Is this PC build the best it can be for $500?

[Exclusions]

I watched this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAAzc-VXnIQ

I was wondering if it is the best it can be for 500. I would use it for gaming, recording, minimal video editing, and MAYBE streaming.

Thanks! And feel free to make changes, or show me a completely new build.

 

[Exclusions]

The keyboard you used to create and write in this thread

On a laptop 😀 Thanks, you've been amazingly helpful. I will build this on December 1st(birthday) and get the keyboard/monitor. Once again, truly, thank you!

 

[tiny voices]

Linux loses about 10-40% performance depending on the game and only like 30-50% of games run on Linux. It is NOT designed for gaming at all. It is an OS built and meant for learning programming.

OP if you want to record and edit gameplay DO NOT get the Pentium. You WILL regret it. Get an Athlon x4 860k build instead. It will edit, render, and record MUCH MUCH better. Some games you won't even be able to record with the Pentium because the stutter is so bad. This is a well known and documented issue. Streaming will be nearly impossible.

 

[Exclusions]

Linux loses about 10-40% performance depending on the game and only like 30-50% of games run on Linux. It is NOT designed for gaming at all. It is an OS built and meant for learning programming.

Do you know where to get Windows at a cheap price?

 

[tiny voices]

Nope. you must buy it for $90.

I also edited my post adding more info. Please read it again.

 

[Exclusions]

Nope. you must buy it for $90.

I also edited my post adding more info. Please read it again.

What is the "Athlon x4 860k build"? I will record and do some editing. I will go with the original Pentium build if I decide not to record. I will still get that monitor and keyboard 😀

 

[tiny voices]

All you would change is the CPU to an Athlon x4 860k and the motherboard to a compatible FM2+ board. It will allow for recording and editing and streaming no problem. There is much less upgrade path though. That is the only drawback. You would haveto buy a new motherboard if you wanted to upgrade to an i5.

 

[tiny voices]

Also, DO NOT but the motherboard in the link you selected as BA. IT is for bitcoin mining, NOT normal computing. change it to an ASUS H81 board.

 

[Exclusions]

All you would change is the CPU to an Athlon x4 860k and the motherboard to a compatible FM2+ board. It will allow for recording and editing and streaming no problem. There is much less upgrade path though. That is the only drawback. You would haveto buy a new motherboard if you wanted to upgrade to an i5.

This would be appropriate? I don't know about the mobo. I had no idea :S

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/zbXpVn

 

[Exclusions]

oops meant this build:
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/YGcP7P

 

[zeyuanfu]

I wouldn't get that build if you're looking for long-term performance i.e. a good upgrade path. The 860K is the best FM2+ CPU, so you can't upgrade it.
If the 500$ build is only temporary, the 860K build would be good, though.

 

[rockie_]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-4300 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI 760GMA-P34(FX) Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($52.66 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($43.98 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 270X 2GB Dual-X Video Card ($169.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake VL80001W2Z ATX Mid Tower Case ($24.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($32.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $464.58
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-17 21:45 EDT-0400

 

[Exclusions]

I wouldn't get that build if you're looking for long-term performance i.e. a good upgrade path. The 860K is the best FM2+ CPU, so you can't upgrade it.
If the 500$ build is only temporary, the 860K build would be good, though.

So what should I go with for performance with recording, gaming, and livestreaming? This build would be insufficient?

 

[zeyuanfu]

If you can stretch the extra 40-50$, the i3-4150 would be better:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4150 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $109.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-17 21:58 EDT-0400

The 4130 would also be a solution...

 

[zeyuanfu]

Also, if you play not-too-demanding games, you MIGHT be able to cut the RAM down to 4GB...
Just a suggestion, not telling OP to do anything...

 

[Dat_Robot]

@zeyuanfu I wouldn't recommand a motherborad as cheap as you choose but it fits a g3258 so its okay.

But my build defenitly beat yours
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/64sByc

And costs WAY less.

 

[zeyuanfu]

Dude... You took my build and just put a cheap 280 in it...
I just said the i3-4150 would be a better CPU. The G3258 might not be enough for streaming.

 

[Dat_Robot]

BTW, the G3258 crushes the I3 series (4130-4150)

http://cpuboss.com/cpus/Intel-G3258-vs-Intel-Core-i3-4130

 

[Exclusions]

If you can stretch the extra 40-50$, the i3-4150 would be better:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4150 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $109.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-17 21:58 EDT-0400

The 4130 would also be a solution...

It has less cores and 3.5 GHz instead of 3.7 GHz though?

 

[Dat_Robot]

You shouldn't even consider buying i3 when their is a CPU like the G3258

 

[rockie_]

BTW, the G3258 crushes the I3 series (4130-4150)

http://cpuboss.com/cpus/Intel-G3258-vs-Intel-Core-i3-4130

i3 4150 is about 40% faster than G3258 according to 3D Mark 11 - gamers benchmark

 

[Exclusions]

I have to stay in this price range because I still need Windows 7(90 bucks), and a monitor. So this is the build
( http://pcpartpicker.com/p/YGcP7P ) any change ideas?

 

[zeyuanfu]

That build isn't actually half bad...
You're going to have to buy a new computer when that won't be enough, though.

 

[RazerZ]

BTW, the G3258 crushes the I3 series (4130-4150)

http://cpuboss.com/cpus/Intel-G3258-vs-Intel-Core-i3-4130

Don't use that site to compare CPUs. The i3 is a much better cpu compared to the G3258.

 

[RazerZ]

I have to stay in this price range because I still need Windows 7(90 bucks), and a monitor. So this is the build
( http://pcpartpicker.com/p/YGcP7P ) any change ideas?

Get a cheaper motherboard and upgrade the GPU to a R9 280.

 

[rockie_]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-4300 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($88.69 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI 760GMA-P34(FX) Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($52.66 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($73.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 270X 2GB Dual-X Video Card ($169.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake VL80001W2Z ATX Mid Tower Case ($24.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($32.99 @ NCIX US)

Base Total: $522.62
Mail-in Rebates: -$35.00
Shipping: $5.67
Total: $493.29