Budget Build for 'Tween'

[Krumbles]

Looking to build a new PC with my daughter over Christmas break. Not looking for anything fancy, just a solid, reliable build for us to do together.

1. USE: homework, internet videos, and Minecraft
2. BUDGET: $200-$350
3. OVERCLOCKING: none
4. SOFTWARE: Will need Windows

I have purchased components from Newegg in the past, and would like to get everything from the same place for convenience, if possible.

Thanks in advance for your recommendations!

 

[nsafreak]

Uh, $350 max with Windows? With that budget I would recommend getting a Dell Outlet PC. Nothing listed is particularly demanding, minecraft for the most part (unless you load it up with a buttload of mods like the Feed the Beast modpacks) isn't hard to run. Something like this Inspiron 3647 should fit the bill just fine.

Edit: Whoops, misread that I read it as build for instead of build with. Well if you're looking for a project it can be done, but you'll have a bit lower performing processor than you would with Dell. That doesn't seem to be a terrible concern but with the budget given if you want a project here are the parts I would suggest:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($63.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H81M-H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($35.00 @ Newegg)
Memory: Team Elite 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($31.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.49 @ OutletPC)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Directron)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($29.99 @ Micro Center)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (32/64-bit) ($94.99 @ B&H)
Total: $339.44
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-24 16:28 EST-0500

 

[Krumbles]

Good point...what would you do without the need to purchase Windows? I should have an old copy of Windows 7 around.

 

[Cerb]

1. USE: homework, internet videos

Chromebook

and Minecraft

Overclocked Core i7!

If you can find a Windows 7 license, then IMO, try to fit an i3-4150, H97 motherboard (USB 3.0 header), 210 Elite (same case, but with front USB 3.0 ports, which 99% of H81 boards lack a header for), and an SSD instead of an HDD. More RAM might be good, but that's as easy as installing another 4GB stick, later on.

 

[nsafreak]

I'd make some changes for a bit better performance. This build has all parts purchased from newegg and has an i3 instead of a G3258 along with an SSD:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B85M-DS3H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($45.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Team Elite 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($31.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: A-Data Premier Pro SP600 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.68 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($25.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $362.62
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-24 17:33 EST-0500

 

[Cerb]

OT: I guess there's some routing issues, then. PCPP is way too slow to use right now, where I'm at.

 

[nsafreak]

OT: Yeah I noticed a little bit of hitching when using the site, nothing too terrible but it could be some folks have borked routes.

 

[guidinggod]

Re w/out OS, something like this could work - H97 board (a pretty good one too, from experience), case has USB 3 up front for ease, 240gb SSD, Haswell Core i3, 8GB Ram. Should be plenty for her current needs and for some time to come. You can dump the SSD and get an HDD if you need more storage though.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/yLQjbv

$355.94 (with Mail in rebates)

Edit: *sigh* Saw the post on mobile so missed the Newegg/one place only spec, sorry, nvm.

Edit 2: Ok, Newegg only now

 

[Krumbles]

Looks like a similar build to this combo at Newegg, with a bit of an upgrade. The price is right...do you see any red flags? Not much information on the Asus board, but I have always had good luck with Asus.

 

[nsafreak]

The only potential issue I see may be with the power supply that the case comes with. Rosewill power supplies have gotten better and some of them are actually built by Seasonic. However I'm a bit doubtful that the PSU that this case comes with is one of their better ones. The wattage is fine as you don't need that much for this build it's just the quality that may potentially be a problem. I would suggest keeping the case but ditching the PSU and using either an EVGA 500 watt unit or Corsair 430 watt unit and you should be good to go. With that combo and either of those units (typically $25 on sale much of the time) you should still be well within budget.

Edit Did some searching around the specifications for this case and found that the PSU that it comes with is a Rosewill LC-8400BTX which is a Soly Tech made PSU. The company doesn't have the best rep when it comes to PSUs so I would definitely recommend avoiding using it and using a different unit.