Advice for a cheap, but solid system

[caedas83]

Hello all!

I have a few questions, and as this is the most knowledgeable userbase I can think ever, I thought I'd ask here.

A little background. I use to only build my own systems before it became less economical. The first system I remember purchasing was one of the 1st gen. i7 high end systems and it FLEW. I had to part with it before I got to use it much due to many reasons.

I want a system that does some mid-level gaming (runs most things, doesn't need to be high settings), but also, as a intermediate web designer/developer, and amateur but aspiring mobile developer, I need these all covered as well.

I have about $300 to part with, and have given serious thought to a refurbished i5/i7 system, and adding an SSD (I know little about them, just that its what I was told to first upgrade, even if just for the OS/app drive).

I've been way out of the loop for years. So, while there are plenty on sites I know of, I don't know 1) if this is the best route and 2) what to look for and beware of.

$300 needs to include at least tower, SSD, and things like that, I may need to just buy a monitor for local sites.

I am sorry if I am posting this in the wrong place, but I am needing to make a decision soon. I greatly appreciate the help of this fine community.

 

[bootcher]

For $300 you would get a entry-level cheap system at best. You could try to get a used/refurb but those are always a shot in the dark. If you are going to use it for work you will want a reliable system. I would start with something like this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($110.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI H110M Pro-VD Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($47.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws 4 series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($52.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Toshiba 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($41.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Raidmax EXO ATX Mid Tower Case ($19.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX XT 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($31.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $305.91
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-05-30 23:20 EDT-0400

With this budget there is no room for an SSD. The i3 is a dual core with Hyperthreading, so you will get quad core performance. For programming/development you will want the 16 gb of ram. The i3 CPU has a built-in graphics that you can use until you are able to afford a dedicated GPU. It can play some games on low to medium settings.

 

[BadActor]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($110.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI B150M Pro-VD Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($61.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill NT Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($31.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: PNY CS1311 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($64.99 @ Micro Center)
Case: Rosewill SRM-01 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($21.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec 450W ATX Power Supply ($33.69 @ Directron)
Total: $325.63
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-05-30 23:33 EDT-0400