Best Value Gaming PC - Xeon Edition

This is my November 2024 recommendation for the best-value Xeon-based AliExpress gaming PC.

❗I do not have this computer in stock, but I can assemble it within 2-6 weeks upon request. The final price depends on the components' availability at the moment of assembly.

AliExpress is the last place to buy computer hardware that I would recommend. It's a gamble, Chinese components may arrive defective, may work for a few days, a few weeks, or may work for years, you never know what you get. Still, if you insist on going the AliExpress route then these would be my picks.

Xeon E5-2680 V4 would be my best budget pick as it supports DDR4-2400 RAM, is much more energy efficient compared to V3 options, and does not require any BIOS hacks for Turbo Boost Unlock. Xeon E5-2690 V4 and E5-2667 V4 are better CPUs overall but the price is almost double as much.

For the motherboard, I have three picks. The first one is Machinist X99-PR9, the motherboard has a very small VRM radiator and only two memory channels but it costs less than ~500 SEK and the overall quality is pretty okay. A slightly better option would be Machinist X99-RS9, this one has a larger VRM radiator and quad memory channel configuration. Finally, Machinist X99-MR9A is my go-to X99 motherboard from China.

For memory I recommend two or four identical 8 GB DDR4-2133/2400 ECC REG sticks, eBay usually has the best offers but on AliExpress you can find Kllisre DDR4-2133/2400 ECC REG memory modules. Most of the DDR4-2133 modules can be overclocked to DDR4-2400 especially if it's branded memory, like Samsung or SK Hynix.

All of the AliExpress GPUs are either overpriced or ex-mining cards, thus I would strongly suggest buying something locally. If AliExpress is the only option then AMD RX 6600M is one of the best value offers available. Another option to consider is Nvidia RTX 2060 Super.

I do not recommend China-branded SSDs but it's possible to buy a 1TB Crucial P3 on AliExpress, thus it's my pick.

Chassis and power supply you would have to source locally, buying these heavy components from AliExpress makes zero sense I do not have anything to recommend. For CPU cooler you could use something like this tower cooler with a few heat pipes, just make sure to buy the version with a 4-pin fan because the 3-pin fans rotate at 100% speed with the Chinese motherboards.

Shipping from AliExpress takes up to 6 weeks, thus be ready to wait if you order such a build from me. Also, due to the random nature of the Chinese components, I provide no warranty for PCs built with AliExpress components.

Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or would like a gaming PC with some other specification.

🚚 I always do my best packing computers for shipment but there is always a risk which I am not responsible for. If the post damages the shipment, it will be up to them to compensate the loss. In this short video you can see how I pack computers for shipping.