Non gaming budget build

[aambumann]

Hey all, I would like your help on a new, non-gaming, budget build. My 2008 Imac decided it was time to die, after running 24/7 for the last 10 years. I got my monies worth out if it.

I think this time, I would like to have a small form factor, Linux machine. I have experimented with Linux through the years, and believe I know enough to function on my daily tasks. I am partial to Mint or possibly Zorin.

I am considering the Intel NUC, as well as a budget AMD build, as the budget is pretty tight at the moment.

Although, I like the size of the NUC, I would probably end up spending more than building a budget desktop

I am challenging myself to stay as close to a $200-$300 budget as possible.

I have done Intel builds in the past, and wanted to do something different.

Leaning more towards the AMD build. I am more familiar with Intel cpu's and Mobo's, than I am with AMD.

This build would be for home desktop purposes, email, internet, online banking, picture storage, occasional music, Netflix, etc. I do not do any gaming, or a lot of multi-tasking.

I have put together a possible parts list, I would like your thoughts. Looking to build a snappy little machine.

CPU

AMD - A6-7400K 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor
$47.00 Buy
Motherboard

Gigabyte - GA-F2A68HM-H Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard
$46.18 Buy
Memory

Patriot - Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory
$57.99 Buy
Storage

Kingston - A400 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive
$28.99 Buy
Power Supply

EVGA - BT 450W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply
$9.99 $20 mail in rebate

Also considered using the AM4 socket, in order to build in a little future proofing, if I can stay within budget.

Still trying to find the right pc case. Have not found any I really like yet.

Ideally, I would like to use a mATX slim case, that would sit horizontally under the monitor. Would like it to accept ATX PSU, and 2.5" SSD (OS) and laptop HDD( storage). Will not be using video card at this time. Possibly in the future

Would consider using the smallest, mATX mini tower as possible.

Still have to choose case fans, if the case does not come with any.

Deciding if I need an optical drive these day.




Possible parts list #2

CPU

AMD - Ryzen 3 2200G 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor
$98.89 Buy
Motherboard

Gigabyte - GA-AB350M-DS3H Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard
$59.99 Buy
Memory

Patriot - Viper 4 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-3000 Memory
$84.99 Buy
Storage

Kingston - A400 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive
$28.99 Buy
Power Supply

EVGA - BT 450W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply
$9.99



Does anyone see any problems with these parts working with Linux?

Thanks for reading, I look forward to your thoughts and guidance.

 

[kraelic]

Any chance you live near a micro center? 2200G is $80 and you can get a $50 A320 motherboard for $30 off when combo'd. Not a bad core for $100, then get some ddr4 3000 $86

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/p4cMnQ/patriot-viper-4-8gb-2-x-4gb-ddr4-3000-memory-pv48g300c6k

 

[aambumann]

Any chance you live near a micro center? 2200G is $80 and you can get a $50 A320 motherboard for $30 off when combo'd. Not a bad core for $100, then get some ddr4 3000 $86

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/p4cMnQ/patriot-viper-4-8gb-2-x-4gb-ddr4-3000-memory-pv48g300c6k

Unfortunately no, I do not live by one. Thanks for the info.

 

[kraelic]

I don't live near one either, but I always check for deals as I go past one to visit family.

Same cpu and motherboard becomes $150 at newegg. Goes into the upper range of the budget, though I would buy it over FM2.

There is also H310 and G5400, with single stick 8gb ddr4 2400 for $200, This is $36 less than the am4 setup but does not have the IGP performance.

If on a super tight budget, you might get a refurb OEM like the HP elite 8200

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIAAJ26TW7511 $105

Add another 4 GB ddr3, a 1030 gt low profile and the SSD and it will be decent.

 

[smorizio]

on newegg look at there system parts and full system specials. the same for micro center they always clearing out older systems and reselling refurb units. another trick is see if any univeristys or big comp are doing hardware upgrades and are dumping there old working pc.

 

[aambumann]

I don't live near one either, but I always check for deals as I go past one to visit family.

Same cpu and motherboard becomes $150 at newegg. Goes into the upper range of the budget, though I would buy it over FM2.

There is also H310 and G5400, with single stick 8gb ddr4 2400 for $200, This is $36 less than the am4 setup but does not have the IGP performance.

If on a super tight budget, you might get a refurb OEM like the HP elite 8200

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIAAJ26TW7511 $105

Add another 4 GB ddr3, a 1030 gt low profile and the SSD and it will be decent.

Thank You, I know it is difficult on such a small budget, but I refuse to buy anything with a big box store badge on it, such as Hp or any of the others. Not in a big rush, may have to save my milk money a little longer.

 

[aambumann]

on newegg look at there system parts and full system specials. the same for micro center they always clearing out older systems and reselling refurb units. another trick is see if any univeristys or big comp are doing hardware upgrades and are dumping there old working pc.

Thank You

 

[NightHawkRMX]

For this, i would consider new Athlon 200GE for AM4 as the CPU. Where the Athlon shines is power consumption, availability, and price. The Athlon 200GE can use dirt cheap A320 boards and cheaper 2666mhz DDR4 as it has a locked CPU multiplier. Also, its ram support tops out at 2666mhz. The Athlon has an Intel-destroying built-in GPU (powerful enough to make games like Fortnight run at 720p decent settings if you ever decide to do so). This is a cheap chip, however, it is more than capable enough to do everything you said flawlessly. This CPU is only $59 but very capable and is perfect for a small form factor pc. For this build, I think the Athlon 200GE is the right CPU for you as it is low power enough to be passively cooled for complete silence. Since this CPU is so new and unreleased other than review samples (less than a week old) it isn't on pc-parts picker yet so factor an extra 59 bucks into this list.
https://pcpartpicker.com/list/NCwXhy. The CPU can be found here: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113544&cm_re=athlon_200ge-_-19-113-544-_-Product
Total cost is around $275-300 depending on what deals are available currently. You will have to wait like 2 weeks for cpu to become available but here is a review of it.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCDJERMTL3s&t=1154s

 

[aambumann]

Thanks to all who gave advice. Thought I would share the parts list I finally put together after lots of reading and learning. Hopefully everything works well together. Thanks again.

CPU

AMD - Ryzen 3 2200G 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor

Was able to keep it under $500

Motherboard

MSI - B450I GAMING PLUS AC Mini ITX AM4 Motherboard

Memory

Team - T-Force Vulcan 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-3200 Memory

Storage

Crucial - BX500 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive

Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive

Case

Thermaltake - Core V1 Mini ITX Desktop Case

Poer Supply

EVGA - B3 450W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply

OS
Linux Mint

 

[aambumann]

Thanks to all who gave advice. Thought I would share the parts list I finally put together after lots of reading and learning. Hopefully everything works well together. Thanks again.

CPU

AMD - Ryzen 3 2200G 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor

Motherboard

MSI - B450I GAMING PLUS AC Mini ITX AM4 Motherboard

Memory

Team - T-Force Vulcan 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-3200 Memory

Storage

Crucial - BX500 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive

Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive

Case

Thermaltake - Core V1 Mini ITX Desktop Case

Power Supply

EVGA - B3 450W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply

OS
Linux Mint

Was able to keep it under $500

 

[NightHawkRMX]

Sounds good. I think you will be surprised by just how capable that system will be and just how versatile that platform is. In years to come, you can upgrade it for cheap.Ryzen 7 8core 16 thread processors are already under $175 in some places.