Basic Family PC build. Is this overkill?

abr231194 · Jun 4, 2015

Hi guys, I'm from Singapore so my options are quite limited and the prices are much more expensive compared to the US. This PC will just be for children's school work, light web surfing and powerpoint,word etc. No gaming expected. I have a strict budget of $450 so an upgrade to a g3258 or a slightly better Mobo might be possible.
I think the build is good enough though. Can I cut any more corners or is this just fine? Thanks guys

The CPU and Mobo is a bundle so I just priced one of it.

CPU: Intel Pentium G3240 3.1GHz Dual-Core Processor ($175.00)
Motherboard: MSI B85-G41 PC Mate ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($0.00)
Memory: Crucial 2GB (1 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($28.00)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($70.00)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($80.00)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($68.00)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($25.00)
Total: $446.00

Atlasisninja · Jun 4, 2015

Well since it's only for light web surfing and things like PPT and Word, maybe you could lower the 1 TB to like 500 or 750 GB and invest in 4 GB of RAM? I think that might be better

kwa-e · Jun 4, 2015

If all you're doing is basic stuff like you mentioned all you will likely need is an A6 processor and a cheap FM2+ motherboard with decent quality.

How about this?
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD A6-6400K 3.9GHz Dual-Core Processor ($47.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A68HM-H Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($40.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Pareema 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.75 @ OutletPC)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Directron)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($29.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $227.69
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-04 01:04 EDT-0400

GregoryDude · Jun 4, 2015

Wow, those prices are outrageous. I would not upgrade the CPU or motherboard - especially for what the PC is going to be used for - it's fine.

In today's day and age - 2GB RAM is just not enough. I would go with 4GB RAM minimum if you can swing it (maybe cut down on the hard drive for the extra funds towards more ram).

Lastly, even a Celeron CPU would suit you well, save the money from that at try to get an SSD. An SSD and more RAM will make a world of difference compared to a CPU upgrade.

RCFProd · Jun 4, 2015

GregoryDude :

In reality, even though components and products in general cost more in Australia, their salary is significantly higher on average and more than compensates for said prices. Balance wise it costs Australians less money to build a PC believe or not compared to salary to components price ratio.

kwa-e · Jun 4, 2015

RCFProd :

GregoryDude :

In reality, even though components and products in general cost more in Australia, their salary is significantly higher on average and more than compensates for said prices. Balance wise it costs Australians less money to build a PC believe or not compared to salary to components price ratio.

And yet they complain.

They have no Idea how it goes here in the Philippines :I

abr231194 · Jun 4, 2015

Atlasisninja :

I could drop down to a 500gb which would save me $8 and and upgrade to 4gb of ram would cost another $20. Might look into that.

If all you're doing is basic stuff like you mentioned all you will likely need is an A6 processor and a cheap FM2+ motherboard with decent quality.

Sadly the choices for AMD are very limited and the next cheapest after an A6 is an A8 which is about $200 with a Mobo.

Lastly, even a Celeron CPU would suit you well, save the money from that at try to get an SSD. An SSD and more RAM will make a world of difference compared to a CPU upgrade.

The only options I have are pentiums and I3,I5 etc

The cheapest SSD is a Kingston 120GB V300 for $75 which I think is out of the questions sadly.

manmeetpaul · Jun 4, 2015

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/WBYGYJ

RCFProd · Jun 4, 2015

Some people really need to take their time and read posts. So many pointless builds are suggested this way. Not to mention the Athlon 860K doesn't even have onboard graphics.

abr231194 · Jun 4, 2015

RCFProd :

Yeah I have to agree XD.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/WBYGYJ

Thanks for the build but the prices here are about twice as much haha. The SSD would cost me $140 and the Ram $100 XD

manmeetpaul · Jun 4, 2015

RCFProd :

It's one of the best budget CPU out there. A cheap 50$ dedicated video card with this will outperform any intel pentium card.
Also, I'll recommend the seller to go with just a 128GB SSD since there won't be anything more than browsing etc.

manmeetpaul · Jun 4, 2015

RCFProd :

GregoryDude :

In reality, even though components and products in general cost more in Australia, their salary is significantly higher on average and more than compensates for said prices. Balance wise it costs Australians less money to build a PC believe or not compared to salary to components price ratio.

Some people really don't pay attention, he's from Singapore not Australia.

RCFProd · Jun 4, 2015

My goodness me you must have outsmarted me with that deeply-thought-through comment. It was just an answer to a question and an example of how that works in Australia.

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