Build Your Own Budget PC Overclocking

[Michael Page]

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/build-your-own-budget-pc-overclocking,3623.html

In this article, a budget system was created for less than $350. The problem is that this was done last quarter, so I am not sure that the information is still valid. In looking at the fourth quarter's bestconfigs articles, it seems that the lowest anyone went was sub $500. http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/bestconfigs-forum-builds,3692.html


So my question is whether the original $350 budget system in the first link is still valid, whether there are any components that could or should be replaced with newer hardware that has a comparable cost now vs. what it was when the article was written, or whether there is a newer article out there or in progress that was not included in the "bestconfigs" article for this quarter? I do understand that a lot of the costs depend on the combos offered by the company selling the components, but overall would this still be the best bang for your buck when faced with a meager budget?

 

[ScrewySqrl]

yes, the $350 build is still valid.

if you want to overclock, you'll want a higher quality cooler and motherboard, which ups the price to about $400:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A10-5800K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($114.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus A85XM-A Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($64.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($57.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($51.96 @ Amazon)
Case: Antec One ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $394.87
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-14 10:35 EST-0500)

 

[Michael Page]

Ok thank you. I wasn't sure if price drops in this quarter have made better components' prices fall in line with the prices of the ones in the original post, or if you could get the same rig $20-30 cheaper.

 

[ScrewySqrl]

prices aren't that different. I inclued somewhat faster RAM, the better board, and the cooler.