This clip is just a quick 1 minute gameplay due to Imgur file size concerns. I’ve been experimenting with extreme budget gaming PCs for local schools and children’s charities, and this is what I’ve come up with. The build is extremely simple, but hard to replicate in bulk. Full build and purchasing guide to follow.
Specs of this computer:
Windows 11 Home
Intel i7-6700
16GB RAM
AMD RX-6400
1TB SSD
This build relies on one of two machines; a Dell Optiplex 7050-7080 OR an HP 590-P0050. These are extremely common business and government computers and can almost always be found for resale on eBay or similar sites. There are several eBay stores which buy these devices from the US government and Universities in large quantities, then sell them in 1-5 device lots for a profit.
On average, I spend $60 per computer with shipping. This takes some patience. You’re looking for any i7 6th gen or newer, at least 210W power supply, or any i5 8th gen or newer. Try to get 16GB of RAM, but if it comes with 8GB then just buy another stick for $15 also from eBay.
For the GPU, I either use an AMD RX 6400 or an Nvidia GTX 1650. I use the RX if the computer comes with 210W PSU, and the 1650 if it has more power. The limiting factors for these builds are the power supplies and motherboards. The chosen GPU must be able get all of its power through the PCIe slot. These two are basically identical in performance. Average GPU cost $120, tend to buy them refurbished or on sale. You can get them brand new for $140.
Finally, I throw in a 2.5’ 1TB SSD. These have gotten insanely cheap with the rise of m.2 drives, and can usually be bought for $40.
Price Recap of device used in recording
Computer - $40 GPU - $120 SSD - $40 Total - $200
TL’,DR Buy government surplus enterprise grade Dell or HP desktop, install low powered GPU, wham bam cheap gaming machine.
Is there a way I can replicate this? I don’t have ebay in my country but every city has a tech and electronics marketplace.
I don’t know what your local market looks like, but probably. The goal is still an i7 6xxx or i5 8xxx or newer. At least 210W PSU, and find a way to 16gb RAM. SSD is absolutely required. RAM and SSD prices have dramatically fallen in the US at least, not sure about worldwide. The Rx 6400 can be bought new on Amazon, Alibaba, or straight from AMD.
Try to find a mid-high end computer which is several years old and upgrade it. Where I am, you absolutely can not build a computer cheaper than buying a slightly outdated one.
@DevForFun150 @sounddrill I think I heard about people buying from the dell outlet to scrap for GPUs during the run on crypto mining and scalpers. Then there’s the “shuck” gamble for external hdds.
I see
I got my current desktop for 13k INR(guy decreased the cost whe I returned the 4gb ram), also came with 1tb hdd.
It has an i5 6500 and now, 16gb ram and a 120 gb boot ssd.
Thanks for the info, hope I can build a good frugal desktop
I think you mixed up the GPU and SSD prices in the price recap :) But this is great, thank you for sharing!
Oh yeah, I meant for those to be a list. It should read:
Computer - $40
GPU - $120
SSD - $40
I don’t think I can edit the OP, sorry
Hmmm this might be just what I need to get my kids playing Vintage Story with me (that only have iPads)
I’ve sold two of them to parents so far for exactly that purpose. Gamer parents who want to play with their kids, but not spend a ton of money on something that the kids might spill water on.
This is awesome! Why is Elden Ring the target?
Three reasons!
One, it is a very well known game.
Two, it is a pretty good looking game which is well optimized.
Three, it is locked to 60 fps! That gives us a tangible goal when building, and if we can meet that FPS goal you get the same experience as someone with a $3,000 gaming computer. Of course not all settings are maxed out, but it is running at 1080p.
That is understandable. Thanks for the info.
I guess you’re only selling them in the US?
I only sell them locally period, and only a limited supply. You can try to follow the guide above and build your own, though! Shipping costs would make this much less cost effective, potentially.
Wow impressive feat! Thanks for sharing!
How many of them have you built/do you plan to build?
I’ve built 6 so far, kept two for personal use, sold two and gave two away to a local foster care charity. I plan to build 6 every couple of months and give away a third of them. I mark them up to just under $300 when I sell them, so this will allow me to slowly outfit local schools / after school care centers / children’s charities with low budget gaming computers for the kids! Reception has been very positive so far, I am very upfront about what the computers are capable of and how they just look like basic office computers.
The $300 price tag still lets budget gamers get their hands on what is probably the cheapest prebuilt gaming machine available, and covers my costs for donating them. And again, this is all local, I live in a pretty small town of only about 100,000.
I guess you’re operating from the US?
I only sell them locally in my city period, but yes I am operating from the US. You can try to follow the guide above and build your own, though! Shipping costs would make this much less cost effective, potentially.
I run a small computer repair shop and do some work with local charities, and they get a lot of requests for gaming PCs that they can’t fulfill. This is just a solution for that.
I would have loved to get my hands on one of your cheap pre-built PCs, while helping you help others at the same time.
Anyway, what you’re doing is awesome! Thanks for the positive energy :)
