Building a $650 PC for a friend

[rabidz7]

Does this look good? The GPU must have a RAMDAC (will be used with a 1600x1200@85Hz CRT) and must not use any Intel components (Intel is a sexist, anti-competitive cooperation which we would not like to support).

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Gaming.

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
$650 with tax/shipping.

3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.
Cincinnati Ohio.

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need.
The case and everything that goes in it.

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Not reusing parts.

6) Will you be overclocking?
Maybe.

7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
It is a CRT, so it doesn't exactly have a "max resolution". It is 107KHz, so he will use 1600x1200 at 85Hz for most things and maybe 960x720@144Hz in FPS games.

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Within a week.

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video (as a backup or main GPU)? UEFI? etc.
No special features.

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
I will make him a USB installer of Windows 10 64-bit.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($136.98 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: MSI 970A-G43 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($64.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: GeIL Green Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($50.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Green 1TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 280X 3GB TurboDuo Video Card ($225.52 @ Amazon)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($37.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($55.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $622.43
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-05 09:59 EST-0500

 

[Coruscater]

Hi. The build you have there looks good to me. I guess my biggest objective is the use of the Caviar Green as your main drive; as I understand it, the Caviar Green is really designed for bulk data storage where you don't care much about speed.

Here is a radically different proposal to consider too:

PC Hound Part List

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690 ($214.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: MSI H81M-P33 ($48.99 @ Mwave)
Memory: Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) Ballistix Tactical Tracer ($44.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: ASUS GeForce GTX 960 STRIX-GTX960-DC2OC-2GD5 ($209.99 @ TigerDirect)
Power Supply: CORSAIR 430W CX series CX430 ($19.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate 1TB Barracuda ES.2 ST31000340NS ($47 @ Amazon)
Case: NZXT Source 210 S210-002 ($47.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $633.93
Price may include shipping, rebates, promotions, and tax
Generated by PC Hound

I don't have experience with all of these components so if you do take this approach, be sure to double check that these pieces will all work together!

 

[Dangman]

Does this look good? The GPU must have a RAMDAC (will be used with a 1600x1200@85Hz CRT) and must not use any Intel components (Intel is a sexist, anti-competitive cooperation which we would not like to support).

Seriously? Not saying Intel isn't any of those but it's not like Intel is the only corporation that has done and/or currently doing some shady stuff. Just to be clear: You're willing to accept LOWER performance for the money for your personal reasons?

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
I will make him a USB installer of Windows 10 64-bit.

And what will you be doing when Windows 10 is finally released? In addition, why would you think it's a good idea to have your friend use an in-testing OS as his main OS?

I'm testing Windows 10 right now on my HTPC but it's not my main OS for my main PC.

As for your build, there's quite a few things wrong with it:
- The RAM is overpriced for what it is.

- As noted by Coruscater, that HDD is completely unsuitable for a gaming PC.

- That video card is overpriced for what it is.

- THat case is overpriced for what it is.

 

[Deleted member 126051]

Does this look good? The GPU must have a RAMDAC (will be used with a 1600x1200@85Hz CRT) and must not use any Intel components (Intel is a sexist, anti-competitive cooperation which we would not like to support).

Seriously? Not saying Intel isn't any of those but it's not like Intel is the only corporation that has done and/or currently doing some shady stuff. Just to be clear: You're willing to accept LOWER performance for the money for your personal reasons?

Pretty much this.

I seriously doubt that Intel is any more sexist or anti-competitive than any other major player in the industry. It's just that someone took the time and trouble to point a finger at Intel and go "They're not run by women! SEXISM! SEXISM! SEXISM!"

Basing technology buying decisions on something like that is, well, not DUMB, but imprudent.