PC gaming has always been challenging and fun, but the hardware is expensive. If you don’t have much money, you’re looking for ways to save money.
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DIY to Save on Work
DIY PC builds save money. Since you’ll do the job yourself, labor costs won’t be due right away. If you know how to build a PC, it should only take a few hours to get everything working.
Plan your setup on PCPartPicker. This website will help you decide which parts work together and which don’t. It will also recommend final builds and features.
Building your PC saves labor costs and gives you more choice. If you find a good deal, run out of parts, or alter your heart, you can change your mind mid-build.
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Build it with a Buddy
You could also ask a pro. A friend’s guidance can boost your confidence and reduce the risk of breaking something (which is already reasonably low). A buddy can help you install the CPU and apply thermal paste.
Instead of asking a friend to make PCs for you, ask them to help you improve. Putting together a PC is easy, and if you learn how, you can upgrade or make a new one.
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Used Parts Save Money
You can buy any parts if you build your PC or get aid. Pre-built PCs require new, more expensive parts. The warranty on these items reduces risk.
Second-hand markets can save you money if you know what you want. Buying used PC parts requires some basic guidelines. Used CPUs, RAM, and displays are safe.
Consider a used GPU. Many used GPUs have only been used for gaming, even though mining rigs can reduce their lifespan. Know what to look for when buying a used PC. Check the card’s past and use buyer protection when buying online.
Used motherboards are another option. New processors with few features are cheap, so saving money here is pointless. You may need a used motherboard to buy an older CPU that doesn’t work with newer types.
Don’t buy a used power supply—too it’s risky. Use a reputable power source to avoid system damage. Since new campaigns are cheaper, used storage devices like hard disks are also not worth the trouble. Before buying, consider health.
Do you want a keypad full of crumbs and other people’s hair when a mechanical keyboard costs less than $40 (approx. PHP 2,000)? If you can handle a non-wireless mouse, a cheap gaming mouse costs around $20 (approx. PHP 1,000).
If you’re replacing an older PC with a new setup, use some of the old parts (assuming you’re not giving it away). Since you know its history, use your old case, fans, storage, RAM, and power source to save money or relax.
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Be Honest and Invest Wisely
Acceptance is needed when budget-building a home or computer. Make sure you manage and are happy with your money. Realistic budgeting can improve results.
PC Builds FPS Calculator, How Many FPS, CPUAgent FPS, and Bottleneck Converter can estimate your build’s performance. Use these tools to determine famous game frame rates and which parts matter. This can improve your setup and decision-making.
Everyone wants 64GB of the fastest RAM they can buy, but does it matter? Gaming only requires 16GB of RAM, so spend the rest on a faster GPU.
Monitors too. Don’t buy a 4K display if your 1440p setup runs smoothly. If your games don’t support 240 or 360 FPS, don’t buy an ultra-high-refresh-rate display.
Save on storing too. For “deep storage,” slower SATA SSDs and even old hard drives are cheaper than fast M.2 NVMe drives. While many gamers want RGB lighting, it’s solely decorative and shouldn’t be a priority when building on a budget.
Be aware of the little things that can increase building costs. PC cooling is essential. An all-in-one (AIO) liquid-cooled radiator is enticing, but a cheaper air cooler works just as well or better. Air fans can be quiet, and good airflow can improve your PC’s heat management.
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Aim to Improve
Building a PC instead of buying a Mac or game device gives you many upgrade options. This is especially essential if you are on a tight budget because it lets you plan the build around upgrades you may want later. Buy what you can afford and add more later.
Starting with “good bones” is crucial. Avoid cheap CPUs and motherboards. Even though most games require a powerful and reasonably new GPU, you can use an older model for a few months and upgrade when your budget allows.
Many users used whatever semiconductors they could find due to the pandemic. This included old cards and APUs, CPUs that can act as GPUs, until the market recovered and GPU costs dropped.
RAM works like storage. A few months can fix low RAM, which slows things down. Buy a fast boot disk and add storage later if you don’t need several terabytes. It’s simple.
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Save On Games
Save on games if you’re creating a cheap gaming PC. We have cheap competition tips. The world’s best-looking free game is a great spot to test your graphics card.
Game Pass for PC offers a catalog of games for $1 (approx. PHP 54) per month.
YOU MIGHT WANT TO READ: Valve launches Steam Deck, a small portable Gaming PC with a starting price of ~P20,000
