You can now get an excellent PC Under $100. After the pandemic, we experienced a cryptocurrency bubble that strained supply chains and drove the price of GPUs. Many gamers want to upgrade their PCs but can’t afford the GPU.
A powerful graphics card is necessary for digital creators in the current technology climate. A powerful graphic card is a must as prices are falling and specs are increasing.
It can be challenging to find this if your budget is tight. We’re here to help you choose the best graphics cards under $100 that will suit your needs.
This article will look at the best graphics cards under $100 this year. To showcase the best PC Under $100, we’ve reviewed cards from various manufacturers with different specs and abilities. Let’s get the fans going!
The Ultimate Guide for Building A PC Under $100
Cheap Computer Parts for Sale on eBay
You can start by looking for bargains on your gaming PC. If you’re building a PC from the ground up, then you will need the following:
- A CPU
- Motherboard
- RAM (Memory),
- Stores
- Case Study
- Power supply
- Cooling fans for CPU and case
- This Redditor has shown how to do it for less than $100. Most parts used in this example (which cost $103) were purchased on eBay. However, there are many other online stores where you can buy cheap PC parts.
- The price list linked will show that the graphics card was the most expensive item. It’s a situation that is not going to improve.
- GPUs are in high demand because mining cryptocurrencies is dependent on them. The older, lower-spec cards have also been affected. You may have to go on a more protracted bargain hunt or reduce your storage.
What to Look for
It’s essential to plan your PC build before you go shopping. We’re assuming that you have an idea about what it takes to build a gaming computer.
If you need help, we recommend you familiarize yourself with our PC building guide. Start by deciding on your budget and which parts you can afford.
I aim to build something with $100 because I enjoy a challenge. However, I will also list functions at different prices for those with more money.
The Dell Optiplex, one of the most common office PCs available, would be the best choice for this conversion.
You can also use a Lenovo or HP machine with similar specs at a reasonable price. However, these are more challenging to find.
To buy a computer, you should look for a device with a second-generation Intel Core i5 (the four-digit number following i5 begins with a two or higher) or a newer processor. An i3 may suffice, but Core 2 Quads, and other lower-end processors, are best avoided.
These PCs are also available in different forms. You’ll be able to fit in more upgrades and a graphics card with a mini-tower than a slimmer machine.
You can still use a small computer if you can find it cheaply. However, you must buy a PCI express riser or look for a low-profile graphics card.
Try Retro Gaming on a Raspberry Pi 4
It is a small, cheap single-board computing device (SBC). It’s impossible to buy a Raspberry Pi 4 with 4GB for $100. The best model is an 8GB Raspberry Pi 4. It will still manage to run a Raspberry Pi 4 that has 4GB.
The computer has a Broadcom BCM2711 64-bit SoC, a quad-core Cortex-A72 operating at 1.5 GHz. The Pi 4 is the size of a small credit card and has dual micro-HDMI, Ethernet, Bluetooth 5.0, 802.11ac wireless, two USB 2.0, two USB 3.0 ports, and a USB type C power supply.
A PC from work is the cheapest PC ever
What if you were given an old computer? An example is when your employer wants to buy new PCs but doesn’t wish to spend the money on decommissioning older ones. Your employer instead gives the old PCs to employees to use at home.
You would then have a device that is ready for an upgrade. The $100 budget for your PC could be used to purchase the essential items you will need when gaming. Spending more money on the GPU is a better choice if you build a cheap gaming PC.
You don’t even have to work. You could get a PC from a relative, school, or college.
Install Linux on PlayStation 4
A PlayStation 4 is another option for cheap PC Under $100. They are currently available on eBay for under $100 without the games. But you won’t need them.
The PS4 can run Linux. You can use Steam to install Linux-compatible games that you have already purchased.
A PlayStation 4 running Linux may be more powerful than the other cheap gaming computers on this list. However, hacking your PS4 to install Linux can be difficult. If your console runs the 7.55 or older firmware, you can use it as a $100 gaming PC.
Consider Cloud Gaming Instead
Many PC games are available to stream on your TV. Some cloud gaming services allow you to stream games via your existing PC.
Others let you play through Amazon Fire TV or Android TV. These services will all cost less than $100 per year.
Consider these services:
Vortex compatible with Android TV: $9.99 per month
Xbox Game Pass: Only the Ultimate Package, $1 for the first month and $14.99 after that, works on AndroidTV
Google Stadia is only $9.99 per month, but you will need to purchase the Chromecast and controller, which costs around $80.
GeForce Now is Nvidia’s cloud gaming platform. It is compatible with Android TV and Chromebook. The monthly fee is $9.99, but a free version allows for 1-hour gaming sessions.
Other Hardware (and Software)
Consider other factors if you are willing to spend more money or if your computer is missing some components.
- Storage: Most of these used computers will not come with a drive. You’ll need to install one yourself. There are a few options: a 500GB HDD will cost around $25, but it is a bit slow. If you are efficient in your storage, purchase a smaller-capacity but faster SSD, like this PNY 128GB model, for only $20. If you can afford it, buy one of each. Use the SSD as your boot drive, and your spinning drive to store your files. Live your best life. Test the health of the storage in a tower with Crystal Disk Info. If it starts to fail, you can negotiate the price to cover the cost of the new drive.
- To install an operating system, You will need a flash drive of 5GB. If you do not have one, then borrow one. (You’ll only use it for a few hours). Windows licenses are usually printed as a 25-digit sticker on the tower of most of these PCs. Windows alone costs around $100, so if your PC doesn’t come with a Windows license, it is probably not worth purchasing. You won’t have to worry about it if you use Linux, but most gamers will want Windows.
- A monitor, keyboard, and mouse. As with many PC building guides, we only focus on the tower. We assume you already have an old keyboard and mouse. If you do not have an old keyboard, mouse, or monitor, you can find them in the same classified ads and e-waste centers where you bought the tower. You will need to budget. If you are willing to spend more, there are plenty of “gaming” keyboards and mice on Amazon from brands such as Velocifire or Redragon.
- A network interface: I didn’t need Wi-Fi because I was going to use the Ethernet connection, which is more reliable. If Ethernet is not an option and your PC does not have Wi-Fi, you can find a PCI/USB Wi-Fi Receiver on Amazon, whether it’s new or used.
- Better power supply. While I found that the 295-watt unit in my Dell Optiplex worked well with my GTX 750 Ti card, it is definitely on the borderline. If you can, upgrade to a better model, like the EVGA 450-watt unit. It will make your system more stable, allowing you to use more power for your hardware. You will also have a more fantastic choice of graphics cards since the 6-pin connector is available.
- A little extra RAM If your PC is only equipped with 4GB, you can get by, but more is needed for a Windows-based system. These old PCs are still using the DDR3 standard. You can buy an extra 4GB on the used market for less than $10. It’s worth it, especially if you intend to open many more browser tabs and play higher-end video games.
Conclusion:
You can build a PC Under $100 if you know the components you should look out for and if some cuts have been made.
This ultimate guide will provide you with all the information needed to start. The step-by-step guide will ensure that you get all the things.
Remember that accessories like keyboards and monitors can be expensive. However, with some planning and budgeting, you can build a PC for a very affordable price.
