Is it possible to build a small form factor PC for under $400?

[ELE241]

I'm interested in building a small form factor PC rather than buying one. My roommate's got a pretty sick deal on a lenovo m91 and I just want to know if I could build one for under $400? I have no real part list and no spare parts at the moment.

 

[TechyInAZ]

Yes it's possible. What will you do with the rig?

 

[ELE241]

I'm looking to watch Youtube, do hw (Microsoft Word, Excel, powerpoint, skype, etc), & play steam at 1080p with HDMI

 

[TechyInAZ]

Yes it's more than possible.

Oh duu, i just realized...what games do you play?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G4500 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock B150M-ITX Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($80.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill NT Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($38.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($67.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Silverstone RVZ02B HTPC Case ($70.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Silverstone 300W 80+ Bronze Certified SFX Power Supply ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $398.92
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-01-30 18:53 EST-0500

 

[ELE241]

I used to be a hardcore Borderlands player, but I switched to pc gaming for school. I also play GW2, Age of Wonders 3 (It keeps crashing) and endless space

 

[TechyInAZ]

Ah ok. I forgot you said you were gaming, this is a better build:

If you can't find everything for exactly $400. Switch the CPU to a 7850K.


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD A10-7870K 3.9GHz Quad-Core Processor ($139.92 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A88X-ITX+ Mini ITX FM2+ Motherboard ($81.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($44.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($46.89 @ OutletPC)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case ($42.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 350W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($42.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $399.66
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-01-30 19:04 EST-0500

 

[ELE241]

OK, man. The 7850k is intel, right?

 

[TechyInAZ]

OK, man. The 7850k is intel, right?

Nope it's AMD. At your price range, nothing beats amd.

 

[ELE241]

So i went to pcpartpicker (been there for a while and tried to build a $1000 mid tower with only $400) and found this. Could I get your opinion on this? I also changed some things around on it as well and might just go with 500gb SSD from either Samsung 850 regular (not elite) or the Kingston.
https://pcpartpicker.com/user/masonmat/saved/#view=NFtzK8

 

[ELE241]

Or maybe the Crucial MX500gb SSD?

 

[TechyInAZ]

That build is ok at best. CPU cooler is not needed and the mobo is overkill if you don't plan to upgrade to a quad core i5 in the near future. The PSU is also low quality (not great).

 

[ELE241]

That build is ok at best. CPU cooler is not needed and the mobo is overkill if you don't plan to upgrade to a quad core i5 in the near future. The PSU is also low quality (not great).

PSU? What's that? I don't understand the small things as I do see the larger things for a computer. Clear example is PSU.

 

[TechyInAZ]

That build is ok at best. CPU cooler is not needed and the mobo is overkill if you don't plan to upgrade to a quad core i5 in the near future. The PSU is also low quality (not great).

PSU? What's that? I don't understand the small things as I do see the larger things for a computer. Clear example is PSU.

The PSU (power supply) is one of the most important parts of your computer. This unit is what "processes" the power coming from your power outlet into your main components like hard drives, graphics cards, and motherboard. If this unit goes out, your entire PC could be killed along with it. This is why getting a very high quality unit is a MUST.

When looking up a PSU, don't go just by the 80+ ratings, rather look up lots of reviews on which PSUs are best. Seasonic and EVGA are currently on the top of that list.

 

[JasonL265]

For a $400 build you can go for something like this.

AMD CPU Version:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD Athlon X4 860K 3.7GHz Quad-Core Processor ($70.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A88XM-D3H Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($57.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($46.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 950 2GB Video Card ($129.99 @ Micro Center)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $395.72
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-02-03 11:36 EST-0500


Intel CPU Version:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($66.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-Pro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($65.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($46.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 950 2GB Video Card ($129.99 @ Micro Center)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $399.72
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-02-03 11:35 EST-0500

If you have a micro center near your house you can actually get the combo deals for their CPU and Motherboards. They give $40 off of AMD combos and $20 off for Intel combos. With the $40 savings you can even drop a 120GB SSD into your build for your OS to really speed up your PC.

 

[Neur0nauT]

A little over budget, but this little setup would give you 40-60 on newer titles at 1080p.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/tx7Fzy

 

[ScrewySqrl]

the 860K + 950 is probly teh best deal for this build

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD Athlon X4 860K 3.7GHz Quad-Core Processor ($70.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A78M-ITX+ Mini ITX FM2+ Motherboard ($66.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($46.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 950 2GB Dual WindForce Video Card ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case ($32.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: EVGA 430W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $392.71
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-02-03 12:35 EST-0500

 

[ELE241]

A little over budget, but this little setup would give you 40-60 on newer titles at 1080p.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/tx7Fzy

How do you do rebates? I never really did a rebate before in my life, and I have no idea how to do one. Is it really worth it?

 

[ELE241]

For a $400 build you can go for something like this.

AMD CPU Version:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD Athlon X4 860K 3.7GHz Quad-Core Processor ($70.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A88XM-D3H Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($57.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($46.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 950 2GB Video Card ($129.99 @ Micro Center)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $395.72
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-02-03 11:36 EST-0500


Intel CPU Version:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($66.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-Pro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($65.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($46.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 950 2GB Video Card ($129.99 @ Micro Center)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $399.72
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-02-03 11:35 EST-0500

If you have a micro center near your house you can actually get the combo deals for their CPU and Motherboards. They give $40 off of AMD combos and $20 off for Intel combos. With the $40 savings you can even drop a 120GB SSD into your build for your OS to really speed up your PC.

I'm going to go to microcenter this weekend for another project for my car, but I'll look into it. My buddy also told me that there is a sale going on, so if I do get parts, would Microcenter stack the $20 combo per part (MOBO, video card, HDD, etc.) or would they take the $20 off my entire purchase?

 

[JasonL265]

A little over budget, but this little setup would give you 40-60 on newer titles at 1080p.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/tx7Fzy

How do you do rebates? I never really did a rebate before in my life, and I have no idea how to do one. Is it really worth it?

Its very easy, you normally just go online and register your information and print out a form. Then you make a copy of your invoice / packing slip and cut the barcode on the box of the thing you purchased and mail it in.

 

[JasonL265]

For a $400 build you can go for something like this.

AMD CPU Version:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD Athlon X4 860K 3.7GHz Quad-Core Processor ($70.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A88XM-D3H Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($57.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($46.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 950 2GB Video Card ($129.99 @ Micro Center)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $395.72
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-02-03 11:36 EST-0500


Intel CPU Version:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($66.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-Pro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($65.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($46.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 950 2GB Video Card ($129.99 @ Micro Center)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $399.72
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-02-03 11:35 EST-0500

If you have a micro center near your house you can actually get the combo deals for their CPU and Motherboards. They give $40 off of AMD combos and $20 off for Intel combos. With the $40 savings you can even drop a 120GB SSD into your build for your OS to really speed up your PC.

I'm going to go to microcenter this weekend for another project for my car, but I'll look into it. My buddy also told me that there is a sale going on, so if I do get parts, would Microcenter stack the $20 combo per part (MOBO, video card, HDD, etc.) or would they take the $20 off my entire purchase?

The combo is when you buy a CPU and Motherboard (they have to be compatible though). They just take it off your total when you pay.

 

[ELE241]

For a $400 build you can go for something like this.

AMD CPU Version:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD Athlon X4 860K 3.7GHz Quad-Core Processor ($70.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A88XM-D3H Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($57.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($46.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 950 2GB Video Card ($129.99 @ Micro Center)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $395.72
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-02-03 11:36 EST-0500


Intel CPU Version:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($66.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-Pro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($65.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($46.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 950 2GB Video Card ($129.99 @ Micro Center)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $399.72
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-02-03 11:35 EST-0500

If you have a micro center near your house you can actually get the combo deals for their CPU and Motherboards. They give $40 off of AMD combos and $20 off for Intel combos. With the $40 savings you can even drop a 120GB SSD into your build for your OS to really speed up your PC.

I'm going to go to microcenter this weekend for another project for my car, but I'll look into it. My buddy also told me that there is a sale going on, so if I do get parts, would Microcenter stack the $20 combo per part (MOBO, video card, HDD, etc.) or would they take the $20 off my entire purchase?

The combo is when you buy a CPU and Motherboard (they have to be compatible though). They just take it off your total when you pay.

Alright bud.