Prioritize components that deliver the performance you want, and skimp on those that don’t.
Reuse parts from old PCs where possible, and avoid superfluous purchases like fancy cases and RGB lighting.
Lastly, check that you plan an upgrade path.
Jason Fitzpatrick / How-To Geek
There’s never been a better time to get into PC gaming, but hardware is expensive.
On top of saving labor costs, building your own PC gives you flexibility.
Building a PC is a relatively straightforward process.
Buying a pre-built PC usually means buying all-newparts, which come at a premium.
Of course, these parts also come with a warranty so your investment may carry a little less risk.
Generally speaking, used CPUs, RAM, and monitors are considered relatively safe purchases.
Buying a used GPU is also something you should consider.
Knowingwhat to look for when buying a used GPUwill help.
Motherboards are another component that you may be able to buy used.
The savings here aren’t so compelling since many new no-frills motherboards are budget-friendly.
You should avoid buying a used power supply altogether, the risk isn’t worth it.
Peripherals like a mouse and keyboard can save you money, but consider hygiene when purchasing.
Even abudget gaming mousecan be found for around $20 if you could stomach a non-wireless version.
This can help you fine-tune your setup and make better choices.
The same is true of a monitor.
you could also save money on storage.
This is why it’s so important to pick “good bones” in the first place.
Don’t skimp on your motherboard or CPU.
The same is true of RAM and storage.
We’ve got sometips gaming on a low (or zero) budget.
