Building a PC for the 1st time

timtherock2012

Prominent
Oct 22, 2018
4
0
510
So to start off with, I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing.

I'd like to either build/buy a PC that allows for a little bit of gaming (war thunder, some flight sims) and if possible is easily upgrade-able for an architecture degree starting next year which'll require some sort of powerful computer. The budget is about $350 aud. Should I be buying new parts or buying something pre made or even some second hand stuff? Well I'm sure you guys are the experts so I'll leave you to it.

Thanks in advance!!
 

Ralston18

Titan
Moderator
There are many, many factors and details involved.

Because you will be buying the parts and doing the work my recommendation is that you google and watch and read the numerous links about how to builld a PC.

Take none to heart until you have done a lot of reading and have determined that some sites (such as Tom's Hardware or Tom's Guidelines) can truly be of help.

Read, watch videos etc, but be very aware that there are some really terrible "how-to's" out there.

Read, watch, learn. Then start planning what you believe you need to do.

Post your specific questions accordingly.
 

Math Geek

Titan
Ambassador
if you want to upgrade it later, then making it yourself is the way to go. pre-built systems are not made to upgrade and are nothing but trouble once you get inside them.

$350 is rather low so you'll basically be getting the bones of the system and then adding the powerful parts when you start schooling. i'd make sure to build it with that upgrade in mind so you don't have to double buy any parts.

what do you need to have for school? start there and back up to what $350 will get to start the build. likely some built in video for now then workstation card later. puts you into AMD APU to start which is not that expensive to get into. but figure out final specs needed for school, then work backwards to what you can start with now
 

CrazyDingo

Reputable
May 1, 2015
156
0
4,710
I think you're looking at two different computers.
1. For $350 aud you might find a cheap laptop that would do some light gaming - but a lot of this stuff is pretty flimsy and won't last long.
2. If your looking for a decent desktop 'buy cheap now upgrade one-year later' may not work: the cheap parts probably won't provide a good basis for an upgrade, and you'll end up paying twice for stuff (and chucking a cheap part in the cupboard / bin, it won't have much resale value) rather than once.
So I would recommend: either save up and buy the one good quality build for next year, or buy a cheap one for now and a separate good one for next year (a cheap working laptop won't have much resale value after a year, but it'll do better than a cheap part).

3rd Alternative: Get a small board for gaming now (like an odroid xu4 or Raspberry Pi 3, see below), and a decent monitor and keyboard / mouse. Next year, use the monitor / keyboard / mouse for the new build, keep the board for a print server or whatever. May seem a little extreme, but by going cheap on the board, you'll get something decent for the remainder of your $350. The boards will let you play some games though probably not the ones you mention.

Odroid: https://www.hardkernel.com/main/products/prdt_info.php
Raspberry Pi 3 for au buyer: https://www.altronics.com.au/raspberry-pi/all/
 

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