How to Build a Computer for Under $500

Sep 03, 2013 on Tech

If you need a computer on a tight budget, you can save quite a lot of money by building your own computer. Buying the parts separately and then assembling it yourself is quite common practice. With resources such as YouTube and online tutorials, you can save money by teaching yourself how to build a computer.

This guide will show you what parts you'll need to build a working computer for under $500. We also have Tiger Direct coupons you can use for possible savings and discounts on purchases from their website.

  •  Processor

The processor is your computer's engine. It is the most important part of your computer, so you need to spend a good portion of your budget on a high quality processor. If you don't plan to play a lot of games on your computer, something like an Intel i3 dual-core processor should be able to handle everything you need. The AMD FX and A series offer quad-core and 8-core processors at around the same price.

  • Motherboard

The motherboard connects all the different components of your computer together. It is an essential part of your computer that also contains important hardware such as a sound card and graphics card. The main determining factor in choosing a motherboard is to check whether it supports your chipset (Intel and AMD use different chipsets) and the amount of features you want. If you want to upgrade your computer later on, a more expensive motherboard may give you better options.

  • RAM

RAM is pretty straightforward and cheap. Just make sure you are buying RAM that is compatible with your motherboard. Most modern computers use DDR3 RAM and unless you plan on playing a lot of games, the clockspeed of the RAM doesn't really matter.

  • Hard Drive

You'll need a hard drive to install your operating system and store your files. A 1TB hard drive is incredibly cheap and should last for a long time. If you need more storage space you can easily upgrade later.

  • Case

Now that you have most of your hardware, it is time to choose a case. There are no tricks to choosing a case, just pick one that you like. One thing you might want to keep in mind when choosing a case is the size of the case. If you need to fit a lot of hardware inside your computer, you might need to choose a bigger case, however for our budget computer, we don't need that extra space.

  • PSU

The PSU or power supply unit is the piece of hardware that will supply electricity to your computer. You need to choose a PSU that will provide enough watts to properly power your computer. High quality PSUs also prevent short circuits and power surges from damaging your computer's hardware.

  • Extras

Things such as a CD Drive, mice and keyboard can be bought for an affordable price at Tiger Direct.

  • Tiger Direct Hardware Packages

Tiger Direct offers hardware packages (called barebone kits) which include all the necessary hardware needed to build a computer. These packs are great for people that don't want to individually shop for each component.

 

Building your own computer allows you to choose exactly what goes into your computer and could potentially save you hundreds of dollars. If you are interested in purchasing computer parts, try our Tiger Direct coupons and deals for possible savings and discounts on purchase from their website.