I am new to custom builds, and I need some expert/advanced advice on which parts I should buy. I plan on using the computer for Virtual Machines, business purposes, pentesting, programming, dual boot with Windows 7 and a Linux distro (not sure which, but I like Arch, Manjaro, and Mint) and possibly gaming and editing. I am uncertain on the last two, but I have a few parts so far: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive, Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer, and a Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor. I am really struggling with the price range, because I want to get the right parts but not go over budget or get parts that don't work well with the others. Please give me any advice you can. I need help filling in the rest of the list. I am also really worried about the motherboard because I understand its importance and the fact that I can't rush through and select parts at random. Here is some extra information in case: I would prefer 16GB of RAM. I have been using my laptop for most things, but I would really like a desktop. I have always been the tech savvy type, but recently I have become interested in building my own PC.Thanks if you give an answer!
I need advice on parts for $350-400 Build
- Thread starter Harvey007
- Start date
cst1992
Splendid
- Nov 8, 2013
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First of all, congrats on wanting to build your own PC. Doing so means that you will be in charge of your own PC, not needing to pay so-called experts money on trivial problems you can easily fix yourself.
For $350-400, I don't think you can put together a gaming computer. Most of the budget is going to go in the processor and motherboard, and an operating system. If the OS is separate, the extra money can go towards beefing up some of the parts.
For $350-400, I don't think you can put together a gaming computer. Most of the budget is going to go in the processor and motherboard, and an operating system. If the OS is separate, the extra money can go towards beefing up some of the parts.
cst1992
Splendid
- Nov 8, 2013
- 3,903
- 1
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Indeed, look at this:
On PCPartPicker, the parts you picked themselves go up to $400:
PCPartPicker part list
CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($174.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($45.88 @ OutletPC)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($17.88 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 OEM (64-bit) ($93.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $392.73
On PCPartPicker, the parts you picked themselves go up to $400:
PCPartPicker part list
CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($174.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($45.88 @ OutletPC)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($17.88 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 OEM (64-bit) ($93.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $392.73
okcnaline
Splendid
- Nov 17, 2013
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Here's what would make a good gaming computer at $400 (without Windows):
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-DX58SO-Core-i7-Motherboard-i7-930-2-8GHz-CPU-6GB-Memory-/252206529134?hash=item3ab8ae3a6e:g:vZAAAOSwv-NWaIhF
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gigabyte-AMD-Radeon-HD-6870-GV-R687OC-1GD-1-GB-GDDR5-SDRAM-PCI-Express-x16-/181967965390?hash=item2a5e22ccce
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA4H81E87157
http://www.outletpc.com/dx5854-western-digital-caviar-blue-1tb.html
http://www.microcenter.com/product/438353/S340_ATX_Mid_Tower_Case_w-_Side_Window_-_Black
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-DX58SO-Core-i7-Motherboard-i7-930-2-8GHz-CPU-6GB-Memory-/252206529134?hash=item3ab8ae3a6e:g:vZAAAOSwv-NWaIhF
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gigabyte-AMD-Radeon-HD-6870-GV-R687OC-1GD-1-GB-GDDR5-SDRAM-PCI-Express-x16-/181967965390?hash=item2a5e22ccce
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA4H81E87157
http://www.outletpc.com/dx5854-western-digital-caviar-blue-1tb.html
http://www.microcenter.com/product/438353/S340_ATX_Mid_Tower_Case_w-_Side_Window_-_Black
okcnaline
Splendid
- Nov 17, 2013
- 8,083
- 5
- 26,965
Uh... Don't buy what you can't afford. After buying the i5, you're already out of the $$$.
Assuming you don't need the OS (since you said you would dual boot Windows 7), this would be the best build I would recommend.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-DX58SO-Core-i7-Motherboard-i7-930-2-8GHz-CPU-6GB-Memory-/252206529134?hash=item3ab8ae3a6e:g:vZAAAOSwv-NWaIhF
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gigabyte-AMD-Radeon-HD-6870-GV-R687OC-1GD-1-GB-GDDR5-SDRAM-PCI-Express-x16-/181967965390?hash=item2a5e22ccce
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA4H81E87157
http://www.outletpc.com/dx5854-western-digital-caviar-blue-1tb.html
http://www.microcenter.com/product/438353/S340_ATX_Mid_Tower_Case_w-_Side_Window_-_Black
Assuming you don't need the OS (since you said you would dual boot Windows 7), this would be the best build I would recommend.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-DX58SO-Core-i7-Motherboard-i7-930-2-8GHz-CPU-6GB-Memory-/252206529134?hash=item3ab8ae3a6e:g:vZAAAOSwv-NWaIhF
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gigabyte-AMD-Radeon-HD-6870-GV-R687OC-1GD-1-GB-GDDR5-SDRAM-PCI-Express-x16-/181967965390?hash=item2a5e22ccce
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA4H81E87157
http://www.outletpc.com/dx5854-western-digital-caviar-blue-1tb.html
http://www.microcenter.com/product/438353/S340_ATX_Mid_Tower_Case_w-_Side_Window_-_Black
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