Best PC Build: Under $500

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Little 500

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: [http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LV8U0VE/]Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor[/url] ($118.50 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: [http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MI8D2O8/?tag=pcpapi-20]ASRock B85M-DGS Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard[/url] ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: [http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00569K7LM/?tag=pcpapi-20]Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory[/url] ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: [http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005T3GRNW/?tag=pcpapi-20]Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive[/url] ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: [http://www.amazon.com/dp/B013WQCC8Q/?tag=pcpapi-20]EVGA GeForce GTX 950 2GB Superclocked Video Card[/url] ($159.99 @ Amazon)
Case: [http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NPIL6GQ/?tag=pcpapi-20]Fractal Design Core 1100 MicroATX Mini Tower Case[/url] ($46.40 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: [http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004IZN3K2/?tag=pcpapi-20]Antec 450W ATX Power Supply[/url] ($34.71 @ Amazon)
Total: $499.57
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-01 10:58 EST-0500
 
$500 Bang for Bucks

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($99.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper TX3 54.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($18.75 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock 970M PRO3 Micro ATX AM3+/AM3 Motherboard ($71.98 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 750GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 950 2GB Video Card ($139.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Xion XON-560 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($54.29 @ Amazon)
Total: $499.97
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-01 11:23 EST-0500

Strange that normally we don't advice it,but for these builds AMD somehow becomes a solution.😛

Links to Amazon,

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009O7YORK/?tag=pcpapi-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0028Y4S9K/?tag=pcpapi-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TOBQQTK/?tag=pcpapi-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00569K7LM/?tag=pcpapi-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003FG86FC/?tag=pcpapi-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0148UVZ5G/?tag=pcpapi-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B19L8LO/?tag=pcpapi-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004RJ8EKI/?tag=pcpapi-20

 
Entry level system, ''The Virtue''.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4170 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($118.00)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B85M-D3H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($60.53)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($41.49 @ Amazon)
Storage: Hitachi Deskstar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($43.50 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 950 2GB Video Card ($139.99 @ Amazon)
Case: NZXT Source 220 ATX Mid Tower Case ($46.98)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 350W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($44.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $495.48
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-01 13:58 EST-0500

CPU link: http://www.amazon.com/Intel-Core-i3-4170-Dual-core-Processor/dp/B00VDWJZ7I
Motherboard link: http://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-Intel-6Gbps-Motherboards-GA-B85M-D3H/dp/B00D1A5OR0/
Case link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0066130AO/?tag=pcpapi-20
 


I fixed it. The Amazon only rule sucks and I think I've made that loud and clear, and I was going to do something to protest it, but the quality of the builds being posted here is doing that for me. :lol:
 
Just a few notes. SFAIK, if the build is over budget by one cent, it's not compliant. If the build is based on hardware prices dependent on a sale, coupon or mail in rebate, it's not compliant. If the build contains incompatible hardware, it's not compliant. While I certainly agree that the Amazon limitation is a serious consideration, it's been questioned and confirmed, so we must comply with it if we wish to participate. That's not going to change so it is what it is.

Not picking on you G, I've received several PM's about this so I just wanted to make it clear to those who may want to continue pestering this issue.
 
BUDGET FM2+ OVERCLOCKER

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD A10-7870K 3.9GHz Quad-Core Processor ($139.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG H7 49.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($34.50 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A88M EXTREME4+ Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($88.49 @ Amazon)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Crucial BX100 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair Carbide Series 88R MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($54.29 @ Amazon)
Total: $497.24
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-01 18:00 EST-0500
 
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/77qyMp
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/77qyMp/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD Athlon X4 860K 3.7GHz Quad-Core Processor ($87.95 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A68HM-DS2H Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($33.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 380 4GB PCS+ Video Card ($199.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Xion XON-310_BK MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($22.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $484.89

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-01 18:01 EST-0500

Changed some of the prices manually to get rid of shipping and promo prices.
 


I deleted my post, and I'll come up with a better one that is more compliant with the rules.
 
:hot: The Striker :hot:

Skylake i3 and a GTX 950 for maximum performance!

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($123.44 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus B150M-A D3 Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($36.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 750GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 950 2GB OC Edition Video Card ($155.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Xion XON-310_BK MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($22.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($44.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $499.38
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-05 15:34 EST-0500
 
Lil' Fortune 500 Gaming PC

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($118.39 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus H81M-K Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($49.50 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($33.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 950 2GB Video Card ($164.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Silverstone PS08B (Black) MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Silverstone Element 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($40.11 @ Amazon)
Total: $496.96
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-02 09:44 EST-0500

Cheap under $500 1080p gaming thing...

*UPDATE* Amazon links

Cpu:http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EUUKVXM/?tag=pcpapi-20
Mobo: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GUD1ER4/?tag=pcpapi-20
Ram: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AZGZFGS/?tag=pcpapi-20
Hdd: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005T3GRNW/?tag=pcpapi-20
Gpu: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B013XFK062/?tag=pcpapi-20
Case: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A1ZU1I0/?tag=pcpapi-20
Psu: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0025VKQAG/?tag=pcpapi-20

Idk about this but amazon prices changes a lot, so I guess they'll look at the initial pcpartpicker price
 
So what if the price of a certain component increases after you've created the build? One of the components I've chosen has risen in price already and is now over 500 dollars. Does it no longer qualify?
 


I tentatively asked about this as well, and so far have received no answers. My assumption would be that if it is not under budget at the time judging begins, then it is not compliant, but that is just an assumption and has not been verified by admin.
 
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($123.44 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H110M-A Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($56.00 @ Amazon)
Memory: Kingston FURY 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($51.74 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Hybrid Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Xion XON-310_BK MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($22.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Rosewill 450W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($44.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $499.14
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-02 17:24 EST-0500

Amazon Links
cpu: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B015VPX2EO/?tag=pcpapi-20
m/b: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0165YUDTM/?tag=pcpapi-20
ram: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B013F972X0/?tag=pcpapi-20
sshd: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EIQTOFY/?tag=pcpapi-20
gpu: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IB9P1KG/?tag=pcpapi-20
case: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SAYCFF6/?tag=pcpapi-20
psu: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KJMD038/?tag=pcpapi-20

My attempt at this $500 best pc build. In this build, there is the latest Core i3 based on the Intel Skylake architecture. A single piece of 8GB DDR4, with a free open slot so users can add more ram later on. GTX 750Ti with 2GB vram, hybrid HDD, so you get the capacity of a HDD with the performance like a SSD, 450w power supply, and decent looking case with front panel USB 3.
 
Kindling

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4170 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($112.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock B85M-DGS Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Patriot Signature 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($33.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 950 2GB Video Card ($153.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: OCZ ARC 100 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 750GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Case: VIVO CASE-V02 ATX Mid Tower Case ($28.99)
Power Supply: Antec 450W ATX Power Supply ($33.98)
Total: $497.92

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-08 13:54 EST-0500

Given the choice between fitting in a Skylake i3 instead of a Haswell i3 at the sacrifice of an SSD, I'll take the Haswell i3 with an SSD any time. Skylake doesn't offer much more than Haswell, certainly not enough to offset the more expensive motherboard and memory.

EDIT: I managed to fit in a better i3-4170 instead of my previous i3-4130. A little under 10% of a boost in CPU frequency isn't bad, especially for $2 less than before. This also negates almost all of Skylake's performance advantage whilst still being cheaper.
 
Then you're screwballed. I've tried addressing this issue, as it seems to be predominant, but it doesn't seem as though the rule is going to budge so we just have to deal with it as is or defer from participating I suppose. I've had to reconfigure my builds several times so far. I've given up and will just finalize it on the last day so at least you'll have the best chance of everything staying put long enough to pass inspection.

This is EXACTLY the reason why we tell people in normal build thread requests not to bother configuring a build until you are ready to pull the trigger because any build you put together today isn't going to be even minimally representative of what it looks like two or three months down the road. However, this changing several times a day is enough to drive you nuts, or sane, depending on which you were to start with.
 


Then, choosing only amazon.com was big mistake. Prices of demanded items can go up w/o reason or items can be out of stock too quickly.

One day, they had $49.99 (sale) / $59.99 (list) price for a motherboard. The next day, they had $59.99 (sale) / $69.99 (list) price.

Two days after, the item is out of stock.
 
I've had to reconfigure my builds several times so far. I've given up and will just finalize it on the last day so at least you'll have the best chance of everything staying put long enough to pass inspection.
Click to expand...

How do we know when the last day for submissions is? I haven't seen any definitive date given, only that the threads will close when there are enough submissions.
 




Since there is no specific time and time zone, I would suggest to finish your build by the end of November 14, EST time.
 


I haven't heard of this going on in former threads like this.but am not from the "incrowd" so can't say for sure.
If a price is under budget at the moment the build was created should it be validated,otherwise is there no point in threads like this,well at least not like this.
If they would judge like that should they give a time span in which you could make a build,like X day from Y hour to Z hour and say 3 .. 2 .. 1 ... GO! and even,as stated,that gives issues since people from around the globe join this forum.
 
"The 860K Special":

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD Athlon X4 860K 3.7GHz Quad-Core Processor ($96.45 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A68HM-DS2H Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury Black 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($46.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.34 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 950 2GB Superclocked Video Card ($159.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA 500B 500W Bronze ($46.96 @ Amazon)
Total: $499.71
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-04 16:11 EST-0500
 
"The G3258 Is Better Than The 860K"

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI H81M-P33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($51.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury Black 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($46.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.34 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 950 2GB Superclocked+ ACX 2.0 Video Card ($169.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Seasonic S12 II 430W 80+ Bronze ($54.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $493.28
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-04 16:22 EST-0500
 
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