Budget build help

BoogieMan89 · Mar 25, 2014

Looking to build a computer that is under $500 BEFORE rebates. I need a monitor but do not need an OS. Looking to get into programming. Game a little bit but not enough to need a GPU right now but would like to be able to add a top tier one in later. Don't need optical drives.

woltej1 · Mar 25, 2014

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3g0Rm
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3g0Rm/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3g0Rm/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD A8-6600K 3.9GHz Quad-Core Processor ($102.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Biostar Hi-Fi A85W ATX FM2 Motherboard ($67.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($37.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 500W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Monitor: AOC e2050Swd 60Hz 19.5" Monitor ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $493.49

BoogieMan89 · Mar 25, 2014

woltej1 :

Just noticing something...Why do you suggest that case as opposed to something that would utilize the 3.0 header from the mobo?

woltej1 · Mar 25, 2014

Price. The source 210 elite(with USB 3.0) would put you over budget. It still has a back panel 3.0 slot.

BoogieMan89 · Mar 25, 2014

woltej1 :

what about this case?
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-case-200r

woltej1 · Mar 25, 2014

an excellent case and I highly recommend it, keeps it within a couple bucks of your budget so why not right.

BoogieMan89 · Mar 25, 2014

Now something totally separate but would I better off just getting a relatively cheap monitor from walmart or somewhere like that?

woltej1 · Mar 25, 2014

If you find one you like at a decent price sure, there isn't one thing special about the monitor I have in that build, just something within budget. It is 1600x900 resolution though, which I chose since you're running an APU, at least for now.

BoogieMan89 · Mar 25, 2014

Ok stupidish question would I need a NIC if I wanted to do wireless?

woltej1 · Mar 25, 2014

by NIC you mean network interface card? If so then yes, there is no built in wireless with this build.

BoogieMan89 · Mar 25, 2014

Anything in particular I should look for in a NIC?

BoogieMan89 · Mar 25, 2014

and yes I meant network interface card

woltej1 · Mar 25, 2014

n, ac and ad are the latest protocols for 802.11, so make sure it supports those to have some kind of a gauge on its quality, at least supports n.

Also compare it to your router, if your router is old school, make sure the adapter supports whatever the router is putting out.

BoogieMan89 · Mar 25, 2014

is this an actual NIC?

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/tp-link-wireless-network-card-tlwn725n

only reason I ask is because the last time I was building computers (around 10 years ago) they were an actual card that went in a PCI slot...

woltej1 · Mar 25, 2014

well yes, it is an actual NIC, how good does it work, who knows. Should do a little research on it. I don't know what internet you're running, but at max this will allow 150mbps. Also you gotta think about range. The antenna on that is about the size of a usb port. Other adapters have antennas big enough that it looks like you're trying to call in an air strike.

When I needed a wireless solution, I went with a cheap rosewill USB adapter with a big ass antenna and it served me well with no issues at all. Would I recommend it really? Probably not because cheap adapters are known to be a pain in the ass.

BoogieMan89 · Mar 25, 2014

After looking at the build and reading a lot of stuff about budget builds on here the general consensus seems to be that CX PSUs are horrible mainly because they are made poorly). The one you suggested says CX but it also says its a Corsair CX so is that the same thing they are talking about or is it a separate brand?

woltej1 · Mar 25, 2014

read some reviews on the CX, it is highly recommended, especially considering its price. The one thing it uses is 85C capacitors vs the higher end 100C ones, but guess what, average operating temps are 40C. All it takes is one person to say they are bad then 20 uneducated people will repeat it.

Is the CX line the best thing out there? Nope. But at this wattage and price range it can't be beat and it will never harm your computer.

Budget build help

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