Help: $800 Programming + Light-Gaming Build

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Mattredsox

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Dec 23, 2013
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10,510
Happy holidays! I am looking into building a new PC. I will be using it for mainly java programming with eclipse and intellij as well as basic school work. Along with coding, I would like to be able to play games like Minecraft at high settings and be able to do some 3d rendering/video editing. I have a maximum price point of around $800 (USD). I will need a wireless network card as I do not have an Ethernet port near my desk. Unfortunately I will also a hard drive (1TB) , copy of Windows and a monitor because I am upgrading from a laptop.

I have also had issues with AMD processors in the past and would prefer to avoid them but I would consider using them if it is really the best choice for me.

I appreciate any help I can get, I am so overwhelmed by all of the choices! Thanks!
 
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Bassim Ansari
Your build is fine too.

Although I would like to add, don't be expecting to pay really demanding games on this rig with full HD resolution.

The 7790 can barely hang in there to play most games.

But on a budget, it would be the best card.

I think you're good to go.
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Bassim Ansari

Bassim Ansari

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Dec 18, 2013
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Your build is fine too.

Although I would like to add, don't be expecting to pay really demanding games on this rig with full HD resolution.

The 7790 can barely hang in there to play most games.

But on a budget, it would be the best card.

I think you're good to go.
 
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Mattredsox

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Dec 23, 2013
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10,510
Sweet, thank you! Also, the motherboard in my build is listed as a uATX which is bascically micro ATX, so some sites list the case and motherboard to be incompatable. Will I be okay?
 
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Bassim Ansari

Bassim Ansari

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Dec 18, 2013
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I am not sure about the motherboard.

I would prefer you take the 2gb Video Ram though. It will be useful for playing games and video editing which will definitely take use of extra VRAM.

Wait for someone else to answer about the motherboard. It's not much of my specialty.
 
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EmptyPockets

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Jun 20, 2012
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Looking at the specs on Newegg and the manufacturer websites the motherboard should fit perfectly well in that case. Normally though the motherboard size isn't the problem, you normally have to worry more about whether or not the video card is too long, and I couldn't find the length of that card anywhere, but the case says it supports cards up to 12.5" long, and I can't imagine a 7790 would be longer than that, so you should be fine.
 
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ScrewySqrl

ScrewySqrl

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Aug 2, 2010
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here's a radically different build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock 970 PRO3 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston Predator Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Storage: A-Data Premier Pro SP900 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($84.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($238.99 @ Staples)
Case: Rosewill Galaxy-03 ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Silverstone Strider Essential 500W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB/RSBS DVD/CD Writer ($23.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $692.92
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-30 02:19 EST-0500)

this is a much more powerful system for ony $700
 
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EmptyPockets

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Jun 20, 2012
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You're totally right, but the problem is that he also needs a wireless card, the OS, and a monitor. He could definitely buy a good kit with $800, but the fact that he needs those extra things means he really only has about $600 to work with for parts, making that a bit too expensive.

To the OP though: this person has pointed out something rather important in the fact that you can get a lot, lot more out of your money by buying an AMD processor. Technically Intel is better if you're comparing two similar-specification processors, but Intel is far more expensive and anyone working on a budget is better served buying an AMD, and I can personally attest that they work just as well, I'm running an FX 6300 as I type this and I'm extremely satisfied. I know you said you would prefer Intel, but I really recommend you pick out a much better AMD CPU instead.

 
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ScrewySqrl

ScrewySqrl

Champion
Aug 2, 2010
11,199
232
53,540


there is $107 Cushion to add a wireless card and a monitor. As a student the OP can get windows for $30 direct from Microsoft (a copy of Win 8 Pro).

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock 970 PRO3 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston Predator Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Storage: A-Data Premier Pro SP900 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($84.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($170.98 @ Newegg)
Wireless Network Adapter: Encore ENEWI-1XN42 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($8.98 @ OutletPC)
Case: Rosewill Galaxy-03 ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Silverstone Strider Essential 500W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB/RSBS DVD/CD Writer ($23.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - OEM (64-bit) ($30.00)
Monitor: Dell E2213H 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($101.99 @ Staples)
Total: $765.88
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-30 07:44 EST-0500)

my slight modification, dropping the GPU down just one step (the 660 instead of 760), and the student copy of Windows, and we're still under $800
 
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