The Beginner's PC (With 4K support!)
*This PC build guide is for beginners or anyone who wants a speedy, up-to-date system without having to pay a fortune!(with 4K support)
Price: ~$300 (May fluctuate)
Level: Beginner
Performance: Pretty amazing
*This is actually an update to my first DIY PC build which you can check out here: DIY#1 $300 Skylake Build Since the new Kaby Lake processors are out, I will be posting many more updated versions of my PC build guides.
Parts List
| Type | Item | Price |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Pentium G4560 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor | $59.99 @ SuperBiiz |
| Motherboard | Asus H110M-E/M.2 Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard | $46.98 @ Newegg |
| Memory | Kingston HyperX Fury Black 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory | $68.49 @ OutletPC |
| Storage | ADATA Ultimate SU800 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive | $44.99 @ Newegg |
| Case | Corsair 100R ATX Mid Tower Case | $49.99 @ B&H |
| Power Supply | EVGA 430W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply | $34.64 @ B&H |
| Optical Drive | Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer | $18.88 @ OutletPC |
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts | ||
| Total | $323.96 |
CPU
Motherboard
Asus is a brand proven to be the best in the motherboard business. The motherboard that I have from almost 10 months ago, the ASUS H110M-A, is performing nicely and no problems were raised. This motherboard is an update to that motherboard, featuring the new M.2 technology, and all the other features that ASUS usually includes. (USB 3.0, LAN GUARD, Xpert fan control, etc.) This is a great choice not only because of the price, but because of the reliability and the performance that it brings to the PC build. Also, the warranty is up to 3 years so you're pretty much guaranteed a quality product. This motherboard supports up to 4k resolution in the HDMI port, so the 4K support is guaranteed.(up to 24Hz)
Memory
RAM is a crucial component of the DIY PC. For this build, 8gb is satisfactory, but can be upgraded to 16gb if necessary. I've been using the Kingston HyperX Fury Black 2x4GB(8GB) in my $300 Skylake build, and it hasn't given me any problems. I would have numerous tabs and even windows open and ram usage never reached the maximum allotted.
Storage
ADATA. It's probably not a brand that most people are familiar with. But it has great reviews on Amazon and I only have great things to say about it. Check out my review here if interested: ADATA 240GB SSD REVIEW. But to get straight to the point, this SSD is FAST. It will definitely speed up your boot and loading times and if you are still used to the hard drives speeds, this SSD will blow you away. Even if all your other parts are low-end, this SSD will support and work together with those parts to make your build SO MUCH FASTER. I've experienced this myself, because I switched from a WD hard drive to the ADATA 240GB SSD and the change was like night and day. For example, the hard drive startup speed was around 1 min and 45 seconds, but the SSD starts up in less than 15 seconds. Anyway, this type of storage is a must have and can be easily upgraded to higher storage capacities and even to M.2 which is even faster. Conclusion: A MUST HAVE
Corsair cases are cheap, look good, and has the necessary features. It features 2 USB 3.0 front headers, tool-free SSD, hard drive, optical drive installation, and more. This case is the exact case that I reviewed here: Corsair 100R Case Review. To put it simply, it has all the necessary features and look clean. It also has lots of room for expansion.
Power Supply
Optical Drive
| Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer |
A good, reliable optical drive is simply necessary in a productivity build. This ASUS optical drive was meant to be reliable and will burn and read CDs with no problem. A no frills optical drive with a low price tag.(Same as previous builds)
Let me know if you decide to build this PC and feel free to ask me any questions or leave comments below. Build On!
Sources and other reads:
