Is This The BEST POSSIBLE $450 BUILD?!

high13 · Jun 13, 2016

Hello everybody. My question today is, is this the best possible build with an operating system (for $30, from kinguin/reddit)? I have a $450 budget, I cannot exceed it. I will definitely upgrade, and I'm obviously not looking to max out every game. I want this PC to be able to run very single game at the best possible fps/resolution for its value.

This is my build :

http://pcpartpicker.com/list/9PHrHN

Thanks everybody! Please reply and make sure to constructively criticize my build parts.

N3rdR4ge · Jun 13, 2016

its really not much more money for a much better, respectable build. if you absolutely have to stick to 450, your build is just ok.

i'd recommend:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4170 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($121.98 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B85M-DS3H-A Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury Black 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($29.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 250GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($32.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 960 4GB ACX 2.0+ Video Card ($174.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill FBM-01 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 520W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($30.00)
Total: $488.93
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-06-13 23:06 EDT-0400

StormBrew · Jun 13, 2016

You can get a better CPU while still remaining under budget, while also upgrading other components:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G4400 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($58.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI B150M BAZOOKA Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($26.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($47.49 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 950 2GB Video Card ($143.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill SRM-01 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($27.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA 430W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($30.00)
Total: $425.42
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-06-13 23:06 EDT-0400
The G4400, while being a dual core, outperforms the Athlon chip in gaming. To top it off, it comes with a newer architecture, meaning you have a better upgrade path in the future.
The motherboard offers way more features, including m.2 SSD support, USB 3.1, and a plethora of other features.
The memory is faster, and should improve performance particularly when using the dual core.

Overall this is a much better system, which will offer great performance for years to come, and a much better upgrade path.

Source:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmgkHjyMYPo

StormBrew · Jun 13, 2016

N3rdR4ge :

You're having him pay full price for a year and a half old CPU, a motherboard that has absolutely no features, and a smaller hard drive. The PSU is a good choice, but to remain under budget I think the 430W will do fine.

StormBrew · Jun 13, 2016

If you have the extra budget, I would recommend this system:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G4400 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($58.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI B150M BAZOOKA Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: PNY Anarchy 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($27.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($47.49 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 950 2GB Video Card ($143.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill SRM-01 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($27.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 520W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($30.00)
Total: $461.42
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-06-13 23:13 EDT-0400
The power supply will last longer, and a dual channel kit of Ram will also work well in this scenario.

N3rdR4ge · Jun 13, 2016

1. a smaller hard drive will not affect gaming in any way, as long as it is till 7200 rpm with a good cache size. its the op's choice on how much storage he will need.
2. 4th gen intel is still a relevent, popular platform. its also a great budget choice over skylake, which provides little improvement in terms of gaming. the cpu i chose has a combo deal with the mobo for $15 off if you click into the pcpartpicker link.
3. i wouldn't expect a feature rich motherboard in a $450 build. I would prefer being able to budget a better cpu/gpu over extra usb ports or power saving any day.

you also failed to mention that the graphics card I chose is a model higher with double the vram and the cpu is .4ghz faster with hyperthreading than the pentium you recommended. imo, 4gb is a must for newer games. 2gb vram has substantially lower minimum frame rates.

i could have chosen a smaller psu. however, i prefer quality power supplies and extra headroom in my recommendations.

high13 · Jun 13, 2016

N3rdR4ge, your build is pretty good but the storage is in fact too low for me. I also do not count rebates and everything, since i am fairly new to this and do not want to get too deep into all of that. I honestly think that the video card is fine for me, but you experienced guys are better at this than me. I honestly love how StormBrew put in the pentium in order to open a path for upgradeability. Thanks everybody. I'm still open to replies

high13 · Jun 13, 2016

I also CANNOT go over $450. $480 is way over my budget, but 460 is respectable. I just have doubts about that pentium.... a 3258 would've probably been better. No offense to anybody, if that was too harsh.

smorizio · Jun 13, 2016

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/list/2tfkLD
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/list/2tfkLD/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($110.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus H110M-C/CSM Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($58.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Crucial 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($26.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($47.49 @ OutletPC)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply ($27.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $272.45
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-06-13 23:49 EDT-0400

wait for the newer 470 gpu it going to be faster then the 960 for less money and use less power.

Martell1977 · Jun 13, 2016

You should wait until after June 29th, the AMD 480, 470 and 460 are being released. The 480 is rumored to have GTX 970 to 980 levels of performance for MSRP of $199. While that is out of your price range, the 470 will likely fit right in there and possibly outperform the cards mentioned here or give similar performance for cheaper.

Buying a GPU right now(under $200) is not a great idea, unless you are an nVidia fanboy. At the very least, there should be a shakeup after the 4XX cards are released on the 29th.

high13 · Jun 13, 2016

I understand. I am planning on building this pc at around very very early September (like September 2), so waiting for the new AMD cards should be no problem. I love AMD cards, it's just that the 950 seems really nice right now although AMD will sweep the sub-$250 market!

N3rdR4ge · Jun 13, 2016

i would ask for suggestions closer to when you are going to buy the build. prices change constantly.

WiiUMasterGman · Jun 13, 2016

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/list/KzVCJV
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/list/KzVCJV/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($71.98 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B85M-DS3H-A Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Team Elite Plus 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($48.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($47.49 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB FTW ACX Video Card ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman T2 Plus MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($27.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($29.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($83.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $425.31
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-06-13 23:58 EDT-0400

Martell1977 · Jun 13, 2016

high13 :

You should watch for Newegg sales then. They have sales all the time, but there will probably be some really nice ones around 4th of July. So far the Fathers Day sales have been tepid, but the 4th of July ones rarely disappoint. I suggest signing up for their email newsletter and see what deals come your way. If you can get a great sale on any of the other parts, it might open the door for a better CPU and/or GPU.

WiiUMasterGman · Jun 14, 2016

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/list/dDWP6X
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/list/dDWP6X/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($71.98 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B85M-DS3H-A Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Team Elite Plus 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($48.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($47.49 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R7 370 2GB Double Dissipation Video Card ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman T2 Plus MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($27.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($29.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($83.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $445.31
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-06-14 00:00 EDT-0400

Search

Is This The BEST POSSIBLE $450 BUILD?!

high13

Reputable

smorizio

N3rdR4ge

Distinguished

StormBrew

Distinguished

StormBrew

Distinguished

StormBrew

Distinguished

N3rdR4ge

Distinguished

high13

Reputable

high13

Reputable

smorizio

Titan

Martell1977

Splendid

high13

Reputable

N3rdR4ge

Distinguished

WiiUMasterGman

Reputable

Martell1977

Splendid

WiiUMasterGman

Reputable

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page