Help me build a second-hand PC
Posted by Hobnob165@reddit | buildapc | View on Reddit | 6 comments
I'm keen to upgrade from a very old PC to something more modern, mostly for gaming but also occasionally light CAD modelling. Gaming wise I'm probably not going to be playing much newer than 3 years old, my main go-to's are Fallout 4 and RDR2, and sometimes Overwatch or Fortnite, but I'm also keen to check out Cyberpunk. Think I would want a PC that can play these games at max settings, and then more modern games at average settings just in case something appealing comes out.
I have no strict budget, though aiming for something around £1-1.5k GBP.
So far I know I want to use the Fractal North case, but other than that I haven't a clue where to start with other parts. I'm also keen to buy second-hand as much as I can, mainly Ebay or Facebook market place, and if there's anything worthwhile left in it to recycle some parts from my old PC [Parts List]
My main questions:
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Is it okay to go second-hand as a first time builder? I'm fairly tech savvy, but don't know anything about vetting parts so would be largely taking sellers at their word
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Which parts are worth buying second hand and which are best buying new?
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Can anyone recommend parts worth looking out for in the second hand market, or even a build list would be very appreciated!
TechnoGMNG589@reddit
For 1.5k GBP you could get a great 1440p build with brand new parts ON AM5. Id only consider buying used parts at sub 1000 pounds. Absolutely do not go am4 at this budget.
https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/
89 well worth pounds over budget, though selling your old build should easily compensate for that.
(Could also go argb if you wanted to.)
Hobnob165@reddit (OP)
Thanks for that, you make a good point about being able to build something from all new. Though your Part Picker link doesn't seem to be working?
TechnoGMNG589@reddit
Huh that's strange, here:
PCPartPicker Part List
TechnoGMNG589@reddit
Huh that's strange. Here:
PCPartPicker Part List
TheDreadfulSagittary@reddit
Just looking at new parts, I might do something like this: https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/zBjjph
The only thing I would consider reusing from your old PC is the RAM. That does limit you to using slightly older CPUs as the newest use DDR5. Above I went with the best value for money CPU, but just below here I'll put another version that uses a somewhat stronger CPU that still works with DDR4. Alternatively, DDR4 is still valuable, so you could sell your current RAM to add budget for a completely new system.
https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/jn6n7w
For your questions
Yeah, as long as the seller has a good reputation I wouldn't worry too much. If they are local sellers you can ask to see the part working when picking up, but that's not always possible.
I would say CPUs and GPUs are parts I'd typically look to pick up used, they age pretty well usually. I wouldn't buy storage or PSU secondhand, better to get those new. Motherboard is bit middle of the road, I would prefer to buy it new but a good used deal I might still go for.
I will note that you want to avoid used 13/14th gen Intel CPUs, they had a performance degradation issue that would cause the system to crash over time. It has since been fixed with BIOS (motherboard software) updates, but any older affected CPUs are permanently damaged. You don't know what you'll get buying those secondhand. For AMD CPUs, you can look for any of the 5600/5600X/5600XT/5700X/5800X/5800XT as suitable chips to use with your current RAM. Various GPUs would be suitable, you'd have to check yourself what kind of performance you're after, but I'd look at Nvidia 40 and 50 series cards like a RTX 4070, 4070 Super, 4070 Ti, 4070 Ti Super, 5070, 5070 Super. For AMD Radeon cards you can consider cards like the 7800 XT, 7900 XT, 7900 XTX, 9070 and 9070 XT, just be aware with the 7000 series has noticeable worse software features.
Hobnob165@reddit (OP)
That's really useful, thank you so much!