Build a PC with $700!

[Tychotych]

Hey guys! 

 

I need some advice for a friend of mine.

 

He wants to build a PC from scratch. He has a keyboard, mouse and monitor.

The PC will be used for gaming. I really hope you guys can help me out!

 

With kind regards,

Tycho

[DarkBlade2117]

Any color scheme in mind?

[Moondrelor]

$700?

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($174.89 @ OutletPC) 

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master GeminII M4 58.4 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($31.99 @ Directron) 

Motherboard: ASRock H81M-DGS R2.0 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($47.98 @ Newegg) 

Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury Black 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($39.99 @ Newegg) 

Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($69.88 @ OutletPC) 

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($49.98 @ OutletPC) 

Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 960 2GB SuperSC ACX 2.0+ Video Card  ($194.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($34.99 @ Micro Center) 

Power Supply: EVGA 430W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply  ($33.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Total: $678.68

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-01-12 12:27 EST-0500

[SkywardKkalox]

Hey guys! 

 

I need some advice for a friend of mine.

 

He wants to build a PC from scratch. He has a keyboard, mouse and monitor.

The PC will be used for gaming. I really hope you guys can help me out!

 

With kind regards,

Tycho

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4440 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($179.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H81M-HD2 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($39.99 @ Micro Center) 

Memory: Crucial 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($30.99 @ Newegg) 

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($49.98 @ OutletPC) 

Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 390 8GB Video Card  ($299.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($34.99 @ Micro Center) 

Power Supply: EVGA 650W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($61.50 @ Newegg) 

Total: $697.43

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-01-12 12:30 EST-0500

[TheRandomness]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($174.89 @ OutletPC) 

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B85M-DS3H-A Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($52.98 @ Newegg) 

Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($34.99 @ Amazon) 

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($45.88 @ OutletPC) 

Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 390 8GB Video Card  ($293.98 @ Newegg) 

Case: Xion XON-310_BK MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($21.98 @ Newegg) 

Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($55.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Total: $680.69

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-01-12 12:30 EST-0500

 

Wooo 390. Also, SSD later.

[GrobfootGaming]

Listen to the people who are telling you to get an r9 390.  An r9 390 kicks the 960's ass.

[Abir Vandergriff]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($188.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H81M-HD2 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($39.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: Crucial 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($30.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($45.88 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 390 8GB Video Card  ($293.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill REDBONE ATX Mid Tower Case  ($44.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($43.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $688.80
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-01-12 12:50 EST-0500

 

Technically, all the builds that are basically just i5 with 8GB of RAM and R9 390 or 970 are also capable of running the Oculus Rift, if you were looking to buy one even at $600.

 

Edit: Better PSU.

[i_build_nanosuits]

Listen to the people who are telling you to get an r9 390.  An r9 390 kicks the 960's ass.

of course it does...it's twice as expensive.

I would not cut corners all over the place in order to fit an R9 390...his budget clearly good for an R9 380 or 380X along with a core i5 and a decent H97 motherboard though.

[i_build_nanosuits]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($188.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H81M-HD2 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($39.99 @ Micro Center) 

Memory: Crucial 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($30.99 @ Newegg) 

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($45.88 @ OutletPC) 

Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 390 8GB Video Card  ($293.98 @ Newegg) 

Case: Rosewill REDBONE ATX Mid Tower Case  ($44.99 @ Amazon) 

Power Supply: Corsair CX 500W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($34.99 @ Newegg) 

Total: $679.81

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-01-12 12:37 EST-0500

 

Technically, all the builds that are basically just i5 with 8GB of RAM and R9 390 or 970 are also capable of running the Oculus Rift, if you were looking to buy one even at $600.

that PSU can't power that GPU it's only 38A on the 12v rail.

it's way too cheap.

[JefferyD90]

Hey guys! 

 

I need some advice for a friend of mine.

 

He wants to build a PC from scratch. He has a keyboard, mouse and monitor.

The PC will be used for gaming. I really hope you guys can help me out!

 

With kind regards,

Tycho

Go with a A88X platform and build from there.  If you want a specific build send me a message and I'll send something back within a day.

[SkywardKkalox]

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($188.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H81M-HD2 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($39.99 @ Micro Center) 

Memory: Crucial 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($30.99 @ Newegg) 

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($45.88 @ OutletPC) 

Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 390 8GB Video Card  ($293.98 @ Newegg) 

Case: Rosewill REDBONE ATX Mid Tower Case  ($44.99 @ Amazon) 

Power Supply: Corsair CX 500W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($34.99 @ Newegg) 

Total: $679.81

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-01-12 12:37 EST-0500

 

Technically, all the builds that are basically just i5 with 8GB of RAM and R9 390 or 970 are also capable of running the Oculus Rift, if you were looking to buy one even at $600.

 

CX PSU. Rip.

[SkywardKkalox]

Go with a A88X platform and build from there.  If you want a specific build send me a message and I'll send something back within a day.

What? Why would you even try to build an FM2+ system at the 700$ price range.

[i_build_nanosuits]

I would build something like that instead:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6400 2.7GHz Quad-Core Processor ($183.88 @ OutletPC)

Motherboard: MSI Z170A PC MATE ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($89.99 @ Micro Center)

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws 4 series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($43.99 @ Newegg)

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.98 @ OutletPC)

Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 380X 4GB DD XXX OC Video Card ($223.98 @ Newegg)

Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro M ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Newegg)

Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ Newegg)

Total: $706.80

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-01-12 12:44 EST-0500

[TheRandomness]

Oh and if you want Skylake:
 
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
 
CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($199.98 @ OutletPC) 
Motherboard: Asus H110M-A Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($51.98 @ Newegg) 
Memory: G.Skill NT Series 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory  ($34.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($45.88 @ OutletPC) 
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 390 8GB Video Card  ($293.98 @ Newegg) 
Case: Xion XON-310_BK MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($21.98 @ Newegg) 
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($55.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Total: $704.78
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-01-12 12:46 EST-0500
 
If you don't posts #4 and #5 have good lists.
 

I would build something like that instead:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6400 2.7GHz Quad-Core Processor ($183.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: MSI Z170A PC MATE ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($89.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws 4 series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($43.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 380X 4GB DD XXX OC Video Card ($223.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro M ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $706.80
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-01-12 12:44 EST-0500

Just saying, the NEX series of PSU are like G1 and B1 and such... to be avoided.

[Abir Vandergriff]

CX PSU. Rip.

 

 

that PSU can't power that GPU it's only 38A on the 12v rail.

it's way too cheap.

Whoops, didn't notice. Was an adaptation of a cheaper build. Guess I forgot that I had that on there. I'll edit that out.

[SkywardKkalox]

I would build something like that instead:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6400 2.7GHz Quad-Core Processor ($183.88 @ OutletPC)

Motherboard: MSI Z170A PC MATE ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($89.99 @ Micro Center)

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws 4 series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($43.99 @ Newegg)

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.98 @ OutletPC)

Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 380X 4GB DD XXX OC Video Card ($223.98 @ Newegg)

Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro M ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Newegg)

Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ Newegg)

Total: $706.80

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-01-12 12:44 EST-0500

Only thing that I'd change is that NEX PSU. And the mobo to an h170 if he doesn't get a K series CPU in the future.

[i_build_nanosuits]

Oh and if you want Skylake:

 

If you don't posts #4 and #5 have good lists.

 

Just saying, the NEX series of PSU are like G1 and B1 and such... to be avoided.

hey there little genius...those EVGA psu are budget options they are by no means dangerous or bad or ''to be avoided'' or any other shit like that they are decent budget options and i would use one in my own build any day of the week.

Cheaping out on motherboard and memory configuration just to fit an higher end graphics card is not a good idea IMHO my build features an MSI Z170 motherboard for overclocking and dual channel 2400mhz memory so a much better system overall with a weaker graphics card sure but he can upgrade that later and get much better performance out of this kit...and the 380X is no sloutch either it can run games at 1080p with ease.

[i_build_nanosuits]

Only thing that I'd change is that NEX PSU. And the mobo to an h170 if he doesn't get a K series CPU in the future.

you don't get it...this motherboard will allow him to run his CPU at different base clockspeed therefore allow overclocking for both the CPU and memory...here listen to this video here ( i suggest you listen to the entire video...it's 15min. long but you'll learn a lot):

with skylake, you don't need a ''K'' chip for overclocking, you just need the good motherboard...and this one i picked is a good board for that.

another quick video more focused on increased gaming performance with the skylake overclocked ''locked'' processor:

[Redicat]

Any preferred merchants you wanne buy from?

[SkywardKkalox]

hey there little genius...those EVGA psu are budget options they are by no means dangerous or bad or ''to be avoided'' or any other shit like that they are decent budget options and i would use one in my own build any day of the week.

Cheaping out on motherboard and memory configuration just to fit an higher end graphics card is not a good idea IMHO my build features an MSI Z170 motherboard for overclocking and dual channel 2400mhz memory so a much better system overall with a weaker graphics card sure but he can upgrade that later and get much better performance out of this kit...and the 380X is no sloutch either it can run games at 1080p with ease.

Quite agreesive, ain't we?

Chill out.

[Tychotych]

Thanks you guys! You're amazing! 

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-6400 2.7GHz Quad-Core Processor ($183.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: MSI Z170A PC MATE ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($89.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws 4 series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($43.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 380X 4GB DD XXX OC Video Card ($223.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro M ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $706.80

Love you guys! Thanks a lot!

[i_build_nanosuits]

Thanks you guys! You're amazing! 

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-6400 2.7GHz Quad-Core Processor ($183.88 @ OutletPC)

Motherboard: MSI Z170A PC MATE ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($89.99 @ Micro Center)

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws 4 series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($43.99 @ Newegg)

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.98 @ OutletPC)

Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 380X 4GB DD XXX OC Video Card ($223.98 @ Newegg)

Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro M ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Newegg)

Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ Newegg)

Total: $706.80

Love you guys! Thanks a lot!

for future upgrades to this machine you might want to add an SSD and a better CPU cooler in the future. I would recommend a cooler master hyper 212 these are around 30$ more or less...it's worth it it would be quieter and you could change the baseclock of the CPU a bit without worying too much about temps...and the SSD with 240gb should be good to install windows and your programs on it and it will be much faster.