Rules for buying computers off Craigslist

I'm looking for a decent gaming computer on Craigslist around the $600 range. But I don't know what hardware to look for and what hardware to stay away from, someone please help me

Stay away from prebuilts.

Bonus points if the owner still has the receipts.

Do you know how to fix your own computer ? Thats pretty important. I buy messed up ones, and repair them. I program them, and get them running top notch, but not for gaming. Know what your looking for. I use mine only for homework purposes, work, excel, power point, PDF files, ect. And always run dual screen, wifi keyboard mouses, and it works super fast on a net cord. I can't tell you what to look for, only you know what your looking for, and what your going to do with it. $600 is enough for a new beginners type gaming desktop online. Why are you even going through Craigslist ? Any computer i have purchased on CRaigs, the first thing i do is wipe the hard drive clean, and i program them myself to my liking. I spend like $200. Thats just an example of what i run. What you looking for @jonathan_t

#1 Rule: Don't buy computers off Craigslist!

If you must buy a comp from craigslist be specific with your search terms and avoid just typing pc or computer; instead search for a specific gpu. If at all an option seek an older higher end gaming laptop, they tend to depreciate somewhat fast and can be tested in a public setting for functionality during a potential meeting with the seller like at a starbucks or somewhere with wifi. A local college campus cafeteria or library is also a good place even if neither of you guys are students. $600 in the upper east coast for example can get you a 1st gen 15" lenovo y50 which has an 860m (decent mid end mobile gpu) or like a cyberpower pc fangbook with an i7 4710hq and and 860m or an older alienware mx18 with sli 765m for $700 which can always be negotiated down, specially if the ad has been up for more than a month and updated frequently. Try to always deal in a public setting, it can make toting a pc around for the seller inconvenient if buying a laptop is not an option, but safety first. $600 can get you plenty though...

+1.

If you want to buy a PC with $600, It will be better to buy a new one cause with $600 you can buy an i5+8gb with an entry gaming GPU.

Spending a few more ($650 or $700 total) will give you a nice gaming PC! :)