Budget 71-90K What to buy used?

mvasanth

Recruit
I'm planning to build my first gaming desktop next month. I was always a laptop guy and this is my first build. I have no problem buying used components as long as I get the bang for buck. (Gaming purpose only). I'll decide the exact build after I decide on used vs new.

1. So what components are worth buying used and what should be bought new?
2. And if I'm buying used, how to assess the products condition? (Eg: like gpu has furmark etc..how to test rest of the components?)
3. I'm also concerned about upgradeablility in case of buying used.
4. How much can I realistically save on going used in case of a build mentioned below?

Please share your thoughts or experiences.

For context:
My current pc: Dell 7577 laptop with i5-7300hq, 1060maxq, 16GB DDR4
My desired build: <1 lakh, 3070 or better gpu, a processor thats good enough for the gpu and 16gb ddr4 ram, 1tb ssd. Mainly will be used for gaming along with a 1080p/1440p

Thank you.
 
I was a laptop guy as well, hooked up my old hp pavillion with an exp gdc through which I was able to use a desktop GPU. But the old processor on the laptop was the main bottleneck.

Regarding your decision on used vs new, I say, if your budget has a 1 lakh ceiling go for new components. Buying used products often comes with headaches and issues (rarely, but even once can be disheartening).

The other questions, hopefully someone more knowledgeable will answer them for you
 
I'm planning to build my first gaming desktop next month. I was always a laptop guy and this is my first build. I have no problem buying used components as long as I get the bang for buck. (Gaming purpose only). I'll decide the exact build after I decide on used vs new.

1. So what components are worth buying used and what should be bought new?
2. And if I'm buying used, how to assess the products condition? (Eg: like gpu has furmark etc..how to test rest of the components?)
3. I'm also concerned about upgradeablility in case of buying used.
4. How much can I realistically save on going used in case of a build mentioned below?

Please share your thoughts or experiences.

For context:
My current pc: Dell 7577 laptop with i5-7300hq, 1060maxq, 16GB DDR4
My desired build: <1 lakh, 3070 or better gpu, a processor thats good enough for the gpu and 16gb ddr4 ram, 1tb ssd. Mainly will be used for gaming along with a 1080p/1440p

Thank you.
I've planned out a really bang for your buck build for you with all my experience in this field

Here's the link to the pcpricetracker build page where I've planned the build out for best prices (some parts can be a bit cheaper from offline market)

The brands for the parts I've chosen are best for there value so try to stick with the brands, like only zotac provides you with 5 years warranty if extended.

I have skipped out on these:
1) case: as it is a very variable choice depending on what looks good for you
2) ssd: I'm still researching for the best value nvme ssd.
3) monitor: I've got a really good knowledge of monitor but would like to sort out for you personally
You can pm(as i cannot pm yet) so i could sort out the other stuff too. As far as the gpu goes ive selected a 3070 but if you go with the 3060ti you could be saving around 10-12k and loose a little performance but it won't be significant as most story games will run 1440p 60fps on almost max graphics, and competitive games will run 1440p 120+fps at competitive settings. With the 10k saved you can apply it in your monitor budget and get a good 1440p monitor which will definitely be worth it.
All this in 1lakh you can contact me through pm soo i could sort it out after asking your preference.
 
I was a laptop guy as well, hooked up my old hp pavillion with an exp gdc through which I was able to use a desktop GPU. But the old processor on the laptop was the main bottleneck.

Regarding your decision on used vs new, I say, if your budget has a 1 lakh ceiling go for new components. Buying used products often comes with headaches and issues (rarely, but even once can be disheartening).

The other questions, hopefully someone more knowledgeable will answer them for you
Same problem, my cpu is bottlenecking my gpu in many areas. I was a college student earlier, but now I have no reason to stick to a laptop.

And 1 lakh is the max limit and I would like to save wherever possible to get a decent monitor into that budget, hence enquiring about used.
 
Same problem, my cpu is bottlenecking my gpu in many areas. I was a college student earlier, but now I have no reason to stick to a laptop.

And 1 lakh is the max limit and I would like to save wherever possible to get a decent monitor into that budget, hence enquiring about used.
If you do not mind the hassle then by all means used pc parts is a good way to save up.
 
I see people buying used gpus all the time but what about other components? I heard cpus outlast everything else so they are good to buy used....no idea about motherboard, ram and power supply.
 
65% components in my pc are used aka bought here and I always prefer used stuff with some warranty left..
Its personal choice and a bit of luck too.
I dont see logic spending 25-30k on a desktop mobo and 50k on a gpu which can be bought used for 30-35% less price with sufficient warranty left.

I even bought an HP touch laptop 2 yrs ago here and that also is going strong as my primary office lappy!

Before looking outside, TE is my checkout shop for everything.. Rest is up to you how comfortable you are with used stuff!
 
I see people buying used gpus all the time but what about other components? I heard cpus outlast everything else so they are good to buy used....no idea about motherboard, ram and power supply.
Cpu and ram are 2 major components that i could easily recommend buying used as they don't wear out like other parts
Gpu is also good to buy 2nd hand if bought from someone who took care of the card people here usually do and 30series cards are being sold here at pretty good prices.but i would recommend as you are going to blow a major amount of your budget on it getting some warranty with it is good that's why new zotac cards are good just because of there 5 year warranty
Storage i usually don't recommend buying used unless it's fairly open box or used just a bit
No used psu they are pretty cheap too
And i personally never recommend buying a used monitor.
I can help you out with the best parts for your budget let me know how i can contact you if we cannot pm
 
Memory, SSD and CPU are the least prone to damages (unless external force is applied). You can find deals on a 3070 for under 30k or for a 3080 for around 40k. Also, do you need a monitor?

My suggestion would be to get a used GPU first, since these are usually more commonly found. Others, like the CPU, memory and RAM are rarely found, and even if there are postings, it won't be the latest in the tech.
My suggestion- go with the GPU in the used market, and if you can, snag memory and SSD if you can find them cheap. CPU, motherboard, PSU and case are best bought new, especially the last 3.

CPU- Ryzen 5 5600- 14.5k
GPU- RTX 3080~40k
MSI B550 PRO VDH-10.5k
SSD- WD SN570 1TB- 6.3k
2x8GB DDR4 3600 C18- 4.3k
Case- Ant Esports 220 Air-3.3k
PSU- XPG Core Reactor 750w- 7k

If monitor is included, then you'll have to swap out the the 3080 for a 3070 to squeeze in the monitor.
Monitor- Gigabyte G27Q- 24k
For upgradability, AM4 is at the end of the road for CPU upgrades, and the best you can go with is the 5800X3D. Or you can go with AM5, but thats a much more expensive platform, and you'll definitely have to cheap out the GPU.
 
Cpu and ram are 2 major components that i could easily recommend buying used as they don't wear out like other parts
Gpu is also good to buy 2nd hand if bought from someone who took care of the card people here usually do and 30series cards are being sold here at pretty good prices.but i would recommend as you are going to blow a major amount of your budget on it getting some warranty with it is good that's why new zotac cards are good just because of there 5 year warranty
Storage i usually don't recommend buying used unless it's fairly open box or used just a bit
No used psu they are pretty cheap too
And i personally never recommend buying a used monitor.
I can help you out with the best parts for your budget let me know how i can contact you if we cannot pm
Noted and thank you. I'll be on the lookout for deals on cpu and ram. Will pm you as soon as possible.
My suggestion would be to get a used GPU first, since these are usually more commonly found. Others, like the CPU, memory and RAM are rarely found, and even if there are postings, it won't be the latest in the tech.
My suggestion- go with the GPU in the used market, and if you can, snag memory and SSD if you can find them cheap. CPU, motherboard, PSU and case are best bought new, especially the last 3.

CPU- Ryzen 5 5600- 14.5k
GPU- RTX 3080~40k
MSI B550 PRO VDH-10.5k
SSD- WD SN570 1TB- 6.3k
2x8GB DDR4 3600 C18- 4.3k
Case- Ant Esports 220 Air-3.3k
PSU- XPG Core Reactor 750w- 7k

If monitor is included, then you'll have to swap out the the 3080 for a 3070 to squeeze in the monitor.
Monitor- Gigabyte G27Q- 24k
For upgradability, AM4 is at the end of the road for CPU upgrades, and the best you can go with is the 5800X3D. Or you can go with AM5, but thats a much more expensive platform, and you'll definitely have to cheap out the GPU.
Thanks! Makes sense. I'll try to source a used gpu first next month (if everything goes according to my plans), and build the rest of the system based around it. Also will try to sell the laptop to stretch my budget for a 1440p monitor + am5 if possible.
 
I feel like recommending you this:

CPU

Motherboard

Ram

NVME

PSU

Cabinet

Keybaord


Gaming Mouse

Monitor (this is a 32", you may consider 27" as it is known to be best for gaming. 32" is a lot bigger works great for everything.

Used 3070 or 6650xt/6700xt GPU.

This build will probably serve you well for years. Goes above your budget but it is worth it.
 
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I feel like recommending you this:






Used 3070 or 6650xt/6700xt GPU.





This build will probably serve you well for years. Goes above your budget but it is worth it.
Thanks! Am5 + 7600k seems better in the long run, will consider it. I thought DDR5 isn't much better than DDR4? I'll try to get some used ddr4s too. Also why not dual channel 8gb×2 since I heard ryzen performs better with dual channel?
 
Thanks! Am5 + 7600k seems better in the long run, will consider it. I thought DDR5 isn't much better than DDR4? I'll try to get some used ddr4s too. Also why not dual channel 8gb×2 since I heard ryzen performs better with dual channel?
You are right, every ram performs better in dual channel mode. I recommended single stick 16gb to keep initial budget low. You may get 2x16 or 1x32 and later get another 32gb. Don't buy 8gb stick.
 
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From my limited experience, CPUs and RAM for outlast the rest of the components, and are great candidates to be bought used.
PSUs are ok to buy used if the brand is reliable, and the buyer knows that the component wasn't misused/heavily abused.
The problem with SSDs is that they have a limited lifespan. If you get a crystal diskmark screenshot and it shows decent life remaining, there's not a lot that can go bad in an SSD.
 
From my limited experience, CPUs and RAM for outlast the rest of the components, and are great candidates to be bought used.
PSUs are ok to buy used if the brand is reliable, and the buyer knows that the component wasn't misused/heavily abused.
The problem with SSDs is that they have a limited lifespan. If you get a crystal diskmark screenshot and it shows decent life remaining, there's not a lot that can go bad in an SSD.
Afaik SSDs are far more reliable than hdds.
 
Thanks! Am5 + 7600k seems better in the long run, will consider it. I thought DDR5 isn't much better than DDR4? I'll try to get some used ddr4s too. Also why not dual channel 8gb×2 since I heard ryzen performs better with dual channel?
In the long run yes. Now, theres hardly any value in AM5 to justify the price gap. You'll have to pay nearly 18k over the AM4 platform. So take your call.
 
In the long run yes. Now, theres hardly any value in AM5 to justify the price gap. You'll have to pay nearly 18k over the AM4 platform. So take your call.
That's true. i5 13500 + cheap lga 1700 + 32GB ddr4 it will cost a lot less. 7600x i5 13500 perform same. Ddr4 boards and ram are a lot cheaper, but both 1700 and AM4 will be phased out soon.
 
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Reliable, yes. But HDDs can have almost unlimited write endurance as long as the rest of the conditions are favourable. SSDs just have a finite lifespan.
To test this theory i did not sell my 9 year old SSD to see how long it'll work. All my hdds have died over the years, one 3TB few months ago. Now I don't have any hdd and don't plan to buy one. I'll share pic of the finite lifespan of the 9yo SSD tomorrow.
Reliable, yes. But HDDs can have almost unlimited write endurance as long as the rest of the conditions are favourable. SSDs just have a finite lifespan.
SSD was purchased in 2014, mostly used as OS drive. Let us see how long it lasts.


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