Updated 02-27-2010
$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. 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.
|
The Processor (CPU)
|
|
Intel Socket 775
|
Description |
Where to Buy |
Price |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Intel Pentium E5300 Wolfdale 2.6GHz |
$67.99 |
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
|
Description |
Where to Buy |
Price |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
AMD Athlon X2 250 3GHz |
$64.99 |
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. 3GHz vs 2.5GHz for the Intel. This will result in about equal performance to the Intel CPU, but slightly less. 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 775
|
Description |
Where to Buy |
Price |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
GIGABYTE GA-G41M-ES2L |
$64.99 |
This motherboard has a great reputation for being very stable. Supports a max of 8GB of RAM. Has on-board networking and sound. It's the perfect platform for building a basic, do pretty much anything very well, computer. |
AMD Socket AM2/AM2+
|
Description |
Where to Buy |
Price |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
ASRock K10N78M |
$54.99 |
For the AMD based system we've chosen a motherboard with better features than the Intel based motherboard above and yet it is slightly less expensive than the Intel option. This is the norm for Intel vs. AMD systems. The AMD specific motherboard is less expensive than the Intel. The reason for this is Intel CPUs have higher performance than AMD CPUs. So AMD CPUs and motherboards are priced less to make up for this performance gap. This motherboard supports 8GB of RAM and has on-board video. The on-board sound and networking are comparable to the Intel based motherboard. |
RAM (Memory)
The RAM Memory speed needs to match what the motherboard can handle. DDR2 800 or 1066
|
Description |
Where to Buy |
Price |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| For both Intel and AMD based Systems | |||
|
G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 |
$52.99 |
This RAM Memory is for both Intel and AMD based motherboards. | |
Video card: Optional for 3D gaming performance
|
Description |
Where to Buy |
Price |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
EVGA 01G-P3-N959-TR GeForce 9500 GT 1GB |
$64.99 |
The AMD motherboard has an on-board video adapter that is all you need for web based games and other 2D games. You can add an optional video card to improve the performance of 3D games. The Intel motherboard doesn't have on board video so you will need a video card. This is the best bang for you buck video card under $75. 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
|
Description |
Where to Buy |
Price |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Western Digital Caviar Black WD7501AALS 750GB |
$79.99 |
This hard drive fits our minimum specs. It's 750GB capacity is more than most people will need. It has a 5 year warranty. 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)
|
Description |
Where to Buy |
Price |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sony AD-7240S-0B 24X |
$23.99 |
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
|
Description |
Where to Buy |
Price |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW |
$49.99 |
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. | |
| CORSAIR CMPSU-400CX 400W |
Newegg.com | $39.99 |
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
|
Description |
Where to Buy |
Price |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Scythe SY1225SL12M 120mm "Slipstream" Case Fan |
$8.99 |
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. | |
|
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
|
Description |
Where to Buy |
Price |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Asus VH198T Black 19" 5ms Widescreen LED Backlight LCD Monitor |
$129.99 |
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. | |
|
Hanns G Hi-221DPB Black 22" 5ms Widescreen |
$159.99 |
This is the same monitor we recommend for the $1200 Gaming and $1800 Gaming Computers. It is a steal at this price. |
Speakers
|
Description |
Where to Buy |
Price |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Logitech S-220 17 Watts 2.1 |
$20.99 |
These get very good reviews. I have the older model and they sound excellent for the price. |
Mouse and Keyboard
|
Description |
Where to Buy |
Price |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Logitech Black Deluxe 250 Desktop Mouse and Keyboard |
$16.99 |
|
Subscribe to this comment's feed
written by Axel Savage, January 03, 2010
and i just wanna know if u maby know if because i live in sweden how much that would effect ordering things.. :S
-
- +0
-
-
written by stepan, November 04, 2009
-
- +0
-
-
written by Stepan, November 04, 2009
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, .
-
- +0
-
-
written by john egan This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ( note change ) , September 07, 2009
HOMEPCBUILDER SHOULD BE IN EVERY HOME...A PRESIDENTIAL STIMULUS...OBAMA DRIVE
-
- +1
-
-
written by Michael Cooper, June 29, 2009
-
- +0
-
-
written by Alsender, June 29, 2009
-
- +1
-
-
We've had good feedback about this site from other users. I think they will ship to Sweden.