Help building a mid end PC for $500

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7cardcha

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Feb 3, 2012
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I've never built a PC before but it seems reasonably easy. My sister wants one and building it seems to be the way to get the most bang for the buck. Price includes screen. Don't need an OS.

The needs are basic, just be able to have a bunch of programs open at once(a bunch of chrome tabs mainly) and be able to play Minecraft well. I was thinking an APU would meet this best, but maybe a CPU and separate GPU would be better. I'm not sure. I was thinking the AMD A8-5600K since it is only $100, scores decently on benchmarks, and seems to be able to play Minecraft fairly well.

I have no idea how important RAM being name brand is. Just threw in the cheapest 8GB@1600MHz I could find.

Same thing with HDD/Mobo/PSU/Cooling/Case Honestly I have no idea how important being name brand, etc is.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3GcRu
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3GcRu/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3GcRu/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD A8-5600K 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor ($98.50 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Arctic Cooling UCACO-AP60301-BUA01 Fluid Dynamic Bearing CPU Cooler ($17.99 @ Mwave)
Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ TigerDirect)
Storage: Hitachi Deskstar 7K2000 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($83.12 @ Amazon)
Case: Aerocool Strike-X One ATX Mid Tower Case ($61.21 @ TigerDirect)
Power Supply: Antec Basiq 500W ATX Power Supply ($52.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $383.80
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-08 12:08 EDT-0400)


I'm sure this could be improved since I have no idea how to discriminate on half the components. Thank you!
 
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i would go for different build

pentium haswell dual core + 8GB ram
check this out, max setting http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeRKD1gnaDM

because it is for your sister, i would surprise her with mini size build
mini ITX case

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Pentium G3220 3.0GHz Dual-Core Processor ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H81M-ITX Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ TigerDirect)
Storage: Hitachi Deskstar 7K2000 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($83.12 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case ($34.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($47.99 @ NCIX US)
Monitor: Asus VX238H 23.0" Monitor ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $476.06
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-08 12:25 EDT-0400)
 
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I like the price & monitor but it seems like the Intel is about a fourth worse(plus worse graphics) though for a good price reduction. And she would rather have that performance then a nicer monitor, so I might spring for a ~$90 one(something like this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009417). She says she doesn't care about case profile, it's thoughtful though 😀


Thank you.

 
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I would still try to get a dedicated GPU. You also don't need a very large power supply at all running an APU system.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Pentium G3220 3.0GHz Dual-Core Processor ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI H81M-E33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($44.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ TigerDirect)
Storage: Hitachi Deskstar 7K2000 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($83.12 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus Radeon R7 240 2GB Video Card ($64.99 @ Micro Center)
Case: Cougar Spike MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($34.99 @ TigerDirect)
Power Supply: Antec 450W ATX Power Supply ($32.48 @ Newegg)
Monitor: BenQ GW2255 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($109.00 @ Amazon)
Total: $499.55
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-08 12:53 EDT-0400)
 
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It looks good to me. What about a Radeon 6750, same price on eBay and has better benchmarks. http://www.ebay.com/itm/XFX-Radeon-HD-6750-1GB-Lifetime-Warranty-HD-675X-ZAF4-NEW-/261468999137?pt=PCC_Video_TV_Cards&hash=item3ce0c44de1


PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3Gfoo
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3Gfoo/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3Gfoo/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Pentium G3220 3.0GHz Dual-Core Processor ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI H81M-E33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($44.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: (Buy 6750 on Ebay)
Case: Cougar Spike MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($34.99 @ TigerDirect)
Power Supply: Antec 450W ATX Power Supply ($32.48 @ Newegg)
Monitor: BenQ GW2255 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($109.00 @ Amazon)
Total: $456.42
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-08 13:30 EDT-0400)

I cut down the hard drive and I chose a cheaper ram. Is the RAM and HDD significantly worse? Look good or are there better components out there?
 
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Ram is Ram. Just pick the size and speed you want. You would rather have 2x4gb then 1x8gb thou. To make use of dual channel DDR3 on your board. (unless you plan to shortly upgrade to a second 8gb stick for 16 total GB)
 
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eBay is good! Very biased towards buyers anyways... Thanks.
 
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