Hardware

Budget PC Build: How Cascading Components Make Each New PC Cheaper

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Budget PC Build infographic showing key cascading components: Intel i5-13600KF CPU, Gigabyte B760M DS3H AX motherboard, Cooler Master N200 case, Cooler Master MWE Gold 750W modular power supply, Noctua mounting kit, and Windows 11 Pro $9.97 TechRepublic deal. Prominent prices and headline: “Budget PC Build: How Cascading Components Make Each New PC Cheaper.”

Building a budget PC build isn’t just about saving dollars upfront—it’s about leveraging previous hardware investments to make every new rig more affordable and strategic over time. This journey began thanks to the jaw-dropping $9.97 Windows 11 Pro deal from TechRepublic Academy, which became the catalyst for this round of upgrades.

Whether your first build costs $550 or $1050, BYOPC (Build Your Own PC) strategies help you cascade older components forward, lowering the cost for every subsequent system. Here, you’ll discover how cascading, gifting, and repurposing parts create a long-term ecosystem where each new build gets cheaper—a method that keeps your setups current but your wallet happy.

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Cooler Master N200: The Micro-ATX Case That Still Gets It Right

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Cooler Master N200 micro-ATX PC case collage showing front, side, rear, empty interior, and fully built system. Highlights external bays, compact design, and budget-friendly features.

Building the i5-13600KF rig reminded me why the Cooler Master N200 is the micro-ATX case that truly solves modern problems for practical PC builders. After years searching for something like the old Rosewill FBM-01—a dependable, budget-friendly case with external drive bays—I stumbled upon the N200 purely by accident.

It’s not nostalgia driving this post. The real strength of external bays is versatility—they offer options that are rare in today’s case market. The Cooler Master N200 stands out in 2024/2025 for keeping one 5.25″ and one 3.5″ bay up front. Hot-swap drives, extra USB-C ports, card readers, fan controllers—whatever your build needs, these bays make it possible even in a compact Micro-ATX case.

This isn’t about chasing trends; it’s about keeping useful features alive for builders who need them.

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Redragon K713-RGB-PRO: A Keyboard Novice’s Continuing Journey

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Redragon K713-RGB-PRO review – software customization interface on Windows with color lighting and key mapping features

Redragon K713-RGB-PRO is the first keyboard I’ve found that finally ticks all the boxes—sturdy for everyday use, with large, readable legends, great backlighting, and a price I can afford. For years, my quest for the right keyboard was never-ending, thanks to OEMs that change models or drop good layouts without warning. As a self-professed novice, I’ve tested brands and layouts I never expected to, until Redragon K713-RGB-PRO delivered exactly what I needed.

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Windows 11 25H2 Update: Why Every Device (and User) Should Care in 2025

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Windows 11’s signature Bloom: a vibrant, abstract rose reflecting the bold innovation of the 25H2 Update.

The Windows 11 25H2 Update has just landed, and all of my desktops and my XPS13 laptop made the transition without a hitch. Windows 11 25H2 Update isn’t just another routine patch—it’s a milestone upgrade, and this time, every system I maintain performed the upgrade with zero issues, smooth as ever.

When your entire lineup—including three custom desktops from my My Computers gallery and one reliable XPS13 laptop—nails the update on day one, it’s proof positive that Microsoft delivered on both stability and user experience. But there’s more to the Windows 11 25H2 Update than convenience or cosmetic changes: in 2025, the stakes for regular updates are higher than ever, with new features designed to keep pace with threats and the demands of modern hardware.

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Dell 27 Plus 4K Monitor (S2725QS) – Cataracts and Eyeglasses

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I recently purchased the Dell S2725QS 27-inch 4K Monitor for $279.99 + $19.60 tax, totaling $299.59. After years of using 20-22 inch monitors, I was concerned a 27-inch display might feel too large. However, its dimensions—24.08 in. wide (611.54 mm) and 14.02 in. tall (355.98 mm)—only add a few inches in width and height, fitting comfortably on my desk. Mounted on a swivel arm, it sits farther back than my previous monitors, freeing up valuable desk space. Plus, it came with free, fast shipping—ordered on May 18 and delivered by May 21!🙂👍

Cataracts and Eyeglasses

Underwent cataract surgery on both eyes—right eye in February and left in March. Adjusting to the improved vision took time, as colors, especially whites, became strikingly vivid. As a hermit, finding transportation and someone to wait in the lobby during each procedure was challenging. After three years of searching, I secured help, paying $240 per surgery for a driver to meet me in Gainesville, FL, and then take me to a clinic across the street and wait.

To celebrate completing my cataract surgery, I searched for high-quality eyeglass frames, moving beyond the $9-12 Walmart frames I’d used for 13 years. After receiving my new prescription in April, I chose four pairs—two from Warby Parker and two from Walmart—to suit my improved vision.

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