When Redditor u/EmuAreExtinct spotted a “free PC” listing on Facebook Marketplace at 1 AM, expectations were low. But within an hour, they walked away with a complete gaming setup: a surprisingly capable rig with peripherals, courtesy of a former PC gamer who’d switched to PS5. The catch? Just some elbow grease and zip ties.
The Hidden Gems Under the Dust
After emergency cable management and cleaning (using half a can of compressed air), the true value emerged:
- Intel i5-9600K: A still-relevant 6-core CPU cooler than expected
- EVGA RTX 2060 XC Ultra: Handled Batman: Arkham Knight at 4K max settings
- Quality Foundation: Gigabyte Z390 Aorus Pro WiFi motherboard + Corsair HX750 PSU
- Bonus Peripherals: Keyboard, mouse, and monitor included
The kicker? Temperatures held at a healthy 60°C (CPU) and RTX 2060, 70°C (GPU) under load – no repasting needed.
Why This Rig Defies “Free PC” Stereotypes
This wasn’t some e-waste relic:
- Strategic Generation: The 9th-gen Intel + RTX 2060 combo avoids modern bottlenecks
- Overbuilt Components: High-end mobo/PSU outclassed the CPU/GPU
- Upgrade Potential: Z390 supports up to i9-9900KS (still beats Ryzen 5 5600)
- Prebuilt Perks: Metal-logged case hinted at Dell Alienware-level build quality
As the OP noted: “This plays AAA games better than the OEM I bought yesterday!”
Recently, I got a free PC off Facebook Marketplace!
byu/Zinkled-Stone inpcmasterrace
The Quirky Realities of Free Tech
The windfall came with oddities:
- Upside-Down PSU: Fan pressed against solid case panel (quickly fixed)
- Missing Modular Cables: $20 Corsair kit needed for GPU upgrades
- Case Panel Absent: Creative mesh/screening required
- Zip Tie Drought: “All my zip ties vanished” during cleanup
Yet these were tiny tradeoffs for a rig worth $300-$400 secondhand.
Also, Read
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- Did They Ship My Ryzen 9 9950X3D $800 CPU in a Cereal Box? – Norway Gamer’s Packaging Shock
- PC Building Newbie’s SSD Mistake Goes Viral – Here’s What Went Wrong
3 Lessons for Marketplace Hunters
- Speed Wins: New “free” listings vanish in <30 minutes
- Ask About Upgrades: Previous owners often have spare parts
- Test Before Towing: Verify POST/display output onsite
- Clean = Value: 1 hour of cleaning can double resale price
The OP’s final thoughts? “Beggars can’t be choosers – but sometimes the universe chooses for you.”