Budget PC build around $350?

Hey everyone.
I’ve been scrolling through all the builds on here for a while now trying to wrap my head around what makes sense to buy, and I finally realized it's just easier to ask. Every setup is different depending on what you actually need it for, right?
I'm looking for a machine specifically for AutoCAD 2D. Nothing crazy, no heavy lifting, and definitely no gaming. However, I do want some room to grow—something I can upgrade down the road if I suddenly decide to tackle more demanding projects.
A couple of months back, I picked up an EVGA 600 W1 hoping it would breathe some life into my old dinosaur of a PC, but honestly, that thing is a lost cause. I'll definitely be keeping the power supply though, since I still have 22 months left on the warranty. As for peripherals, I'm already set.
Ideally, I'd love to have this put together at either Dell or Accenture since they're right in my neighborhood and I can just go pick it up in person. Budget-wise, I'm looking at roughly $2 $167.
Thanks in advance! 👋

Just one Crucial 8GB DDR3 1600 MHz (PC3-12800) CL11 stick.
One MSI H81M-P33 mATX motherboard. It’s got the standard setup—S1150 socket, DDR3, SATA II/III, plus all the usual ports like USB 3.0, LAN, and those standard audio inputs/outputs. Just a basic retail unit.
Just one Intel Core i3-4150.
One Zalman ZM-Z1, black, with USB 3.0 and dual 120mm fans.
Just one 1TB Seagate Barracuda 7200 hard drive.

Total: $898 Accenture

It’s a Patriot Signature series stick—1600MHz, 8GB (single module), model PSD38G16002.
The Zalman ZM-Z1 mid tower case in black—comes with USB 3.0, but just a heads up, it doesn't include a power supply.
The MSI H81M-P33 motherboard.
I guess we're looking at the Intel Core i3 4160.
It looks like we're looking at a 1TB Seagate Barracuda 7200. I guess that's a standard 3.5-inch SATA drive with 64MB cache. Maybe just a basic workhorse for a desktop setup.

All in all: $861 I guess I'm just looking for some clarity on the center point. Maybe there's a way to pin it down?

You could probably save some cash on the RAM and motherboard if you head downtown, since you're pretty close to Accenture anyway. Just an idea, I guess. 🙂

You could probably get away with an AMD FX 6300 and a standard 1TB HDD, though I guess I'm not entirely sure how much 2D CAD actually scales with extra cores.

crimsonstag84 said:Just one Crucial 8GB DDR3 1600 MHz (PC3-12800) CL11 stick.
One MSI H81M-P33 mATX motherboard. It’s got the standard setup—S1150 socket, DDR3, SATA II/III, plus all the usual ports like USB 3.0, LAN, and those standard audio inputs/outputs. Just a basic retail unit.
Just one Intel Core i3-4150.
One Zalman ZM-Z1, black, with USB 3.0 and dual 120mm fans.
Just one 1TB Seagate Barracuda 7200 hard drive.

Total: $898 Accenture

It’s a Patriot Signature series stick—1600MHz, 8GB (single module), model PSD38G16002.
The Zalman ZM-Z1 mid tower case in black—comes with USB 3.0, but just a heads up, it doesn't include a power supply.
The MSI H81M-P33 motherboard.
I guess we're looking at the Intel Core i3 4160.
It looks like we're looking at a 1TB Seagate Barracuda 7200. I guess that's a standard 3.5-inch SATA drive with 64MB cache. Maybe just a basic workhorse for a desktop setup.

All in all: $861 I guess I'm just looking for some clarity on the center point. Maybe there's a way to pin it down?

You could probably save some cash on the RAM and motherboard if you head downtown, since you're pretty close to Accenture anyway. Just an idea, I guess. 🙂

You could probably get away with an AMD FX 6300 and a standard 1TB HDD, though I guess I'm not entirely sure how much 2D CAD actually scales with extra cores.

For 2D, it doesn't matter... it runs fine on an old single-core Pentium 4 without any lag... so this setup will definitely be an upgrade.

Thanks a ton for the reply!
The Best Buy nearby is definitely an option since everyone lives within a few miles of it anyway.
Honestly, I’m not even sure if I actually need a 1TB drive... 500GB would probably do the trick, but there isn't much of a price difference.😵
Should I just wipe DVD±RW from my memory entirely? 😁 Though, I guess I could always scavenge one from that old junk pile I have.
If anyone else has thoughts, feel free to chime in—I'm planning to pull the trigger on this build tomorrow or the day after. 🙂

Then add a 240GB SSD and a fanless case (though there isn't much heat to worry about in there anyway 😬)

Patriot Signature Series DDR3, 1600MHz, 8GB (1x 8GB) PSD38G16002
MSI H81M-P33 motherboard
Intel Core i3 4160 processor
MS Phoenix case without power supply
Patriot Blaze R555/W535 SSD, 240GB, 7mm, 2.5"

Total: $880 center

You can probably just plug in an old DVD-RW if it uses a SATA connection.

Hi there,

I don't want to clutter things up by starting a whole new thread... but what do you all think of this build? Is there a way to get more bang for my buck here, or maybe find some places to cut costs?

Case: MIDI ATX Akyga AKY921BL (no PSU)
Power Supply: Corsair VS series 450W, 80+, USA version
Motherboard: ASRock H81M-HDS
Processor: Intel Pentium G3258
Graphics Card: MSI Radeon R7 260 OC, 1GB GDDR5, VGA, DVI, HDMI
RAM: Kingston 4GB 1600MHz DDR3L Non-ECC CL11 DIMM 1.35V
Hard Drive: WD Caviar Blue 1TB SATA 3 WD10EZEX

Best Buy-->$870

This is my absolute limit for budget. My first idea was $833 using the G3220 processor, but I figured I might be better off going with the G3258 just for the overclocking potential—though, I suppose, would it be smarter to just grab the G3220 now and then pick up a used i3 down the road if this ends up being too weak?
Will this setup actually let me play anything occasionally—say, newer titles on medium settings?

It looks like this motherboard is out of stock at the moment; is there another one that would be worth picking up instead?

I guess it's an EVGA 400 W, 80+ rated with active cooling and a 12 cm fan.
The MSI Radeon R7 260 OC features 1GB of GDDR5 memory and comes equipped with VGA, DVI, and HDMI outputs.
Patriot Signature DDR3 1600MHz, 4GB, High Speed.
Just a quick note on this one—it’s a Seagate Barracuda 7200, a 500GB 3.5" drive with 16MB cache and SATA III-600. I guess it's a pretty standard setup, maybe.
The MS Phoenix case, just the chassis—no power supply included.
The Asus H81M-R motherboard.

All in all: $688 I guess I'll just stick to the center. Maybe that's best.

It looks like the Intel Pentium G3258 is out of stock right now... I guess we'll just have to wait.

EDIT:

Or maybe...

I guess it's an EVGA 400 W power supply, 80+ rated, active cooling, with a 12 cm fan.
It looks like someone’s picking up an Intel Pentium G3258 box. I guess it's a decent little chip if you're just looking to get by.
Maybe an MS Phoenix case without the power supply?
The Asus H81M-R motherboard.
I guess this is just a standard 4GB stick of Adata DDR3 running at 1600MHz (AD3U1600W4G11-R). It’s pretty basic stuff, I suppose.
The MSI Radeon R7 260 OC comes with 1GB of GDDR5. It’s got 2xDVI, HDMI, and DP ports.
Seagate Barracuda 7200 (3.5", 500GB, 16MB, SATA III-600)

TOTAL: $876 Comcast