Budget PC build under $600

Helping a buddy put together a build. Needs everything—full tower plus a monitor. Just a heads-up, the only thing we already "have" is a single 4GB 1600MHz DDR3 stick of RAM.

The total budget for both should be around $400 (maybe a bit more if there's a good deal, paying cash). As for what he needs, it’s for standard multitasking, media, Microsoft Office work, and some light gaming—something like being able to run League of Legends on decent settings.

For the monitor, just needs to be 24 inches with Full HD resolution.

If we skip the dedicated GPU, the motherboard would need an HDMI port (needs to connect to a TV, not just a monitor).

Also, regarding an SSD—for this budget and these specific tasks, I don't think it's strictly necessary. Not sure what everyone else thinks?

Overall, I think the CPU is the most critical part here. Lately, I've been leaning toward Intel over AMD (which is what I personally use), and that choice dictates whether we go with a discrete graphics card or not. Regarding the idea of "buying a GPU later," I have to say I'm not a fan of those FM2+ sockets and their APUs. It feels like retailers are just trying to dump old stock of those CPUs and boards, though maybe I'm wrong.

What do you guys think about building around one of those processors and relying on the integrated graphics for lighter titles? Should be enough.
http://www.newegg.com/p/example-link&code=73020ADM

Seagate BarraCuda 1 TB, 64MB, 7200rpm Western Digital Blue
MS PHOENIX 2 case
Intel Core i5 6402 processor
ASRock B150M-HDS motherboard
Kingmax 1x8GB DDR4 2133 GLJG, KIN-8GB DDR4 2133
AOC LED 24" I2476Vwm, VGA, HDMI, FHD
EVGA 450W Power Supply

Total:$1436 Centro

This is about as budget-friendly as it gets given what you asked for... Honestly, the HD 4600 on an Intel Core i5 4460 isn't really up to the task. This Skylake i5 setup paired with DDR4 should perform better, though I wouldn't expect any miracles. LOL, you should be able to run things smoothly at 1080p Medium settings, maybe even High. Adding dual-channel memory would definitely help, but a motherboard with 4 RAM slots would probably set you back another $33.
You could shave $50 off the price by picking up a monitor with a TN panel, but I probably wouldn't recommend that if you're planning to stare at it for the next 5+ years.

I have to disagree with that. You’d really only notice the impact of an SSD when you're multitasking or running Microsoft Office applications. Honestly, an i5 might be total overkill for this. I guess an AMD APU would probably serve you just fine, provided you pair it with an SSD, some fast memory, and a decent monitor.

There are definitely several ways to go about it, I agree. For instance,

EVGA 450W Power Supply
MS PHOENIX 2 case
SanDisk X400 128GB SSD, 2.5" 7mm, SATA 6 Gbit/s, Read/Write: 540 MB/s / 340 MB/s(5 yr warranty)
Toshiba DT01ACA100 1TB 3.5"
2x Crucial DRAM 4GB DDR4 2133 MT/s (PC4-17000) CL15 SR x8
CPU INT Core i3 6098P
MSI Main Board Desktop B150 (B150M_PRO-VDH)
Acer V246HQL 24" LED Monitor IPS

TOTAL: $1378 SuperNet

I'm really not a fan of using an i3, 🤣 but this looks like a decent enough option... it has the same graphics as the i5, and there's still plenty of processing power left. Plus, you get a slightly better motherboard with 4 RAM slots, dual-channel RAM (which helps the graphics), and an SSD.

Since when did the "p" suffix in Intel processor names stop indicating models without an iGPU? 🤔 Because I honestly thought you guys had all lost your minds, building PCs for people without any dedicated graphics card at all 😁

Since the Skylake era 😉 They’re honestly pretty terrible 😬

Scumbag Intel 😁 I honestly think an APU would be a much better fit here if someone is actually looking to get some gaming done. You aren't going to have any luck trying to run things at 1080p on Intel integrated graphics, no matter how fast your RAM is.

Look, this might look like a budget gaming PC to some, but honestly, an Intel Core i3 is more than enough for everything he listed—multimedia, Microsoft Office, whatever.

With HT, the i3 handles those tasks just fine, though you wouldn't pick it up for serious gaming if you're looking at price-to-core ratios.
That GPU definitely won't be bottlenecked, and he’ll be able to play way more than what he actually asked for.

I’m running an Intel Core i3 on one of my PCs, and for the stuff he described, there’s barely any difference compared to an Intel Core i5. Yeah, the i3 shows higher CPU usage on the same tasks, but HT handles it well enough that multitasking isn't an issue. Bottom line: no need for an i5. It's total overkill for this budget.

The suggestion includes 4GB of RAM, which he already has, and there isn't much of a difference if he just grabs another identical stick.
He doesn't need a motherboard with 4 slots. I have no idea why anyone would even plan for 16GB of RAM on a budget like this (though he could grab an 8GB stick if he's obsessed with being upgradeable).

There. This should satisfy everything he asked for and then some, unlike using integrated graphics. With this setup, he can actually crank the settings to max.

edit: wrong link.

ps
Just realized crimsonstag84 suggested that other interesting, cheap new i3 in her post. So this is basically the same thing, just trading an SSDA and a newer platform for better graphics.
@crimstag84, I think that's too much money just to try and force integrated graphics to perform better (MB + RAM), especially when he wants decent gaming performance anyway.

Instead of an Intel Core i3 from $333, I’d honestly rather go with an AMD A10. It’s got decent integrated graphics built right in, and it can handle everything else without breaking a sweat... or maybe grab an 860k and just pick up a used graphics card for around 400-$167... obviously, you’d want to pair it with 2x4GB of some fast DDR3 RAM and an FM2+ motherboard, then you could swap out the rest easily... or if you go the 860k route, you could just reuse your old 4GB 1600 DDR3 stick and eventually pick up another one just like it

He’s looking for something for casual gaming and Microsoft Office/multimedia stuff.

A Haswell platform is definitely the better move if he wants an upgrade path later. Honestly, there's zero reason to go with a Quad-core AMD for what he needs—people only look at those as an alternative to an Intel Core i3 because of the extra cores.

An APU is just a dead end anyway; it won't come anywhere near the performance of a GeForce GTX 260X or even an Intel Core i3. (Though, I guess it would be slightly cheaper overall.)

Buying a used GPU, or even a used CPU, is always a solid option to keep in mind.

I have a few PCs lying around, and honestly, most upgrades boil down to just two things: adding more RAM or grabbing a better graphics card. I’ve spent about $333 on new processors over the years, and every single one of those setups managed to pull at least 4-5 FPS...

So, I don't really buy into all that hype about massive system overhauls... Take an 860 or a 7870; those CPUs can handle at least 3 FPS, maybe even more if you're playing something lighter and less demanding. If they go with a DDR3 motherboard now, they'll just have to swap it out during the next upgrade anyway. Grab a different CPU and you're set. That's how you actually do it. You can always run Microsoft Office and multimedia fine with those processors... For gaming, having a decent GPU paired with an i3 or i5 is way better than just relying on integrated graphics... And if you pair some old RAM with an 860, you could even pick up a decent graphics card for the same price difference as moving to an i3—not to mention the jump to an i5.

If you start with an i3, the only real move is upgrading to an i5, and then you're done.

I haven't seen a GeForce GTX 260X used in any build... I have no idea why people even bring it up.

Why is the APU a dead end? Because the APU was specifically designed as a platform likely intended for the PS4 and other consoles, and that's the version being sold to PC users. It does its job well right now for a low price, but eventually, different rules and requirements will take over, which is why the platform is being phased out. The next APU will be cheaper, more powerful, and represent a huge leap forward—maybe even developed for the PS5 or whatever comes next. There's no point in dragging along old designs and compatibility issues when they'll just hold back new development and performance.

Yeah, building on a budget is always a headache. 😁 Everything has its pros and cons. For one, you can always pick up an SSD or a dedicated GPU later once you actually have the cash, and just live without them in the meantime. That’s basically the whole point of a desktop—you upgrade whenever and however you feel like it. On the flip side, I get why people go the APU route as a quick fix; it’s probably the smartest move if you're looking at a two-year window. But like someone mentioned earlier, it’s a bit of a dead end. Aiming for an Intel socket like 1150 or an AMD AM3+ feels like a better long-term play, though if you're buying a bottom-of-the-barrel motherboard, you have to wonder how "long-term" that really is.

Look, folks, there’s no such thing as "long term" in this game... DDR lasted a while, then came DDR2, then 5G, now we've got DDR3, and DDR4 is already knocking at the door... Every single jump means brand new motherboards and new CPU sockets too... Just keep upgrading as you go.

If you grab an APU today, you're set for about 5 years... It'll handle Microsoft Office and multimedia just fine, and for gaming, all you'll need to do is swap out the graphics card... You can play everything out there right now, and in 2 or 3 years, you'll still be able to run some casual titles and whatever new stuff comes out... things that still run like a dream.🙂

It’s nice to dream about an Intel Core i5, but that thing is sitting around $150...$433For that kind of cash, you could get an Intel Core i3 and a decent graphics card instead... An i3 isn't perfect, but at least you aren't overspending...$333

An APU is fine if you're never planning to touch the CPU or buy a dedicated GPU.
Buying an APU just to "swap out graphics cards" later like you said is insane. The whole point of an APU is to skip the GPU entirely. If you go the APU route, you should probably grab an SSD too, given the price

Look, an i3 plus a GPU >>> an APU plus a GPU. That’s a total no-brainer.

DDR3 is perfectly fine here; compared to DDR4, there's barely any difference in this context.
If someone chooses an APU, they have to accept the limitations of that chip and realize they've wasted money if they end up buying a GPU later anyway.

The i3 or an Athlon are solid choices, but I’d lean toward the i3. You don't need quad-core for gaming, and you can always pick up a used i5 down the road (or just grab a used i3 or i5 right now).

Bottom line: an APU is the most budget-friendly way to go, but it's essentially a "dead-end" solution.

The Haswell platform is still decent and offers an upgrade path. I wouldn't sweat a cheap motherboard; everything will run at stock frequencies regardless.

Having a GeForce GTX 260X (exactly like I suggested in my screenshot!!!) will ensure smooth gameplay, and an i3 is more than enough—hell, even a Pentium could pull it off, but for decent multitasking, an i3 is the way to go, trust me.

Also, an i3 can run without a dedicated card if they decide to buy one later, unlike the Athlon.

Edit: also about $47 in savings because having DDR3 on hand isn't a bad thing.

Truth be told: coming from a setup with a G1840, an R7 260, and 8GB of RAM... you’d honestly be surprised at how many games actually run on that rig. 😉 It's definitely not a bad way to go.

wiredotter14 said:An APU is a decent choice if they have zero intention of ever swapping out the processor or adding a dedicated GPU.
Buying an APU just to "swap graphics cards" later, like you suggested, is total madness.

Why? Because they can easily make a massive leap by adding a card like an AMD Radeon R9 270 or an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950 later on, all while enjoying much better integrated graphics from the APU in the meantime. Honestly, I’m with Grace Bennett3 on this—for a bit less cash, they could grab an A8 7600 paired with a 240/250GB SSD rather than opting for an Intel Core i5 with weaker integrated graphics. As far as raw processing power goes, the A8 is more than enough for: standard multitasking, multimedia, working in Microsoft Office, and even some casual gaming (like being able to run League of Legends on relatively decent settings). This kind of platform was practically engineered for users like click. If or when they eventually crave higher gaming performance, they just plug in a dedicated GPU; once even that feels too slow, they can scrap it or sell it (though I reckon it'll take them quite a few years to reach that point).

@CNN

That logic only works if they’re trying to save that $800$300 right now while simultaneously planning to start gaming.
Honestly, I'd rather just go with an i3 plus a dedicated GPU if we can make the math work. It all depends on their buying strategy, but let's be real: buying an APU now just to slap a card on it later is a compromise. You're settling for a weaker processor today just to play games, which feels pretty pointless if a GPU is already in the cards.
Plus, an APU carries a premium over a standard CPU. If they grab a regular processor instead, they can just repurpose those 4GB of DDR3 they've already got. They won't be forced into buying high-speed RAM—which, in my opinion, makes an APU almost useless anyway.

If we're looking for a "set it and forget it" solution that won't need an upgrade anytime soon, I'm leaning toward the APU + SSD combo. That should actually fit within the budget.

From a pure gaming standpoint, pairing an i3 with a dedicated GPU makes way more sense—even if you have to stretch the budget a bit—than buying an i5 just to rely on integrated graphics while skipping a video card. The real question is whether they want an SSD included in the plan. With an APU setup, you get an SSD right out of the gate along with decent gaming performance, which means you don't have to skimp on the other essentials like RAM, the case, or a good monitor.

Looking at this strictly through a gamer's lens, while still keeping an eye on future upgrade paths, picking up a Skylake Pentium (or even a Celeron if one drops) plus a GPU would actually be the smartest move. This only works if there's a definite plan to swap in a better processor within the next year or two, and provided they aren't trying to play titles where dual-core performance is a total dealbreaker—though there aren't many of those left. To me, that’s a much more logical strategy than overpaying for an i3 only to face an expensive upgrade to an i5 later on.

Sure, true, which is why I keep saying it all depends on when and if he actually plans on buying the tower. An APU is a Winner for anyone on a budget who just wants to slap an SSD in there and call it a day.

I wouldn't normally suggest an i3 as a "great value" gaming pick, but paired with AT&T and decent single-core performance, it’s solid for what he listed—it definitely handles multitasking way better than a Celeron or Pentium.
Using his existing 4GB of RAM might save him almost $67, but if he goes the APU route or uses integrated graphics, that money is better spent on faster RAM.

Look, that integrated graphics will work on an APU with the 1600MHz RAM he’s got right now. It won't be amazing compared to a dedicated card, but it'll run. He could always just sell his old RAM and pick up some faster sticks... there are plenty of ways to go about this.

If he really wants an upgrade, he could grab a pentium 4 and a GPU immediately so he can just play games and get things done... but for $100, he could get an 860k plus a card, which is a much more permanent solution.

The whole point of putting a better graphics card in a 7870 APU is that in two or three years, that integrated chip won't have enough power anymore, and then you'll be forced to upgrade to something stronger anyway...

If we're talking used cards, you can actually find an HD 4870 with 1GB DDR5 or a gtx 560 with DDR3 for $67 (which is insane). As long as you're sticking to DirectX 10, those cards are absolute beasts... they'll tear through everything. They do pull a bit more power, maybe 150-200W alone...

And honestly, my best advice? He doesn't need to drop 860k for $200. I'd recommend an i3 from $333 or even an i5 from $500 😵. With a budget of $1333 including a monitor, that's basically $1000 without