PC Build - Help the Fool

[Iron Woode]

there is one more option not mentioned:

buying a used PC. Around here $300 - $500 can get you a very nice used Haswell system that will be far better than an AM3+ system.

My friend picked one up for $300 that came with a Z97 board, I3 cpu, 1 TB hdd and 8GB DDR3 ram. It had a mediocre video card which he yanked and added a GTX 1060 3GB from a another PC he has. He can now save up for an I5 or I7 and have a great setup.

 

[PityTheFool]

Really though not a bad thought if I could get into something of quality to build on.

I just wouldn't even begin to know where to pick up used stuff like that and be able to trust it wasn't gonna crap out in a couple weeks.

 

[crashtech]

You have to be careful, it's really easy to end up with a prebuilt that has substandard components, the motherboards and PSUs are often problematic and not conducive to upgrading. Very specific specs must be available and/or detailed photos of the interior.

 

[Iron Woode]

You have to be careful, it's really easy to end up with a prebuilt that has substandard components, the motherboards and PSUs are often problematic and not conducive to upgrading. Very specific specs must be available and/or detailed photos of the interior.

I agree.

You have to know your hardware very well to know you are getting a good deal. For people like us this makes getting ripped off a lot less likely.

 

[IEC]

CPU - Ryzen 5 1500X, available 4/11 for $189

The rest:

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-AB350-Gaming ATX AM4 Motherboard ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2800 Memory ($68.58 @ Amazon)
Storage: Crucial MX300 275GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($94.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus Radeon RX 470 4GB STRIX Video Card ($169.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12G 550W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($64.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $498.54

Reuse case and maybe the HDD. Add another 1-2 case fans if you only have 1-2.

Windows license isn't needed. Your budget is so strict that it makes more sense to just use Windows 10 without activating it. See HowToGeek.

Worth noting is the AMD Ryzen 1600 (AM4) which is a 6 core/12 thread processor is only $30 more at $219, assuming it will actually list at MSRP when it launches in a few days, and also comes with adequate heatsink/fan. This would have better longevity versus a quad core processor if he's really looking to keep his system for four years+.

He can also save some $ on the graphics card as there is currently a decent RX 470 at Newegg for $164.99 with $15 mail-in rebate = $150 AR.
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814137050

The RX 470 has been as low as $110 after rebate and I'd keep a lookout for good deals on that card because the refreshed RX 570/580 cards are coming in the next few months. Meaning deals are likely.

Example from a few weeks ago ($145 - $30 mail-in rebate):
https://www.reddit.com/r/buildapcsa...s_rog_radeon_rx_470_all_rx_470s_15_off_11499/

I'll plan on linking parts for a few build options in a few days when the picture is more clear about the Ryzen 1600/X versus the 1500/X.