Best PC Build: $500 or Less

[Jsimenhoff]

Thank you everyone for your submissions to our Best PC Builds feature! After deliberation by the moderators and editorial staff, we have decided on the Best Builds in each category. The winner of this category is (drum roll please):

damric - Homeless Overclocker

Congratulations!

We'll be having more Best Builds features in the coming months so stay tuned.

Here are links to all eight build brackets:

1. 
   ■Best Build $500 or Less
   ■Best VR Ready Build $750 or Less
   ■Best
   Mini-ITX Build Under $1,000http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-3127626/build-mini-itx-build-000.html
   ■Best
   Build $1,000http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-3127670/build-000-build.html
   ■Best
   Build $1,250http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-3127671/build-250-build.html
   ■Best
   Build $1,500http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-3127672/build-500-build.html
   ■Best
   Build $2,000http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-3127673/build-000-build.html
   ■Best VR Ready Build Under $2,500

With these ground rules to follow:

• 
  ■Do not go over budget.
  ■Use only Amazon OR Newegg to source parts.
  ■Use list prices only: coupons, rebates, bundles or any other limited-time offers will not be accepted.
  ■Do not include shipping or tax in your final budget.
  ■Do not include the Operating System, Monitor or VR Headset, Keyboard, Mouse or Gamepad (Steam Machine).
  ■Do not put your forum handle in the name of your build, and avoid odd capitalizations & symbols.
  ■Provide links to the Amazon or Newegg product pages of each component — we encourage users to use PCPartPicker's System Build for speedy construction. Do not post a link to your build, but rather please be sure to export as BBCode for a quick copy/paste to the forums.
  ■The mini-ITX must be in the m-ITX form factor and have WiFi.
  ■ VR builds must meet minspec for both Oculus Rift and HTC Vive.

Good luck, and may the best builds win!

 

[IDProG]

Budget Carbide

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD Athlon X4 760K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($89.08 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus A88XM-E Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($71.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: PNY Anarchy 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($29.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 950 2GB Video Card ($112.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair Carbide Series 88R MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 430W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply ($18.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $438.00
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-07-20 10:53 EDT-0400

 

[Geekwad]

Best PC Build: $500 or Less
Base Total: 499.93$ (Without rebates, promo discounts and shipping charges)

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-4350 4.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock 970M PRO3 Micro ATX AM3+/AM3 Motherboard ($51.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($33.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon RX 480 4GB Video Card ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Case: DIYPC Zondda-O ATX Mid Tower Case ($25.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($42.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $479.91
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

 

[logainofhades]

Not sure how to turn off shipping, on PCPP.

Kickstart

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B150M-DS3H Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($75.38 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Aegis 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($35.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 950 2GB Video Card ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Case: DIYPC MA01-G MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($24.89 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CXM 450W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($60.94 @ Amazon)
Total: $502.16
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-08-03 09:40 EDT-0400

Base Total: $484.83
Shipping: $17.33
Total: $502.16

 

[jpatrick2]

$500 Build - Baby Rage

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($117.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI H110M Gaming Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($32.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Silicon Power Silm S55 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 950 2GB SSC ACX 2.0 Video Card ($139.99 @ Amazon)
Case: VIVO CASE-V06 ATX Mini Tower Case ($38.91 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Rosewill 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $504.85
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-07-20 11:15 EDT-0400

 

[cfortney]

$500 Build - Worry About Storage Later

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/list/nP9V6X
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/list/nP9V6X/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Biostar H81MHV3 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($40.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Team Elite Plus 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 320GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($26.60 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 380 2GB ITX Compact Video Card ($156.99 @ Newegg)
Case: DIYPC M89-R MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($23.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 430W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply ($29.85 @ Amazon)

Base Total: $501.75
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-07-20 14:43 EDT-0400

 

[quilciri]

Jersey Thor

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($110.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock B150M-HDS Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($55.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($29.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($47.49 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 380X 4GB DD XXX OC Video Card ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Enermax Thorex ATX Mid Tower Case ($28.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA 400W ATX Power Supply ($27.89 @ OutletPC)

Base Total: $499.33

Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-07-21 09:37 EDT-0400

 

[ScrewySqrl]

Basic Gamer:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock B150M-HDS Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($55.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury Black 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Constellation ES 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 950 2GB Video Card ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman ZM-T3 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($31.21 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Antec EarthWatts Green 380W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($48.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $491.14
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-07-20 16:30 EDT-0400

 

[ilisan]

500§ - Solid Foundation (499,93$)

Core Parts are the R5, Seasonic PSU and SSD

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($71.98 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Biostar H81MHV3 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($40.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($33.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Sandisk Ultra II 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($70.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card ($94.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R5 (Titanium) ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 650W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $502.91
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-07-20 17:47 EDT-0400

 

[Barty1884]

$490.49 - The random 670

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($117.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H110M-HDS Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($54.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Aegis 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($30.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 320GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($26.60 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 4GB Video Card ($182.59 @ Amazon)
Case: Rosewill FBM-01 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Rosewill 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $503.12
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-07-20 18:12 EDT-0400

 

[okcnaline]

"Cupboard Gaming"

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD Athlon X4 845 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($66.00 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A78M-ITX+ Mini ITX FM2+ Motherboard ($86.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($33.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ B&H)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon RX 460 2GB Red Dragon Video Card ($119.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Silverstone RVZ02B HTPC Case ($65.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: FSP Group 400W 80+ Bronze Certified SFX Power Supply ($63.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $486.91
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-08-18 17:29 EDT-0400

 

[Darkbreeze]

Not sure how to turn off shipping, on PCPP.

Pretty sure there is NO way to turn off shipping on PCPP. Not sure why we don't factor that in or simply say you can go over budget by whatever amount the shipping total amounts to. I brought this up a while back, the time before last, but never heard back on it.

 

[hexor696]

"Little gaming buddy"

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H110M-ITX/ac Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($69.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury Black 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($40.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R7 370 2GB WINDFORCE 2X Video Card ($113.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define Nano S Mini ITX Desktop Case ($54.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $483.92
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-07-21 05:14 EDT-0400

Actual price without discounts and shipping: $493.95

 

[DynamoNED]

AMD Contrarian

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD Athlon X4 845 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($66.00 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A78M-HD2 Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($41.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: PNY Anarchy 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($31.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 380X 4GB PCS+ Myst. Edition Video Card ($193.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Cougar Spike MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($30.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($42.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $457.90
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-07-21 14:55 EDT-0400

Base Price before Discounts: $474.94
Shipping: $22.96
Total: $497.90

 

[supa4]

Build Name : WuBai

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD Athlon X4 880K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($102.63 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A88M PRO3+ Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($62.38 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($65.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R7 360 2GB Ultra Durable 2 Video Card ($96.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Hitachi Deskstar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($43.95 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($56.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Rosewill 500W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($44.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper TX3 54.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($22.99 @ Newegg)

Total: $496.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-07-22 05:17 EDT-0400

Base Price : $480.52
Shipping: $16.37
Total: $496.89

 

[aquanaut101]

Janky
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD Athlon X4 880K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($111.43 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A68M-DG3+ Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($47.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: PNY Anarchy 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Silicon Power Silm S55 480GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 960 2GB Video Card ($179.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Logisys CS305BK ATX Mid Tower Case w/480W Power Supply ($40.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $515.36
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-07-22 19:22 EDT-0400
Base Total: $498.58
Shipping: $16.78

 

[Samaratin]

Scrapyard Glory

Intel Core i5 3470 + EVGA Nvidia GTX 1060 + 120 GB SSD + 500GB HDD + 4GB DDR3 + 430w Corsair PSU + Rosewell LineM

Ok, the motherboard, RAM, CPU and HDD come from this $160 refurbished system

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA8WV4MJ9777

The video card is the EVGA GTX 1060 SC for $259.99 ($249.99 after rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487261

power supply is Corsair CX430 for $34.99 ($15.99 after rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139026&ignorebbr=1

SSD is Silicon Power 120GB for $34.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820301259

case is Rosewill Line M for $34.99 ($24.99 after rebate)

Grand total after rebates........ $485.96

Now, while i don't see any specific rule against using anything refurbished... i'm sure many will scream foul... and mostly this build is to be a bit humerous... hence the final total includes the rebates (which aren't to be included in build total by the rules).

Instructions for build: Gut everything out of refurbished PC and install into new case

On a side note, i will add that i have purchased refurbished systems from newegg, and had no problems what so ever... my favorite purchase was one with a pentium g630 (socket 1155) for $75. Upgraded it to Win10 for free... upgraded ram... added a soundcard... added low profile msi 750ti.. and voila... cheap HTPC....

 

[okcnaline]

Intel Core i5 3470 + EVGA Nvidia GTX 1060
~snip~
Corsair CX430

Em... CX430 most likely won't pull enough for a 77W CPU and a 250W GTX 1060.

 

[BadActor]

I think a 400 watt is going to struggle with a 380X also.

 

[okcnaline]

Then there's one guy with the bundled Logisys 480W... lol

 

[Rabmac]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H110M-HDS Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($51.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Aegis 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 380 2GB ITX Compact Video Card ($169.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman T2 Plus MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($42.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $499.93
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-08-04 14:16 EDT-0400

 

[ScrewySqrl]

so many exceeding $500.

by the rules, if it $500.01 or more, its disqualified

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

BORG (Newegg Edition)

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($110.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H110M-HDS Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($51.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Aegis 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($35.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($47.49 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 380X 4GB PCS+ Myst. Edition Video Card ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Deepcool TESSERACT SW ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 520W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $491.42
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-08-13 12:16 EDT-0400

 

[falagund]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-8300 3.3GHz 8-Core Processor ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI 760GMA-P34(FX) Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($36.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill AEGIS 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($29.48 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon RX 480 4GB Video Card ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Case: DIYPC M89-R MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($23.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 430W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply ($18.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $479.40
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-07-23 13:57 EDT-0400

Total without shipping and discounts: $497.43

(cheep memory upgrade available for later)
i wanted to see if i could get a 8 core with a rx480 for under $500

 

[falagund]

so many exceeding $500.

by the rules, if it $500.01 or more, its disqualified

thats not mentioning all the links to SuperBiiz or OutletPC

Use only Amazon OR Newegg to source parts.