Build Advice Building a viable system with a budget of 500 USD

[kreiawasright]

My desktop gave away after almost 15 years. It had a good run.

Now, Im planning to get a good enough PC that its able to play most of the games of the older generation of hardware and less required newer ones.

Games like Skyrim SE (with Mods), Crusader Kings 3, Football Manager, League of Legends, Dark Souls series, GTA V and prior ones from the 2000's era.

What would you guys recommend?

 

[ohio_buckeye]

Do you have a Microcenter nearby? If so they have some bundle deals. But 500 is fairly tight.

 

[Lafong]

What pieces do you need to buy other than CPU, motherboard, and RAM?

At 15 years of age, you might well need power supply? Video card? Storage?

 

[kreiawasright]

What pieces do you need to buy other than CPU, motherboard, and RAM?

At 15 years of age, you might well need power supply? Video card? Storage?

All of it. Can't salvage anything from the previous PC.

 

[Lafong]

500 dollars for all parts.

Do you insist on new parts as well as "viable"?

How far are you willing to lower your expectations?

Motherboard, RAM, CPU, power supply, drive for sure.

Possibly plus case, cooler if not included with CPU, video card if you cannot make do with whatever graphics may be included with the CPU, case fans, operating system.

My two thoughts:

1; do nothing until you can spend more than 500

2; severely lower your expectations.

You can probably cobble something together if you need only motherboard, RAM, CPU, power supply, and a drive. Five pieces. For all I know, the integrated graphics on a semi-modern CPU can do a tolerable job on those games you mentioned.

Of course, you might stumble over something on your local used market. Ebay or whatever is available.

 

[QyInvoLing]

boxed 5600 with cooler + second-handed b450, 125$
6600xt, 145$
8gx2 d4 mem, 30$
relieable 1t tlc ssd, 60$
box of your shoes as a case, 0$
reliable 650w psu, 70$
remaining 70$, raise the price of items mentioned according to your region. It's the price in my region.

 

[geofelt]

Look for lenovo refurb units.
I found this one on newegg which looks like it fits your needs at half the price:
https://www.newegg.com/p/3D5-0001-00FS9?Item=9SIAZ8YJGB0138

 

[punkncat]

This is a poor time of season to consider looking for deals this late towards Christmas. Your best bet would be to wait into next year. You might be able to build something along the lines of AM4 socket G skew. This would be on the cheapest mobo possible which will likely be A520, a sketchy Thermaltake Smart series PSU, and the absolute lowest cost case, RAM, and a small storage drive. This would also be using OS with a water mark.

 

[kreiawasright]

500 dollars for all parts.

Do you insist on new parts as well as "viable"?

How far are you willing to lower your expectations?

Motherboard, RAM, CPU, power supply, drive for sure.

Possibly plus case, cooler if not included with CPU, video card if you cannot make do with whatever graphics may be included with the CPU, case fans, operating system.

My two thoughts:

1; do nothing until you can spend more than 500

2; severely lower your expectations.

You can probably cobble something together if you need only motherboard, RAM, CPU, power supply, and a drive. Five pieces. For all I know, the integrated graphics on a semi-modern CPU can do a tolerable job on those games you mentioned.

Of course, you might stumble over something on your local used market. Ebay or whatever is available.

I've been searching around the web and I found that a intel i5 Core 1040f GPU and a GTX 1650, while outdated, would do well enough for the games im looking forward to play- CK3, Football Manager, GTA V, and specially Skyrim SE.

Would I have to worry much about longevity with these components with it were second handed? What it they were new?

 

[ohio_buckeye]

Keep in mind Intel 10th gen is already about 5 years behind. If you are on a tight budget I might point you to socket am4 from AMD. While am4 is dead basically, still decent CPUs on that platform and boards and ddr4 should be relatively cheap.

 

[punkncat]

I've been searching around the web and I found that a intel i5 Core 1040f GPU and a GTX 1650, while outdated, would do well enough for the games im looking forward to play- CK3, Football Manager, GTA V, and specially Skyrim SE.

Would I have to worry much about longevity with these components with it were second handed? What it they were new?

Honestly would probably wade into FB Marketplace to see what you can find that is a bit newer. Don't fall for any scams and don't send anyone money. Cash deals in person either at their house or a very public place. I also recommend seeing it work or a video of it working with some manner of date stamp item like newspaper/magazine/phone screen.

Marketplace is the modern version of Craigslist. Use all available caution and skepticism.

 

[ohio_buckeye]

Sometimes you can catch a deal, I’m just not totally trusting

 

[Lafong]

Would I have to worry much about longevity with these components with it were second handed? What it they were new?

It's like buying a used car. You'd wonder if the car has hidden defects or has been abused in some way. The seller will tell you XYZ and it's purely up to you to decide if that's both true and the whole truth. Maybe the PC has been driven to the grocery store once a week by the Little Old Lady From Pasadena. Or not.

We can't help you much with the seller's credibility and of course even if credible, the PC could last an hour after you buy it....or 10 years. It would require a leap of faith, crossing your fingers.