Hello, we are a high school computer class doing a project. We need to find the best motherboard, processor, and RAM combination for $550 - $750. Our instructor needs explanations on why they are the best for the price. Our computer needs to be able to run basic office programs, surf the internet, download music and videos, and play games from CD/DVD or online. Thank you for your help.
High School Computer Project
- Thread starter BCS10
- Start date
Solution
IndyAJD
Honorable
- Sep 6, 2013
- 377
- 0
- 10,960
There are several options you could consider. Here's one:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
CPU: Intel Core i5-4430 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($181.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($74.78 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($68.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.17 @ B&H)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 270X 2GB TWIN FROZR Video Card ($169.99 @ Amazon)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($98.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $764.84
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-23 12:15 EDT-0400
This one pushes the budget a bit. Here are the advantages of the parts.
- The quad-core i5 offers great performance out of the box
- The motherboard is of the newest line of non-overclocking boards.
- 8 GB of RAM is standard for gaming and office use. You don't need more unless you're running a large server.
- 1TB of storage is standard for desktops, and will allow for plenty of space. It runs at 7200RPM. which is the current standard for hard drives.
- The video card is an excellent card at a budget price. It'll play games like Battlefield 4 at High-Ultra settings.
- Case is simple but functional, with enough space for all of your needs and decent cooling. I've built with it before.
- Power supply is a quality unit from a reliable brand, and 550W will suit your needs well.
- Optical drive is simple, cheap, and fast. I have it in my PC. It won't do bluray, that'll cost a bit extra, but it does CD/DVD.
- Windows 7 is my preference, feel free to get Windows 8.1 if you disagree.
I'll have a second cheaper option if you'd like.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
CPU: Intel Core i5-4430 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($181.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($74.78 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($68.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.17 @ B&H)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 270X 2GB TWIN FROZR Video Card ($169.99 @ Amazon)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($98.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $764.84
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-23 12:15 EDT-0400
This one pushes the budget a bit. Here are the advantages of the parts.
- The quad-core i5 offers great performance out of the box
- The motherboard is of the newest line of non-overclocking boards.
- 8 GB of RAM is standard for gaming and office use. You don't need more unless you're running a large server.
- 1TB of storage is standard for desktops, and will allow for plenty of space. It runs at 7200RPM. which is the current standard for hard drives.
- The video card is an excellent card at a budget price. It'll play games like Battlefield 4 at High-Ultra settings.
- Case is simple but functional, with enough space for all of your needs and decent cooling. I've built with it before.
- Power supply is a quality unit from a reliable brand, and 550W will suit your needs well.
- Optical drive is simple, cheap, and fast. I have it in my PC. It won't do bluray, that'll cost a bit extra, but it does CD/DVD.
- Windows 7 is my preference, feel free to get Windows 8.1 if you disagree.
I'll have a second cheaper option if you'd like.
IndyAJD
Honorable
- Sep 6, 2013
- 377
- 0
- 10,960
Sure, heres a second one. I actually like this one better for a classroom standpoint.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($109.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($33.03 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Team Vulcan 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($67.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: HIS Radeon R9 270X 2GB IceQ X² Video Card ($172.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Antec Three Hundred ATX Mid Tower Case ($46.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($98.98 @ OutletPC)
Other: Premiertek POWERLINK PL-U15010N IEEE 802.11n USB - Wi-Fi Adapter ($27.00)
Total: $752.90
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-23 12:32 EDT-0400
The benefit of this setup versus the other one is overclocking. If you don't know, overclocking is increasing the CPUs clock speed past its stock settings. Essentially, getting more performance out of your CPU. If done with caution, it can be rewarding and fun. I thought it would be a cool experiment for the class.
- The FX-6300 is an unlocked processer, meaning it is designed to be overclocked.
- The aftermarket CPU cooler is necessary for overclocking, as its larger, more efficient, and runs faster, allowing for higher CPU temperatures caused by overclocking.
- The Antec Three Hundred case is a little nicer as far as airflow and noise containment go, which is good for overclocking.
- Premierlink Wireless Adapter is a quality wifi adapter. You'll need this if you go with the previous build, I forgot it.
The rest of the parts are the same.
You'll also need some thermal paste. Thermal paste seperates the CPU from the heatsink. Stock coolers come with it, however this aftermarket cooler will not. You can get some for as cheap as $3. http://pcpartpicker.com/part/arctic-silver-thermal-paste-cmq227g
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($109.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($33.03 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Team Vulcan 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($67.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: HIS Radeon R9 270X 2GB IceQ X² Video Card ($172.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Antec Three Hundred ATX Mid Tower Case ($46.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($98.98 @ OutletPC)
Other: Premiertek POWERLINK PL-U15010N IEEE 802.11n USB - Wi-Fi Adapter ($27.00)
Total: $752.90
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-23 12:32 EDT-0400
The benefit of this setup versus the other one is overclocking. If you don't know, overclocking is increasing the CPUs clock speed past its stock settings. Essentially, getting more performance out of your CPU. If done with caution, it can be rewarding and fun. I thought it would be a cool experiment for the class.
- The FX-6300 is an unlocked processer, meaning it is designed to be overclocked.
- The aftermarket CPU cooler is necessary for overclocking, as its larger, more efficient, and runs faster, allowing for higher CPU temperatures caused by overclocking.
- The Antec Three Hundred case is a little nicer as far as airflow and noise containment go, which is good for overclocking.
- Premierlink Wireless Adapter is a quality wifi adapter. You'll need this if you go with the previous build, I forgot it.
The rest of the parts are the same.
You'll also need some thermal paste. Thermal paste seperates the CPU from the heatsink. Stock coolers come with it, however this aftermarket cooler will not. You can get some for as cheap as $3. http://pcpartpicker.com/part/arctic-silver-thermal-paste-cmq227g
IndyAJD
Honorable
- Sep 6, 2013
- 377
- 0
- 10,960
I've experimented with overclocking my GPU a bit, and I plan on overclocking my CPU. It isn't very difficult, it just requires patience.
There are some good guides on the internet related to overclocking. One like this looks pretty good.
There are some good guides on the internet related to overclocking. One like this looks pretty good.
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