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Our CPU of choice for this budget is the i3-6100. While it features only two cores, the 6100 also employs hyperthreading to help close the gap between it and a 4-core i5. Hyperthreading adds an additional logical core for each physical core, which is handy for streaming, video editing, and multi-tasking CPU-intensive tasks.
We're using a sparse selection of motherboards, which will display which is the cheapest of the four. All four motherboards feature the B150 chipset and an LGA 1151 socket for compatibility with the i3-6100. They include 4 DIMM slots for up to 64GB of DDR4 RAM. They're also capable of using the CPU's integrated GPU, in case you need to RMA your GPU or are waiting for a sale or upgrade.
A parametric filter is being applied to choose the best priced 2x4GB kit of memory within Intel's recommended specifications. With this selection, we have space on the motherboards for 2 more sticks of RAM, leaving room for future expansion. We're also using parametric filters to select the best priced 240-256GB SSD available. The SSD can be used for your OS and a good handful of games. Everyone's needs are different, so feel free to change out capacities to fit yours. For example, if 240GB feels cramped to you, I recommend picking up a mechanical hard drive for another 1 or 2TB or storage space.
We're going with a filter for the best-priced AMD Radeon RX 470, which is newer and faster than the previous selection of an R9 380. This will run modern games at 1080p admirably. If you'd like to squeeze a little more performance out of your build for more money, you can check out the Radeon RX 480 and GeForce GTX 1060 to see if their prices look appealing to you.
The Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 is a mini tower case that can fit all of our components. It offers decent cable management, which can sometimes be a problem at our budget, and there's room to expand with hard drives or a solid state drive. It also has 1 front panel USB 3.0 port and 1 front panel USB 2.0 port. This mini tower case also won't take up as much space as a mid tower. Cases tend to be highly personal choices, so make sure you browse our listed cases to see what suits you.
For the PSU, we're using a parametric selection of a few well-reviewed semi-modular and modular units, which are all rated for good efficiency and can provide plenty of power for this build.
Component | Selection | Base | Promo | Shipping | Tax | Price | Where | |||
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CPU | ![]() |
$290.16 | $290.16 | Amazon Canada | Buy | |||||
Motherboard |
No Matches Available
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Memory | ![]() |
From parametric filter
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$64.99 | $64.99 | Newegg Canada | Buy | ||||
Storage | ![]() |
From parametric filter
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$38.99 | $38.99 | Mike's Computer Shop | Buy | ||||
Video Card |
No Matches Available
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Case | ![]() |
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Power Supply | ![]() |
From parametric selection
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$77.82 | FREE | $77.82 | Mike's Computer Shop | Buy | |||
Total: | $471.96 |
Component | Estimated Wattage |
---|---|
Intel - Core i3-6100 3.7 GHz Dual-Core Processor | 6W - 51W |
G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 8 GB (2 x 4 GB) DDR4-2400 Memory | 5W - 5W |
Kingston - A400 240 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive | 2W - 10W |
Total: | 13W - 66W |