Best PC Build under $300 2017 for Parents- CHALLENGE!!!

[Steven_66]

i need to build a PC for my parents (with wireless network card to connect to house wifi)....budget under $300....and they only have monitors to start with...but no PC hardware. They would prefer a smaller footprint for the case (micro ATX?)

don't include the cost of windows OS...i just won't "activate" windows...which means the OS is free (this leaves a small watermark on the lower right corner of the desktop...but i can live with that)

Need:
=====
Case
PowerSupply
Motherboard
Proc
RAM (need 8GB)
HDD (need 500 GB)
Graphics

Would like to be able to push display onto 2 monitors. They like to watch Netflix on the computer, but they don't play games.

Could you please provide links to amazon/whatever store where i can buy the parts also?

thanks guys!!!

 

[USAFRet]

Prebuilt at Walmart/BestBuy/Amazon.
This includes the OS, which you would otherwise have to supply.

 

[ARICH5]

actually its a 200$ build because the OS is almost 100$

 

[WildCard999]

Your better off with a pre-built however this is what I'd recommend if you were to built it although it wouldn't have a licensed version of Windows 10, you'd have to skip the part were it ask you for a Key during installation but I'm not sure what limitations that version has. I've been using it on a second build and it still has security updates and whatnot.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Pentium G4560 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($78.89 @ B&H)
Motherboard: MSI - B250M PRO-VD Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($59.89 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill - Aegis 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Toshiba - P300 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($43.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Deepcool - TESSERACT BF ATX Mid Tower Case ($25.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA - B3 450W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($31.98 @ Newegg)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link - TL-WN881ND PCI-Express x1 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi Adapter ($17.79 @ Amazon)
Total: $293.51
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-08-30 19:57 EDT-0400

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

 

[Karadjgne]

Ebay.

 

[superninja12]

walmart...

 

[kraelic]

http://deals.dell.com/productdetail/iwy

$329 labor day sale, windows 10, 8gb ram, 1tb drive, wireless built in, warranty. HD405 IGP can do two displays, one VGA and one HDMI, 4 core pentium cpu 2.6 GHz

 

[USAFRet]

http://deals.dell.com/productdetail/iwy

$329 labor day sale, windows 10, 8gb ram, 1tb drive, wireless built in, warranty. HD405 IGP can do two displays, one VGA and one HDMI, 4 core pentium cpu 2.6 GHz

^^^^^^^ That one.
Checks all the boxes.

 

[Steven_66]

Prebuilt at Walmart/BestBuy/Amazon.
This includes the OS, which you would otherwise have to supply.

windows 7/10 is now free (if you don't activate, then there is just a small watermark on the lower right corner of the screen...which i can live with)

 

[USAFRet]

Prebuilt at Walmart/BestBuy/Amazon.
This includes the OS, which you would otherwise have to supply.

windows 7/10 is now free (if you don't activate, then there is just a small watermark on the lower right corner of the screen...which i can live with)

No, Win 10 is not 'free'
Win 7 never was or is free.

Win 10 unactivated gives you the watermark, which appears on top of EVERYTHING. Incl. mom's Netflix movie.
No personalization of the desktop or taskbar.

Who is this system for...you or them?

 

[ohiou_grad_2006]

Yes these dudes that are going around with the watermark.. They are lucky Microsoft hasn't locked their system yet. Those folks will be in for a shock if Microsoft sends an update out that disables their system which would be fair since they are effectively stealing their copy of Windows.

Look around Newegg. They have plenty of refurbished systems probably with an i5 and an actual license that would be under the price needed.

 

[Steven_66]

Yes these dudes that are going around with the watermark.. They are lucky Microsoft hasn't locked their system yet. Those folks will be in for a shock if Microsoft sends an update out that disables their system which would be fair since they are effectively stealing their copy of Windows.

Look around Newegg. They have plenty of refurbished systems probably with an i5 and an actual license that would be under the price needed.

Microsoft has had this as their "unofficial policy" for over 7 years (that's when i first became aware of it)...they don't care...they want people to use windows (even if for free)...because they know that you will probably buy MS Office (which is not free)...and that's how they get the $$$. This is the new "freemium" model...and it still makes them money.

 

[Steven_66]

if i can get a pre-built from Dell for $330...then i would think that i can build something similar (excluding cost of windows) for around $250??

 

[USAFRet]

Yes these dudes that are going around with the watermark.. They are lucky Microsoft hasn't locked their system yet. Those folks will be in for a shock if Microsoft sends an update out that disables their system which would be fair since they are effectively stealing their copy of Windows.

Look around Newegg. They have plenty of refurbished systems probably with an i5 and an actual license that would be under the price needed.

Microsoft has had this as their "unofficial policy" for over 7 years (that's when i first became aware of it)...they don't care...they want people to use windows (even if for free)...because they know that you will probably buy MS Office (which is not free)...and that's how they get the $$$. This is the new "freemium" model...and it still makes them money.

Win 7/8/8.1 would absolutely start to screw you after 30 days unactivated.
This is not an 'unofficial policy'.

Win 10, yes, they changed. It now has the (very minimal) restrictions from day 1.
Watermark, etc.
There is absolutely zero guarantee that will not change in the future.

In light of the customer for this PC, the budget, and the specific options you've been given...why would you try to blow off basically a free, activated, OS, in a system that check all your boxes, from a known name (Dell).

But...it's you and your parents. Your call.

 

[USAFRet]

if i can get a pre-built from Dell for $330...then i would think that i can build something similar (excluding cost of windows) for around $250??

No.
Because the 'cost' of the OS to Dell is NOT $100.
I'd be surprised if it was more than $15.

 

[Karadjgne]

No. You cannot build a pc with anything resembling newer gen parts for less than what Dell or another 3rd party OEM can. You as a consumer will buy retail parts at retail prices, and everyone from the shipping company to employees to the power company had their hands in the cookie jar. As an OEM, Dell buys in bulk, getting huge discounts, with Intel especially. So a psu costs Dell $5, a mobo you'd pay $50,costs Dell $4, a cpu you'd pay $200 costs Dell $20. Windows licensing, you pay $100, Dell pays $15. That's the price war you are fighting and unless you are trying to build a pc from 10yr old or older parts from ebay, you can't possibly match their manufacturing costs. That whole $330 pc cost Dell less than $100, it'd cost you closer to $500. That's the reality.

My i7-3770K /gtx970 cost $600 (almost) built from ebay parts 4 years ago. At $330, that Dell is an absolute steal.

 

[KirbysHammer]

No. You cannot build a pc with anything resembling newer gen parts for less than what Dell or another 3rd party OEM can. You as a consumer will buy retail parts at retail prices, and everyone from the shipping company to employees to the power company had their hands in the cookie jar. As an OEM, Dell buys in bulk, getting huge discounts, with Intel especially. So a psu costs Dell $5, a mobo you'd pay $50,costs Dell $4, a cpu you'd pay $200 costs Dell $20. Windows licensing, you pay $100, Dell pays $15. That's the price war you are fighting and unless you are trying to build a pc from 10yr old or older parts from ebay, you can't possibly match their manufacturing costs. That whole $330 pc cost Dell less than $100, it'd cost you closer to $500. That's the reality.

My i7-3770K /gtx970 cost $600 (almost) built from ebay parts 4 years ago. At $330, that Dell is an absolute steal.

This is definitely an exaggeration but the point is vaild.

At the sub $400 price point building is a waste of time AND money.

Although I wouldn't be surprised if the OS actually cost dell $15.

At any budget under $600 you can usually do better by taking a used prebuilt with a decent CPU and throwing in a 1050ti or 1050, or even a 1060.

 

[Steven_66]

After all these comments about buying a pre-built...i started looking at refurbished systems on Amazon (i assume the stock is mostly from companies that replaced their PCs...and this is an outlet for Dell to resell the used equipment). Looks like i can get a "refurbished" Optiplex 780 for $130 with 8GB of RAM...and that might do the trick for my parents.

http://amzn.to/2iLJ6Yr


Also, now my 14yr old nephew wants a computer to play games. Can i buy this same unit and then stick in a $150 graphics card?
http://amzn.to/2gteaf0

Will these refurbished PC's have enough power to surf the web, play netflix / youtube videos / play modern games (with that added graphics card)?

 

[ohiou_grad_2006]

For the nephew, get something like this one.

https://www.amazon.com/Dell-Optiplex-390-MiniTower-Refurbished/dp/B01LX0SEXD/ref=sr_1_49?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1504199610&sr=1-49&refinements=p_4%3ADell%2Cp_n_condition-type%3A16907720011%2Cp_n_feature_four_browse-bin%3A2289794011%7C2289793011

Then pick up a gtx 1050ti like you showed. I don't think that one will fit that mini tower. Even then, that wouldn't be a good idea.

You may need to budget for a small power supply upgrade. If you want to save, consider the gtx 1050 non ti edition as well. If the i5 is too much, you can also get some i3 systems a little cheaper as well.

 

[okcnaline]

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856102183
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/d/Windows-10-Home/D76QX4BZNWK4/1NT3
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Memory: Crucial - 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($29.12 @ Amazon)
Storage: Crucial - BX300 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $89.11
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-08-31 13:33 EDT-0400

Total's $337.

 

[ohiou_grad_2006]

Would be faster. Here's a better deal.

Refurb HP business class PC-129.99+19.99 shipping
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIADZE62P3333

Refurb Micron 256gb SSD-69.99
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820363088

220 bucks and you have the ssd.

Even add on a refurb 19 inch monitor for 35

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA2PF66B8365

So 250 for a pc and monitor?? Not going to do much better.

Can't make guarantees, but for the nephew, grab that system and this.

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814137081

 

[USAFRet]

After all these comments about buying a pre-built...i started looking at refurbished systems on Amazon (i assume the stock is mostly from companies that replaced their PCs...and this is an outlet for Dell to resell the used equipment). Looks like i can get a "refurbished" Optiplex 780 for $130 with 8GB of RAM...and that might do the trick for my parents.

http://amzn.to/2iLJ6Yr


Also, now my 14yr old nephew wants a computer to play games. Can i buy this same unit and then stick in a $150 graphics card?
http://amzn.to/2gteaf0

Will these refurbished PC's have enough power to surf the web, play netflix / youtube videos / play modern games (with that added graphics card)?

For a 14 year old...if you are geographically close, build it.
Rather....teach him how to build it.

As with the above cheap prebuilt or refurb recommendation...those might be slightly 'better'.
But if he's never built one, now is the time. I did this with my grandson a couple of years ago...he was 11 at the time.
Glorious experience. He did 90% of the work.

Of course, if he shows no interest in building one....have at it with a refurb.

 

[ohiou_grad_2006]

Building is definitely fun. Depends on the budget. If he's trying to stick to 300 for the nephew and have a copy of windows...not easily doable imo.