$600 Budget Non-Gaming Build For A Friend

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Icaraeus

Icaraeus

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Oct 9, 2013
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A friend of mine intends to build a desktop PC to use as a replacement to his iPad (he doesn't have a laptop and has an old desktop PC).

He has a budget of "$600+", saying that's where he'd start off with, and intends to only use the system for school/uni assignments, Internet browsing and 1080p media playback and streaming as well as being able to multitask.

His OS of preference is Windows 8, and he said that he may expand upon the $600 budget. He lives in Australia so the places to fins components would be different - the site to find the best component prices for Australia is http://www.staticice.com.au/
 
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H
So I actually designed a build like an hour or so ago. Designed to be small and to be used for LAN events mostly. Its cost was like 479 i think or so in US prices. In AUD it would be 549 before a screen and such. Would not be bad. It also has built in wifi.

The best way to get a screen cheap is second hand. On my local CL I see 1080p 21-23inch screens for 30-40 dollars a lot.

As far as generals. For a build like this where he really is not gaming at all you definetly should go integrated to save so money. The AMD's integrated is better then the Intels option of i3s. Not to mention it is also cheaper.

Anywho here is my solution for you!

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU:...
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nashdes001

nashdes001

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Dec 3, 2013
1,360
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11,660
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2G7W8
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2G7W8/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2G7W8/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($109.99 @ TigerDirect)
Motherboard: ASRock 970 Extreme3 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($53.10 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($47.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: HIS Radeon HD 5450 1GB Video Card ($38.57 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 311 (Blue) ATX Mid Tower Case ($42.99 @ Mwave)
Power Supply: Antec 450W ATX Power Supply ($36.62 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus BC-12B1ST/BLK/B/AS Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($59.00 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($97.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: AOC E2051F 60Hz 20.0" Monitor ($97.37 @ TigerDirect)
Total: $647.61
 
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Metalrenok

Honorable
Sep 6, 2013
520
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11,160
Or an Intel build if you want :)

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2G8RO
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2G8RO/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2G8RO/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($119.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus H81M-A Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($62.62 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($43.46 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate SV35.5 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($73.49 @ Staples)
Case: NZXT Source 210 Elite (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 450W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($61.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Asus BC-12B1ST/BLK/B/AS Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($59.00 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($97.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Dell E2213H 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($101.99 @ Staples)
Total: $665.49
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-01-23 08:27 EST-0500)
 
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M

Metalrenok

Honorable
Sep 6, 2013
520
0
11,160
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2GafZ
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2GafZ/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2GafZ/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Celeron G1830 2.8GHz Dual-Core Processor ($57.49 @ Staples)
Motherboard: Asus H81M-A Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($62.62 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate SV35.5 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($73.49 @ Staples)
Case: NZXT Source 210 Elite (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 450W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($61.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Asus BC-12B1ST/BLK/B/AS Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($59.00 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($97.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Dell E2213H 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($101.99 @ Staples)
Keyboard: Logitech K120 Wired Standard Keyboard ($10.29 @ B&H)
Mouse: Logitech M500 Wired Laser Mouse ($22.74 @ B&H)
Total: $667.56
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-01-23 09:51 EST-0500)
 
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Icaraeus

Icaraeus

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Oct 9, 2013
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Is the Intel Celeron an APU? You didn't include a dedicated GPU (which is fine if it handles 1080p) in the build so I was just wandering.

He also wants the PSU to last a long time (5+ years) and i'm not sure the PSU will last that long considering the rather low cost.
 
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Sayken

Sayken

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Jul 8, 2013
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he wants quite much lol.
mentioned above builds are good. except celeron part.
I would take the fx 6300. quality pieces.
here my suggestion:

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2GaE5
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2GaE5/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2GaE5/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4430 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($184.98 @ SuperBiiz)
comes wit hd 4600 which can handle even skyrim on medium 1080p so media and normal use = easy task.
Motherboard: ASRock B85M Pro4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($77.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($72.25 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($47.00 @ Amazon)
Case: Cougar Solution (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($97.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: AOC E2260SWDN 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $666.71
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-01-23 10:11 EST-0500)

he can upgrade later to a nice gpu like hd 7750 or higher ^^ if he will ever want
 
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Sayken

Sayken

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Jul 8, 2013
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if he has 0 intention to game or use pc for some work (edit, create, rendering...) makes no sense to throw more into it.
my suggestion. get either the fx 6300 or i5 I mentioned. they will last 5 years for what he intends to do. even more. get a nice trust mouse and keyboard and add windows 8.0.
keep away from 8.1. got fooled to buy it and is junk.
 
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Icaraeus

Icaraeus

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Oct 9, 2013
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This, the desktop PC I'm building next week or the week after (I'm paying $1130 for everything I'm buying except OS, RAM, monitor, mouse and keyboard which I already have) would have cost me a bit less than $1000 if I was in the US. If anyone could use that site it'd save me some hassle looking for the parts and converting to AUD.
 
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rolandzhang3

rolandzhang3

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Sep 28, 2013
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He'd do pretty well with an APU build

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A8-6600K 3.9GHz Quad-Core Processor ($125.00 @ CPL Online)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A55M-HD+ Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($69.00 @ PLE Computers)
Memory: GeIL EVO POTENZA 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($99.00 @ Mwave Australia)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 335 Upgraded ATX Mid Tower Case ($46.00 @ Mwave Australia)
Power Supply: Antec Basiq 350W ATX Power Supply ($42.09 @ Mwave Australia)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($22.00 @ Mwave Australia)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - OEM (64-bit) ($115.00 @ CPL Online)
Monitor: Asus VE228H 21.5" Monitor ($151.99 @ Mwave Australia)
Total: $739.08
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-01-24 19:08 EST+1100)

Damn, still quite expensive :lol:, 8GB used to cost around $40-50 a year ago

If not doing anything intensive like video editing or gaming, you could get away with a kit of 4GB (2x2GB) memory to save some cash

Could also save some more going with a case which comes with a generic PSU

Of course, that depends on the pricing and availability at your local retailer
 
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Sayken

Sayken

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Jul 8, 2013
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sorry for the inconvenience then.
here is the build with au prices

PartPicker part list: http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/2GESM
Price breakdown by merchant: http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/2GESM/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/2GESM/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($135.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Motherboard: ASRock B85M Pro4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($87.00 @ CPL Online)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($108.00 @ CPL Online)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Case: BitFenix Merc Alpha (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($52.58 @ Mwave Australia)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($84.00 @ PLE Computers)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($23.00 @ CPL Online)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($108.00 @ Mwave Australia)
Monitor: AOC E2260SWDN 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($132.00 @ Mwave Australia)
Total: $798.58
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-01-24 19:22 EST+1100)

wow they know how to compete at ridiculous prices with germany o.o
 
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H

Heroesneverquit

Honorable
Feb 13, 2013
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10,810
So I actually designed a build like an hour or so ago. Designed to be small and to be used for LAN events mostly. Its cost was like 479 i think or so in US prices. In AUD it would be 549 before a screen and such. Would not be bad. It also has built in wifi.

The best way to get a screen cheap is second hand. On my local CL I see 1080p 21-23inch screens for 30-40 dollars a lot.

As far as generals. For a build like this where he really is not gaming at all you definetly should go integrated to save so money. The AMD's integrated is better then the Intels option of i3s. Not to mention it is also cheaper.

Anywho here is my solution for you!

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A8-6600K 3.9GHz Quad-Core Processor ($103.24 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A88M-HD+ Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($69.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Kingston Black 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($74.29 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.89 @ Amazon)
Case: Silverstone PS08W MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($47.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 500W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ TigerDirect)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($97.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $518.35
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-01-24 21:09 EST-0500)

518.35 converted is 595. So you would have 150 or so for moniter and such. So not that bad. You could save some money by going with a non modular and weaker power supply. I just went with the 500w as the extra power would not be bad. And I went with semi modular just to make it easier to wire it up. Could also save a teeny amount on the case. I went with the Silverstone just because I like the way it looks. So you could save like 20 USD getting a cheaper one although the front usb's will probably be usb2.0 which is not a huge deal.

 
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rolandzhang3

rolandzhang3

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Sep 28, 2013
3,623
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You should have just used au.pcpartpicker.com, converting is never accurate, we don't have MIR nor do we have exact conversion prices :(

Then again, with that Intel build he can just purchase a gaming class GPU and use it as a gaming rig in the future when he might actually want to so there's that at least (as well as a future i5/i7 upgrade)
 
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