$500 Budget Computer (US Dollars)

[griffin77boyle]

I want to build a desktop computer. Just a simple build, with 8GB of ram and a nice looking case. I would LOVE it, if you could post links of where I can buy the parts (preferably on amazon), and also whether or not i should water-cool it. I would like to  keep the cost near $500, if possible LESS.

 

 

Thank you in advance for any helpful comments.

[rtpb5642]

Gaming or just a PC?

[griffin77boyle]

I live in New York. I do need an os. I have a monitor and keyboard (i have a mouse). The point of the build is to have a computer for school work and video streaming, as well as a little gaming (no need for excessive work in the gaming area).

[griffin77boyle]

Thank you sooooooo much. Are all these parts compatible?

[stconquest]

Sorry I went over, but I wanted some GPU power.

 

$550:

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($113.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H81M-S2H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($49.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: PNY XLR8 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($43.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 320GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($24.00 @ Amazon)  <<Had to cut costs somehow, adding storage later is easy
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 270 2GB TurboDuo Video Card  ($127.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake Versa H22 ATX Mid Tower Case  ($33.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA 400W ATX Power Supply  ($20.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 OEM (64-bit)  ($86.98 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Kingwin CF-012LB 40.0 CFM 120mm  Fan  ($3.98 @ OutletPC)  <<Front intake
Case Fan: Kingwin CF-012LB 40.0 CFM 120mm  Fan  ($3.98 @ OutletPC)  <<Front intake
Total: $509.86
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-28 10:25 EDT-0400

[griffin77boyle]

one question... what about fans. are they included?

[stconquest]

Ya, they are the warning things on PCpartpicker aren't that helpful all the time.  It's just saying that if the mobo was older you'd need to update the bios.  The cards are big.  So, some drive bays might not be able to use, but the thing has like 8 and I doubt you'd be using all 8.    By the way I added a second option, so debate between the two.  Originally I forgot to add a PSU.  So, I just edited.  The i3 would give you more in streaming than the Pentium by the way.

 

You might want to further explain how the HR CPUs work when paired with an 8-Series mobo.  If the bios is unrevised, he won't be able to do anything with the PC. 

[griffin77boyle]

thank you all so much for this

[stconquest]

thank you all so much for this

 

The next step down would be an AMD 860K CPU.  It saves a bunch.

[stconquest]

Aren't new motherboards versions already updated to work with them?

 

Absolutely not.  A lot of the old stock is still under Haswell revisions.  To be fair a lot of them are revised.  You should always contact the retailer before you buy a pairing like a 4160 with an H81 mobo.... or confirm it somehow.

 

It is too risky to do blindly.

[stconquest]

Hm, I figured the newer rev models would be updated.  He could do it himself by going to the maker's site and flashing from the existing bios.

 

If the revision number is displayed, yes.  Like certain Gigabyte B85 (rev.3) board on Newegg.  You can go to the manufacturer's site to verify the revision (rev.3).  Most are not displayed and you would have to call/email them.

 

You can't flash the bios on 99% of current low end boards without a working CPU.  A few more expensive ASUS ones do have a "CPU-less" bios flash feature.

[Guest trucker2]

Check out Microcenter, CPU/mb bundles and open box deals, it might be worth the drive.