Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago

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This video investigates the cheapest and slowest CPU, RAM and GPU that CS2 still plays nicely with, to establish how cheaply you can still build a gaming PC even when prices are going a little bit crazy. The Steam Machine can't come soon enough. Preferably for £500 but whatever
See my more in-depth video where I get all of the minimum spec parts in this video and analyse how well they all fare together: youtu.be/yFr_v73VuqY

0:00 - £100 (Or £200?) N100 MiniPC
0:31 - £350 Steam Deck
2:25 - DDR4-compatible CPUs, ft. Zen 2
5:38 - Graphics cards. Ideally Second-hand.
8:06 - Is an Intel GPU a viable new option?
8:52 - Latency-reducing features
9:48 - How much RAM?
11:48 - Partpicker's finest

Warning: these are just guides, be sure to research all of the parts for yourself to tailor your build to your needs! And wow, those prices sure do fluctuate daily.
No-compromise budget PC: uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/R3K63w
Minimal compromise budget PC: uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/NxgDpK
'Sensible' budget PC: uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/wLfXC8
Even more budgetier PC: uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/s2twGJ
...and then to go lower still, consult the second hand market. Have fun!