500$ Programming / Gaming PC

[jayyy915]

So after I made my own PC my friend ask me if I can help him in creating a PC for him but I don't know if there is a difference between a Programming PC and a Gaming PC.

 

Can someone suggest me a good PC for programming and gaming. The only games he play are DotA 2, LoL, CS:GO and we don't usually play on Ultra High Settings.

 

Budget around 500$ US Price.

 

Edit: Already owned Monitor, Mouse, Keyboards

[Dabombinable]

Hmm, I'll start with an i3 and a 2GB GTX 750ti & 8GB RAM (2x4GB).

[Nineshadow]

In a sec.

There you go :

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($104.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Motherboard: MSI H81M-P33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($43.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($64.98 @ Newegg) 

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($48.49 @ OutletPC) 

Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 280 3GB TWIN FROZR Video Card  ($169.99 @ Newegg) 

Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($31.98 @ Newegg) 

Power Supply: EVGA 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($34.99 @ NCIX US) 

Total: $488.41

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-30 05:01 EDT-0400

 

Good for everything.Really good GPU performance and the CPU won't bottleneck it in most games.

[Megazero]

So after I made my own PC my friend ask me if I can help him in creating a PC for him but I don't know if there is a difference between a Programming PC and a Gaming PC.

 

Can someone suggest me a good PC for programming and gaming. The only games he play are DotA 2, LoL, CS:GO and we don't usually play on Ultra High Settings.

 

Budget around 500$ US Price.

 

(Already owned Monitor, Mouse, Keyboards)

Not really. Any computer can be use to do programming, even my friend who still coding on his 5-6 years old laptop so...

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor  ($93.95 @ SuperBiiz) 

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-D3P ATX AM3+/AM3 Motherboard  ($75.98 @ Newegg) 

Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($56.99 @ Newegg) 

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($48.49 @ OutletPC) 

Video Card: Asus Radeon R9 270X 2GB DirectCU II Video Card  ($165.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Case: Thermaltake Versa H22 Window ATX Mid Tower Case  ($29.99 @ Newegg) 

Power Supply: Silverstone Strider Essential 500W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply  ($51.99 @ NCIX US) 

Total: $523.38

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-30 05:00 EDT-0400

[Dabombinable]

 

Type|Item|Price

:----|:----|:----

**CPU** | [intel Core i3-4150 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i34150) | $104.95 @ SuperBiiz 

**Motherboard** | [ASRock H97M Anniversary Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-h97manniversary) | $60.98 @ Newegg 

**Memory** | [Team Elite Plus 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/team-memory-tpd38g1333c9dc01) | $55.98 @ Newegg 

**Storage** | [sandisk Ultra Plus 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/sandisk-internal-hard-drive-sdssdhp128gg25) | $49.98 @ NCIX US 

**Storage** | [Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wd10ezex) | $52.75 @ OutletPC 

**Video Card** | [Gigabyte GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB WINDFORCE Video Card](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-video-card-gvn75toc2gi) | $119.99 @ Newegg 

**Case** | [NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/nzxt-case-s210001) | $31.98 @ Newegg 

**Power Supply** | [seaSonic 300W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/seasonic-power-supply-ss300etbronze) | $36.99 @ SuperBiiz 

 | *Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts* |

 | Total (before mail-in rebates) | $553.60

 | Mail-in rebates | -$40.00

 | **Total** | **$513.60**

 | Generated by [PCPartPicker](http://pcpartpicker.com) 2015-03-30 05:11 EDT-0400 |

[Paralectic]

Programming doesn't require any power at all.

[Dabombinable]

Programming doesn't require any power at all.

True, you can program in DOS with only a 25MHz CPU and 4MB RAM. #legacyMR

[Vexzarium]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i3-4150 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($104.95 @ SuperBiiz) 

Motherboard: ASRock H97 PRO4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($70.98 @ Newegg) 

Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($56.99 @ Adorama) 

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($48.49 @ OutletPC) 

Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card  ($129.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Case: BitFenix Neos White ATX Mid Tower Case  ($33.99 @ NCIX US) 

Power Supply: EVGA 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($44.99 @ NCIX US) 

Case Fan: BitFenix BFF-SCF-P12025KK-RP 51.3 CFM 120mm  Fan  ($9.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Case Fan: BitFenix BFF-SCF-P12025KK-RP 51.3 CFM 120mm  Fan  ($9.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Total: $510.36

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-30 05:41 EDT-0400

 

I see an MMO in that list, so no AMD CPU's for you.

 

I suppose I've wasted a bit here, and a R9-280 could have been in this build instead of the 750ti, But I find this GPU to be plenty for the games he plays. So I've opted for a more complete feeling build.

 

The fans here are a perfect match for the case and they are also PWM fans. The Mobo has enough PWM headers for you to put both of these fans on a header each. These fans are for the front intake.

 

I also attempted to minimize horse dung "rebates" and shipping fees.

[Dabombinable]

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i3-4150 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($104.95 @ SuperBiiz) 

Motherboard: ASRock H97 PRO4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($70.98 @ Newegg) 

Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($56.99 @ Adorama) 

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($48.49 @ OutletPC) 

Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card  ($129.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Case: BitFenix Neos White ATX Mid Tower Case  ($33.99 @ NCIX US) 

Power Supply: EVGA 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($44.99 @ NCIX US) 

Case Fan: BitFenix BFF-SCF-P12025KK-RP 51.3 CFM 120mm  Fan  ($9.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Case Fan: BitFenix BFF-SCF-P12025KK-RP 51.3 CFM 120mm  Fan  ($9.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Total: $510.36

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-30 05:41 EDT-0400

 

I see an MMO in that list, so no AMD CPU's for you.

 

I suppose I've wasted a bit here, and a R9-280 could have been in this build instead of the 750ti, But I find this GPU to be plenty for the games he plays. So I've opted for a more complete feeling build.

 

The fans here are a perfect match for the case and they are also PWM fans. The Mobo has enough PWM headers for you to put both of these fans on a header each. These fans are for the front intake.

 

I also attempted to minimize horse dung "rebates" and shipping fees.

 

Isn't that PSU a bit on the overkill side?

Edit: I missed the rebates-the build I pieced together has an extra $40 without them.

[Vexzarium]

Isn't that PSU a bit on the overkill side?

Edit: I missed the rebates-the build I pieced together has an extra $40 without them.

For $45, only $2 more than the 500w variant, he might as well have the potential to upgrade later on. A 600w PSU gives him this ability.

[Imakuni]

For $45, only $2 more than the 500w variant, he might as well have the potential to upgrade later on. A 600w PSU gives him this ability.

Well... kinda not, really. Any single GPU won't have problems with 500w. And if you want dual GPU, you'd need support for it (SLI) or a bigger PSU ANYWAY (XF).

 

So... yeah. No point in going 600w instead.

[ObilvionNizer]

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/gJsxjX
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/gJsxjX/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i3-4160 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($99.99 @ Micro Center)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B85M-DS3H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($49.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($56.99 @ Adorama)
Storage: Sandisk Solid State Drive 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($49.98 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($48.49 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Superclocked Video Card  ($124.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($39.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($34.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $505.40
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-30 10:00 EDT-0400

[Imakuni]

Edit: Nvm. 

[Imakuni]

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/gJsxjX

Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/gJsxjX/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i3-4160 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($99.99 @ Micro Center)

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B85M-DS3H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($49.98 @ Newegg)

Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($56.99 @ Adorama)

Storage: Sandisk Solid State Drive 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($49.98 @ NCIX US)

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($48.49 @ OutletPC)

Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Superclocked Video Card  ($124.99 @ NCIX US)

Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($39.99 @ NCIX US)

Power Supply: EVGA 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($34.99 @ NCIX US)

Total: $505.40

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-30 10:00 EDT-0400

Haswell Refresh CPU incompatibility detected. When using Haswell-R Cpus, make sure to use H97 or Z07 mobos.

[ObilvionNizer]

Haswell Refresh CPU incompatibility detected. When using Haswell-R Cpus, make sure to use H97 or Z07 mobos.

Compatibility fixed with a bios update

[Redut]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4440 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($173.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Motherboard: MSI H81M-P33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($43.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Memory: Crucial 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($27.89 @ OutletPC) 

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($48.49 @ OutletPC) 

Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 280 3GB TWIN FROZR Video Card  ($169.99 @ Newegg) 

Case: Thermaltake VL80001W2Z ATX Mid Tower Case  ($21.99 @ Micro Center) 

Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply  ($24.99 @ NCIX US) 

Total: $511.33

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-30 11:58 EDT-0400

[Imakuni]

Compatibility fixed with a bios update

Yes. But how will you update it?

 

If you need to update, you'll need a CPU that can at least boot the machine; however, the Haswell-R cpu won't be able to do that. So you'll need to buy ANOTHER cpu to make the update, before you can use the one you originally bought. Yaay.....

[Imakuni]

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4440 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($173.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Motherboard: MSI H81M-P33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($43.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Memory: Crucial 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($27.89 @ OutletPC) 

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($48.49 @ OutletPC) 

Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 280 3GB TWIN FROZR Video Card  ($169.99 @ Newegg) 

Case: Thermaltake VL80001W2Z ATX Mid Tower Case  ($21.99 @ Micro Center) 

Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply  ($24.99 @ NCIX US) 

Total: $511.33

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-30 11:58 EDT-0400

 

Aside for the insufficient amount of RAM, shjty PSU, no SSD and the fact that you are overbudget on the MANY MIRs, that build looks good!

 

-Sarcasm on the last part.

[ObilvionNizer]

Yes. But how will you update it?

 

If you need to update, you'll need a CPU that can at least boot the machine; however, the Haswell-R cpu won't be able to do that. So you'll need to buy ANOTHER cpu to make the update, before you can use the one you originally bought. Yaay.....

My PC had the same bios incompatibility when i bought it. I just put the CPU in as normal booted the system installed windows, antivirus and then got the bios of the gigabyte website.

 

Just because it says its incompatible does not mean it wont POST or work.

[Imakuni]

My PC had the same bios incompatibility when i bought it. I just put the CPU in as normal booted the system installed windows, antivirus and then got the bios of the gigabyte website.

 

Just because it says its incompatible does not mean it wont POST or work.

Likewise, just because you didn't have problems with it does not mean that OP won't. He might get unlucky and end up in a world of headache because of it. In fact, it's actually the opposite: YOU got lucky that your PC booted.

 

Just avoid it altogether and recommend the 4130.

[ObilvionNizer]

Likewise, just because you didn't have problems with it does not mean that OP won't. He might get unlucky and end up in a world of headache because of it. In fact, it's actually the opposite: YOU got lucky that your PC booted.

 

Just avoid it altogether and recommend the 4130.

How do you know it was luck. The incompatibly is just informing it need the update to fully optimize the CPU. There is probably more people who have had a incompatibly like a bios update and it works fine. 

[Vexzarium]

Well... kinda not, really. Any single GPU won't have problems with 500w. And if you want dual GPU, you'd need support for it (SLI) or a bigger PSU ANYWAY (XF).

 

So... yeah. No point in going 600w instead.

That's absolutely incorrect. I can think of a few single GPU's that should have more than 500w. I happen to own one, the 290x Lightning. Even the GTX-980 should have around 550w in a fully built system. Some claim the 280x is in need of around 650w in a fully built system. And all of this is also dependent on the CPU you have selected. And let us not forget overclocking. Your philosophy is what leads to people having crashes and screens of death.

 

Spending $2 more to be on the safe side is what I'd consider the right way to go. Regardless of how much wattage you need. 

[Dabombinable]

That's absolutely incorrect. I can think of a few single GPU's that should have more than 500w. I happen to own one, the 290x Lightning. Even the GTX-980 should have around 550w. Some claim the 280x is in need of around 650w. And all of this is also dependent on the CPU you have selected. And let us not forget overclocking. Your philosophy is what leads to people having crashes and screens of death.

 

Spending $2 more to be on the safe side is what I'd consider the right way to go. Regardless of how much wattage you need. 

Considering I myself have managed to run a GTX 970 on a 400W PSU while folding for over 24 hours, what's recommended doesn't always apply if the rest of the system has a low power consumption.

[Vexzarium]

Considering I myself have managed to run a GTX 970 on a 400W PSU while folding for over 24 hours, what's recommended doesn't always apply if the rest of the system has a low power consumption.

I can see this being possible if everything in the system is low power.

 

Now luckily I didn't go with the 970 so I do not have a power efficient GPU, which is not a trait I consider to hold any value for me. And my CPU is power efficient... when it's not overclocked. So you may be running a 970 on a 400w PSU, but I'd expect there is something not running full bore in your system.

 

"Any single GPU won't have problems with 500w"  This statement is absolutely nullified. How would my rig run properly on a 500w PSU when it draws 622w-672w from the wall? This obviously being under full load conditions.

[Dabombinable]

I can see this being possible if everything in the system is low power. But for gaming, I'd not expect much to be low power. What people really need to do is take their GPU's out, or bypass them and use the integrated graphics,  and run a stress test like Prime95 or something like it. All of this while having a meter to tell you what your total draw is from the wall. Now you'll know what your system draws before you add the GPU. Now repeat these steps with the GPU active. If "Any single GPU won't have problems with 500w"  then how would my rig run properly when it draws 622w-672w?

 

Now luckily I didn't go with the 970 so I do not have a power efficient GPU, which is not a trait I consider to hold any value for me. And my CPU is power efficient... when it's not overclocked. So you may be running a 970 on a 400w PSU, but I'd expect there is something not running full bore in your system.

Your using 600W due to a combination of a powerful but inefficient graphics card (GTX 970 performs about the same while being able to run off a 400W PSU with an i5 4440 as the CPU.) and an i5 4690K with an overclock.