Best <$500 Desktop Build

Brick50 on 29/12/2012 - 19:45
Last edited 30/12/2012 - 18:35

Wanting to spend around $500 on a desktop,

What I would like:

  • Tower
  • Monitor
  • Speakers (LS21's etc)
  • Space for 2 HDD's (I would like to install operating system on a SSD later on…)

I will mainly be using it for Emails & eBay and OzBargain :P
Maybe some light gaming down the road, COD 4 etc.
Watch some HD Video + Some light photoshop.
I would rather a better processor than a better video card, etc.

I would possible like to order all the parts, And put it together myself. Do you generally buy all the parts from one place?

I hate slow start up so I was thinking..
A 60GB SSD with a 500GB Hard Drive,

Computing

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 29/12/2012 - 23:04

    What about http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/89418

  • dadam on 30/12/2012 - 00:03

    Officeworks have an Atom-powered Acer (10.1 inch I believe) for $248. At that price, options are limited, JB Eastland (vic) still have the HP dm1 for $298, I dont see why another store won't match that… At least the HP is a 'proper' notebook CPU and not a netbook like the Atom-powered devices. Otherwise try http://msy.com.au/ - they ship and have stores in most states, not sure about their shipping rates, but their system and parts prices are usually at the pointy end of things- they have a few under $300, ranging from 10 inch Android based to 15.6 inch AMD or Intel Core units.

    officeworks netbook:
    http://www.officeworks.com.au/retail/products/Technology/Com…
    (keep in mind a netbook is really just that - surf the net, not a lot else)

  • Brick50 on 30/12/2012 - 17:18

    bump, I think i'm more after a desktop computer

  • _Bruce_ on 30/12/2012 - 21:24

    http://www.scorptec.com.au/system/154 Or http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&c…
    Just add an SSD. Of course you can buy the same components for less.

    • scrimshaw on 01/01/2013 - 01:52
      +1

      That's still missing a monitor.

      I was thinking perhaps an AMD build may actually be better for the OP's purpose. Problem is AMD chipsets are dollar-for-dollar weaker in the CPU department against Intel, but they do pack much better IGP's, which will do better for low end games.

      Perhaps:

      AMD A10 5800K 4-Core Processor $135
      ASRock FM2A75M-DGS $75 — it has SATA3 and USB 3.0
      No graphics card (integrated only)

      4GB Kit DDR3 1600mhz $29
      (Note: 1866 mhz memory would benefit the CPU as it improves the graphics performance of the IGP, but it does cost more)

      CM case with 420w PSU $62 - Hardly what I'd call quality, but you can always swap to an Antec Neo Eco 520 down the road if you choose to upgrade.

      Western Dig. Blue 500GB $62 — note that for $75 you can grab a 1TB Seagate already

      Basic Acer 21.5 inch 1080p LED monitor $125 — there's probably better bargains on Ozbargain but I can't be assed searching.

      Logitech LS21 $26

      60GB SSD's aren't worth it, for less than a hundred you can grab a Sandisk Extreme 120GB drive from Shopping Express during their specials.

  • teehee on 01/01/2013 - 01:57

    i wouldnt come her to ask for a build :/

    Not to say anything against those who are helping, i just think you'd get more help elsewhere.

  • ethereal88 on 01/01/2013 - 07:41

    APU's are rubbish. 100w vs 55w (in Australia that is a massive difference) for Intel and their CPU cores are laughably slow.

    Get an i3 3220 + 8GB DDR3 1600MHz + Asrock B75 Pro 3 + Samsung 830 128GB + Corsair CX 430 v3 and pick a case.

  • Davo1111 on 02/01/2013 - 15:26
    +1

    I would possible like to order all the parts, And put it together myself. Do you generally buy all the parts from one place?

    yes, where abouts do you live? do you have a car?

    I'd work backwards.

    do you have a keyboard and mouse? do you have an old hdd??? do you have an old ghetto case? have you seen one on the side of the road?

    $500

    • $99 for OEM MS (unless you pirate or linux)
    • $130 for a 23" acer screen
    • $15 for keyboard mouse
    • $69 for thermaltake v3 case with inc 500w psu

    That's only 187 for the CPU/memory and MB

    AsRock FM2A75-PRO4-M - $90
    A6-5400K - $74
    4G Kit 1600 Kingston HyperX - $28

    that's $5 over… but no hdd.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NoONgFEUo8

    this also has no cd tray/burner. You sure you can't get your hands on an old rig to use the case/cd burner? We can replace the psu and internals, make it much better

  • Tycn on 02/01/2013 - 21:37

    Buy used.

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