic.

After many time on OLX i've found a guy selling a couch table for 30€... after negotiating he selled it to me for 25€... 

 

I forgot to take pictures before putting it aside but it has good thickness and no noticible scratches... and round edges for extra!

image.png.1403d8d6fb639638700f4eb259fca1bf.pngimage.png.983b07a5a0b67375093f16733f3071a5.png

It has 1250mm*650mm. with this measurements i could finish the sketch. it will be something like this:

image.png.6a61ddae7094bba2c7744de77211d9c5.png

 

the extra stuff is just to prepare it to future upgrades. Now i will start to work on the list of pieces of wood to start building it!!

 

Alexsolo:

the model is in my first post

 

See ya!!

 

 

 

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I'm working on my own desk and have bargin hunted for my parts. I'm in US, but most parts I've got for mine I've purchased or traded for atleast 60% original price.

 

cant wait to see more. Check out my build if you get a chance!

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  • 2 weeks later...
Posted
  • Author

hi

 

sorry for the delay on updates but job and, most importantly, girlfriend ewre on higher priorities.

 

so tomorrow i will start cutting and assembling the pieces for the table. i will use mdf. meanwhile, i have been scavange some parts like screws and spacers and some pieces to holt the components. see the pictures. 

20171027_195706.jpg

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This looks very interesting!

 

followed. 

Early 2020 Build : Intel i7 8700k // MSI Krait Z370 // Corsair LPX 8x2 16GB // Aorus 5700 XT // NZXT H500 

Early 2019 Build : Ryzen 2600X // Asus Tuff X470 // G.Skill Trident Z RGB 8x2 16GB // MSI RTX 2070 // NZXT H500 

Late 2017 Build : Intel i7 8700k // Asus Prime Z370-A // G.Skill Trident Z 8x2 16GB // EVGA GTX 1080 Ti  // NZXT S320 Elite 

Late 2015 Build : Intel i7 6700k // Asus Maximus VI Gene Z170 //  Corsair LPX 8x2 16GB // Gigabyte GTX 970 // Corsair Air 240

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Hi

 

Some updates

 

As i stated, I started to build the desk yesterday. The center of the desk was a bit complicated to make mostly because it is angled. But it starting to take shape... i will continue next monday. 

 

See ya

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Some more photos 

 

Sorry for the quality. These are taken with an old galaxy s5

20171028_164117.jpg

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20171028_193723.jpg

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On 29/10/2017 at 5:06 PM, IAmOctonaut said:

Looks good so far! Are you gonna have glass across the top? 

Hi

 

Yes! And a pole at the back to fix the monitor with a vesa mount

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  • 2 weeks later...
Posted
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Hi

 

Its been a while since i updated the build...

Some more photos of the build... its almost ready for paint... i still have a few items to solve like the power button and front usb

20171110_193848.jpg

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20171110_194309.jpg

20171110_194032.jpg

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  • 2 weeks later...
Posted

That looks awesome and you've got loads of room in there for future upgrades

Intel i7 8700k - Noctua NH-D15 - Asus GTX 1070 Strix - Corsair RM650x Modular - Asus ROG Maximus X HERO Z370 - Fractal Design Meshify C - 32GB Corsair LPX 3200 DDR4 - Samsung Evo 250GB x2 - Corsair Force 3 240GB - Samsung 960 Pro 500GB M.2 - LG 29UM68 29 inch Ultrawide IPS Monitor - Corsair Strafe RGB (silent switches) - Corsair Scimitar Pro - Windows 10 Pro
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hi

 

@vertis

Yes! that empty acrylic will be for 2 ssd's and the rest of the space is for watercooling amoung other things.

By the way the total cost of the build, everything included ( even the monitor) is currently 297€. it's more that what i was expecting to spend but i found a good deal on the monitor (131€).  

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  • 3 weeks later...
Posted
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Hi 

 

Quick update:

 

I managed to get the desk watercooled!!!

 

the radiator is a blackice gtx 560 and it cost was 45€

the reservoir/pump and the modified cpu block to fit a gpu was 20€

and the AIO cpu block was 15€

tubing was 5€ for 5mts and some fittings for the radiator were also 5€

total was 85€

i didnt expect that watercooling parts were so expensive!!!!

But its done and here is the result:

 

 

20171217_081010.jpg

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20171217_080908.jpg

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Posted

That's pretty cool! Doesn't look as neat as most loops, but it's all the more impressive as you managed to build it for less than 100€. Are you sure the GPU and CPU VRM are getting enough airflow though? I see no nearby fan in both cases, it might be a cause for concern.

main PC: metal tool case computer

secondary computer: triple boot Z400 workstation

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5 hours ago, Brunoloureirosilva said:

didnt expect that watercooling parts were so expensive!!!!

You got your parts shockingly cheap.  To build a custom loop with a pump, gpu block, cpu block and 560mm radiator could easily run £500+

Want to custom loop?  Ask me more if you are curious

 

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I wish I has the ability to find parts so cheaply and well lol :D

 

the desk looks awesome and is definitely proving you don't require tons of money for a build which looks super cool and performers probably pretty well alongside :3

I once did the unthinkable, back many headphones ago...

I split an audio split, again

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  • 2 weeks later...
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Hi

 

@Damascus all the parts are second handed and but i dont consider them cheap...

 

I plan to sort the cables for them to look neat... with vlack tubbing

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29 minutes ago, Brunoloureirosilva said:

Damascus all the parts are second handed and but i dont consider them cheap...

Brand new a 560mm rad of that calibre can easily cost $150-200

Want to custom loop?  Ask me more if you are curious

 

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