Cheap PC build

[mapls]

Hello,

I am planning a new pc build. I don't need anything fancy. I will mainly use the pc for internet, movies and office work, but it would be cool if I could play some games too (I am really only interested in sports titles : Nba 2k and fifa series).

Location: Europe

Budget: £500

Approximate Purchase Date: in about 2 weeks

I don't need a monitor

I don't need an OS.

Would an APU build be ok for my needs?

Thanks!

 

[malbluff]

You could use an AMD APU, but even an A10-5800K, would be outperformed by an Intel Ivybridge i3-3220 and separate graphics card, at similar cost. To be fair A10 can slightly beat i3 in some multi-threaded applications, like video editing, but in all other ways, the i3 wins hands down, unless you overclock the A10, fairly enthuastically.
Using your budget, this is the "BEST" system.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor (£91.96 @ CCL Computers)
Motherboard: ASRock H77M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard (£62.99 @ Overclockers.co.uk)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (£36.98 @ Novatech)
Storage: Hitachi Deskstar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£50.18 @ Ebuyer)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card (£166.39 @ Scan.co.uk)
Case: Antec Three Hundred Two ATX Mid Tower Case (£50.13 @ Amazon UK)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 450W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply (£35.99 @ Novatech)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer (£15.98 @ Overclockers.co.uk)
Total: £510.60
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

That encorporates some high quality components, particularly GPU and case, and price could be reduced, probably by £50, and still meet your stated needs. This build does go beyond your needs, in graphics, but is an indication of what is possible. Depending on exactly where you are, of course, prices may be different, or there may be delivery costs.

 

[malbluff]

Out of interest, just did a basically similar build, using an A10, and it does come out considerably cheaper, and would be close to your stated requirements, even if a long way short of the i3 build, so here it is, so you can see the choice. As I said, the i3 build could be reduced, quite a bit, and still meet your wish list, although, honestly not to this level. It's a question of whether you want the best possible, for your budget, or minimum cost, to come close to your needs.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A10-5800K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor (£90.60 @ Scan.co.uk)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler (£26.65 @ Scan.co.uk)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A75M-DGS Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard (£52.99 @ Overclockers.co.uk)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (£36.98 @ Novatech)
Storage: Hitachi Deskstar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£50.18 @ Ebuyer)
Case: Antec Three Hundred Two ATX Mid Tower Case (£50.13 @ Amazon UK)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 450W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply (£35.99 @ Novatech)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer (£15.98 @ Overclockers.co.uk)
Total: £359.50
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

 

[mapls]

I think I will stick with the i3 build.

This

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7870 2GB Video Card (£180.94 @ Scan.co.uk)
Total: £180.94
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

Is only 3 pounds more than a msi gtx660 where I am. Maybe I should choose it instead?

Thanks for your help.

 

[malbluff]

In very general terms, the 7870 outperforms the 660, across a broad range of games, especially as it overclocks quite well. On the other hand nVidia does particularly well in some games, notably BF3, Borderlands, Starcraft. Even in those, it's not much better, so if price close, the HD7870 probably the better buy. Where I am, price difference is greater.