Question New $200 pc, new to pcmasterrace, theme is dream build

[phenom pumpkin]

My name is phenom pumpkin, or just phenom, a tech influencer. I mostly focus on phones, but my i3 4th gen cpu is dying in agony trying to open Final Cut on a vm. So, I’m getting a new pc. The theme is a dream pc, 2015 (I’m too poor to afford anything else.
Here’s the pc list:
https://pcpartpicker.com/list/GsQGxg
the max I can spend is -$240
Fix my list pls
eBay only
Already have a monitor (old 90fps 1080p tv, 32inch)
Have cardboard case but would recommend trying to add a case
AAA games at 1080p 120fps

PCPartPicker Part List: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/GsQGxg

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700 3.4 GHz Quad-Core Processor ($35.00)
CPU Cooler: NZXT T120 RGB 50.18 CFM CPU Cooler ($9.99)
Thermal Compound: Thermalright TF7 2 g Thermal Paste ($2.69)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z170X-UD5 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($45.00)
Memory: Crucial CT4K8G4DFD824A 32 GB (4 x 8 GB) DDR4-2400 CL17 Memory ($35.00)
Storage: Samsung PM961 256 GB M.2-2280 PCIe 3.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($14.95)
Video Card: MSI R9 380 4GD5T OC Radeon R9 380 4 GB Video Card ($36.81)
Power Supply: Cooler Master i500 500 W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($18.89)
Total: $198.33
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-01-24 21:23 EST-0500

 

[phenom pumpkin]

What are the full specs on your current pc? An i7 6700 isnt much better than a 4th gen i7 or xeon, which you may be able to upgrade to. What motherboard are you using, how much ram do you have, what power supply do you have, and can you post a picture of your current setup?

Sometimes a cardboard box is a luxury

i3 4010U, intergrated graphics, 16GB ddr3, 500gb hdd

 

[punkncat]

Something you might consider for a "case" could be along the lines of one of the open frame test bench type systems. Several tech influencers have also made videos where they just drill and place standoffs on a piece of wood for an open mount. I honestly think either of those might work for you.

In a situation like this, I think it may be best to start crawling your local Craigslist, Marketplace, or if it applies to your region something like Gumtree.

 

[phenom pumpkin]

Something you might consider for a "case" could be along the lines of one of the open frame test bench type systems. Several tech influencers have also made videos where they just drill and place standoffs on a piece of wood for an open mount. I honestly think either of those might work for you.

In a situation like this, I think it may be best to start crawling your local Craigslist, Marketplace, or if it applies to your region something like Gumtree.

What do u mean

 

[phenom pumpkin]

What are the full specs on your current pc? An i7 6700 isnt much better than a 4th gen i7 or xeon, which you may be able to upgrade to. What motherboard are you using, how much ram do you have, what power supply do you have, and can you post a picture of your current setup?

Sometimes a cardboard box is a luxury

Oh yea and it’s a laptop

 

[COLGeek]

Have you considered Craigslist? Local. No shipping. May find an entire rig for your minimal budget. One close enough to improve over time.

https://sanantonio.craigslist.org/search/sya#search=1~gallery~0~0

https://sanantonio.craigslist.org/search/syp#search=1~gallery~0~0

 

[kanewolf]

With your $200 budget, software is not even in the picture. Just remember that 8th series Intel or 2000 Ryzen to have Windows support in the future.

 

[artk2219]

Oh yea and it’s a laptop

Oof yeah that's a full build then, your best bet would be like COLGeek suggested, looking on Craigslist, Facebook marketplace, offer up, or other sites like that. If you're stuck looking solely online, something like this could be an option. Its usable as is, 6 cores 12 threads, 16GB RAM, Nvidia Quadro K620 (similar performance to a GT 1030), you would just need to add some storage, a 500GB SSD is only like 30 - 40 dollars. It has tons of rooms for upgrades (up 8 ram sticks totaling up to 256GB RAM, up to an 18 core cpu, 1025W PSU available, 4 full length pcie x16 slots, two of which run at the full x16). You can use ECC server RAM which is generally cheaper, and you can add a more powerful gpu later by adding a pcie power cable if it doesn't comes with one already. You can also use an m.2 nvme ssd if you get a PCIE adapter card. Its not new, its not a crazy speed demon, but it is pretty cheap, very capable, much much better than what you have, and within your budget. Although it doesnt officially support windows 11, you can install it on it if you enable uefi boot, disable legacy option roms in the bios, and use rufus to create a bootable Windows 11 USB that ignores the system hardware checks. You can get a cheap windows 11 key from Vendafly, VIP-SCDKEY, or another online key reseller.

Dell Precision T5810

16GB DDR 4 ECC RAM for future upgrades if needed

GPU Power Cable for Precision T5810

PCIE M.2 adapter card for NVME and SATA SSD

500GB M.2 SSD's

Precision T5810 Owners Manual

Windows 11 TPM bypass guide from Toms