10 Ways to Build a High-Quality Linux PC on a Budget

Over the past few years, many of you have requested our tips and tricks for building an affordable high-quality Linux PC. Today, we’re happy to present you with our most detailed guide yet to doing so on a tight budget. Read on to learn about the best places to buy parts, how to build your own Linux distro from scratch, how to save money on repair costs, and much more!

 Get an Intel Motherboard

Selecting an Intel motherboard is one of the most important things you’ll do in your build. If you’re using Intel CPUs, choosing the right motherboard will get you many years of happy service. The chipset is the primary factor in picking a board; get one that’s compatible with the processor you’ve selected and includes everything that you need. For example, if you need built-in Wi-Fi, make sure it has it before buying it.

 Choose Your CPU Wisely

In the past, processors in the lower price brackets have been less powerful than those that cost $200-$300 more. But now with CPUs like the AMD Ryzen 3 1200 for under $100 or Intel Core i3-8100 for about $120, it is possible to get your hands on what are effectively budget processors for great PCs on tight budgets.

 RAM Is Important – Buy Good Quality 4GB Kits

RAM is one of the most important components in your system. We recommend at least 4GB of high quality RAM for your system.

 SSD is Essential

An SSD is the key component that will make your computer feel faster. I recommend choosing an SSD with at least 250GB of space so you have enough room for apps, games, music, and videos.

 Go With the i3 if possible

Linux is known for being lighter, more secure, and less resource intensive than Windows. If you want an affordable computer that can handle the internet without feeling bogged down, installing Linux is not only possible – it’s highly recommended.

 Try your Hard Drive with Linux

When you first set up your system, you will find that there is a lot of software for you to install. To get the most out of your new computer and make sure everything runs smoothly, it’s worth it to download the latest version of the operating system and then upgrade any drivers or programs needed.

 Monitor is important but can be changed down the road

Monitors can be expensive, but it is worth the investment if you want the best quality visuals for programming, graphics design or video editing. A cheaper monitor will still have good color accuracy and produce vibrant images. However, you may find that the text on your screen is harder to read because small fonts are often rendered blurry by a lower-resolution monitor.

 Choose a Quiet Case and Power Supply

Building a quiet PC is important if you don’t want to be distracted or suffer from noise fatigue. Your choice of case and power supply can have a big impact. We recommend the Fractal Design R5 which features an elegant curved metal exterior, room for five 3.5 drives, and compatibility with large tower coolers such as the Noctua NH-D14 SE2011 or NZXT HAVIK 140.

 Choose your GPU Wisely

Graphics cards often make up the largest chunk of your budget, which is why it’s so important to choose the right one. Performance and pricing differences between similarly priced models can be as dramatic as 40% or more.

 Add Good Speakers or Use Headphones

Investing in a good pair of speakers will significantly improve the sound quality of your music and multimedia. Not only do they make it easier to hear dialogue, but they can also make games and movies sound incredible. Plus, they’ll greatly enhance the computing experience by making everything more immersive and vivid. But even with an incredible set of speakers, at some point you’ll have to use headphones. Good ones can eliminate background noise so you’re able to focus on your tasks without interruptions or distractions.