My brother needs a new PC and has a very limited budget, $400-$450 about. What should he use? He has no OS or anything.
whats he using it for?
Yeah need to know what he wants.
But this is a good starting rig. Should do well in most games even at 1080p.
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/kjFND3
Gaming and general use, it says in the title
+1
How about the simple $400 Console killer video from December? -- decent computer
indeed +1 i'll back this build every time i'm still impressed with it. also there are 'free' means of getting an os <_< >_> or linux.
As far as an OS goes, you have a couple options. I did get around paying for an OS, but I probably made it a little more complicated for myself than necessary. I borrowed a de-licensed copy of windows 7 from a friend, and ran that for just a little while (I would not run it for longer than a couple weeks because of the chance of Microsoft detecting that you have a counterfeit copy). I then downloaded the windows 10 technical preview for free, and that is still what I am running on my system currently. Yes, it is a little buggy, and there are a few minor compatibility issues here and there, but you can't really complain about it being free.
I am not sure if you can download, install, and run windows 10 preview off of linux (I have zero Linux experience). If you can, and I suspect you would be able to, you should just run linux and then install the windows 10 preview.
As far as windows 8 is concerned, I would not pirate it. I would check ebay or other sites where you can buy keys for pretty cheap.
As far as hardware is concerned: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xgx4jX
The pentium in this build is unlocked, and when overclocked, that processor is fantastic for gaming. Super cheap, too. The EVGA 750ti FTW is a pretty good deal right now, and theres a pretty good amount of room for overclocking with it too. Should handle most games at pretty good settings at 1080p.
do you live near a microcenter? if you do they have some awesome deals but if u want to game but be it super cheap go with an AMD apu. http://www.microcenter.com/site/products/amd_bundles.aspx
I don't want to use an APU. I looked into Logan's latest videos, but they don't include the OS or an optical drive, which are essential. I compiled a list. http://pcpartpicker.com/user/Shredder2600/saved/FyqV3C
When you say you don't want to use an APU, is there a particular reason? You selected the R7 250 which if you pair that with an APU, it will boost the performance of the GPU. I highly recommend running a Linux Distro like Linux Mint 17.1 Cinnamon x64 on it. I have been playing Interstellar Marines (free on steam for the week) on Linux with AMD Omega drivers. So far is it stellar (pun intended)!!
I am dismayed at all the people who overlook the amazing games on Linux. MMOs, FPS's, etc. UT2004, Unreal Engine 4, Source Games, and so on. If you have a game for Windows only, WINE is your friend. In the case of WINE, PlayonLinux is your best mate. It makes using WINE a cinch.
For a decent build try this: ( Would have gone with the 270X 4GB card if I could.
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/mppDTW
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/mppDTW/by_merchant/
- CPU: AMD Athlon X4 860K 3.7GHz Quad-Core Processor ($81.98 @ Newegg)
- Motherboard: Asus A88XM-E Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($53.99 @ Newegg)
- Memory: Mushkin Silverline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
- Storage: Toshiba 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($43.99 @ Newegg)
- Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($132.98 @ Newegg)
- Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Newegg)
- Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
- Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-14 DVD/CD Writer ($13.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $451.90
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-10 02:37 EST-0500
By the way, the 860K is NOT even an APU, because it has no integrated GPU as has the rest of the FM2+ family. Technically, it's just the CPU.
You'll be way better of with Krieger's and LinuxMaster's builds, because they include much beefier graphics than what you planned with the R7 250.
For the OS, check out the "Buy sell trade "-section of the forum. digitaljuice is selling Windows keys for like 20$.
2nd hand ex-lease i5/i7 business machine > $150 will come with windows 7 coa + new psu ($50) + GTX960/R9 280 = $400. Depending on the OEM it may already have a half decent psu (not that a 960 or 280 needs much anyway).
New build - http://pcpartpicker.com/user/deejeta/saved/PF3j4D + cheap windows key.
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Yes, I am well aware of this, and it is not entirely legal. I bought a key from the mskeystore and had to go through hoops to get a replacement. Not to mention, he doesn't have a physical copy of Windows, nor a computer to make one.
It has no OS or optical drive, with one it's a $500-$600 PC.
Has no OS or optical drive. He'll be using windows, not linux.
so run Linux on it. What are you afraid of? That you might like it?
I have no experience with Linux, at all. Most of the AAA titles won't run on Linux.
I find it amusing the budget is so tight and you're concerned about acquiring windows by paying for it. Microsoft is rich.
Beggars can't be choosers, it's either;
1) Buy second hand
2) Go with one of the above builds and use Linux
3) Wait until there is more cash in the budget.
Personally I would go with one of the above builds, install Linux, game on that and then save a bit to obtain a windows licence to play the other games you can't run through wine etc. If a good second hand system can be found then that would be my second choice. I'd sooner have not quite the perfect system, than no system at all, but I'm odd like that :-)
If your bro doesn't want to learn about Linux (or computing in general) that there are always consoles :-P