Vote Now! $500 Budget Category

[KirbysHammer]

Borg Box Recycling

Want to feel good about helping the environment while having a kick-ass gaming experience at the same time? What if I said you could have your cake and eat it in the form of an i5 + GTX1060 6GB combo? All in a case that's not going to warp or rattle even after going thru WW3? Then read on.

Video Card: GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1060 6GB GV-N1060IXOC-6GD ($269.99 @ NewEgg)
Memory: NEMIX RAM 4GB (2 X 2GB) DDR3 1600MHz ($29.99 @ NewEgg)
Everything Else: HP Z220 Core i5 3.30 GHz 4 GB DDR3 SDRAM 500 GB HDD ($199.00 @ Amazon) (spec-sheet)
Base Total: $498.99

CPU is going to be either i5-3470 or E3-1230v2 depending what you get, which is going to be only 1-5% slower than Ryzen 1300X with a GTX 1060 6GB (Source).

PSU is a Delta DPS-400AB-13 A, Gold Rated and comes with a 6-pin cable for the video card. These high-end workstations were designed to run a Quadro K4000 with no issues, which has the same power draw as the old GTX 460, so should have no problems with the much more efficient 1060.(PSU spec-sheet)

RAM I'm assuming is non-ECC, no way to tell till you get the box delivered. Either way that's not an issue since you can get the following instead for cheaper actually.
ECC Memory: NEMIX RAM 4GB DDR3-1600MHz ECC ($19.99 @ NewEgg)

Case is going to be super solid and well-build, much better than anything you could get for under $60 brand-new. These machines can be spec'd from $1100 to $3000+ for professional use so you're getting 10x the quality for the price! And finally, you can feel good about reducing e-waste all while gaming at a solid 60+ fps + high-settings @1080p.

Remember: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle!

We're allowed to use prebuilts? I guess it wasn't specifically stated that you couldn't...

 

[why_wolf]

Are we allowed to edit our lists?

Yes. You can edit your lists up to the close date. Just remember its one entry per person per $ tier.

 

[Aeacus]

For the Office

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Pentium G4560 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($84.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI - B250M PRO-VDH Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($64.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial - Ballistix Sport LT 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung - 850 EVO 250GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($106.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.99 @ Amazon)
Case: BitFenix - Neos Black ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic - S12II 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($52.63 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus - DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.95 @ Amazon)
Total: $498.51
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-08-25 12:35 EDT-0400

 

[General M00n]

We're allowed to use prebuilts? I guess it wasn't specifically stated that you couldn't...

It's a case of "letter of the rules" vs the spirit of the competition. But nowadays for under $500 I recommend people shop around for a pre-built and mod it with what they need. CPU's (especially Intel's i5 range) hasn't gotten that much faster over the past 2-4 years and combined with the fact that businesses tend to way over-spec their office machines CPU-wise (holdover mindset from the 90's back when it actually mattered for Excel etc.) means you can get exceptional value for money shopping used. I wrote more but don't want to detract from the topic of this thread because I genuinely am enjoying reading everyone recommendations.

 

[lp231]

If you don't have to include shipping, can someone tell me how to remove it on PC Part Picker? I'm $0.98 over right now, but I have a dollar in shipping that would let it be qualified.
Would I be allowed to go into the copied and pasted thing and just subtract my 99 cents in shipping?

We can see your non ship build cost by following your link into PCpartpicker. But if you want to mod your post the I'd just add this after your PCpartpicker paste

Shipping: <$$$>
Build Cost: $$$

Need to post whatever total you have into your post. Links will not work because they get updated, from the original price when you did your build. All of the builds right here, now are under $500. When contest ends, prices on parts can go up and that link you have will show the updated price and it can or will go over $500. Over $500 then your disqualified.

 

[Dreedmat]

Next gen Zen ready

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Motherboard: ASRock - AB350M Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill - Aegis 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital - RE4 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($40.88 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte - GeForce GTX 1060 3GB 3GB Mini ITX OC Video Card ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman - ZM-T1 PLUS MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($35.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair - Builder 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($37.99 @ Newegg)
Other: AMD Athlon X4 950 Bristol Ridge Quad-Core 3.5 GHz Socket AM4 65W AD950XAGABBOX Desktop Processor ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $494.81
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-08-26 10:34 EDT-0400

 

[duonightmare]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i3-7100 3.9GHz Dual-Core Processor ($115.07 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock - H270M Pro4 Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($66.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill - Aegis 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital - RE4 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($40.88 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Zotac - GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB Mini Video Card ($144.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill - RANGER-M MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair - Builder 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($12.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $496.90 (without rebates, shipping etc...)
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-08-26 15:14 EDT-0400

 

[Ne0Wolf7]

What happens if you went to look over your list agian and everything wen up in price? All the sudden I'm at $520 without changing anything.

 

[turkey3_scratch]

What happens if you went to look over your list agian and everything wen up in price? All the sudden I'm at $520 without changing anything.

This is also a question I would like addressed.

 

[Shahmatt]

Bors the Younger

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Pentium G4560 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($89.89 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock - H270M-ITX/ac Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($100.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial - Ballistix Sport LT 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($67.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: ADATA - XPG SX8000 256GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($117.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung - Spinpoint M7E 640GB 2.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($47.00 @ Amazon)
Case: Antec - ISK 300-150 Mini ITX Desktop Case w/150W Power Supply ($79.54 @ Amazon)

Base Total: $499.40
Total: $503.39
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-09-12 04:14 EDT-0400

The ITX board has WIFI ac and is feature rich. The G4560 is used for its excellent value. The ADATA m.2 NVMe is added for a super-fast storage experience. 8GB RAM is sufficient for for this light gaming inspired build.

I initially wanted to fit everything into the super small Mini-box m350 + picoPSU 150XT kit (only 2.4L) but it is not available on Amazon/Newegg. So I settled for the overall slightly cheaper and larger (but still tiny at only 7L) Antec with 150W PSU. The remaining budget was spent on the 640GB HDD.

A single RAM slot, 5.25" drive bay, 2.5" drive bay and half-height expansion slot are available for upgrades. The above build peak power requirements is 114W leaving plenty of margin on the supplied PSU. However the user must needs be careful if a GPU is added.

 

[daveppeters]

The Budgeteer

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: *Intel - Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($117.48 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: ARCTIC - Alpine 11 Plus Fluid Dynamic Bearing CPU Cooler ($12.49 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI - H110M PRO-VD PLUS Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($41.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill - NT Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($67.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital - RE4 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($40.88 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte - GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB Video Card ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Rosewill - RANGER-M MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($19.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Rosewill - Stallion 500W ATX Power Supply ($19.99 @ Newegg)

Base Total: $498.80
*Lowest price parts chosen from parametric criteria
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-08-28 12:24 EDT-0400

 

[logainofhades]

Hamster Cage

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 3 1200 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock - AB350M Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill - Aegis 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital - RE4 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($40.88 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Zotac - GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB OC Edition Video Card ($159.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Rosewill - FBM-01 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($24.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair - CX (2017) 450W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $495.82
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-08-28 12:49 EDT-0400

 

[bloodroses]

We're allowed to use prebuilts? I guess it wasn't specifically stated that you couldn't...

It's a case of "letter of the rules" vs the spirit of the competition. But nowadays for under $500 I recommend people shop around for a pre-built and mod it with what they need. CPU's (especially Intel's i5 range) hasn't gotten that much faster over the past 2-4 years and combined with the fact that businesses tend to way over-spec their office machines CPU-wise (holdover mindset from the 90's back when it actually mattered for Excel etc.) means you can get exceptional value for money shopping used. I wrote more but don't want to detract from the topic of this thread because I genuinely am enjoying reading everyone recommendations.

It definitely is very creative on your part of using a prebuilt system as you are right; it would be the most logical choice to start. The one problem I do see though is it is hard to determine if the included power supply is proprietary and if it is capable of powering a GPU. I know my father's $500 Dell has that issue. I would at least include the price of a replacement PSU unit as a result; and assume everything is standardized. Outside that, again congratulations on the creativity side and thinking 'outside the box'.

 

[bloodroses]

What happens if you went to look over your list agian and everything wen up in price? All the sudden I'm at $520 without changing anything.

Mine actually went down $4... lol. But yes, it is a valid point. What happens if the base total ends up rising over $500 when the contest ends?

 

[logainofhades]

Prices at time of posting are still considered valid, if they go up before contest end, as long as the price wasn't promotional.

 

[shrapnel_indie]

Prices at time of posting are still considered valid, if they go up before contest end, as long as the price wasn't promotional.

Now you say something... after I updated all my entries. (there are a couple that bear the timestamp of the original listing. oops!)

This is a nice plus considering the roller-coaster ride of the availability of GPUs that aren't grossly overinflated in cost.

 

[prad6g]

Up-gradable build.
MoBo is overclock enabled.
RAM is single stick, three more sticks can be added in future.
Case is ATX mid tower, can accommodate bigger GPU/PSU in future.


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 3 1200 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock - AB350 Pro4 ATX AM4 Motherboard ($93.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2800 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital - RE4 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($40.88 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte - GeForce GTX 1050 2GB OC Low Profile Video Card ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Case: DIYPC - Solar-M1-R ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.97 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA - BV 450W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($32.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $497.78
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-08-28 18:09 EDT-0400

Adjusted price of MoBo by adding $20 and PSU by adding $20 (to remove rebate deduction by pcpartpicker).

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

"Mini-Wendigo"
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 3 1200 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($104.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock - A320M-DGS Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot - Viper Elite 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2800 Memory ($57.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 320GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($21.50 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte - GeForce GTX 1060 3GB 3GB Mini ITX OC Video Card ($214.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill - FBM-01 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($18.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Enermax - 450W ATX Power Supply ($29.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $498.43
Minus Shipping: - $4.99
Base Total: $493.44
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-09-12 09:58 EDT-0400

 

[Jarmund]

Accelerated eSports Gaming

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 3 1200 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock - AB350M Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: PowerColor - Radeon RX 560 2GB Red Dragon OC V3 Video Card ($113.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Cougar - Solution 2 ATX Mid Tower Case ($43.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic - S12II 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($47.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $510.90
Minus Shipping: -$15.97
Base Total: $494.93

 

[logainofhades]

Up-gradable build.
MoBo is overclock enabled.
RAM is single stick, three more sticks can be added in future.
Case is ATX mid tower, can accommodate bigger GPU/PSU in future.


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 3 1200 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock - AB350 Pro4 ATX AM4 Motherboard ($93.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2800 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital - RE4 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($40.88 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte - GeForce GTX 1050 2GB OC Low Profile Video Card ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Case: DIYPC - Solar-M1-R ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.97 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA - BV 450W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($32.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $497.78
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-08-28 18:09 EDT-0400

Adjusted price of MoBo by adding $20 and PSU by adding $20 (to remove rebate deduction by pcpartpicker).

You can turn mail in rebates off.

 

[Turb0Yoda]

Sleeper:

PCPartPicker part list: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/47Qs2R
Price breakdown by merchant: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/47Qs2R/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 3 1200 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($118.78 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock - A320M-DGS Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($53.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2800 Memory ($79.90 @ Newegg)
Storage: Toshiba - P300 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($47.50 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA - GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB SC GAMING ACX 2.0 Video Card ($170.42 @ Amazon)
Case: Rosewill - FBM-05 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($21.58 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA - 450W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($40.92 @ Amazon)
Base Total: $493.64
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available UNLESS I EDIT THE PRICE TO NOT INCLUDE TAXES HAHAHAHAHAHA
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-09-01 11:36 EDT-0400

 

[Dysphemism]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 3 1200 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock - AB350M Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial - 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($62.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Zotac - GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB Mini Video Card ($144.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Rosewill - FBM-X1 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($26.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Rosewill - 500W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $494.93
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-09-01 12:59 EDT-0400

Fit in a semi-modular PSU to help with building in a small case without a ton of features as well as a 1TB HDD so it has plenty of rooms for games as well as movies if you want to use it as a media device.

 

[MrN1ce9uy]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Pentium G4600 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($86.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte - GA-B250M-DS3H Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($60.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot - Signature Line 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($68.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Zotac - GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB Mini Video Card ($144.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair - Carbide SPEC-04 (Black/Red) ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA - 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($35.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $497.91
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-09-11 19:36 EDT-0400

 

[need4speeds]

Ryzen 1050ti.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 3 1200 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($104.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock - AB350M Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot - Viper Elite 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2666 Memory ($72.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital - RE3 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($41.45 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI - GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB Video Card ($159.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Thermaltake - Versa H15 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($34.75 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA - 400W ATX Power Supply ($24.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $499.15
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-09-10 05:21 EDT-0400

 

[Jagnoor]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Pentium G4600 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($86.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock - B250M-HDV Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($61.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial - Ballistix Sport LT 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate - BarraCuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($44.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA - GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB ACX 2.0 Video Card ($158.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake - Versa H15 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($34.75 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair - Builder 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $497.67
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-09-04 12:50 EDT-0400

Been trying to perfect this build for a while!