PC Build under $300

Isn't the audio connector basically the same as the front USB—right? You just plug it into the spot on the motherboard labeled AUDIO, and then you connect the HD instead of AC '97...



Regarding Windows, what do you mean you can't install it? Is it throwing an error at you or something? And which version of Windows are you even trying to install?

The audio connector is essentially identical to the front USB port. It’s possible the missing pin isn't in quite the same spot. The issue I'm running into is that I don't have this unified housing for all the wires and connectors; instead, I'm dealing with individual wires where the connectors are labeled exactly as I described in my previous message. So, how on earth should I arrange them to properly match the HD audio configuration?

I haven't even attempted to install Windows yet. I'll tackle that tomorrow. It could end up being quite a lengthy process, especially if things don't go smoothly. For now, I'm heading to bed. 🙂
Besides, I'm not expecting any major headaches here, since I've performed this installation numerous times before. The only real wildcard would be if the disc itself is worn out. 😁

I have successfully installed Windows 7, and everything seems to be functioning perfectly. The only minor hiccup is that the front audio panel isn't working, though I haven't even connected it yet!
My sincere thanks to Timothy Kim60 and Larry Ortiz5!

Hey everyone,

A buddy of mine is looking to put together a PC for about $0.67 bucks.
I've been digging through some threads, trimmed the fat on a few parts, and ended up with this list:

Asrock H61M-VG4 Bulk, Intel 1155 Socket H61 chipset, Bulk 305
Intel Pentium G2030 3.1, 3MB, 65W, Socket 1155, box 429
Kingston DDR3 4GB (1x4GB), 1600MHz, CL11, Value 309
Fortron 400W, Hexa 400, 12cm fan, Active PFC 299
Seagate 500 HDD, Serial ATA III, 7200 rpm, Barracuda 7200.12 386
Zalman ZM-T2 plus micro tower case. 189(W) x 427.5(H) x 364(D)mm 178
LG GH24NS DVD writer, DVD±RW, 24x DVD±R, 8x DL, 40x CD-R 129

Admin: $678

Does this look alright, or am I missing a major weak link here?

wearyraven41 said:Hey guys,

A buddy of mine wants to pick up a PC for $0.67.
I skimmed through the thread, cut costs on a few parts, and ended up with this list:

Asrock H61M-VG4 Bulk, Intel 1155 Socket H61 chipset, Bulk 305
Intel Pentium G2030 3.1, 3MB, 65W, Socket 1155, box 429
DDR3 4GB (1x4GB) Kingston, 1600MHz, CL11, Value 309
Fortron 400W, Hexa plus 400 w Toshiba DT01ACA050 500 GB 3.5, 12cm fan, Active PFC 299
Seagate 500 HDD, Serial ATA III, 7200 rpm, Barracuda 7200.12 386
Zalman ZM-T2 plus micro tower case. 189(W) x 427.5(H) x 364(D)mm 178
LG GH24NS, DVD±RW, 24x DVD±R, 8x DL, 40x CD-R 129

admin: $678

Is this alright? Any major weak links here?

It's fine.👍

Why wouldn't you just go with a newer Pentium click and an H81 motherboard 🤷 when the price difference is basically zero, and you end up with much better integrated graphics?

1 x AMD A8-Series x4 7600 Processor (3.8GHz, 4MB, 65W, FM2+) box
1 x Asrock FM2A78M-DG3+, AMD FM2+ Socket A78 Chipset MB
1 x 4GB (1x4GB) Kingston DDR3, 1866MHz, CL10, HyperX Fury, HX318C10F
1 x Seagate 500 HDD, Serial ATA III, 7200 rpm, Barracuda 7200.12
1 x MS PHOENIX case with PLATINUM 400 V2 ATX 2.31 power supply

$702 AMD

😬

Or maybe:

Intel Pentium G3220 Processor
Fortron Hexa Plus 400w power supply
Toshiba DT01ACA050 500 GB 3.5
Patriot Signature DDR3 1600Mhz, 4GB, HS
MSI H81M-P33 motherboard
Zalman micro Tower case Black, ZAL-ZM-T1 plus

Total: $1,855.81

graniteharbor85 said:Robert Rodriguez2

It seems you just can't quite grasp that the stock cooler simply isn't going to cut it for an APU like that. 🙂

silversurfer30

If we look at the absolute limit of what you could get on either side, it would probably look something like this:

X4 600E
ASUS M5A78L-M LX3
PATRIOT 4GB 1600 MHZ
MSI R7 260 1GB DDR5 OC
Toshiba DT01ACA050 500 GB 3.5
NAVIATEC 500W
NAVIATEC MIDI ATX

= $740 including shipping and assembly.

Even though we are talking about a low-end power supply here, the build itself draws very little power, so given the tight budget, there really isn't a better way to go. I have tested this setup in similar builds featuring the 250, 260, 260X, or even a GTX 750 Ti, and it handles those configurations without breaking a sweat, so you shouldn't run into any issues at all.

About a month ago, you all suggested this specific configuration to me; I didn't pull the trigger immediately, but I am definitely making my move this week, so I wanted to check back in case there is a newer or better deal out there now. My requirements haven't changed much, though I would like to bundle a basic mouse and keyboard with the build—nothing too fancy, just something reliable that won't fall apart after a month of use—provided the total price doesn't exceed $833, absolutely nothing over that amount! Ideally from a shop like Best Buy with free shipping and assembly included.
I should probably mention that if there's any way to give the graphics card a slight edge, I'd appreciate it; this isn't primarily a gaming rig, which the price reflects, but I would love to be able to run a few games occasionally. 🤔 If there happens to be a better configuration than the one listed above for this kind of money, I would be truly grateful for your recommendations. Thanks in advance 🙂

silversurfer30 said:About a month ago, you guys suggested this build to me. I didn't pull the trigger then, but I'm definitely buying this week. Checking back in to see if there's a better deal out there now. My needs haven't changed much, though I want to toss in a basic mouse and keyboard combo (nothing cheap that'll break in a month) while keeping the whole package under $833. Not a penny over. Looking for a shop with free shipping and assembly included.
Also, forgot to mention: if the GPU can have a slight edge, go for it. It’s not a hardcore gaming rig—the price shows that—but I'd like to be able to run a few games. 🤔 If there's a better setup for this budget, let me know. Thanks. 🙂

1 x Genius KM110X Combo, keyboard + mouse, USB
1 x Zalman ZM-T1 plus micro tower case. 189(W) x 427.5(H) x 364(D)mm
1 x Zalman 400-LX PSU, 400W, ATX12V V2.31, Active PFC 299 HDD Seagate 500
1 x Spire Kepler Rev Radeon TM R7 Series cooler, 1156/775/FM1, 96.5×51×125 mm, 92mm
1 x LG GH24NS, DVD±RW, 24x DVD±R, 8x DL, 40x CD-R
1 x Toshiba DT01ACA050 500 GB 3.5, 7200rpm, Serial ATA III, 32MB
1 x Kingston DDR3 HyperX Fury, 4GB (1x4GB), 1866MHz, CL10, HX318C10F
1 x Gigabyte GA-F2A78M-DS2 AMD A8-Series x4 7600 motherboard, AMD FM2+ Socket A78 Chipset
1 x AMD A8-Series x4 7600 processor (3.8GHz, 4MB, 65W, FM2+) box

$860
Best Buy

Pretty much everything stays the same—except for the power supply, since you bumped up the budget:

X4 600e
ASUS M5A78L-M LX3
CRUCIAL 4GB 1600 MHZ
TOSHIBA DT01ACA050 500 GB 3.5
MSI R7 260 1GB DDR5 OC
FORTRON HEXA 400W 80+ ACTIVE
NAVIATEC MATX
GENIUS USB TIP+MIS

= $833 -II- .

The Fortron Hexa Plus 400W power supply.
Toshiba DT01ACA050 500 GB 3.5
The MSI H81M-P33 Zalman micro Tower case Black features the ZAL-ZM-T1 plus.
I guess the Gigabyte GA-F2A78M-DS2 AMD A8-Series x4 7600 is worth looking at.
It looks like we've got the Gigabyte GA-F2A78M-DS2 AMD A8-Series x4 7600 paired up with the Radeon TM R7 Series. I guess it's a decent little setup if you're just looking to get by.
I guess I should probably mention the Radeon TM R7 Series cooler.
Kingston DDR3 HyperX Fury, 1866MHz, 4GB Black HX318C10FB/4

ZAL-ZM-T1 plus total: $806+$27 Free delivery and assembly included – Amazon.com

If I were you, I'd probably ditch the toaster to stay within budget.

Since I already had an account on the site, I ended up deciding to go with the configuration used by graniteharbor85 at the end of the day. I am truly grateful to everyone for all of your help 👍

My MBO died on me, so I need a replacement. Since I’m already buying a new motherboard, I might as well upgrade to a new processor and RAM at the same time.
When I try to boot the PC, there's absolutely no sign of life from the motherboard. The power supply kicks in, the case fans spin, the HDD and optical drive power up... but nothing happens on the monitor, even though it's turned on. No BIOS, no POST, nothing.
The current setup is about 5 or 6 years old. I haven't really kept up with hardware specs since then, so I'm a bit lost regarding modern sockets, Intel vs. AMD, and all that.
The old board is an MSI K9N Neo V2, running what I believe is an Athlon 2000, with 2 GB of RAM. I’d really like to jump to at least 4 GB now, because 2 GB isn't even enough to run Ubuntu smoothly. It would also be great if the new motherboard includes USB 3.0.
I'm looking for a decent processor too—ideally something quiet and, of course, budget-friendly.
Back in September, my power supply gave out, so I picked up a new XFX TS 550 w from a local shop, along with a Zalman Z3 case. It's important that the new motherboard is compatible with this power supply and case.
The graphics card is an older Radeon HD 4730, and since money is tight, I'd like a motherboard that will work with it.
The HDD and optical drive are connected via SATA cables.
I mostly use this computer for web browsing, multimedia, and writing... I rarely play games, and when I do, they're older titles.
I need suggestions for a solid, reliable motherboard, a matching CPU, and some RAM that will play nice with my existing XFX TS 550 w power supply and Radeon 4730. It doesn't need to be high-end; I don't have the need or the cash for that. Is $333 enough to cover all three—motherboard, CPU, and RAM?

Thomas Campbell12 said:My motherboard died, so I need a replacement. Since I'm buying a new board, I might as well grab a new CPU and some RAM too.
When I turn the computer on, there's zero sign of life from the motherboard. The power supply kicks in, the case fans spin, the HDD and optical drive spin up... but nothing happens on the monitor, even though it's powered on. No BIOS, no nothing.
The rig is about 5 or 6 years old. I haven't really kept up with hardware since then, so I'm pretty lost regarding sockets, Intel vs. AMD, and all that.
The old board is an MSI K9N Neo V2, running what I think is an Athlon 2000, with 2 GB of RAM. I’d like at least 4 GB now, because 2 GB isn't even enough for Ubuntu. It would be nice if the new motherboard had USB 3.0.
Also looking for a decent processor—ideally quiet and affordable, obviously.
A few months ago, back in September, my power supply gave out, so I picked up a new XFX TS 550 w at a local shop and grabbed a Zalman Z3 case to go with it. It's important that the new motherboard fits with the current power supply and case.
The graphics card is an older Radeon HD 4730, and since I'm on a budget, I'd like the new board to be compatible with it.
The HDD and optical drive are connected via SATA cables.
I mostly use this PC for web browsing, multimedia, and writing... I rarely play games, and only older ones.
Looking for suggestions for a solid, reliable motherboard, CPU, and RAM combo that works with my XFX TS 550 w and Radeon 4730. Doesn't need to be high-end; I don't have the need or the cash for that. Is $333 enough to cover the motherboard, CPU, and RAM?

1 x Asrock H61M-VG4 Bulk, Intel Socket 1150
1 x DDR3 4GB (1x4GB) Crucial, 1600MHz CL11
1 x Intel Pentium G3220, 3.00GHz, 512KB, 3MB, Haswell

$341
That's pretty much it for you...

Hey guys, first off, major props to you all: you're doing a great job here. 🙂

A while back, I picked up a build put together by one of the veterans on this thread for another user—I think it was graniteharbor85 who helped out—around $667, and I’m not popping in here to complain or anything; actually, I'm incredibly satisfied with it and am looking to get 🙂 more.

Basically, I'm looking for the most budget-friendly configuration possible, though there are a few specific requirements I need to hit:
- An external graphics card with and two outputs (this is essential because the PC will be used for some relatively demanding software, so I need the ability to run a dual-monitor setup), something along the lines of this* http://www.nabava.net/graficke-karti...-pcie__5618131

*Just a heads-up, I don't know my way around hardware perfectly, and I realize the card I mentioned might be a bit pricey, so if there's an alternative—something cheaper with similar performance—that would be great, provided it still has those two outputs and a 3D accelerator.

- I'll be running Windows 7 on it, either 32 or 64-bit, doesn't really matter to me.
I guess that covers the basics, 🙂 effectively.

From what I gathered reading through this PDF, building my own rig seems to be the smartest way to go, but please correct me if I've got that wrong.

Anyway, I hope I've laid everything out clearly enough, and if anyone has a kind soul willing to lend a hand, I would be extremely grateful.

My budget is sitting at, let's say, roughly $2,000, so I figured I'd post here rather than starting a whole new thread—if my graphics card requirements are pushing me way past that amount, just tell me straight so I don't embarrass myself further, though feel free to suggest whatever you can within reason. 😁

Thanks in advance.

briskeagle11 said:First off, props to you guys: you did a great 🙂

A while back, I picked up a build put together by one of the pros on this thread for someone else (I think it was graniteharbor85) around $667, and I'm not here to complain. Honestly, I'm stoked with it and want more 🙂

Basically, I need the cheapest setup possible that hits these points:
- A dedicated GPU with 2 outputs (need this because the PC will run some pretty heavy software and I need to hook up 2 monitors), like something like this* http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=graphics+card

*Just a heads up, I'm no expert. I know that card is pricey, so any cheaper alternative with similar performance works, as long as it has 2 outputs and a 3D accelerator)

- Running Windows 7, 32 or 64 bit (doesn't matter)
That's pretty much it 🙂

From reading through this PDF, it seems like building my own rig is the best bang for my buck. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Hopefully that's clear enough. If anyone's feeling generous and can help out, I'd really appreciate it.

Budget is roughly 2000 bucks, so I'm posting here instead of starting a new thread—if my GPU requirements blow past that budget, just tell me I'm dreaming, though feel free to throw out an offer anyway 😁

Thanks in advance

What kind of "heavy" software are we talking about? If it's something specific, it'll be hard to get anything concrete done with $667, and if you drop a high-end card in there, the GPU alone eats up more than a third of your budget.

Essentially, you just need two video outputs—something almost every modern graphics card offers nowadays (usually three or four ports). You could even run dual monitors using just the integrated graphics if your motherboard provides two video outputs. That works perfectly fine if your goal is simply to display two different images on two screens; however, there’s a catch if you're looking for specific performance levels.

Here’s a budget-friendly option: an Intel H81 motherboard priced around $350-$133. It comes equipped with HDMI, VGA, and DVI. I've also paired it with a random graphics card that features HDMI, DVI-I, DVI-D, and DisplayPort.

Yeah, you've got a point there, and honestly, that's exactly where my head was at too. I can't quite put my finger on the specifics, though—I'm guessing it’s some kind of web design thing (not really my lane, probably why I stick to a dual monitor setup), but I'll definitely do some digging to get a better handle on it. 😁

That being said, I'm looking around right now, and it seems like there aren't many budget-friendly options out there that actually offer two outputs—meaning the GPU, specifically, ideally with at least 2xDVI. http://www.amazon.com/Graphics-Cards/b?node=1234567

So, if it's doable, I'd be looking for something in the ballpark of maybe $200 or so, paired with any graphics card that provides two outputs, like a VGA and a DVI.

EDIT: Thanks, Timothy Kim60.

Here’s the breakdown for the Asrock H81M-HDS: it features an Intel Socket 1150, utilizes the Intel H81 chipset, comes in an M-ATX form factor, and supports dual Channel 2 xDDR3 memory.
1 x Intel Celeron G1820 (2.70GHz, 512KB, 2MB, 54 W, Intel Socket 1150) Box
1 x 4GB Crucial DDR3, 1600MHz CL11
1 x Seagate 1TB HDD, Serial ATA III, 7200 rpm, ST1000DM003
1 x Corsair VS Series Power Supply, 350 Watt, ATX, ATX12V v2.31
1 x LG GH24NS DVD Burner, DVD±RW, featuring 24x DVD±R, 8x DL, and 40x CD-R speeds.
One Zalman ZM-T2 plus micro tower case. Dimensions: 189mm (W) x 427.5mm (H) x 364mm (D).

$659 AMD

Your motherboard features VGA, DVI, and HDMI outputs—three different options, so you can just pick whichever one works for you. If you run into any compatibility issues, you can always grab a VGA to DVI converter or something similar to bridge the gap.

Regarding the graphics cards—let me tell you, every single one of them comes with three outputs, even the budget models. $100 Look, choosing between a GT 610 or an HD 6450—assuming you need VGA, DVI, and HDMI—is basically just throwing money down the drain. They aren't any more powerful than the integrated graphics on a Haswell chip anyway. Plus, they’ll completely wreck your budget. When you're already struggling to piece together a decent PC with just two sticks of RAM, there's simply no room for that. You might be able to squeeze them in if you cut corners everywhere else—like ditching the fancy cooler, picking a cheaper case, or opting for a budget power supply and a basic 500GB hard drive—but honestly, why even bother? It makes zero sense to spend your cash like that.

Timothy Kim60 said:1 x Asrock H81M-HDS, s1150, Intel H81, mATX, dual Channel 2 xDDR3
1 x Intel Celeron G1820 Processor (2.70GHz,512KB,2MB,54 W,1150) Box
1 x DDR3 4GB (1x4GB) Crucial, 1600MHz CL11
1 x Seagate 1TB HDD, Serial ATA III, 7200 rpm, ST1000DM003
1 x Corsair VS Series Power Supply, 350 Watt, ATX, ATX12V v2.31
1 x LG GH24NS DVD burner, DVD±RW, 24x DVD±R ,8x DL , 40x CD-R
1 x Zalman ZM-T2 PLUS micro tower case. 189(W) x 427,5(H) x 364(D)mm

$659 adm

The motherboard has VGA, DVI, and HDMI—three outputs, so just pick one. You can always grab a VGA to DVI converter if you need it.

Regarding graphics—any card has three outputs, even the cheap stuff from $100 like a GT 610 or HD6450 (VGA, DVI, HDMI). But they're a waste of money since they aren't any stronger than the integrated graphics on this Haswell chip anyway. Besides, they won't fit your budget when you're barely scraping together a decent PC for $200. You could maybe make it work by ditching the fancy cooler, using a cheaper case, and maybe cutting back to a 500GB drive, but honestly, there's no point in spending the extra cash.

Looks clean!

1 x DDR3 4GB (1x4GB) Crucial, 1600MHz CL11
1 x TOSHIBA 500GB, 7200rpm, SATA 6 Gb/s, 32MB, DT01ACA050
1 x AMD Trinity A8-Series x4 5600 Processor 3.60GHz 4cores, FM2
1 x Asrock FM2+ FM2A58M-HD+, Socket FM2+ 95W / FM2 100W processors
1 x Spire Kepler Rev.2 Cooler, 1156/775/FM1, 96.5×51×125 mm ,92mm
1 x MS CASTOR Midi tower case, ATX, mATX, external slots: 4x5,25
1 x Corsair VS Series Power Supply, 350 Watt, ATX, ATX12V v2.31

$708
Here are some other $40 options. You get a quad-core CPU, 4 gigs of RAM, and enough storage to handle anything moderately demanding. It'll run fine. 🙂

1 x DDR3 4GB (1x4GB) Crucial, 1600MHz CL11
1 x MS CASTOR Midi tower case, ATX, mATX, external slots: 4x5,25
1 x Corsair VS Series Power Supply, 350 Watt, ATX, ATX12V v2.31
1 x ASUS H81M-R, 1150, H81 express chipset, DDR3, 2 slots
1 x Intel Pentium G3420 Processor (3.20GHz,512KB,3MB,54 W,1150) Box
1 x TOSHIBA 1TB, 7200rpm, SATA 6 Gb/s, 32MB, DT01ACA100

$636
Or go with Intel.