u/caseylynn85

honestly the catch is that windows retail licenses are 5x the price because they follow your microsoft account to your next build. if you go the cheap route and spend $15-20 now, you'll likely have to pay that again the second you swap your motherboard or move to a new system. so, buy the retail version if you want a "forever" license, but oem is fine if you're trying to put that extra $100 toward a better gpu right now.

what are you guys running on your current rigs did you shell out for retail or go the grey market route?

curious to hear how many of you have successfully transferred an oem key to a new motherboard recently.

(found a decent writeup on this earlier if anyone wants the deeper breakdown: https://logkeys.com/guides/cheap-windows-11-pro-key-us)

Saved up for 6 months to replace my old folding table. Total budget for the setup (excluding the PC) was under $300. Went with a simple IKEA walnut butcher block top (karlby gang!). It’s not the fastest rig out there (GTX 1660 super gang!), but it feels like home after work. What are your must-have essentials for a budget cozy setup? I need advice on hiding that single cable near the monitor stand. Any ideas?