Updated January 15, 2012
$500 Computer Parts List
The is a general use computer. You can use it to surf the web, send email, IM, word processing, do your taxes, play online games, burn CDs and DVDs, convert mp3s, download movies, etc. It also has a fairly low end video card so you can use it as a basic 3D gaming machine. It will run most current games smoothly, just with the level of graphics turned down. Go down to the Video Card section to see our pick for a basic video card.
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The Processor (CPU)
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Intel Socket 1155
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Description |
Where to Buy |
Price |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
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Intel Pentium G850 2.9GHz Dual-Core |
$87.99 |
We have chosen a solid performing CPU. This CPU will keep your system speedy for years to come without braking the bank. It's a dual core which means you can have multiple things going on at once and it will split the load between the 2 CPU cores. It's like having 2 CPU's in 1 and it's a must going forward. Check out the CPU component lesson for more on CPU features and specifications to look for. |
AMD Socket AM3
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Description |
Where to Buy |
Price |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
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AMD Athlon II X3 455 3.3GHz |
$79.99 |
For the AMD based system we have also chosen a solid performer. You may notice the speed in megahertz is faster than the Intel CPU. 3.3GHz vs 2.9GHz for the Intel. It is also a Triple Core compared to the Intel CPU which is a Dual Core. This will result in about equal performance to the Intel CPU. Check out the CPU component lesson for an explanation of this performance difference. This CPU is also dual core, like the Intel, so it's a solid performer for you every day tasks. |
The Motherboard
Choose your motherboard depending on if you want an Intel or AMD CPU.
Intel Socket 1155
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Description |
Where to Buy |
Price |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
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ASRock H61ICAFE ATX Motherboard |
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$69.99 |
This motherboard has a great reputation for being very stable and will allow you to upgrade to a Socket 1155 Core i7 in the future if you need more performance. Supports a max of 16GB of RAM. Has on-board video, networking and sound. It's the perfect platform for building a basic, do pretty much anything very well, computer. |
AMD Socket AM3+
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Description |
Where to Buy |
Price |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
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MSI 870A-G54 FX ATX Motherboard |
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$89.99 |
For the AMD based system we've chosen a motherboard with better features than the Intel based motherboard above and it is a Socket AM3+ motherboard so in the future when you need more performance you can upgrade to one of new Zambezi CPUs or even a newer unknown AM3+ CPU. This motherboard supports 32GB of RAM. The on-board sound and networking are comparable to the Intel based motherboard. |
RAM (Memory)
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Description |
Where to Buy |
Price |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
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G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB DDR3 1333 |
$29.99 |
This is excellent RAM for the price. |
Video card: Optional for 3D gaming performance
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Description |
Where to Buy |
Price |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
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XFX Radeon HD 5670 1GB |
$84.99 |
The AMD motherboard does not have an on-board video adapter. If you go the AMD route you will need a video card. This is the best bang for you buck video card around $80. See the video card component lesson for what a video card is with definitions of features. To turn this $500 computer into a gaming computer you can get one of the video cards listed in the $800 gaming computer list. |
Hard Drive
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Description |
Where to Buy |
Price |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
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HITACHI Deskstar 7K1000.D 750GB 3.5" SATA 6.0Gb/s |
$99.99 |
This hard drive fits our minimum specs. It's 750GB capacity is more than most people will need. It's fast, quiet and runs cool. See the hard drive component video lesson for features and specification to look for in a hard drive. |
DVD Burner (Writer)
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Description |
Where to Buy |
Price |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
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Asus 24X DVD Burner |
$18.99 |
DVD burners are extremely cheap these days. There really isn't any reason to pay more for a DVD writer. We recommend this model for all of our customers computers. |
Case and Power Supply
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Description |
Where to Buy |
Price |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
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COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW |
$54.99 |
This is the tower case we used in the Home PC Builder 2007 videos and still recommend today. It cools extremely well and is very quiet. See the case and power supply video lesson for features and specifications to look for in a custom computer case. This case has room for 5 DVD drives, 4 hard drives, 1, 120mm cooling fan and 1, 80mm cooling fan. |
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| CORSAIR Builder Serices 430CX V2 430W | Newegg.com | $44.99 | This is a little more expensive power supply than we would normally put into a $500 system, but it's a good idea to use a quality PSU even for a lower end system. |
Cooling Fans
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Description |
Where to Buy |
Price |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
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Scythe SY1225SL12M 120mm "Slipstream" Case Fan |
$13.99 |
The case we recommend above already has fans in it and they are extremely good. If you choose another case you may need extra fans. This Scythe 120mm cooler is very quiet, which will help keep down the noise level of your computer. |
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MASSCOOL FD08025S1M4 80mm Case Fan |
$2.99 |
Again, the case above already has fans in it. If you choose another case you may need extra fans. |
Sound and Network - included on the motherboard
The motherboard include sound and network adapters so you don't need to buy a separate add on card.
For a PCI computer sound card comparison see the computer sound card component video lesson.
For more on the Network card component see the Modem and Network card component video lesson.
Monitor
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Description |
Where to Buy |
Price |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
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Asus VH198T Black 19" 5ms Widescreen LED Backlight LCD Monitor |
$109.99 |
This is a very good quality monitor. That said it is a little small, especially being a widescreen monitor. Websites would probably feel cramped, vertically and you'd end up scrolling more than you would like. If you have the extra money, I'd recommend going with the 22" monitor below. |
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Asus VW224T Black 22" 5ms Widescreen |
$144.99 |
This is the same monitor we recommend for the $1200 Gaming and $1800 Gaming Computers. It is a steal at this price. |
Speakers
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Description |
Where to Buy |
Price |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
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Logitech S-220 17 Watts 2.1 |
$22.99 |
These get very good reviews. I have the older model and they sound excellent for the price. |
Mouse and Keyboard
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Description |
Where to Buy |
Price |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
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Logitech Black Wired Desktop Mouse and Keyboard |
$20.99 |
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Comments
HOMEPCBUILDER SHOULD BE IN EVERY HOME...A PRESIDENTIAL STIMULUS...OBAMA DRIVE
I have used the Intel option - it`s working perfectly under Linux - opensuse 11.1 and 11.2 now - using for more than 6 months now. The only change I would recommend is go for Nvidia graphic card as ATI is not supported by linux as well. (ati restricting usage of its drivers, .
We've had good feedback about this site from other users. I think they will ship to Sweden.
For the RAM you can upgrade it to 4GB with this. www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122
Or 8GB with this.
www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231182
I'd really like to buy now, but budget requires a March 2012 build date. In the meantime I do research! My parts choices as of today's availability: 4 or 6 core AMD CPU w/a Gigabyte M/B w/Firewire (must support my 2nd gen 10G iPod), Sound & Graphics on the M/B; separate Graphics & Sound cards for enhancement; 4-6GB of the fastest, coolest and least expensive Kingston life-time warranty RAM; a 750GB Seagate 7500rpm HD. ATX form factor. Your suggestions re: Case $49.00 & Asus monitor -- Great! My budget: No > than $700 total including shipping and OS.
My question: What HW choices would foster a triple-boot rig (Linux Ubuntu; OS X Snow or Leopard; & Win 7 x64)? That's my next goal in research. Preliminary search has uncovered driver problems w/graphics cards and iTunes doesn't play in Linux. I will post as I find more info.
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