Friend Build has TO MUCH constraints for me to handle Need help deciding where to go from here.......

[TheReal_ist]

I'll lay out the situation:

 

Ok so I'm doing a build for a friend of mine right.

His requirements are:

• The build has a $400 USD budget for everything. (so every component combined)
• He wants a black case or dark grey
• That can fit under his monitor nicely  (so horizontally and with room to spare)
• And he wants it to feel "new" whatever that means from his old one.

 

Micro ATX first Try:

 

So initially I thought alright I'll do a nice Micro ATX build seeing as those mobos are cheaper then mini ATX and the cases are pretty cheap too. So here's that initial list.

Turns out this case and a few other nice Sub $60 Micro ATX cases were to big for him and he wanted smaller. So I guess first question is "hey does anyone know of basically a SF case thats long enough to fit in the Micro ATX mobo with a stock Ryzen Cooler or if not is there a cooler that isn't expensive I could use?

 

 

Mini ATX second try:

 

Then I thought alrit I'll see if I could do a mini ATX build instead. Did some research figured out Mobos, cases, and SF PSU's are SUPER expensive for the same quality I could get with the above first List. Sooooo

At this point I'm actually considering getting him a damn prebuilt because his budget plus the size constraint is PROVING TO BE TO MUCH to handle. 

 

So I'm coming here to see if u guys can point me in a better direction cuz I'm about to give up and just get a shit used prebuilt slim tower, slap a 500gb SSD and be done with it. 

Would love to avoid this, cause I really wanna get this guy a NEW PC since he will be using it for the next 6-8 yrs easy. 

 

 

Extra Option (I'd rather not do Since its tricking him and all. Cuz he wants everything new not an upgrade):

 

Also for reference the guy I'm doing this for I've talked with him about this a good bit. And apparently his PC that is now over 6 yrs old isn't actually slow like at all to him, I can see it but he can't. For example it takes nearly a minute to boot from the HDD windows 10 is installed on and he thinks thats fast. Sooooooooooo

 

Another thought I had was to keep the CPU(He doesn't have a real GPU fyi only on board intel), Mobo, ram, HDD then throw away the case, and PSU. So that way I can spend a bunch on the case and PSU so he gets what he wants a SMALL PC that fits on his desk that looks nice. 

 

[LukeLinusFanFic]

To be frank, it sounds like you don't wanna build this for him at all... 

 

If his requests are unreasonable, then he has to adjust them. You can't create hardware from nothing, you're not Linus

[Suika]

Just get something like a NUC or ASRock DESKMINI. Building a machine like you're describing with off the shelf parts doesn't sound too feasible for that price bracket, so getting a SFF PC kit sounds like the way to go.

[Origami Cactus]

This would probably be in the budget, but it is very DIY and it requires a 3d printer: (but i freaking need it, look at it!)

 

Spoiler

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yEgioZjgtE

 

 

[TheReal_ist]

1 minute ago, LukeLinusFanFic said:

To be frank, it sounds like you don't wanna build this for him at all... 

 

If his requests are unreasonable, then he has to adjust them. You can't create hardware from nothing, you're not Linus

Thats what It sure fucking seems at this point. I said man if I was gonna do this it would be 500-600 maybe more and thats a maybe. And he said I don't know man thats a lot.....

 

Which it is no doubt especially when hes literally using this for Browsing the internet and THATS IT.....

maybe I should cave and get a prebuilt with no upgradability in the future.

[Fasauceome]

So he has a build and he doesn't want to upgrade, just buy new? What's his current spec?

[TheReal_ist]

2 minutes ago, Suika said:

Just get something like a NUC or ASRock DESKMINI. Building a machine like you're describing with off the shelf parts doesn't sound too feasible for that price bracket, so getting a SFF PC kit sounds like the way to go.

Do u guys have any Sub $400 ones that can be upgraded at least a little in the future. That is what I'm basically trying to get for him. 

Cause before me he was gonna go to Walmart and get a prebuilt that COULD never be upgraded. Hes my friend so I couldn't let him get burned like that. But ya I just don't have the time to custom make him something like I wanted. 

 

So any good NUC's or mini PC's u guys know of??

[Mira Yurizaki]

2 minutes ago, TheReal_ist said:

Do u guys have any Sub $400 ones that can be upgraded at least a little in the future. That is what I'm basically trying to get for him. 

Cause before me he was gonna go to Walmart and get a prebuilt that COULD never be upgraded. Hes my friend so I couldn't let him get burned like that. But ya I just don't have the time to custom make him something like I wanted. 

 

So any good NUC's or mini PC's u guys know of??

Upgraded in what way? Because NUCs and the like only have upgradeable storage and RAM, assuming the mini-PC didn't solder the RAM and has no slots. Also practically all NUCs are barebones, meaning you need to add your own storage and RAM.

[TheReal_ist]

Just now, fasauceome said:

So he has a build and he doesn't want to upgrade, just buy new? What's his current spec?

He has a fine PC speed wise, but he just wants that new feeling I guess. Its hard to figure out what the reasoning is honestly cuz I'm not in his shoes of not knowing tech that well.

 

Spec? never asked since I don't need it like at all for what I was going to do. Soooo

[Jurrunio]

Just now, TheReal_ist said:

Spec? never asked since I don't need it like at all for what I was going to do. Soooo

so that then. maybe just a storage and case, maybe PSU overhaul will do.

[TheReal_ist]

Just now, Mira Yurizaki said:

Upgraded in what way? Because NUCs and the like only have upgradeable storage and RAM, assuming the mini-PC didn't solder the RAM and has no slots.

See thats why I don't wanna go with them. He deserves better seeing as hes a friend of a PC nerd. 

 

But I don't know I might have to just be selfish and get the bare minimum for him. Cuz as u guys are noticing the requirements are pretty harsh. :///

[LukeLinusFanFic]

Just now, TheReal_ist said:

Do u guys have any Sub $400 ones that can be upgraded at least a little in the future. That is what I'm basically trying to get for him. 

Cause before me he was gonna go to Walmart and get a prebuilt that COULD never be upgraded. Hes my friend so I couldn't let him get burned like that. But ya I just don't have the time to custom make him something like I wanted. 

 

So any good NUC's or mini PC's u guys know of??

If you can convince him to let go of that under the monitor foolishness and he really doesn't game or anything, get a ryzen 2200 with whatever motherboard works, 8gigs of the cheapest ram, whatever power supply and case happen to be on sale and these nice Kingston 240 gig SSDs for 30$. If you have leftover budget you could go for the ryzen 5 for better... Futureproofness in lack of a more PC term

[Mira Yurizaki]

Just now, TheReal_ist said:

See thats why I don't wanna go with them. He deserves better seeing as hes a friend of a PC nerd. 

 

But I don't know I might have to just be selfish and get the bare minimum for him. Cuz as u guys are noticing the requirements are pretty harsh. :///

Tell him the reality of the situation: either expand the budget or live with a "meh" computer.

 

Otherwise the best way to get the most out of this money is to buy a used system.

[TheReal_ist]

Just now, LukeLinusFanFic said:

If you can convince him to let go of that under the monitor foolishness and he really doesn't game or anything, get a ryzen 2200 with whatever motherboard works, 8gigs of the cheapest ram, whatever power supply and case happen to be on sale and these nice Kingston 240 gig SSDs for 30$. If you have leftover budget you could go for the ryzen 5 for better... Futureproofness in lack of a more PC term

I wish it were that easy bud. 

 

your forgetting the case ISSUE. I already priced out a nice build here 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Type	Item	Price
CPU	AMD - Ryzen 3 2200G 3.5 GHz Quad-Core Processor	$94.89 @ OutletPC
Motherboard	ASRock - B450M PRO4 Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard	$79.99 @ Amazon
Memory	Corsair - Vengeance LPX 8 GB (1 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory	$49.99 @ Amazon
Storage	Western Digital - Blue 500 GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive	$67.89 @ OutletPC
Case	Thermaltake - Core V21 MicroATX Mini Tower Case	$57.34 @ Amazon
Power Supply	SeaSonic - S12II 520 W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply	$50.55 @ Amazon
Mouse	Logitech - M570 Wireless Trackball	$26.99 @ Amazon
	Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
	Total (before mail-in rebates)	$437.64
	Mail-in rebates	-$10.00
	Total	$427.64
	Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-04-01 13:00 EDT-0400

its just the case thats the issue............

 

thxs tho

 

 

[Fasauceome]

4 minutes ago, TheReal_ist said:

He has a fine PC speed wise, but he just wants that new feeling I guess. Its hard to figure out what the reasoning is honestly cuz I'm not in his shoes of not knowing tech that well.

 

Spec? never asked since I don't need it like at all for what I was going to do. Soooo

Well there is a mini itx avenue for him

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Type	Item	Price
CPU	AMD - Ryzen 5 2400G 3.6 GHz Quad-Core Processor	$134.89 @ OutletPC
Motherboard	ASRock - X370 Gaming-ITX/ac Mini ITX AM4 Motherboard	$113.98 @ Newegg
Memory	Team - Vulcan 8 GB (2 x 4 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory	$49.99 @ Newegg
Storage	Kingston - A400 240 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive	$28.99 @ Amazon
Case	Silverstone - Sugo SG13B Mini ITX Tower Case	$50.50 @ B&H
	Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
	Total	$378.35
	Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-04-01 13:00 EDT-0400

Idk about reusing storage, psu, etc, but it would work if something was carried over.

 

Idk what a "new feel" is though, unless he lacks an SSD.

[TheReal_ist]

2 minutes ago, Jurrunio said:

so that then. maybe just a storage and case, maybe PSU overhaul will do.

thats what I thought to. 

 

But then I asked and he said "NOPE i want an all new build. since its so old apparently)

 

So any good Nucs or MiniPC's u know of for Sub $400 bucks??

 

[TheReal_ist]

2 minutes ago, Mira Yurizaki said:

Tell him the reality of the situation: either expand the budget or live with a "meh" computer.

 

Otherwise the best way to get the most out of this money is to buy a used system.

U might be right, ugggg..

 

Guess I got in over my head huh......

damn this is gonna be painful to do admitting i was wrong....

[LukeLinusFanFic]

Just now, TheReal_ist said:

U might be right, ugggg..

 

Guess I got in over my head huh......

damn this is gonna be painful to do admitting i was wrong....

I think this would be pretty easy. 

"I'm not wrong, you're just an asshole"

[Suika]

1 minute ago, TheReal_ist said:

So any good Nucs or MiniPC's u know of for Sub $400 bucks??

Just go on Amazon or Newegg and look at different NUCs and DESKMINI PCs and see what's within budget. Some NUCs have soldered CPUs included and most of the DESKMINI series is socketed, from there part out the rest of the system you'd need (which is typically memory and storage).

[TheReal_ist]

2 minutes ago, fasauceome said:

Well there is a mini itx avenue for him

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Type	Item	Price
CPU	AMD - Ryzen 5 2400G 3.6 GHz Quad-Core Processor	$134.89 @ OutletPC
Motherboard	ASRock - X370 Gaming-ITX/ac Mini ITX AM4 Motherboard	$113.98 @ Newegg
Memory	Team - Vulcan 8 GB (2 x 4 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory	$49.99 @ Newegg
Storage	Kingston - A400 240 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive	$28.99 @ Amazon
Case	Silverstone - Sugo SG13B Mini ITX Tower Case	$50.50 @ B&H
	Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
	Total	$378.35
	Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-04-01 13:00 EDT-0400

Idk about reusing storage, psu, etc, but it would work if something was carried over.

 

Idk what a "new feel" is though, unless he lacks an SSD.

it might work.

 

But again he wants a case like this one. (Aka the Fractal Node 202)

 

Where its flat and can fit under his monitor. 

[TheReal_ist]

1 minute ago, LukeLinusFanFic said:

I think this would be pretty easy. 

"I'm not wrong, you're just an asshole"

I did offer to do All this amazingness tho for Sub 400 so I'm kinda the jackass...........

 

now i know better tho so thats good.

[TheReal_ist]

7 minutes ago, fasauceome said:

Idk what a "new feel" is though, unless he lacks an SSD.

Ya he has a HDD for EVERYTHING plus he has no backups of his Photos and files on said HDD.

 

So hes not the smartest when it comes to PC's or storage. And ya I've told him to backup it up off site and on site with some Cheap $50 2tb HDD's but they don't listen soooo.

[Fasauceome]

Just now, TheReal_ist said:

Ya he has a HDD for EVERYTHING plus he has no backups of his Photos and files on said HDD.

 

So hes not the smartest when it comes to PC's or storage. And ya I've told him to backup it up off site and on site with some Cheap $50 2tb HDD's but they don't listen soooo.

Literally just using an SSD for main programs and OS makes a world of difference

[TheReal_ist]

Just now, fasauceome said:

Literally just using an SSD for main programs and OS makes a world of difference

Thats what i said too. But then he said the Crap of I WANT ALL NEW.

 

So u got any ideas to maybe Gimme rig it. Cause I tried to find shit for something like that. And everything is to expensive.............

[Fasauceome]

Just now, TheReal_ist said:

Thats what i said too. But then he said the Crap of I WANT ALL NEW.

 

So u got any ideas to maybe Gimme rig it. Cause I tried to find shit for something like that. And everything is to expensive.............

I'm still curious as to what his current rig is, because depending on that, it's likely not possible to get a better rig for $400, let alone smaller.