PC under 500 USD with discrete GPU. For gaming, surfind web and multitasking.

[bloodmage7]

Hello,
I planning to build a PC under 500 USD. I am confused between AMD and Intel. while Amd ( FX4100 and A8) offer more cores intel core i3 2100 has less cores. Also, is the cost of motherboard for AMD and Intel same? I am also thinking of buying discrete GPU ( ATI HD 6770). Please help. PC will be used for mediocre gaming ( Latest games and medium settings). which PSU will I need? Please help.

 

[bloodmage7]

Hello,
Guys, help me.
Now I am confused between A8 vs FX 4100 vs core i3 2100. Which one should I go for. Considering future upgrades, will FM1 socket be a dead end? As I am thinking of buying ATI 6770 if budget permits, will FX 4100 have advantage over A8 APU as I will be having a discrete GPU.
I am new to all this.
Waiting.

 

[zero888]

Intel would be the best bet if you plan on upgrading in the future. Dual cores are fine for gaming as long as your not maxing all the settings on every game you play but Quads are better if you have a little extra cash.

For the PSU I would go for a 500-600W with an amp rating of higher than 35A on the 12v rail.

Overall my choice would be this- Intel if you want a higher end system but don't mind spending more money than you would need to, or AMD- if you're on a budget and would like to save more and still have a sufficient enough system to run games and programs at the specs you want them to.

Note- AMD is better imo for eyefinity setup if you wanna to do a dual, triple, quad, or a six monitor setup.

Note 2- List the website or place where you plan to purchase the parts from, it will make it easier for most of us to set you up with a configuration and at the same time find an appropriate price for your needs.

 

[jessterman21]

Part list permalink / Part price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-2120 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($124.27 @ Compuvest)
Motherboard: ASRock H61M-VS Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($37.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Western Digital AV 320GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($50.78 @ Compuvest)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 6850 1GB Video Card ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill RANGER-M MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec 380W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($44.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $500.98

You could drop the video card to an HD 6790 or 6770 if you hate mail-in-rebates like me, but you'll get less performance. Hope you've got peripherals and a copy of windows already...

 

[zero888]

I would go for a higher power supply just to have more headroom for your components. Heres a configuration for you straight from newegg if your interested.

AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ965FBGMBOX-$119.99

MSI 760GM-P23 (FX) AM3+ AMD 760G Micro ATX AMD Motherboard $52.99

Patriot G Series ‘Sector 5’ Edition 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model PGV38G1333ELK-$42.99

Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKX 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive-$84.99

OCZ ZS Series 550W 80PLUS Bronze High Performance Power Supply compatible with Intel Sandy Bridge Core i3 i5 i7 and AMD Phenom-$69.99

LITE-ON Black 18X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model iHDS118-04 - OEM-$18.99

SILVERSTONE Precision Series PS05-B Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Tool-less Installation Design Computer Case-$44.99

ASUS EAH6770 DC/2DI/1GD5 Radeon HD 6770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card-$124.99

Total- $559.92 without shipping (all from newegg)

 

[zero888]

your math is crap, the price is not out the door but rather lacks shipping and relies on MIR which is not an actual price but rather a six month later price.

How's my config I setup? It's better and a lot easier to purchase from all at one location since shipping will be cheaper. But Mine doesn't include shipping so I'm not really sure.

 

[jessterman21]

your math is crap, the price is not out the door but rather lacks shipping and relies on MIR which is not an actual price but rather a six month later price.

YOUR math is crap! I mentioned the MIR - and shipping is mostly free on these items.

All my info was taken from http://pcpartpicker.com/

 

[jessterman21]

How's my config I setup? It's better and a lot easier to purchase from all at one location since shipping will be cheaper. But Mine doesn't include shipping so I'm not really sure.

And it's way over bloodmage's budget...

The i3 is better than the Phenom at games, and the LGA 1155 platform allows for up to an i7-3770K upgrade in the future. The Antec EA-380D can support up to an HD 7850 with no problems, and that's plenty of gaming power.

I agree, however - I'd advise purchasing everything from Newegg - they're the best! Though you'll be hard-pressed to find a 7200rpm hard drive with enough space - at under $75. You could drop the CPU to a $75 Pentium: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116406
and you would still tie the Phenom in games: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-fx-pentium-apu-benchmark,3120-10.html

 

[jessterman21]

The i3 is better than the Phenom at games, and the LGA 1155 platform allows for up to an i7-3770K upgrade in the future. The Antec EA-380D can support up to an HD 7850 with no problems, and that's plenty of gaming power. http://www.lzxin.info/g.php

Um yes - that's what I said.

Here are a few other good video card choices that will keep you in budget with shipping. They perform about the same, but a little worse than an HD 6850.

XFX HD 6790
HIS HD 7770

 

[loops]

You could do it. With newegg you will need combos to get it done. Even still you will be hard pressed to get 500 w/o mir.

I'd save till you are closer to 650.00 or 700.00.

 

[mcopinger]

I just built a co-working a low-medium performance computer for $535 (including windows 7, no including monitor, keyboard or mouse)

I used (and I don't remember exactly but feel free to use this as a baseline):

Dual core Phenom II
Radeon 5670
pretty basic mother board
2x2Gigs of 1333Mhz of Ram
a 430w PSU (I think...)
and 2 hard drives in JBOD format (one was used and the other was new, wanted to give her at least 500GB of space..)
DVD drive.

now her's was pretty basic, she told me she wanted to play duke nukem and zelda (rolls eyes) on it so I went basic with the option to upgrade... it's possible but difficult to build a system that cheap. I'd suggest seeing if you can get Win7 from your school or something at a discounted rate (my college does that). figure out what the lowest PSU you need is and go +100w above that. all your parts are going to have to be sub $100 though, I'd suggest getting a Black phenom dual core and a mobo that can unlock CPUs. may get nothing, may get a quad.

GOOD LUCK MAN!

EDIT: I actually think I used a dual core Althon... the Regor... 3.0Ghz OC to 3.2... just liked the number

 

[zero888]

You could do it. With newegg you will need combos to get it done. Even still you will be hard pressed to get 500 w/o mir.

I'd save till you are closer to 650.00 or 700.00.

Go with this. At least you have some room for shipping costs and what not.

 

[zero888]

And it's way over bloodmage's budget...

The i3 is better than the Phenom at games, and the LGA 1155 platform allows for up to an i7-3770K upgrade in the future. The Antec EA-380D can support up to an HD 7850 with no problems, and that's plenty of gaming power.

I agree, however - I'd advise purchasing everything from Newegg - they're the best! Though you'll be hard-pressed to find a 7200rpm hard drive with enough space - at under $75. You could drop the CPU to a $75 Pentium: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116406
and you would still tie the Phenom in games: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-fx-pentium-apu-benchmark,3120-10.html

But wouldn't it be worthwhile to get a Quad core for other things such as video editing, rendering, etc. etc.. I'm not saying that the i3 is not worth it because it is, however I think for his budget a quad core would be a more reasonable way to go ( you may even find a dual core be and quite possibly unlock it to 4 cores, but that's pretty much a gambling).

-Another thought would be looking into APU's. However that doesn't really give you the option to upgrade in the future.

 

[jessterman21]

But wouldn't it be worthwhile to get a Quad core for other things such as video editing, rendering, etc. etc.. I'm not saying that the i3 is not worth it because it is, however I think for his budget a quad core would be a more reasonable way to go ( you may even find a dual core be and quite possibly unlock it to 4 cores, but that's pretty much a gambling).

-Another thought would be looking into APU's. However that doesn't really give you the option to upgrade in the future.

Well sure, in that case a quad core would be advisable, but even the new Pentiums will easily handle the most intense Web browsing sessions as well as multitasking. As long as one of those tasks isn't video encoding or the like.

 

[cmi86]

If you are going to go with AMD spend the $$ and get the best Phenom II you can. The FX's were a flop and piledriver is still a ways off and most likely wont be much better. So there wont be alot of upgrade options.

If you decide to go intel you will be sacrificing initial performance as you would only be getting a dual core in your price range. How ever with the 1155 platform the upgrade option is there down the road if you choose.

 

[bloodmage7]

Benchmarks show that a 2core Intel core i3 beats FX 4100 easily which is a 4 core.
I thought about Phenom II, but isn't it a aging processor? Which socket it supports?
And about future upgrades, I would think of upgrading CPU and then to crossfire if motherboard permits.
So if i go for FX which supports AM3+ will I be able to upgrade to Piledriver? Or should I go for 1155 platform?
I think Piledriver looks promising.

 

[bloodmage7]

Intel would be the best bet if you plan on upgrading in the future. Dual cores are fine for gaming as long as your not maxing all the settings on every game you play but Quads are better if you have a little extra cash.

For the PSU I would go for a 500-600W with an amp rating of higher than 35A on the 12v rail.

Overall my choice would be this- Intel if you want a higher end system but don't mind spending more money than you would need to, or AMD- if you're on a budget and would like to save more and still have a sufficient enough system to run games and programs at the specs you want them to.

Note- AMD is better imo for eyefinity setup if you wanna to do a dual, triple, quad, or a six monitor setup.

Note 2- List the website or place where you plan to purchase the parts from, it will make it easier for most of us to set you up with a configuration and at the same time find an appropriate price for your needs.

Yes I too think 500W will suffice. As you said Quads are better, FX 4100 is a quad. So, shouldn't I go for it?
The price of intel core i3 2100 and AMD FX 4100 is almost same. My work will be gaming on medium settings and heavy web browsing and multitasking. Eg:- Minimizing Crysis and watching a youtube video or playing crysis whle waiting for a youtube video to load or scanning for viruses while surfing or watching a movie.
I would think of future upgrading my processor in future. Like piledriver or Haslem( if it comes in couple of years). Also, crossfire will be an option.

About website, actually I am from India. I posted 500 USD just because it would be easy for you all guys to know my budget. I would be buying parts from a local dealer, who sells parts almost at the same price at newegg.

 

[bloodmage7]

Part list permalink / Part price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-2120 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($124.27 @ Compuvest)
Motherboard: ASRock H61M-VS Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($37.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Western Digital AV 320GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($50.78 @ Compuvest)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 6850 1GB Video Card ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill RANGER-M MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec 380W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($44.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $500.98

You could drop the video card to an HD 6790 or 6770 if you hate mail-in-rebates like me, but you'll get less performance. Hope you've got peripherals and a copy of windows already...

Actually I am from India. I posted 500 USD so that it will be easy to understand for you guys. So, i can't ship from newegg, but the prices of a local dealer here in India is almost same. You can still post links for me to get an idea and specs.
I am planning to buy HD 6770 only.
I have got Windows 7 and the other stuff.
Thanks.

 

[ohyouknow]

For 500 bucks initial build if you wanna xfire/OC later down the road you'd have to pick up a new mobo, new PSU which will leave you with $100+ dollars of backup parts waiting to be used once again. Someone suggested earlier that you should save until you reach $700 or so before you take the plunge.

To answer your latest question, AM3+ will support Piledriver. All you would need to do is flash mobo BIOS to the newest revision.

My suggestion, wait until you get more money then drop it on an 1155 platform z77 mobo/bigger PSU for xfire. A proper setup for future xfire capability. Also I'm assuming you'd need windows correct unless you got a free/cheap way to get one yes? Add another $100 to that 500. Cheers and GL

 

[bloodmage7]

And it's way over bloodmage's budget...

The i3 is better than the Phenom at games, and the LGA 1155 platform allows for up to an i7-3770K upgrade in the future. The Antec EA-380D can support up to an HD 7850 with no problems, and that's plenty of gaming power.

I agree, however - I'd advise purchasing everything from Newegg - they're the best! Though you'll be hard-pressed to find a 7200rpm hard drive with enough space - at under $75. You could drop the CPU to a $75 Pentium: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116406
and you would still tie the Phenom in games: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-fx-pentium-apu-benchmark,3120-10.html

About future upgrade, I would think of upgrading in couple of years. AMD supports AM3+ sockets, will I be able to upgrade?
Motherboard should support crossfire, else a powerful a single GPU in future. Yes, if budget permits.
320 GB HDD would be enough for me or max 500 GB

 

[bloodmage7]

For 500 bucks initial build if you wanna xfire/OC later down the road you'd have to pick up a new mobo, new PSU which will leave you with $100+ dollars of backup parts waiting to be used once again. Someone suggested earlier that you should save until you reach $700 or so before you take the plunge.

To answer your latest question, AM3+ will support Piledriver. All you would need to do is flash mobo BIOS to the newest revision.

My suggestion, wait until you get more money then drop it on an 1155 platform z77 mobo/bigger PSU for xfire. A proper setup for future xfire capability. Also I'm assuming you'd need windows correct unless you got a free/cheap way to get one yes? Add another $100 to that 500. Cheers and GL

I won't think of OC. But, crossfire, yes. I would think of upgrading my processor in couple of years.
I have got windows 7. No problem about that.
To sum up, my mobo should support future processor upgrade and GPU upgrade. All if budget permits.

 

[ohyouknow]

And a beefy PSU most importantly. Get a good PSU and MOBO if you want to upgrade graphics cards etc. 600-700 wattage range quality brand.

 

[cmi86]

I won't think of OC. But, crossfire, yes. I would think of upgrading my processor in couple of years.
I have got windows 7. No problem about that.
To sum up, my mobo should support future processor upgrade and GPU upgrade. All if budget permits.

In response to your previous post, yes the Phenom II is somewhat of an aging processor. That being said with it's 4 true cores it will greatly out perform an i3 in basically everything that isn't single threaded. If you want to build it and keep it go with the Phenom II as it will be faster than anything intel has to offer at that price point. If you want to upgrade go with the 1155 platform but don't waste $125.00 on an i3 just to upgrade it later. Save your $$ and get a good intel quad and go from there.

 

[bloodmage7]

In response to your previous post, yes the Phenom II is somewhat of an aging processor. That being said with it's 4 true cores it will greatly out perform an i3 in basically everything that isn't single threaded. If you want to build it and keep it go with the Phenom II as it will be faster than anything intel has to offer at that price point. If you want to upgrade go with the 1155 platform but don't waste $125.00 on an i3 just to upgrade it later. Save your $$ and get a good intel quad and go from there.

What's the difference between Phenom II and FX series. 4100 is a quad. Piledriver will support AM3+.
And which Intel quad are you talking about?

 

[jessterman21]

Maybe next time start your thread with "I'm in India." I appreciate the USD conversion, but hardware is usually priced higher overseas.