Best Budget PC Build ($350-$450)

FeverHD · May 5, 2014

I know there is a ton of posts just like this but I have a very interesting situation and would like to get the most out of my money since I will be working to buy everything.
This PC is just a first start and I will upgrade it over time
What I don't need: Peripherals,Monitor,OS,and a Graphics Card)
Graphics Card (Only if you cant fit it into the budget)
I may or may not be over clocking depending on if I can or not
This PC will be used for streaming on Twitch (Mostly X Box 360 But PC Games If It Can Handle)
Potential Buy : http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/partlist/
It will be upgraded over time so I need it to be easily upgrade able
Thank You!

damric · May 5, 2014

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($113.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI H81M-E33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($44.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: G.Skill AEGIS 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ Vertex 460 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($97.81 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 750 1GB Video Card ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Inwin Dragon Slayer MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($59.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 300W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($41.99 @ Mwave)
Total: $548.74
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-05 21:47 EDT-0400)

You could just add the GPU later and it will be under $450.

damric · May 5, 2014

Or the AMD Version:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD Athlon X4 760K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($84.73 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper TX3 54.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($18.16 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A88M-HD+ Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($58.90 @ Newegg)
Memory: AMD Radeon R9 Gamer Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($71.20 @ NCIX US)
Storage: OCZ Vertex 460 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($97.81 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R7 265 2GB Video Card ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Cougar Archon ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Mwave)
Power Supply: Rosewill Hive 550W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $570.77
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-05 22:03 EDT-0400)

Notice the AMD version needed a basic aftermarket cooler. The stock AMD one is rubbish.

kromboy · May 6, 2014

Why not go with an APU? then you can forego the graphics card altogether.
Unless you plan on getting the rig to $1000+ level, I think an APU will perform decently.

AMD A10-7850k can be had for as low as $120 or so, if you find the right deal. I know microcenter had them for $109 a couple months ago + $40 off on motherboard as a bundle.

The biggest obstacle for you would be the price range, it's really hard to get a decent rig put together at that price unless you make some serious sacrifices, I suppose losing a graphics card IS a big sacrifice, but I don't think you need to go that extreme.

One advice I would give you is this:

If you plan on getting a same socket cpu just for the sake of replacing the cpu later to a better one,

i.e. Buying a Haswell celeron so you can upgrade to an i5-4xxx or i7-4xxx series, I would advise against that.

Because you don't want to spend $100+ on motherboard for a $50 processor.
If you're going budget build, keep it low budget as possible, there's no point having a premium chipset mobo to go with a low end cpu. Most likely, when you upgrade, you'll replace everything except maybe RAM(also likely to be replaced), ODD, and HDD. maybe GPU, but probly not.

One way I recommend is, to build a complete low end rig right now, with no plans to upgrade. Then build a higher end one later when you have the money and keep the low end build as an HTPC or sell it as used.

I have some nice builds you can emulate within your range, just be sure to update the respective parts, i.e. change the cpu socket (Sandy Bridge to Haswell, Llano to Kaveri, etc.)

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/mini-itx-do-it-yourself-game-console,3531.html
$400 build with a discrete gpu, I made a similar build for $380, spent $80 on the case, so can be made a little cheaper if you can get a case for free from somebody.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/build-your-own-budget-pc-overclocking,3623.html
Using an AMD APU, foregoes the need for a discrete graphics card.
One thing I would do is to get the A10-7850k, should be able to get the build for around $400, A10-7850k really isn't as expensive as they say it is, it goes on sale often

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