My sub 500 euros build :: Hardware and Operating Systems

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x 27 Oct @ 8:30am

My sub 500 euros build

Hi,

So, just missing the PSU that is yet to arrive but I can give you the rundown of the costs. It's a done deal, not looking for advice. Just maybe give someone ideas of a low end build for not much money. I could have spent much more but really, this is a computer for the kiddo so my goal was around 400 euros, ended up being a bit more but I think it's worth it.
All it's missing is a monitor that will be bought soon. Also, I didn't get keyboard and mouse since I already have it.

Ryzen 5 5500
16GB Kingston RAM 3200Mhz 2x8GB
MB Asus Prime B450M-A II
Bought as a pack, used private sale, for 122,85 euros (a)

ASRock Intel Arc A750 - 155,00 euros - Used store with 3 year warranty

Bought new at amazon:
Kingspec NX Series Gen3x4 NVMe M.2 SSD de 1TB - 58,99 euros
Thermalright AssassinX120 SE ARGB CPU Air Cooler - 18,90 euros
ARCTIC MX-4 (4 g) - Thermal Paste - 6,35 euros
PSU MSI MAG A650BN - 44,95 euros
Thermalright TR-M.2 2280 cooler - 6,09 euros
NOX XTREME INFINITY EPSILON with 4 RGB fans - 36,49 euros

Total: 449,62 Euros

Detail:
(a) I bought MB + CPU + 32GB RAM 3200MHz for 157, 85 euros. However, since I had recently upgraded my main computer but hadn't yet upgraded the 16GB os RAM, I used the 2x16GB for the main computer and installed the 2x8GB on this build. The price is an estimate for the 16GB.

Other considerations:
I was aiming a bit lower (around 400). I could have gotten an Nvidia GPU for a bit less but since I decided to give Linux a run, Nvidia went out the door. I then aimed for the AMD 5700xt, but they are a bit pricy over here and couldn't get a deal I felt comfortable with. They also fly fast. Then the deal for the Arc A750 came along. A bit higher than I had accounted for the GPU, but I think it's a solid GPU at a very decent price (and 3 year warranty even more so).
And before anyone says anything about the A750 and drives for Linux, I am aware issues might arise. I'm ready to take them on. If all fails I can fall back on W10.
Also, there are things I could have cut. Like getting a smaller and/or cheaper (brand) m.2 (but this one is pretty damn cheap), didn't really need to buy the m.2 heatsink but I feel more comfortable, could have used the thermalright paste that came with the CPU cooler, could have gone for a cheaper PSU (I did, but that was a mistake and I'm returning it... dumb me).
One thing I am not factoring is the 8,60 euros screw, washers, spacers, MB risers and whatnot kit that I got. But I was already missing one screw from the backplace of my other computer. I'm sure I have some laying around the house somewhere. But I knew I would need some, so got a kit of over 350 bits and bobs.
Might install another 2 fans. Don't really think they are necessary, but better safe than sorry. The case comes with 3 RGB fans at the from and 1 at the back. Might get 2 on top. Already have them, they were about 7,50 euros for the two. Not yet sure if I need a daisy chain or fan hub or if the fans on the case come with it. Only once the build gets going. Not really going to touch that for now. The MB has 2 case fan connectors, I think.
So, all in all, I'm pretty happy. Didn't want to spend a lot of money but at the same time wanted to get somewhat decent parts and brands.

Like I said, not really looking for help, just want to show other that it's possible. I think it's a fairly decent build. Sure, there are different ways to go about this, but I also went with the deals I could find and I think I got a pretty nice deal with MB+CPU+RAM (I really wanted to get 2x16GB to swap with the other computer).

P.S. - Just a reminder that location will influence availability and prices.
P.S. 2 - CPU+MB+RAM includes shipping costs. Everything else was free shipping. Well, the GPU cost me a trip to the mall and a pizza with the kiddo :D
P.S.3 - The MB is compatible with the 5500 but required a bios update. This particular model is very easy to update and it can be done with the push of a button and a USB stick.

Last edited by x; 27 Oct @ 10:35am

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Showing 1-11 of 11 comments

Agenda 2025 27 Oct @ 10:38am

Congrats Op!

Brimac 27 Oct @ 12:51pm

Just make sure the mobo has rebar in bios, some b350 and b450 dont have resizeable bar.This is needed for Intel Arc gpus

_I_ 27 Oct @ 12:58pm

look for a much better board
one with more vrm phases, (count the chokes, bricks around the cpu socket, and make sure they all have heatsinks near them, 10+ phases is good for a higher tdp amd cpu)
that board is 4+1+1 with heatsink only on the 4 for the cpu cores

smallcat 27 Oct @ 2:29pm

This reminds of Bryan from Tech yes city but he goes to extremes

x 18 hours ago

Originally posted by Agenda 2025:
Congrats Op!

Thanks.

Originally posted by Brimac:
Just make sure the mobo has rebar in bios, some b350 and b450 dont have resizeable bar.This is needed for Intel Arc gpus

Already looking into it. The PSU won't be here till the end of the week so a proper rundown won't be possible till then.

Originally posted by _I_:
look for a much better board
one with more vrm phases, (count the chokes, bricks around the cpu socket, and make sure they all have heatsinks near them, 10+ phases is good for a higher tdp amd cpu)
that board is 4+1+1 with heatsink only on the 4 for the cpu cores

It's not a CPU heavy build. I think the board is decent enough. Just need to make sure the case has enough cooling.

Originally posted by smallcat:
This reminds of Bryan from Tech yes city but he goes to extremes

Actually been watching a few "ztt builds" videos for ideas.

Started the idea with the Ryzen 5 3600 and 5700xt. The 5700xt was a bit more expensive used and honestly, they are older so potentially with many more hours under their belt before getting to me. The 5500 is a (small) upgrade from the 3600, but much more modern. And was about the same price as the 3600 that is still very sought after do price goes up. I got a very nice deal (IMO) with the MB, CPU and RAM bundle. Ordering from other markets is almost always more expensive due to shipping costs.
I think it's a solid build for the budget (it's not going to break any records). Could have been cheaper yet, but I'm really happy with the result. Used components can wildly vary in price over here. Things like the CPU, MB and even the GPU I've seen them more expensive used than new (go figure). But that's just how the market goes over here.

I will probably get a 27" 100Hz 1080p monitor (maybe 1440p for future proofing). I know my kid would love a dual monitor setup though... to play roblox and the sims....lol

wing0zero 16 hours ago

Originally posted by x:
Originally posted by Brimac:
Just make sure the mobo has rebar in bios, some b350 and b450 dont have resizeable bar.This is needed for Intel Arc gpus

Already looking into it. The PSU won't be here till the end of the week so a proper rundown won't be possible till then.

That board supports Resizeable BAR so

_I_ 15 hours ago

Originally posted by x:
Originally posted by _I_:
look for a much better board
one with more vrm phases, (count the chokes, bricks around the cpu socket, and make sure they all have heatsinks near them, 10+ phases is good for a higher tdp amd cpu)
that board is 4+1+1 with heatsink only on the 4 for the cpu cores

It's not a CPU heavy build. I think the board is decent enough. Just need to make sure the case has enough cooling.

its not about cooling the cpu, its the mosfets that overheat and will throttle at load

amd says its 65w, which is at its stock clocks, but boost clocks can make it draw nearly double that
and when the board starts to throttle it will drop below stock clocks to help cool them
in most cases when the board throttles the cpu isnt even warm yet, since the cpus cooler is better than the cooling on the mosfets, and cpu has a fan to control its temps
the vrms mainly rely on the stock cpu cooler to blow air down on the board to cool them

i know you are looking for a cheap board/build

at £60-70, both of these have 10 phases all with heatsinks
ASRock B450M/ac R2.0 (matx)
https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/KcyH99/asrock-b450mac-r20-micro-atx-am4-motherboard-b450mac-r20

ASRock B450 Pro4 R2.0 (atx)
https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/wjcG3C/asrock-b450-pro4-r20-atx-am4-motherboard-b450-pro4-r20

they might be cheaper than the combo you picked

you dont need extra thermal paste, the cpu cooler comes with enough for a couple installs

and the psu is cheap too, aim for 80+ gold by a decent brand, labels are easily faked
be quiet! Pure Power 12 650 W 80+ Gold (£80)
https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/3LWJ7P/be-quiet-pure-power-12-650-w-80-gold-certified-atx-power-supply-bp002us
psu is the one component protecting the system from the 110/220v coming into the build
poor psu can spike and kill other components when its overworked and still trying to run the build instead of safely turning off

fourfourtwo79 7 hours ago

Originally posted by _I_:
its not about cooling the cpu, its the mosfets that overheat and will throttle at load

amd says its 65w, which is at its stock clocks, but boost clocks can make it draw nearly double thatf

Categorically not at stock settings. The boxed coolers (Wraith Stealth) shipping with 65W boxed Ryzens wouldn't be able to handle that too. If you tune it via PBO and do a stress test... maybe. That's basically overclocking under specific benchmarking conditions though. Like in the 5600X review here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01EhbmJAW-k&t=1465s

Never had a problem pairing budget CPUs, GPUs or anything with budget boards and PSUs in decades. Provided they are from a reliable brand. I've personally been even using the boxed CPU coolers for years and years now without issues. Even the case can be just about anything. May be different if you plan to upgrade to higher end parts sometimes -- plus PSUs and cases you are likely going to use for quite a few years. So may as well go with a decent one!

Last edited by fourfourtwo79; 6 hours ago

x 7 hours ago

Originally posted by fourfourtwo79:
Categorically not at stock settings (and certainly not at ECO). Not a chance. The boxed coolers (Wraith Stealth) shipping with 65W CPUs wouldn't be able to handle that too. If you tune it via PBO and do a stress test... maybe. That's basically overclocking though.

Yeah. I have the AMD stock cooler from the other PC but I hate it. Keeps temperatures well enough but just noisy. Had it for probably less than a month and then changed. For 17 euros I prefered to get a new one.
Like you said, I try to get reliable brands. I might even compromise on some "specs" to get better brands. I wouldn't scrape as much on a 2k build, but that's not the point.

Look, I understand and appreciate the comments, I can only learn from them, especially from those that don't agree with me. Would be really boring and I would learn nothing if everyone just gave me a pat on the back. But I'm not getting a top "gaming" MB that costs 200+ euros on a budget build. Nor am I getting an 80+ gold PSU. Those 2 things alone could very well cost more than the entire build. Besides, 80+gold on a PSU doesn't related at all to "quality" or reliability. It may coincidentaly align, but that is not what it means. And that is assuming the rating on the box actually relates to whatever is inside the box.

Last edited by x; 7 hours ago

Gouvernement Lecornu 3 6 hours ago

Looks good!

#10

_I_ 6 hours ago

Originally posted by fourfourtwo79:
Originally posted by _I_:
its not about cooling the cpu, its the mosfets that overheat and will throttle at load

amd says its 65w, which is at its stock clocks, but boost clocks can make it draw nearly double thatf

Categorically not at stock settings. The boxed coolers (Wraith Stealth) shipping with 65W boxed Ryzens wouldn't be able to handle that too. If you tune it via PBO and do a stress test... maybe. That's basically overclocking under specific benchmarking conditions though. Like in the 5600X review here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01EhbmJAW-k&t=1465s

Never had a problem pairing budget CPUs, GPUs or anything with budget boards and PSUs in decades. Provided they are from a reliable brand. I've personally been even using the boxed CPU coolers for years and years now without issues. Even the case can be just about anything. May be different if you plan to upgrade to higher end parts sometimes -- plus PSUs and cases you are likely going to use for quite a few years. So may as well go with a decent one!

the cpu throttles differently than the board would tho

its alot better than amd a boards, with 3+1+1 without heatsinks

just make sure to install the mobo drivers so windows knows how and when it throttles and handles it correctly instead of crashing

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Date Posted: 27 Oct @ 8:30am

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