The cheapest Windows PCs out there are probably the ones built around the Atom X5-Z8350.
A popular model was the Z83, and the improved Z85, which was made by various manufacturers, including Beelink.
Another one is the Wintel Pro, which is even smaller.
You could get them for about $100 from China, including a Windows 10 license. But since the Atom X5-Z8350 has been EOL, they're now somewhat hard to get.

Giada is also an interesting brand that builds a number of small machines at a reasonable price:
https://www.giadatech.com/embedded-computer

Their F210U and VM23 are some of their cheapest x86-based models.

Obligatory shoutout to https://www.parkytowers.me.uk/thin/ - though if you want something modern, the frugal choice is an used USFF/Tiny computer like the Thinkcentre M73 I bought for 180 € in 2018, or to a lesser extent the larger but more flexible Optiplex 7010 I currently use (newer Dell USFFs are smaller and more limited like that Lenovo) - in fact the newest PC-name-brand thin clients are said PCs in their bottom barrel version except for having an SSD!

I have been using a Intel NUC6i7kyk for several years now. The refurbisher I bought it from was selling it for a lot less than most did, and it hasn't failed me yet. Runs both old games and modern games just fine under Linux, and the Intel Iris Pro 580 it uses for graphics is the most impressive integrated graphics I ever used.

I don't remember exactly how much I paid but it was less than $400 for this model.

I'm curious about finding a low spec/low temp model that's decent at decoding atleast 1920x1080 60 FPS H264 encoded video just so I can have something by my bedside. The "SkullCanyon" I use as my primary desktop I got primarily for both old and modern gaming, but runs pretty hot as you'd expect from Intel not knowing how to keep their own chipsets properly cooled.

Almoststew1990 wrote on 2023-05-06, 08:47:

I then came across Beelink who make NUCS through a YouTuber called RandomGamingInHD and checked out their shop and their NUCs are really good value so I ordered one for my dad (SER5 with Ryzen 5800H for £350).

Anyway it arrived a few weeks later direct from China (which I anticipated based on reviews) and it's really good, so far.

What is the oldest operating system does it support? Does it support, say, Windows XP? I remember Phil discussed a lot about mini PCs that still support odd things like sound in pure DOS, Windows 98 support, or extra PCI slot that you can use a 3dx card in the said mini PC. I wonder if your NUC is something like that.

You could get something like a used ThinkCentre M92p 2121-D6U if you want a project PC. They are something like $60 with an i5-3470T and 8GB RAM.

Kreshna Aryaguna Nurzaman wrote on 2023-05-07, 05:02:

What is the oldest operating system does it support? Does it support, say, Windows XP? I remember Phil discussed a lot about mini PCs that still support odd things like sound in pure DOS, Windows 98 support, or extra PCI slot that you can use a 3dx card in the said mini PC. I wonder if your NUC is something like that.

No chance of XP, I doubt Windows 7 can be persuaded to run well on it. It is probably smaller than a CD and maybe 1.5" tall so there's no PCI slots on this. Link to my (dad's) NUC:

https://www.bee-link.com/catalog/product/index?id=430

Anyway I've narrowed down my options to:

Beelink with N100 CPU, 16GB DDR4 3200 for £208
Beelink with N100 CPU, 16GB DDR5 4800 for £269
but if I was spending £270 on an Atom/celeron spec CPU the £340 for the 16GB 5800H looks appealing 🤣

DracoNihil wrote on 2023-05-07, 00:47:

I'm curious about finding a low spec/low temp model that's decent at decoding atleast 1920x1080 60 FPS H264 encoded video just so I can have something by my bedside.

The Intel Atom X5-Z8350 ones can do that (under Windows 10/11 at least, never tested them with linux). They have a pretty decent GPU when it comes to video decoding, and acceleration is well-supported under DirectShow, MediaFoundation and VLC.
I could play two 1080p60 H264 videos at the same time, with a pretty high bitrate (20-25 Mbps).

Almoststew1990 wrote on 2023-05-07, 10:47:

No chance of XP, I doubt Windows 7 can be persuaded to run well on it. It is probably smaller than a CD and maybe 1.5" tall so t […]
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Kreshna Aryaguna Nurzaman wrote on 2023-05-07, 05:02:

What is the oldest operating system does it support? Does it support, say, Windows XP? I remember Phil discussed a lot about mini PCs that still support odd things like sound in pure DOS, Windows 98 support, or extra PCI slot that you can use a 3dx card in the said mini PC. I wonder if your NUC is something like that.

No chance of XP, I doubt Windows 7 can be persuaded to run well on it. It is probably smaller than a CD and maybe 1.5" tall so there's no PCI slots on this. Link to my (dad's) NUC:

https://www.bee-link.com/catalog/product/index?id=430

Anyway I've narrowed down my options to:

Beelink with N100 CPU, 16GB DDR4 3200 for £208
Beelink with N100 CPU, 16GB DDR5 4800 for £269
but if I was spending £270 on an Atom/celeron spec CPU the £340 for the 16GB 5800H looks appealing 🤣

Well if the CPU fast enough, or at least overclockable, you can play non-accelerated, 3D texture mapped games in 640x480 quite comfortably. N100 is 3.4 GHz, isn't it?