Recommendation for a friend.

[Jose Marquez]

EDIT: 2/6/2019: I have 3 builds and have let my friend know that we need to meet 1 on 1 and talk about which case, peripherals, and monitor he wants. Thanks to those 3 who compiled part lists!

 

My friend has asked me to basically build him a computer since according to him and my family I'm the computer god, anyways here is what he has given me in regards to the use case, etc.

 

 

1. Budget & Location

Budget: $500 - Can be increased if necessary

Location: USA

 

2. Aim

He mainly wants to use it to play games such as:

 

The Fallout Series

Indie games

(literally all he said) - he mentioned various "single/multiplayer" games but failed to mention specific ones (god forbid one of them is Fortnite)

It doesn't need to handle ULTRA 4K RAYTRACING

 

He said "I just want to do a little bit of everything" and again, failed to mention what exactly everything means. I know he doesn't video edit so maybe a quad core should be good (only because dual cores suck, at least mine does)

 

3. Monitors

We will start with 1 1080P monitor, and increase if he would like(not likely though). 

 

4. Peripherals

Even if he does need a keyboard/mouse, he will probably go to best buy and get the cheapest thing they have. He needs a monitor btw. Hopefully, he doesn't go to a garage sale and get a cheap ass monitor.

 

5. Why are you upgrading?

He has no computer and wants one. Simple. (although he as a PS4 )

 

I'll try to get him to clarify his use case as I don't think its very clear. Thanks.

 

If there's anything else required, feel free to ask. Also because my memory is ass I'll forget this post exists until my friend reminds me again.

Edited February 7, 2019 by Jose Marquez
Updated status on what is to be done from here. (aka i told my friend about the 3 builds)

[bleedblue]

Can be increased to?

[ch3w2oy]

Is the monitor need within that budget?

[Herman Mcpootis]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 3 2200G 3.5 GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($94.99 @ Amazon) 
Motherboard: ASRock - AB350 Pro4 ATX AM4 Motherboard  ($73.98 @ Newegg) 
Memory: GeIL - EVO POTENZA 8 GB (2 x 4 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory  ($59.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: MyDigitalSSD - BP5e Slim 7 240 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($39.99 @ Amazon) 
Storage: Seagate - BarraCuda 1 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($39.99 @ Newegg) 
Case: DIYPC - J180-BL ATX Mid Tower Case  ($36.99 @ Newegg) 
Power Supply: Corsair - CX (2017) 450 W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($24.99 @ Newegg) 
Monitor: Acer - SB220Q bi 21.5" 1920x1080 75 Hz Monitor  ($89.99 @ Amazon) 
Keyboard: Zalman - ZM-K380 Combo Wired Standard Keyboard w/Laser Mouse  ($13.39 @ Amazon) 
Total: $474.30
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-01-29 21:34 EST-0500

[zlolslavez]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 2400G 3.6 GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($149.99 @ Amazon) 
Motherboard: Asus - PRIME B450M-A/CSM Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard  ($77.85 @ Amazon) 
Memory: Patriot - Viper 4 8 GB (2 x 4 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory  ($59.99 @ Amazon) 
Storage: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($45.99 @ Newegg) 
Case: Cooler Master - MasterBox E300L MicroATX Mini Tower Case  ($34.99 @ Amazon) 
Power Supply: Corsair - CX (2017) 450 W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($39.99 @ Amazon) 
Monitor: Acer - SB220Q bi 21.5" 1920x1080 75 Hz Monitor  ($89.99 @ Amazon) 
Total: $498.79
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-01-29 21:24 EST-0500

 

I think the best approach at $500 with a monitor would be APU, but a 2400G should be good enough to play Fallout 4 on mid 1080p and max out the 75HZ monitor.

 

With an increased budget I would add a used 580 for around $100, and change to CPU to something else perhaps a 2600.

edit: probably shouldn't go with that case 

[Jurrunio]

Tbh the PS4 does better in gaming compared to a new PC for $500. Even if used parts are used it's hard to match the PS4

[xKyric]

If you're willing to sacrifice on the motherboard, this is a viable option: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/kpNzLJ
Alternately, you could ditch the RX 580, and purchase a used card locally. 
 

 

[Jose Marquez]

On 1/29/2019 at 6:20 PM, bleedblue said:

Can be increased to?

With the fact that he's working right now, it can be increased to any amount but personally, I don't think he would want to spend $1,000+. 

 

I messaged him asking what is the maximum he is willing to spend.

[Jose Marquez]

On 1/29/2019 at 6:25 PM, Herman Mcpootis said:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 3 2200G 3.5 GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($94.99 @ Amazon) 
Motherboard: ASRock - AB350 Pro4 ATX AM4 Motherboard  ($73.98 @ Newegg) 
Memory: GeIL - EVO POTENZA 8 GB (2 x 4 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory  ($59.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: MyDigitalSSD - BP5e Slim 7 240 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($39.99 @ Amazon) 
Storage: Seagate - BarraCuda 1 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($39.99 @ Newegg) 
Case: DIYPC - J180-BL ATX Mid Tower Case  ($36.99 @ Newegg) 
Power Supply: Corsair - CX (2017) 450 W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($24.99 @ Newegg) 
Monitor: Acer - SB220Q bi 21.5" 1920x1080 75 Hz Monitor  ($89.99 @ Amazon) 
Keyboard: Zalman - ZM-K380 Combo Wired Standard Keyboard w/Laser Mouse  ($13.39 @ Amazon) 
Total: $474.30
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-01-29 21:34 EST-0500

 

On 1/29/2019 at 6:26 PM, zlolslavez said:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 2400G 3.6 GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($149.99 @ Amazon) 
Motherboard: Asus - PRIME B450M-A/CSM Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard  ($77.85 @ Amazon) 
Memory: Patriot - Viper 4 8 GB (2 x 4 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory  ($59.99 @ Amazon) 
Storage: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($45.99 @ Newegg) 
Case: Cooler Master - MasterBox E300L MicroATX Mini Tower Case  ($34.99 @ Amazon) 
Power Supply: Corsair - CX (2017) 450 W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($39.99 @ Amazon) 
Monitor: Acer - SB220Q bi 21.5" 1920x1080 75 Hz Monitor  ($89.99 @ Amazon) 
Total: $498.79
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-01-29 21:24 EST-0500

 

I think the best approach at $500 with a monitor would be APU, but a 2400G should be good enough to play Fallout 4 on mid 1080p and max out the 75HZ monitor.

 

With an increased budget I would add a used 580 for around $100, and change to CPU to something else perhaps a 2600.

edit: probably shouldn't go with that case 

I'll show these parts to him and let you guys know what happens! Thanks!

[Jose Marquez]

On 1/29/2019 at 6:30 PM, Jurrunio said:

Tbh the PS4 does better in gaming compared to a new PC for $500. Even if used parts are used it's hard to match the PS4

I agree, but he wants a computer along with his PS4, he did say he was gonna use it for school and other things.

[Jose Marquez]

On 1/29/2019 at 6:39 PM, xKyric said:

If you're willing to sacrifice on the motherboard, this is a viable option: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/kpNzLJ
Alternately, you could ditch the RX 580, and purchase a used card locally. 
 

 

I'll let him know! Thanks!

[Jose Marquez]

On 1/29/2019 at 6:23 PM, ChewToy! said:

Is the monitor need within that budget?

I'm going to say yes as I don't recall him having a monitor. He still hasn't told me if he wants one so I'm going to say yes for him