There are no good deals on used/refurbed pc's imo. 90% of what you buy new is a warranty.
If you buy a prebuilt and spent that much on it you're stuck for troubleshooting it since you're worried to void the warranty if you touch anything.
If you buy a PC and do not know every single component and what it's make and model is and what it's supposed to do you'll be similarly clueless with regard to troubleshooting.
If you buy a second hand PC that does not specify the make, model and part number of the memory you'll be shafted to know if it's meant to be compatible or not or if the mobo is working or not, for example. It might not have any useful documentation or labels. A second hand pc with undocumented parts (and used drives) is literally only a bunch of old parts in a box.
Similarly if you do not know the make and model of everything in the PC before you buy it:
You could be well shafted to troubleshoot it or get a refund. If you touch it, they say you tampered with it. If you don't know what it is you'll probably be ripped off.
If you do not know what the make and model of the motherboard, and what bios version is meant to be pre-installed, you won't understand what cpu will be compatible out of the box, and which cpus will require a bios update to work with it.
If you don't know how to update a bios you'll be stuck. If you buy a board that doesn't have a 'flashback' facility and you have a cpu that requires an update you'll be stuck. You can't start the mobo without a cpu, mem and display hardware installed.
If you buy second hand or new prebuilt pc, it will likely have deficiencies with the power supply and cooler particularlys.
So, get to know the PC components anyway. You can simulate a build with
PC Partpicker.
Some general build advice: Don't skimp on the Mobo, Psu or Cooler. Buy a cooler that's larger than your CPU needs. Familiarize with the
PSU tier list. Always buy a new psu with your new components.
Thermalright Assassin is an affordable, ubiquitious overkill six pipe cooler which is very useful in any scenario, if available in your region.
There's lots to cross reference when choosing a build including price, and availability in your region.
When you select a motherboard search for and read a review or two before committing to purchase it to learn of any deficiencies, rather than learn about it after you have purchased one.
Is it impossible to buy a PC nowadays? No. The second hand market is for experienced and knowledgeable builders - who often wouldn't touch it with a barge pole anyway. Want a CPU with bent pins that you can't return to the seller? Don't go there. A badly packaged mobo with misaligned contacts in the socket? No thx.
Buying second hand isn't what it used to be. That's something to learn fast nowadays. The newer ddr4 level hardware is a lot more tetchy than the older less sophisticated pre-ddr4 era.
Do not buy a
second hand GPU full stop. Never. It's either been gamed or mined to death already. Unless it's from some old dear who only played minesweeper and then be suspicious.
You need to buy:
Cpu:
Cooler: Always buy overkill or larger than needed.
Mobo: Always read the review
Memory: Always check the mobo QVL (memory support list) for compatibility to choose the correct memory for it. Also have to cross reference for availability in your region.
Drive: Sata 3 ssd or m.2 n.v.m.e ssd . n.v.m.e is more modern and faster.
Case: With airflow and fans. Browse around. The newer ones with glass side panels aren't to my taste. RGB lighting isn't to my taste. Some call it 'the unicorn puke'. However you may not be able to avoid purchasing at least some RGB unicorn puke unless you want to spend hours poring over specifications and QVL (memory compatibility lists) to find Non RGB versions of things.
Of course you might be RGB positive, neutral or negative: Like, don't mind or dislike. The choice is entirely yours.
Power Supply: Always buy a quality unit. Double check your selection on this forum if not sure. Never mix different power cables from different modular power supply units. Use the cables supplied with the psu only.
Well to reach 144hz gaming you'd eventually be looking at a ryzen 5000 series. (zen 3). Not sure if you'd get your foot in the door with a new build of zen 4 for $1000 tbh. There might be an offer (if available in your region) of a Zen 4 with free ddr 5 memory. If you can find the deal, go for it and save on the cost of memory anyway.
If you want a bash at overclocking, maybe Intel i5-12600 on a z690. Don't think you'll get a foot in the door with new 13th gen intel on $1000 bucks.
Well for the moment have a go on
Pcpartpicker, post your selection and ask for tips to improve. Could go on all day about the pitfalls of buying or building a pc.