Best PC Build: VR Ready Build $750

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jpishgar

Splendid
Overlord Emeritus
It's that time again! Time to update the Best PC Builds! Once again, we are opening the field to user recommendations to get the best consensus for the absolute best of the best in each category. As last time, we're limiting the builds to price points, but this time we're also including two new forms - VR builds and Steam machine builds.

Your challenge is to create builds in any of the following eight brackets:


  1. Best Steam Machine Build Under $1,000http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-3026248/build-steam-machine-000.html
    Best VR Ready Build $750
    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 Steam Machine must be around the size of current-gen consoles and have Wi-Fi.
    ■ VR builds must meet minspec for both Oculus Rift and HTC Vive.

Once all of the builds have enough submissions, we’ll close the threads and our Community team will filter the submissions for adherence to the ground rules. Next, our Editorial team will filter the builds for compatibility issues (e.g. PSU won’t fit together with graphics card in case). The remaining rigs will be put up for public vote in the forums, and the top builds in each thread will go on to become our Best PC Builds!

Please be sure to format your list of components as follows:

Build Name
Good luck, and may the best builds win!
 
Best VR Ready Build under $750

RedTeamVR


Processor: Fx8370 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113398

Motherboard: Asus M5A78L-M/USB3 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0054U7HIO/?tag=pcpapi-20

Memory: Crucial 8GB DDR3 1600 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148703

Graphics Card: R9 390 Gigabyte http://www.amazon.com/dp/B013LINMIE/?tag=pcpapi-20

Storage: Seagate barracuda 1TB http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005T3GRNW/?tag=pcpapi-20

Case: FD-CA-CORE-1000-USB3-BL http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352032

Power Supply: EVGA 500w 80+ bronce http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438012

Cooling: Stock AMD Wraith cooler
 
Best VR Ready Build - $750

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/vKRyD3
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/vKRyD3/by_merchant/

The 8th Gate
Total (without shipping): $737.94
 
The Merchant

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($194.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H110M-A Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($53.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill NT Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($32.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($43.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 390 8GB SOC Video Card ($319.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1100 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($39.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $745.93
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-20 23:57 EDT-0400
 
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

"All in on GPU"
CPU: AMD Athlon X4 880K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($94.99 @Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI A68HM-E33 V2 Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin ECO2 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($28.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 250GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($29.95 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 Fury 4GB Video Card ($469.99 @ Amazon)
Case: DIYPC Zondda-B ATX Mid Tower Case ($36.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Base Total: $745.89
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-09 02:39 EDT-0400

This build uses the absolute worst specs in everything else in order to cram an R9 Fury in. But hey, AMD does say the Athlon x4 880K is VR capable.
 
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Best VR Build Under 750
"STFU :)"
CPU: Intel Core i5-3450S 2.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ECS H61H2-MV Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($38.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin ECO2 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($28.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Silicon Power Slim S55 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($54.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: VisionTek Radeon R9 390X 8GB Video Card ($394.15 @ Amazon)
Case: DIYPC Solo-T1-BK ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.89 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($34.99 @ Newegg)

Base Total: $749.99

This build is right on the money for VR. I took the strongest possible GPU I could fit in the budget, an R9 390X 8GB. It outperforms the 970 and is nearly identical to the more expensive R9 Fury in higher resolutions like 1440p, making it the winner for VR. It's paired with an older generation i5 processor to stay within budget, still providing plenty of horsepower to match this GPU. I opted for a 240GB SSD over a mechanical drive, because let's be honest, the less time we spend staring at load screens in VR, the better.
 
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Name: Budget VR.
(hey, it costs LESS than a HTC VIBE!)

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($139.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI 970 GAMING ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($92.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: GeIL EVO Veloce Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($53.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($47.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 390 8GB Double Dissipation Video Card ($314.99 @ Newegg)
Case: DIYPC Zondda-B ATX Mid Tower Case ($36.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($39.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Deepcool GAMMAXX 300 55.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $745.92
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-09 10:49 EDT-0400
 
Heretic VR ready build <$750

CPU:
I3-6100 @3.7 $124.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=2MN-0004-00002
Reasoning...
the recommended i5-4590 has a total passmark rating of 7212 and a single thread rating of 2122.
Is the performance dependent on single thread performance? If so, I have that covered with a i3-6100 at 5100/2102.
Then, there is the possibility of more with some level of BCLK overclocking.

Cooling:
Stock cooler $0

Motherboard:
Asrock Z170M Pro-s $99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157637
Reasoning:
The extra cost of a Z170 motherboard is for two reasons:
1. It may allow sky OC bclk overclocking.
2. An entry gaming build should allow for a upgrade, in this case possibly to an overclockabla "K" processor or even kaby lake.

Ram :
2 x 4gb DDR4 G.skil riphaws V 2400 $29.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231886

Graphics card:
EVGA GTX970SC $309.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487136

PSU : Seasonic S12II 520w $53.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151094
A tier 2 quality psu.

Case: Silverstone PS08B $34.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163223

Storage:
Samsung 850 evo 240gb $87.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA0AJ40R6537
I will never build without a SSD for windows.

Total $741.93


 
VR-Superb (AMD)

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6400 2.7GHz Quad-Core Processor ($184.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H110M-A Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($61.38 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($47.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 390 8GB Double Dissipation Video Card ($314.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($46.16 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($61.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $747.48
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-11 06:54 EDT-0400
 
Best VR Ready Build under $750

VR Entry Level

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($228.50 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B150M-DS3H Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($66.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: VisionTek Radeon R9 290 4GB Video Card ($292.62 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: LEPA N 500W ATX Power Supply ($41.25 @ Amazon)
Total: $713.33
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-09 13:35 EDT-0400
 
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($204.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI H110M Gaming Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($37.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 250GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($25.90 @ Amazon)
Video Card: VisionTek Radeon R9 290 4GB Video Card ($292.62 @ Amazon)
Case: Raidmax ATX-404WU ATX Mid Tower Case ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: FSP Group 750W 80+ Silver Certified ATX Power Supply ($71.30 @ Newegg)
Total: $722.78
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-09 14:27 EDT-0400

Total Discount : $25.00
Total Price without Discount: $722.78
 
I'm seeing a trend here

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($194.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H110M-ITX/ac Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($67.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($33.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 750GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($46.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB ACX 2.0+ Video Card ($303.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case ($42.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 520W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($58.99 @ B&H)
Total: $748.93
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-20 19:40 EDT-0400

 
Best VR Ready Build $750

I wanted to build something with a nice GTX 970 with a backplate and 16GB of RAM but still wanted a high clocked quad core. So here's something a little different. Stock Cooler is used for this build so it costs $0.

Name: Red and Green For The Win
CPU: AMD FX-4350 ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI 970A-G43 Plus ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($65.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM HDD ($47.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB FTW+ ACX 2.0+ w/ Backplate ($359.99 @ Newegg)
Case: DIYPC Solo-T1-R ATX Mid Tower ($28.89 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: FSP Group 600W 80+ Gold Certified ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $742.83
Prices do not include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
 
Blue Tornado
-Cause it is just as loud-
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($159.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 PLUS ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($77.22 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($26.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: A-Data Premier SP550 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($38.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 390 8GB Video Card ($319.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Azza Toledo 301 ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.00 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $746.15
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-09 15:33 EDT-0400
 
All 980

CPU: Skylake Intel Core i3-6100 3M 3.7 GHz ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H110M-DGS LGA 1151 ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.SKILL Ripjaws V Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 288-Pin DDR4 ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Graphics Card: GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980 4GB ($469.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital AV-GP WD2500AVVS 250GB ($18.99 @ Newegg)
Case: TOPOWER TP-2001BB MID TOWER ATX ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: LOGISYS Computer PS575XBK 575W ($23.99 @ Newegg)
Cooler: Intel CPU Cooler for LGA1150/1155/1156 OEM ($9.54 @ Amazon)
Base Total: $747.47
 
I don't know if this is keeping with the spirit, but I thought I'd try to find a VR ready build for minimum $.

M$VR

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($125.98 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock B150M-HDS Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($60.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($47.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 390 8GB Double Dissipation Video Card ($314.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Azza Toledo 301 ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.00 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($34.99 @ Newegg)

Total: $642.93
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-10 00:30 EDT-0400
 
"Black n Red"

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($181.83 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B85M-D3H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($77.29 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($304.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake VL80001W2Z ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.62 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($56.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $744.69
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-10 15:04 EDT-0400
 
Afterburner
oFHRC7W.jpg

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($194.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H110M-ITX/ac Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($67.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($45.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 390 8GB PCS+ Video Card ($308.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Raidmax Vortex ATX Mid Tower Case ($38.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $746.83
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-13 14:50 EDT-0400
 
Best VR Ready Build $750:

The Standard

CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($201.98 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H81M-H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($39.98 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($46.95 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB SSC ACX 2.0+ Video Card ($319.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Apex TM-524 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($47.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($39.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: ARCTIC Freezer i11 74.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($21.79 @ Amazon)
Total: $743.67
 
Edit : Previously I made a mini ITX build. Unfortunately the cheapest 390 is out of stock as I am writing this post. I have to sacrifice mini ITX form factor to lower the cost. Thus I can afford to place another 390 into the build. I have to keep the build under $750, if there is any price spike, I hope this build doesn't exceed that number.

Skylake Radeon 390 VR Build

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($204.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H110M-A Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($55.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($46.95 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 390 8GB SOC Video Card ($324.87 @ Amazon)
Case: Xion XON-310_BK MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($27.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply ($39.15 @ Amazon)

Total: $725

without shipping/rebates/discount/taxes
As of April 13th, those hardware are in stock without any sign of limited availability (checked one by one)

The build above use the most recent hardware including intel skylake, DDR4 memory, and Radeon 390 8GB.

xion.jpg


Cheers :)

AMD Radeon
 
Virtually Possible

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 ($61.38 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 390X 8GB Tri-X OC Video Card ($389.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Silverstone PS08B (Black) MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $729.93


Yup, since the i5 4590 is a recommendation rather than fixed min, the extra money you can spend getting the 390X might be worth it
 
Budget Beast
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($204.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock B150 PRO4/D3 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($74.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin ECO2 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($28.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital WD Green 750GB 2.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($35.47 @ Amazon)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 390 8GB Double Dissipation Video Card ($294.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Raidmax ATX-404WU ATX Mid Tower Case ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 520W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($55.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $715.39
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-11 09:32 EDT-0400
$746.41 without rebates or S&H.
 
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