$500 PC build, not for gaming

[The0ne]

Trying to help a friend out by building him a small PC. PC is for basic use, not for gaming. I am hoping to go the route of microATX tower but not a requirement. I am posting here simply because I am lacking the time to find deals and parts. Any help you guys can provide will be appreciated.

1. Movies, surfing

2. $500

3. US

5. No brand preference

6. No currents parts to be use

7. No plans for OC

8. 1080p

9. Has to be built by 09/13/2013

X. No software needed


Need all parts for the PC (Case, PS, MB, RAM, CPU, DVD, HD). Would like it in a small form factor (i.e. coolermaster elite 130).

 

[DominionSeraph]

Inspiron 660s from Dell Outlet. Better if you wait for a sale.

 

[crashtech]

 

[The0ne]

Dell is an option but was hoping to build a PC since I don't get do them much anymore Thanks Crashtech for the list. Good list.

 

[crashtech]

I should mention that the RAM should probably be picked from the motherboard vendor list for best results. Doing that takes a bit of time.

That machine will be pretty snappy with those Haswell cores and a decent size SSD. I'm pretty sure you will not find that config in a $500 prebuilt right now.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Dell is an option but was hoping to build a PC since I don't get do them much anymore Thanks Crashtech for the list. Good list.

Also note that his build uses a pretty nice case.

Could always cheap out :awe:

 

[crashtech]

It's half off right now, so I couldn't resist speccing it for this build. A nice case sure does wonders for the perception of quality, a psychological thing, you know?

 

[The0ne]

No doubt. I am in the process of moving and couldn't pick up the R4 deal earlier. Once I get settle in I'm hoping to replace my antec 900 with it or just outright build a spare PC for the fun of it.

As for the parts it's a good list. I'm going to try to persuade him to go with SSD and not a HD.

 

[crashtech]

256GB is actually plenty of room for the intended use, but it's not like a $60 1TB storage drive couldn't be added later. Really the SSD is key to these kinds of builds imo, just adds that extra bit of snappy "wow" factor.

 

[Nec_V20]

For the CPU you cannot beat the AMD A10-6800k. This eliminates the need for an extra graphics card if the system is not being used for gaming.

CPU: A10-6800k $150 (For non games usage you can get by with the cooler that's supplied)
Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-F2A85XM-D3H FM2 AMD A85X $80
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 2*4GB $75
SSD Corsair Neutron 128GB $120
PSU: Seasonic SS-660P2 Platinum $120
Case:SilverStone Sugo Series SG10B $120
Optical Drive: LG 6X BD-R 2X BD-RE 8X DVD+R 5X DVD-RAM 6X BD-ROM 4MB Cache SATA Super-Multi Slim Blu-ray Burner BT30N - OEM $95

This puts you at $760 and you can get the lot at Newegg. Go for cheaper if you want, but don't expect it to either work or look good.

P.S. If you did want a cooler then go for the Noctua NH-L9a 92mm SSO2 CPU Cooler $50

 

[DDRGamer]

For the CPU you cannot beat the AMD A10-6800k. This eliminates the need for an extra graphics card if the system is not being used for gaming.

CPU: A10-6800k $150 (For non games usage you can get by with the cooler that's supplied)
Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-F2A85XM-D3H FM2 AMD A85X $80
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 2*4GB $75
SSD Corsair Neutron 128GB $120
PSU: Seasonic SS-660P2 Platinum $120
Case:SilverStone Sugo Series SG10B $120
Optical Drive: LG 6X BD-R 2X BD-RE 8X DVD+R 5X DVD-RAM 6X BD-ROM 4MB Cache SATA Super-Multi Slim Blu-ray Burner BT30N - OEM $95

This puts you at $760 and you can get the lot at Newegg. Go for cheaper if you want, but don't expect it to either work or look good.

P.S. If you did want a cooler then go for the Noctua NH-L9a 92mm SSO2 CPU Cooler $50

a 600w Seasonic for a non-gaming computer is absolutely unnecessary, and ignores the whole "$500 budget".
Same thing for the Silverstone.

Antec case/PSU combo for <$80. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129080

 

[Nec_V20]

a 600w Seasonic for a non-gaming computer is absolutely unnecessary, and ignores the whole "$500 budget".
Same thing for the Silverstone.

Antec case/PSU combo for <$80. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129080

As far as PSUs are concerned I want one that is not an IED in disguise. I also want one that won't give up the ghost at the first power surge which comes along. Also in a mATX build you really don't want more cables from the PSU than are absolutely necessary.

Sure, go with the Antec/PSU if you are sure that you never want to expand the system and want to get a piss-poor CPU.

 

[Torn Mind]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock B85M-HDS Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($70.97 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial M500 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.32 @ Adorama)
Storage: Hitachi 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Arc Mini MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 300W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($43.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $502.22
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-05 04:20 EDT-0400)

Personally, I'd like a bit more data redundancy more than anything else if I've got money to blow on a budget build and I don't have any expectations to go use any particularly demanding app anytime soon. You could downgrade the processor further depending on his use habits. If it is mostly web browsing, then the G3220 for $70 is good enough

Cloning the SSD to the hard drive or saving an image of it on the hard drive would reduce downtime and hassle in case something goes wrong, such as a virus or SSD giving up the ghost prematurely.

This is the Mini-ITX variant. Only the SSD and mobo are changed.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock B85M-ITX Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($85.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Hitachi 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 120 Advanced (Black) Mini ITX Tower Case ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 300W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($43.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $502.90
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-05 04:33 EDT-0400)

 

[DDRGamer]

As far as PSUs are concerned I want one that is not an IED in disguise. I also want one that won't give up the ghost at the first power surge which comes along. Also in a mATX build you really don't want more cables from the PSU than are absolutely necessary.

Sure, go with the Antec/PSU if you are sure that you never want to expand the system and want to get a piss-poor CPU.

I'll admit that Antec PSUs are not Seasonics or PCP&Cs; but it's a basic, non-gaming PC with a $500 budget. Not everyone can afford $100+ on a PSU; I figured the least I could do is recommend a reasonably priced setup.

As for modular PSUs, it comes back to pricing; if the person wanting the system is willing to pay the increased cost, then it's a worthwhile recommendation.

My commentary on wattage still stands - 600w is Crossfire/SLI territory, not APU/mATX board stuff.

 

[mfenn]

For the CPU you cannot beat the AMD A10-6800k. This eliminates the need for an extra graphics card if the system is not being used for gaming.

Since the system is not being used for gaming, why would you spend money on an APU whose defining characteristic is that it has an IGP that can be used for gaming? The IGP on an Intel CPU is more than sufficient for the OP's needs.

 

[mfenn]

As far as PSUs are concerned I want one that is not an IED in disguise. I also want one that won't give up the ghost at the first power surge which comes along. Also in a mATX build you really don't want more cables from the PSU than are absolutely necessary.

Sure, go with the Antec/PSU if you are sure that you never want to expand the system and want to get a piss-poor CPU.

Recommending a $120 Platinum 660W PSU for a $500 CPU-only build is beyond ludicrous. You're not going to end up with a reasonable machine when you're spending nearly a quarter of your budget on the PSU.

Your assertion that you need to get a $120 PSU in order to have something "that is not an IED in disguise" is similarly hyperbolic. The Corsair CX430 that Crashtech suggested is more than sufficient in terms of capacity. In fact, it has something on the order of 4 times more capacity that the stated build will need. That leaves plenty of room to put in a midrange GPU if desired. Being a CWT, build quality is also completely fine. Not as good as Seasonic, but solidly above average.

 

[Torn Mind]

Wattage is limited by MOSFETS or Schottky rectifiers.
Reliability(failure due to typical causes and not premature causes) is bound by pre-assembly component choice, soldering, and avoidance of transport errors. In addition, the implementation of protection circuits is also a must. Further protection is better served with a separate surge protector, UPS, and/or voltage conditioner.

 

[westom]

As far as PSUs are concerned I want one that is not an IED in disguise. I also want one that won't give up the ghost at the first power surge which comes along.

No relationship exists between wattage and reliability. Zero relationship between wattage and the ability to withstand surges. However, to cut costs (because they spent so much on higher wattage MOSFETs, high current diodes, etc), some manufacturer may actually reduce reliability and reduce surge withstand abilities. Even other critical functions may be "forgotten" because they are selling to the naive who associate "more watts" with "better".

A $500 computer is that inexpensive because it is not designed / intended for upgrade.

 

[86waterpumper]

Well it is 9/13 what did you end up going with? I am currently building a similar system, general use cheap computer for my parents. 500 bucks is easy to hit. I pretty much hit this even with throwing in a new monitor...I went with a antec 300-150 isk case, celeron 1037u mb, 4gb ram, and a 120gb plextor ssd. I also got them a dvdrw drive, and still gotta get windows 8. Alot here are talking about overkill parts. Someone who is just surfing the web and watching movies these days may as well get something with a small psu and save some power.
The route I would go is a intel celeron or pentium, 120gb ssd paired with say a 2tb storage drive for movies etc. You could run that off even a pico brick if you wanted.