Check if it meets your needs for gaming.
Check if it meets your needs for gaming.
I've been browsing the internet and checking pawn shops, but haven't found much for a desktop until I came across one that just got a new HP Pavilion last week. It had an i3 7th gen CPU clocked at 3.9 GHz. The staff said the PC, keyboard, mouse, and monitor were available for $300 with a 10% down payment option. They asked if it was suitable for gaming, which I’m considering. I also plan to get a GTX 970 for $130, and the case should fit. Here are the details: https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c05556786
I’m playing Fortnite, Overwatch, Dead by Daylight, Minecraft, and Elsword. I don’t usually play big titles like SoTTR or Destiny 2; I have a PS4 for those.
How much memory and space do you need? A dual-core processor is sufficient for most games, though you might run into issues with 4-core systems. The 970 model could be tight, but it shouldn’t be a major problem. Focus on ensuring your keyboard, mouse, and monitor function properly. The screen should have clear images without dead pixels or poor quality.
The dual-core processor could become a performance issue for numerous games, making it a poor choice.
The desktop is displayed at a nearby pawn shop where they verify everything functions properly before showing it. I checked it during the sign-in process and noticed no dead pixels. It features 8GB of DDR4 memory, and the configuration details are available online since I was able to locate a similar machine with an i3-7100 processor, which had previously been labeled as an i3 7th generation model.
Don't rely on the sticker; checking Craigslist might yield a Quad Core Pentium under $20, possibly free, a compatible motherboard or cheaper one, a monitor for $40, a case and power supply for less than $40, 8GB DDR4 RAM around $60 (new), a 1TB HDD for $40, and about $80 remaining for a mouse and keyboard.
It's performing well now, but it's not built for gaming. My i7-8550U might be better suited otherwise. It handles 3.8 cores at full speed.
It's interesting how Tarun's recent post keeps the cost around $300, which is a challenge I'm facing in building this system. I've assembled my own computer before and it still works fine, so I'm considering upgrading a few parts instead of replacing everything. My machine has an i5-2500k processor and a motherboard that doesn't support overclocking. I might be able to locate a Z68 or P67 cooler, though it's still DDR3. Despite the price, it feels like a good deal.