$500 build

I'm looking to build a $500 performance PC for my mom's business. She's not going to be playing any games, but will mainly use it for word processing, receipting, web browsing etc.

I have experience building PCs but the one's I've built were high-end gaming PCs so I have no idea where to start with a budget PC. If someone could provide a sample build just to get me started.

I live in Australia so parts are generally a bit more expensive then they are in America so take that into consideration.

Thanks

 

AMD Athlon II x4, pick your clock speed, 2.6GHz should be fine. The x3 and x2 varieties would also do fine.

3GB-4GB of RAM, though to be perfectly honest I'd go up as high as 6 so the machine lasts.

Whatever type of mobo you want as long as it's Socket AM3 or + and has USB3, which is becoming standard.

Don't need a graphics card.

500W PSU would be fine, you need that much wattage in case of future upgrades.

Whatever case as long as you get the right one for your mobo.

Probably a 500GB-1TB HDD, obviously nothing SSD.

 

Thanks for this. Unfortunately my local PC shop doesn't stock Athlons. Any idea on how good the FX and A series are?

 

Well since you don't really need a graphics card, a $500 budget is very good to work with and you shouldn't buy athlons (not saying they are bad, just lower-end). I made a wishlist: http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=28162668, or you can look below.

Heres what I would recommend:

i5-2400

ASRock B75M-GL LGA 1155 Intel B75 Motherboard (has usb 3.0 and sata 3)

ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner

CORSAIR Builder Series CX500 V2 500W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply

COOLER MASTER HAF 912 Case

G.SKILL Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666)


SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Of course, you if you want to spend less you can replace 8GB with 4GB (won't save *too* much), buy <500GB HDD instead of a 1TB, get a cheaper case, get a cheaper powersupply (which I don't recommend), and go with the i3's instead of the i5s.

And you may not be able to get exactly these things at your local PC store, but you get the idea.

 

Not 100% sure if you read OP, or you don't know, but Newegg don't currently ship to Australia.

@OP: There is a very useful site called pcpartpicker.com.au i believe. Although, like you, i'm an Aussie and i feel your pain for overpriced items.

Sorry i was unable to provide a build, quite busy at the moment, once i get back, if no one has suggested a reasonable build i'll suggest one, if i can find something.


EDIT:
Quickly chucked this together, not 100% sure if it's all compatible, it should be but make sure you double check.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD Athlon II X4 631 2.6GHz Quad-Core Processor ($82.00 @ Mwave Australia)
Motherboard: ASRock A55M-HVS Micro ATX FM1 Motherboard ($59.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($19.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($65.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 430 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($69.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Total: $343.00
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-09-15 18:21 EST+1000)

 

Hey thanks for the replies. I'm a bit hesitant buying the parts online as my local PC shop is 2 streets away so I'd rather buy there. I shop here:

umart.com.au

Does that m-ATX board have USB 3.0?

 

It has a USB 3.0 indeed!