Question Building a budget PC and need help.

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EnrohNyved

Apr 10, 2021
50
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So, I recently bought this case-- https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079X2P3TR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1--, and got it at a steal for $27. It has mixed reviews, so time will tell if the case is worth it or not, but I do want to work on finding just the basics for now, so I can get it up, and running.

According to this-- https://yourbusiness.azcentral.com/six-basic-components-computer-needs-function-23240.html--, there are six essentials for the Desktop to work. Motherboard, CPU, RAM, ROM, Secondary Sotrage, and Software/OS(I have this sixth option decided upon.

So, the item description says the tower can fit ATX, Mini-ATX, and I don't have the main site pulled up to show me the third one, but there was a third form factor on the list. I'm mainly focusing on ATX, because most of the motherboards look decently sized. So, I kinda wanna see if someone could help me budget a relatively low-cost VR build. I simply want to run Oculus Quest with Oculus Link-- compatibility here: https://support.oculus.com/444256562873335/.

So, I feel like the motherboard/CPU come first. What would you recommend?

Now, I'm not too big on PC/Desktop jargon, so do be patient with me if I misunderstand something, lol. And, if possible, could I probably save money and just import a couple of parts from my OptiPlex 7010, and save some bucks there?

Updates will come with each additional question, so going to try and make it a Q&A for people who find this in the future.

Question 1: https://duckduckgo.com/?q="ATX"+motherboard&t=brave&iar=shopping&iax=shopping&ia=shopping These are what I am looking at, currently. Are the ones in this search any good?
 
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Alright, so I snagged an MSI H310M Pro for $64.95. I saw some pretty good reviews for it, so that's what I'm settling for. I have neglected this, but I would likely have to buy bluetooth/wifi chips seperate.
 
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bobbyboi said:
The i5-10400F does not have integrated graphics, only the i5-10400. Plus, the integrated graphics on that CPU (Intel UHD 630) aren't that good and you'll most likely require a discrete gaming GPU if you want to see smooth performance. However, GPU prices are really high at the moment so I personally recommend you get something like a Ryzen 5 3400G (this requires a new mobo change to fit the AM4 chipset) which has Vega 11 integrated graphics. Vega 11 will be more than enough if you're looking to build a budget gaming PC. The good thing about getting this CPU is you'll be able to save some money on your power supply because the CPU is less demanding in the amount of power it needs.
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https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M68L6QU/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A1W06Q2U1UF0IH&psc=1 Got a motherboard, and got an MSI Wifi/Bluetooth combo module to match. Do I need thermal past with this, or is that plug all I need?
 
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Not going to say it sucks,it is decent i did use it for a while myself, but lacks hyper threading which the 10400(f) would have had, Other cpu's that will fit that motherboard can have it as well and wil imo have be better options although not as cheap, but there AMD comes in again with something like a Ryzen 3600 for instance.

Maybe you can get a 9900 for a decent price used. Or maybe even a i7 8700.

Can compare these to the 9400f like this,
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ce2mI2SgUBc
 
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Vic 40 said:
Not going to say it sucks,it is decent i did use it for a while myself, but lacks hyper threading which the 10400(f) would have had, Other cpu's that will fit that motherboard can have it as well and wil imo have be better options although not as cheap, but there AMD comes in again with something like a Ryzen 3600 for instance.

Maybe you can get a 9900 for a decent price used. Or maybe even a i7 8700.

Can compare these to the 9400f like this,
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ce2mI2SgUBc
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Ended up cancelling on that motherboard, because they decided to say on the day it was shipping, that it was on backorder. Not trusting B&H anymore, lol.
 
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I HIGHLY recommend that you reconsider your piecemeal part at a time budgeting plan. Save some money and do some research about what is on the CURRENT market (new), what works with it, and how long it will take for you to save that amount of money. If it is going to be a while, keep in touch with market conditions along the way. OR consider used/refurbished (office) models that you might could repurpose.

It is hardly ever a good idea to build a system a part at a time spanned over long periods. If you buy things new the return window will close before you can test for BOB (bad out of box). Used equipment can't be tested to make sure it doesn't need refund (assuming the use of eBay and such).
It seems apparent by your postings that you aren't well familiar with the modern chipsets, what works with what, and why or why not it's a good situation to consider buying used parts well past their prime in comparison to newer and cheaper parts.

Based on what I can gather from reading this post my opinion is that you should look into a parts list for a 10100-10400 level i3 or i5 and the appropriate parts to make that work inside your case. At this time don't even consider a GPU. Given market correction for demand ALL GPU and ALL Ryzen with the integrated graphics are priced beyond their value.
 
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madmatt30 said:
I'm not sure of the sensibility of your decisions here.

The i5 10400 is $150, matx h510 boards are $80-90.

You're then on a modern platform for about the same money.
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If you can find me good inks for these, I will consider cancelling the order of that motherboard; cause for right now, I got that board at $59, before I paid for expedited shipping.
 
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EnrohNyved said:
If you can find me good inks for these, I will consider cancelling the order of that motherboard; cause for right now, I got that board at $59, before I paid for expedited shipping.
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As per vics post i5 10400 is now $150 for a fact.

Cheap boards? None in stock at the minute anywhere.

Thats irrelevant though when you've already said you're buying week to week - they will come in stock at some point for sure.

Buying a 4 gen old board makes no sense at all to save $40 or so in the long run.

Save your money until you have enough for board and cpu then make an informed decision, you're not going to have a useable system anyway so buying a component at a time makes very very little sense in the current climate of low stock and inflated prices.
 
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Vic 40 said:
Even the i3 10100 would be a better choice since having hyper threading as well and you at least be on the newer platform/chipset. Only if you really wanted to save the $50,-

See now that the i5 10400 is now indeed $150,-
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/X8snTW/intel-core-i5-10400-29-ghz-6-core-processor-bx8070110400
really worth the extra $25,-
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Okay, i7-4770; 1TB Hitachi HDD; and MSI 1660TI. What power psu would I need?

And the delay was waiting for the HDD to come in, so I didn't respond for a little. But, for reference, I am NOT worried about upgrading, or being on a modern system; simply put, if it'll run, I'm fine. I'm not a PC buff, I could barely notice that the PC case had cables that needed to be attached. As I said before, minimum on everything is what I want, and I will pay in the dirt for it.
 
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