We Built the CHEAPEST PC on Newegg
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Description
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Check out EKWB's Fluid Gaming Lineup: geni.us A good budget PC build makes sacrifices where it can, but what about a build that makes sacrifices on EVERY PART? Buy Cheap PC Components on Amazon: geni.us Buy Cheap CPUs on Newegg: geni.us Buy Cheap RAM on Newegg: geni.us Buy a Cheap Motherboard on Newegg: geni.us Buy a Cheap Power Supply on Newegg: geni.us Buy a Cheap Case on Newegg: geni.us Buy a Cheap HDD on Newegg: geni.us Buy probably the best GPU on Newegg: geni.us Discuss on the forum: linustechtips.com Our Affiliates, Referral Programs, and Sponsors: linustechtips.com Linus Tech Tips merchandise at designbyhumans.com Linus Tech Tips posters at crowdmade.com Our production gear: geni.us Twitter - twitter.com Facebook - @LinusTech Instagram - @linustech Intro Screen Music Credit: Title: Laszlo - Supernova Video Link: youtube.com iTunes Download Link: itunes.apple.com Artist Link: soundcloud.com Outro Screen Music Credit: Approaching Nirvana - Sugar High youtube.com Sound effects provided by freesfx.co.uk
The video undertakes a pragmatic, tongue in cheek experiment to build the cheapest functional PC possible using Newegg-sourced parts, with a running narrative about the compromises and hazards of buying the absolute cheapest hardware. The presenters detail the exact components they could assemble for around $1,151.90, noting how a cheaper single-core option would have been cheaper but required heavy case modifications, which led them to a quad-core AMD A8 3870 platform on an ECS motherboard instead. They vividly describe the build challenges, including a misbehaving case with sharp edges, a marginal power supply, and a loud cooling setup, all of which contribute to a conclusion that the extreme budget route is not a good value for most users. Despite the questionable build quality and limited performance, the video also demonstrates some usable outcomes such as basic productivity tasks, full HD web video playback, and light gaming at very modest settings. In the final assessment, they advocate for smarter spending below a certain price threshold and emphasize that a cheap PC is often a poor value compared to affordable, more balanced systems, while still acknowledging that older titles and emulators can provide entertainment value. The video closes with sponsor messages and a plug for related hardware and merch, keeping the tone light and educational about cost versus performance in PC building.
Topics · technology · hardware · budgeting · reviews · gaming
Questions answered
- Can this ultra-cheap PC run modern games at playable frame rates?
- No, only very old or very lightweight games at very low settings, and even then with limited framerates.
- Is building the cheapest PC on Newegg a good value?
- Generally not, as the cost of poor performance and limited usability often outweighs the initial savings.
- What lessons does the video teach about budget PC builds?
- Smart spending matters; below a certain price point you’re typically better off buying a more capable component or a pre-built system.