Best PC Build: $500 or Less

Page 2 - Seeking answers? Join the Tom's Hardware community: where nearly two million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.
Status
Not open for further replies.

Skygear

Commendable
Jul 23, 2016
3
0
1,510
Bodybuilder Shrimp
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H110M-A Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($55.38 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($35.49 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus Radeon R7 370 4GB Video Card ($137.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($44.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 430W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply ($18.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $467.79
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-07-24 00:27 EDT-0400
 
Broke

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($126.38 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H110M-A Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill NT Series 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($30.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($35.80 @ Amazon)
Case: DIYPC MA01-G MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($29.88 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($47.98 @ Newegg)
Video Card: PowerColor RED DEVIL Radeon RX 470 ($179.99)
Storage: Hectron X1 Series 60GB SSD ($25.99)
Total: $526.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-08-04 13:04 EDT-0400

Base Total: $499.63
Shipping: $27.36
Total: $526.99
 

mastrom101

Distinguished
Jun 12, 2010
1,477
0
19,660
Keep it Cheap PC

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus H110M-A Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws 4 series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($34.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Hybrid Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 950 2GB SSC ACX 2.0 Video Card ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($44.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 430W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply ($33.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $498.90
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-07-25 12:35 EDT-0400
 

lp231

Splendid
$500 Hobo Special

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-6098P 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($119.20 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H110M-HDS Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($54.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($58.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Hybrid Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R7 370 4GB Double Dissipation Video Card ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Case: DIYPC M89-R MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($23.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Rosewill 500W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $492.13
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-07-25 12:38 EDT-0400

Base Total: $489.14
Shipping: $2.99
Total: $492.13
 

Seth Schaffer

Honorable
Aug 3, 2013
28
0
10,540
Red Renegade

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
Total: $488.42
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
*Lowest price parts chosen from parametric criteria
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-07-26 15:06 EDT-0400

 
powerfull toaster - superninja12

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($125.98 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus H110M-A Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill NT Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($34.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Sandisk SSD PLUS 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus Radeon R9 380 2GB Video Card ($157.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill FBM-02 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($45.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $504.90
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-07-26 15:24 EDT-0400

Base Total: $496.93
Shipping: $7.97
Total: $504.90
 
G

Guest

Guest
Core Budget Gamer

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($125.98 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H110M-A Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($55.38 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($39.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: A-Data Premier SP550 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($44.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 430W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply ($35.98 @ Newegg)
Other: PowerColor RED DRAGON Radeon RX 460 2GB Video Card ($109.99)
Base Total: $481.92
Shipping: $20.35
Total: $502.27
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-08-09 18:06 EDT-0400
 

Tomos Woolley

Distinguished
Aug 11, 2014
88
10
18,635
name daydream in red
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-8300 3.3GHz 8-Core Processor ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI 970A-G43 Plus ATX AM3+/AM3 Motherboard ($61.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($44.50 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus Radeon R9 380 2GB Video Card ($157.99 @ Newegg)
Case: DIYPC P48-W ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Rosewill 500W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $499.42
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-07-27 04:35 EDT-0400
 
The GTX 1060 Build:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD Athlon X4 845 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($66.00 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A88M PRO3+ Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($52.38 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($31.00 @ Newegg)
Storage: Silicon Power Silm S55 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 1060 6GB Mini Video Card ($249.99)
Case: Rosewill RANGER-M MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 430W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply ($25.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $480.33
$498.95 before S&H or rebates.
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-07-27 14:15 EDT-0400
Pity I had to compromise on the PSU, and the RAM could have been dual channel. I would have liked a faster CPU as well. But hey, it's a 1060. And on a $500 budget you don't have much room.
PS: The 1060 is available but 4-5 days back ordered. Is this kosher?
 

Jsimenhoff

Community Manager
Editor
Feb 28, 2016
1,814
190
11,990

As long as you're using list prices, the card does not have to be in stock :)

 

GraySilencer

Reputable
Jun 25, 2016
422
2
5,165
"Poor as heck but want Skylake and a GTX 1060 anyway"

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 ($54.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill NT Series 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($32.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Silicon Power Silm S55 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($32.99 @ Newegg)
Case: DIYPC MA08-BK MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($26.97 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 400W ATX Power Supply ($33.98 @ Newegg)
Other: EVGA GeForce GTX 1060 3GB GAMING 03G-P4-6160-KR Video Card ($199.99)
Base Total: $498.91
Shipping: $7.97
Total: $506.88
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-08-22 18:29 EDT-0400

We'll worry about storage later! :p
 

legolass

Commendable
Jul 29, 2016
5
0
1,510
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($125.98 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Gelid Solutions CC-Siberian-01 51.9 CFM CPU Cooler ($9.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H110M-A Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($47.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Aegis 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($30.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 960 2GB Video Card ($169.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1100 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($28.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($45.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $509.88
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-07-29 19:30 EDT-0400

Shipping brings it over $500, but base price is under :]
 
Red Matter
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($105.98 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock 970M PRO3 Micro ATX AM3+/AM3 Motherboard ($66.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($31.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus Radeon R9 380 4GB Video Card ($174.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($27.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($45.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $495.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-07-29 20:36 EDT-0400
Base Total: $493.93
 

IceMyth

Honorable
Dec 15, 2015
571
3
11,165
"Wonderer"

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($105.98 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI 970 GAMING ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($77.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury Black 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($35.48 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R7 370 2GB WINDFORCE 2X Video Card ($133.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair SPEC-01 RED ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($45.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $499.37
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-08-02 18:54 EDT-0400
 
Homeless Overclocker

Edited since RX 460 is now available!!!

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($125.98 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z170M Pro4S Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($77.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($45.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ TRION 150 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Case: DIYPC P48-BK ATX Mid Tower Case ($31.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Rosewill 450W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Other: PowerColor RED DRAGON Radeon RX 460 ($114.99)
$493.93
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-08-17 00:44 EDT-0400

Four fast, overclockable Skylake logical cores, Radeon graphics, SKY OC motherboard, overclocking RAM, fast storage, 40C rated PSU, and a good looking gaming case is exactly what you need for an ultra low budget gaming machine.
 

aquanaut101

Commendable
Jul 22, 2016
7
0
1,510
Underdog
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD Athlon X4 845 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A88M PRO3+ Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($56.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($62.88 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Silicon Power Silm S55 480GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Case: DIYPC MA08-BK MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($24.97 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Logisys 480W ATX Power Supply ($11.99 @ Directron)
Other: PowerColor RED DEVIL Radeon RX 470 DirectX 12 AXRX 470 4GBD5-3DH/OC 4GB 256-Bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 CrossFireX Support ATX Video Card ($179.99)
Total: $496.80
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-08-04 12:26 EDT-0400

 

aquanaut101

Commendable
Jul 22, 2016
7
0
1,510
Budget Performance I3/RX470
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H110M-A Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($34.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ TRION 150 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($65.99 @ Newegg)
Case: DIYPC MA08-BK MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($24.97 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Logisys 480W ATX Power Supply ($20.98 @ Newegg)
Other: PowerColor RED DEVIL Radeon RX 470 DirectX 12 AXRX 470 4GBD5-3DH/OC 4GB 256-Bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 CrossFireX Support ATX Video Card ($179.99)
Total: $501.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-08-04 13:00 EDT-0400
$496.91 without shipping
 

IllogicalGlory

Honorable
Mar 7, 2013
20
0
10,510
Now and Then

explanation: Ready for gaming today, good 'bones', including Z170, fast RAM and PSU/Case from a reputable brand, for a possible GPU upgrade down the line.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($117.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z170M Pro4S Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($77.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Team Vulcan 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: PNY CS1111 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 950 2GB Video Card ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill FBM-01 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 430W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply ($35.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $491.91
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-08-11 00:36 EDT-0400

Price includes no rebates, prices only from Amazon and Newegg. Shipping is $8.98, so this build is actually $482.93.

Base Total: $482.93
 

g-unit1111

Titan
Moderator
"Flying Coach":

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($126.38 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H110M-A Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($55.38 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury Black 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 950 2GB Video Card ($123.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 520W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($65.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $491.69
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-08-11 13:41 EDT-0400
 
Status
Not open for further replies.