ETA Prime builds sub $250 Linux gaming PC

ETA Prime has managed to build a reasonably powerful gaming PC for roughly as much as what a single Windows 11 Pro license costs. The YouTuber begins by sharing that although the system build does run Linux, Windows can be installed if the user prefers. However, Bazzite Linux was chosen for this little experiment since the distro comes with a console-like UI and, better yet, can be controlled with a controller. Bazzite also boots into an environment that is ready for gaming.

The base of the setup is an HP Pavillion PC with a 3rd gen Ryzen 5 3500 chip that the blogger was able to purchase on eBay for $168. The unit shipped with 16 GB of RAM and a 512 GB m.2 SSD. He recommends that those attempting this build look for units without a discrete GPU. He further explains that during the 2020 GPU shortage, many of these units were purchased to remove their GPUs and sell them at a markup. He also suggests watching for any units currently being auctioned or making an offer on listings that support it as you may be able to find a unit at a lower price.

For the build upgrades, ETA upgraded the RAM to 20 GB using a 4 GB stick and opted for the AMD Radeon RX590 which features 8 GB of VRAM. He was able to purchase the card for $68 but mentioned that the AMD Radeon RX580 can offer comparable performance if the RX590 is unavailable in this price range. No additional components are required as the power supply is already equipped to power the GPU.

The final step before benchmarking is to install Bazzite OS. Bazzite Linux is a Fedora-based distro that, as previously mentioned, provides a Steam Deck-like UI and is focused on gaming. ETA Prime details downloading and installing the OS including the installation options. For the Bazzite image, he selects the Desktop Option for Hardware, AMD for the primary GPU, and KDE as the environment. He recommends using a program like “Etcher” to write the Bazzite image to a USB drive to install on the PC. Rufus will most likely work great, too, for reference.

With the build complete and the OS installed, ETA tested a handful of popular titles with mixed results. Cyberpunk 2077 on high at 1080p achieved an average FPS rate of high 50s to mid 60s with AMD FSR set to balanced and Ghost of Tsushima with medium settings at 1080p achieved upwards of 70 FPS with AMD FSR enabled but suffered from graphical glitches. Similarly, the Shadow of the Tomb Raider built-in benchmark reported an average of 77 FPS on high settings.

For $240 and with readily available components, the system provides moderately good performance and is a valuable option for users on a budget. It must be said however that RX500 series graphics cards no longer get driver updates from AMD and are probably not the best choice if one wants to play the latest games.

For those who need a truly portable gaming system, the Asus ROG Ally can currently be had on Amazon.com for just $399.

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