Last Updated: Apr 24 2012
Introduction
Many people do not realize how easy it is to put together a computer system from parts. In fact, many systems that users build can outperform purchased desktop computer systems. The biggest challenge of putting together a computer system is typically finding what parts to buy. That is where this guide comes in.
This is really a guideline for those looking to put together their own computer system but don't want to break the bank. For under $500, it is possible to to put together a highly functional computer system that works extremely well for general purpose computing such as internet access, office applications and even digital photography. Below is a list of parts that I have selected that can be used to put together such a system. It includes all of the parts that are internal to the computer plus the operating system. It will be necessary to buy a monitor and other peripherals such as speakers to complete the system.
Many of the parts on this list are sold as OEM products. They are the same items that would come in a retail package but have less material as they are sold in bulk typically to builders. They should carry the same warranties and protections as retail box products.
Remember that this is just a guide of recommended products. There are many alternative components available that will perform just as well. In addition to the name of the item, a link is included for shopping for the components.
The Budget PC Components
- Case - Rosewill TU-155 Black
A well designed low cost steel desktop tower case that also includes a 400W power supply. The case has many great features that make it very easy to work with.
- Motherboard - ASRock A75M-HVS
AMD's new Fusion processors with their integrated graphics bring a whole new series of motherboards and chips. This socket FM1 board is a compact design that offers a good set of features and support for some of the latest technologies including USB 3.0, SATA 6.0 GB/s and CrossFire with a PCI-Express x16 slot.
Buy Direct - Processor - AMD A6-3500
AMD's Fusion processor designs are a boon for budget computing. They merege a decently powered processor with some solid Radeon graphics capabilities. The A6-3500 is a triple core version that should handle most basic computing tasks and also features a Radeon HD 6530D graphics core built in for Direct X 11 support capable of light or casual PC gaming. It would have been nice to get a quad core instead of triple but it is just a bit to high to fit within the budget.
Buy Direct - Memory - G.SKILL Value 8GB PC3-10600 DDR3 Kit
DDR3 is the defacto memory strandard now and the 1333MHz speed is the most common. With prices having dropped in the past year, it is now possible to afford 8GB of memory to allow a smooth experience in Windows 7.
Buy Direct - Hard Drive - Western Digital Caviar Green 1TB WD10EARX SATA
Hard drive prices are finally starting to recover from the Thailand floods of last year. This drive from Western Digital is a green class drive which consumes less energy but offers some devent performance with a fair amount of storage space.
Buy Direct - CD/DVD - LITE-ON iHAS424-98 24x DVD+/-RW DL SATA
This low cost DVD burner supports all of the current DVD media standards and has 24x speeds for DVD+/-R media. Blu-ray would be nice but it still hasn't gotten cheap enough yet.
Buy Direct - Keyboard and Mouse - Microsoft Wired Keyboard Desktop 600
This keyboard and mouse combo is very inexpensive but provides a good overall feel.
- Operating System - Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit
In order to support the current and future hardware and software, the Windows 7 software is the best option. The 64-bit version allows it to fully use 4GB and more of memory.
What Else is Needed
This list of components will make up the heart of the computer system but it still needs a monitor. There are a wide range of monitor sizes but the most afford tend to be the smaller ones. I would reconnec looking at my Best 22-inch LCD Monitors list for a good low cost display.
Putting it All Together
Of course, once you have all the parts, the computer system will have to be assembled and installed. Tutorials on the various steps required to install the parts together into the computer system can be found in one of two ways. I have available a 5-day E-mail Newsletter Course that puts the steps in a logical order or you can just dive right into the individual Tutorials themselves.
