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First Build on a budget

LouBe
By LouBe
in New Builds and Planning
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Hello everyone

 

I've recently been looking a bit into PC building. After a bit of time I decided to try and build something at a reasonable price for a student such as myself. I limited myself to $800 CAD. This build would mainly be used for gaming (not necessarily next-gen AAA games on ultra) and programming, so I don't really need a monster of a PC.

 

I've put this together as of now, looking for either tips to make it better or confirmation that it is ok. I already have a mouse, keyboard and headset and can get Win8.1 for free, so those are not included in the $800.

 

 
CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($133.32 @ TigerDirect Canada) 
Motherboard: ASRock B85 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($70.05 @ Vuugo) 
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($79.99 @ Canada Computers) 
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($64.99 @ Canada Computers) 
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($57.99 @ Canada Computers) 
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 1GB Superclocked Video Card  ($129.99 @ Memory Express) 
Case: Corsair SPEC-01 RED ATX Mid Tower Case  ($54.99 @ NCIX) 
Monitor: Acer G226HQLBbd 60Hz 21.5" Monitor  ($117.99 @ NCIX) 
Total: $776.35
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-08 15:06 EST-0500

 

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It's a pretty bad build for $800. Give me a moment to improve

 

Edit: Oh wait canada, a bit more tricky

RIG: I7-4790k @ 4.5GHz | MSI Z97S SLI Plus | 12GB Geil Dragon RAM 1333MHz | Gigabyte G1 Gaming GTX 970 (1550MHz core/7800MHz memory) @ +18mV(Maxed out at 1650/7800 so far) | Corsair RM750 | Samsung 840 EVO 120GB, 1TB Seagate Barracuda | Fractal Design Arc Midi R2 (Closed) | Sound Blaster Z                                                                                                                        Getting: Noctua NH-D15 | Possible 250GB Samsung 850 Evo                                                                                        Need a console killer that actually shits on every console? Here you go (No MIR/Promo)

This is why you should not get an FX CPU for ANY scenario other than rendering on a budget http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/286142-fx-8350-r9-290-psu-requirements/?p=3892901 | http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/266481-an-issue-with-people-bashing-the-fx-cpus/?p=3620861

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@LouBe

 

I recommend you spend a bit more (~$900) instead for some better components (This build has HEAPS more power):

 

 
Motherboard: MSI H81M-E33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($54.99 @ Newegg Canada) 
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($79.99 @ Canada Computers) 
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($57.99 @ Canada Computers) 
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 280 3GB Double Dissipation Video Card  ($199.99 @ NCIX) 
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case  ($79.99 @ NCIX) 
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($49.99 @ Memory Express) 
Monitor: Acer G246HYL bmjj 60Hz 23.8" Monitor  ($159.99 @ NCIX) 
Total: $904.88
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-08 15:11 EST-0500

RIG: I7-4790k @ 4.5GHz | MSI Z97S SLI Plus | 12GB Geil Dragon RAM 1333MHz | Gigabyte G1 Gaming GTX 970 (1550MHz core/7800MHz memory) @ +18mV(Maxed out at 1650/7800 so far) | Corsair RM750 | Samsung 840 EVO 120GB, 1TB Seagate Barracuda | Fractal Design Arc Midi R2 (Closed) | Sound Blaster Z                                                                                                                        Getting: Noctua NH-D15 | Possible 250GB Samsung 850 Evo                                                                                        Need a console killer that actually shits on every console? Here you go (No MIR/Promo)

This is why you should not get an FX CPU for ANY scenario other than rendering on a budget http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/286142-fx-8350-r9-290-psu-requirements/?p=3892901 | http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/266481-an-issue-with-people-bashing-the-fx-cpus/?p=3620861

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Motherboard: ASRock H97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($77.95 @ Vuugo) 

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($79.99 @ Canada Computers) 

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($57.99 @ Canada Computers) 

Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 280 3GB Double Dissipation Video Card  ($199.99 @ NCIX) 

Case: Corsair SPEC-01 RED ATX Mid Tower Case  ($54.99 @ NCIX) 


Monitor: Acer G226HQLBbd 60Hz 21.5" Monitor  ($117.99 @ NCIX) 

Total: $776.39

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-08 15:14 EST-0500

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  • Author

The ssd was one of the big questions I had, as if it was worth to get one now or to put the money in something else and upgrade later. Looking at both builds, the only thing that changes is the CPU (i3 DualCore - i5 QuadCore). Is the 130$ difference between the two that significant?

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The ssd was one of the big questions I had, as if it was worth to get one now or to put the money in something else and upgrade later. Looking at both builds, the only thing that changes is the CPU (i3 DualCore - i5 QuadCore). Is the 130$ difference between the two that significant?

IF you can spend those extra 58$, you are in for a MUCH more powerful machine. What's really killing this build, is the fact that you also need a monitor. If only you didn't, it would be easy to squeeze in a lot more performance.

 

At any rate, see if you can get this:

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($218.32 @ TigerDirect Canada)

Motherboard: MSI H97M-E35 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($95.95 @ Vuugo)

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($79.99 @ Canada Computers)

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($57.99 @ Canada Computers)

Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 280 3GB Double Dissipation Video Card  ($199.99 @ NCIX)

Case: Thermaltake Versa H23  ATX Mid Tower Case  ($45.99 @ NCIX)

Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($49.99 @ Memory Express)

Monitor: LG 22M35D 60Hz 22.0" Monitor  ($109.99 @ NCIX)

Total: $858.21

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-08 16:00 EST-0500

Want to help researchers improve the lives on millions of people with just your computer? Then join World Community Grid distributed computing, and start helping the world to solve it's most difficult problems!

 

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Ah canada, great health care but stupid tax

*Cue 60% here. And the tax is applied over the shipping fee as well.

 

I'm lucky I'm not the guy here that had to deal with 75%. you should be as well.

Want to help researchers improve the lives on millions of people with just your computer? Then join World Community Grid distributed computing, and start helping the world to solve it's most difficult problems!

 

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75% tax?

Ye.

 

There was a guy here claiming he had 75% tax on his country. I don't doubt it, I have 60% on mine.

Want to help researchers improve the lives on millions of people with just your computer? Then join World Community Grid distributed computing, and start helping the world to solve it's most difficult problems!

 

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PCPartPicker part list: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/LZBTqs


 

CPU: AMD A10-7850K 3.7GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($177.91 @ DirectCanada) 

Motherboard: Asus A88XM-A Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard  ($62.99 @ NCIX) 

Memory: Mushkin Silverline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($90.98 @ Newegg Canada) 

Storage: Sandisk Solid State Drive 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($59.95 @ Vuugo) 

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($57.99 @ Canada Computers) 

Video Card: XFX Radeon R7 250 1GB Video Card  ($106.98 @ Newegg Canada) 

Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($49.95 @ Vuugo) 

Power Supply: CoolMax 500W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply  ($49.99 @ Amazon Canada) 

Optical Drive: LG GH24NSC0B DVD/CD Writer  ($19.99 @ Memory Express) 

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit)  ($107.99 @ NCIX) 

Total: $784.72

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-08 16:32 EST-0500

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An i3 will work fine but you do not need an extra cooler unless you're overclocking or need something extremely quiet.

As always I would put this in a mATX case and get a motherboard for that just because if you ever want to move it anywhere it's so much easier.

An SSD will make your computer FEEL fast and open programs fast. I would always suggest getting one.

 

PCPartPicker part list: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/gZWBWZ
 
CPU: Intel Core i3-4150 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($141.98 @ Amazon Canada) 
Motherboard: MSI H81M-P33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($54.99 @ Newegg Canada) 
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($90.98 @ Newegg Canada) 
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($82.98 @ DirectCanada) 
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($57.99 @ Canada Computers) 
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 280 3GB Double Dissipation Video Card  ($199.99 @ NCIX) 
Case: Rosewill Line-M MicroATX Mini Tower Case  ($59.99 @ Amazon Canada) 
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply  ($39.99 @ Memory Express) 
Total: $728.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-08 16:48 EST-0500

G3258 @ 4.5 | 8GB Team Vulcan RAM | 128GB Kingston V300 SSD (I didn't know what I was doing when I bought it) | MSI H81I Motherboard | Corsair H55 with Noctua NF-P12 | EVGA SSC GTX 960 4GB | OCZ 550W Fully Modular PSU with Noctua NF-A14 | Cooler Master Elite 130 (Soon to be something cool)

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IF you can spend those extra 58$, you are in for a MUCH more powerful machine. What's really killing this build, is the fact that you also need a monitor. If only you didn't, it would be easy to squeeze in a lot more performance.

 

At any rate, see if you can get this:

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($218.32 @ TigerDirect Canada)

Motherboard: MSI H97M-E35 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($95.95 @ Vuugo)

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($79.99 @ Canada Computers)

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($57.99 @ Canada Computers)

Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 280 3GB Double Dissipation Video Card  ($199.99 @ NCIX)

Case: Thermaltake Versa H23  ATX Mid Tower Case  ($45.99 @ NCIX)

Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($49.99 @ Memory Express)

Monitor: LG 22M35D 60Hz 22.0" Monitor  ($109.99 @ NCIX)

Total: $858.21

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-08 16:00 EST-0500

This is the best build, but remove the HDD and place a SSD.

Add later a HDD.

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Posted

Ye.

 

There was a guy here claiming he had 75% tax on his country. I don't doubt it, I have 60% on mine.

60% sales tax?! Jesus! In the US it's only a 10% sales tax! But then again if your feelings are hurt by that fact, you can go get your feels checked out for free...

Follow the topics you create using the "Follow" button in the top right corner!

One day I will have my GTX 970. One day. PC specs are at my profile.

Not sure how to check what part works with what? Check out my compatibility guide!

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An i3 will work fine but you do not need an extra cooler unless you're overclocking or need something extremely quiet.

As always I would put this in a mATX case and get a motherboard for that just because if you ever want to move it anywhere it's so much easier.

An SSD will make your computer FEEL fast and open programs fast. I would always suggest getting one.

 

PCPartPicker part list: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/gZWBWZ
 
CPU: Intel Core i3-4150 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($141.98 @ Amazon Canada) 
Motherboard: MSI H81M-P33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($54.99 @ Newegg Canada) 
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($90.98 @ Newegg Canada) 
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($82.98 @ DirectCanada) 
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($57.99 @ Canada Computers) 
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 280 3GB Double Dissipation Video Card  ($199.99 @ NCIX) 
Case: Rosewill Line-M MicroATX Mini Tower Case  ($59.99 @ Amazon Canada) 
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply  ($39.99 @ Memory Express) 
Total: $728.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-08 16:48 EST-0500

 

Incompatibility with the Haswell Refresh CPU detected. To avoid problems, when using the H81 chipset, make sure NOT to pick any CPU on this list: http://www.anandtech.com/show/7963/the-intel-haswell-refresh-review-core-i7-4790-i5-4690-and-i3-4360-tested/2

 

In other words, change the CPU to the i3-4130

Want to help researchers improve the lives on millions of people with just your computer? Then join World Community Grid distributed computing, and start helping the world to solve it's most difficult problems!

 

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Incompatibility with the Haswell Refresh CPU detected. To avoid problems, when using the H81 chipset, make sure NOT to pick any CPU on this list: http://www.anandtech.com/show/7963/the-intel-haswell-refresh-review-core-i7-4790-i5-4690-and-i3-4360-tested/2

 

In other words, change the CPU to the i3-4130

 

huh, strange that pcpp didnt catch that...

G3258 @ 4.5 | 8GB Team Vulcan RAM | 128GB Kingston V300 SSD (I didn't know what I was doing when I bought it) | MSI H81I Motherboard | Corsair H55 with Noctua NF-P12 | EVGA SSC GTX 960 4GB | OCZ 550W Fully Modular PSU with Noctua NF-A14 | Cooler Master Elite 130 (Soon to be something cool)

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huh, strange that pcpp didnt catch that...

It DOES catch it. Scroll all the way down, you'll see a note about it.

 

Reason is, the 2 pieces of hardware CAN work. But depending on the mobo BIOS, you may need to update it. And the only way to update the BIOS is by using a CPU. So in the case that you get shipped a mobo with an old bios, you are screwed, because you'll have no way to flash a new one.

 

But once flashed, it will work. That's why partpicker won't give the huge red warning, only the small blue one. To avoid issues, just make sure to not match those.

Want to help researchers improve the lives on millions of people with just your computer? Then join World Community Grid distributed computing, and start helping the world to solve it's most difficult problems!

 

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