This clip is just a quick 1 minute gameplay due to Imgur file size concerns. I’ve been experimenting with extreme budget gaming PCs for local schools and children’s charities, and this is what I’ve come up with. The build is extremely simple, but hard to replicate in bulk. Full build and purchasing guide to follow.
Specs of this computer:
Windows 11 Home
Intel i7-6700
16GB RAM
AMD RX-6400
1TB SSD
This build relies on one of two machines; a Dell Optiplex 7050-7080 OR an HP 590-P0050. These are extremely common business and government computers and can almost always be found for resale on eBay or similar sites. There are several eBay stores which buy these devices from the US government and Universities in large quantities, then sell them in 1-5 device lots for a profit.
On average, I spend $60 per computer with shipping. This takes some patience. You’re looking for any i7 6th gen or newer, at least 210W power supply, or any i5 8th gen or newer. Try to get 16GB of RAM, but if it comes with 8GB then just buy another stick for $15 also from eBay.
For the GPU, I either use an AMD RX 6400 or an Nvidia GTX 1650. I use the RX if the computer comes with 210W PSU, and the 1650 if it has more power. The limiting factors for these builds are the power supplies and motherboards. The chosen GPU must be able get all of its power through the PCIe slot. These two are basically identical in performance. Average GPU cost $120, tend to buy them refurbished or on sale. You can get them brand new for $140.
Finally, I throw in a 2.5’ 1TB SSD. These have gotten insanely cheap with the rise of m.2 drives, and can usually be bought for $40.
Price Recap of device used in recording
Computer - $40 GPU - $120 SSD - $40 Total - $200
TL’,DR Buy government surplus enterprise grade Dell or HP desktop, install low powered GPU, wham bam cheap gaming machine.
I’ve built 6 so far, kept two for personal use, sold two and gave two away to a local foster care charity. I plan to build 6 every couple of months and give away a third of them. I mark them up to just under $300 when I sell them, so this will allow me to slowly outfit local schools / after school care centers / children’s charities with low budget gaming computers for the kids! Reception has been very positive so far, I am very upfront about what the computers are capable of and how they just look like basic office computers.
The $300 price tag still lets budget gamers get their hands on what is probably the cheapest prebuilt gaming machine available, and covers my costs for donating them. And again, this is all local, I live in a pretty small town of only about 100,000.