Determine Your Computer Build Budget

By Samuel Wilson

In the previous article, I discussed how to properly plan for your computer build, so you can avoid unnecessary problems in the long run. Remember, you want to make this process as simple as possible, so proper planning is key. In order to move forward and establish your budget for your computer build, a decision needs to be made on your build type.

Regardless of your choice (Budget Build, Mid-Range, High-End), just make sure it can perform your desired task. If you need to review content from the last section to help determine your build type visit: http://goo.gl/cjzHcm.

Now that you have your build type selected, consider the following, there’s not actually a ceiling cap on how much you’re able to spend on your computer build out. There are so many customizable options, that you could in theory make a $10,000 computer for home use. Not everyone has such as a large budget and such an expensive computer build would be overkill for home use. To keep things practical, I’m going to focus on a more realistic range of figures.

A budget computer build can cost about $200-$350. This includes the price for computer components, an operating system (Windows, Linux), and various types of keyboards and mice. While a budget build doesn’t give you a lot of room to play with in the bells and whistles department, you will be getting a quality computer. This system will do your desired task and should easily meet your expectations.
On a budget build you generally aren’t going to be buying fancy accessories like gaming controllers, keyboards, mice, etc. The reason being, this type of build is generally for someone doing a basic set of task and wants to use the extra money on the components that  actually matter. Those components bring performance enhancements. If it doesn’t do that, you shouldn’t focus your efforts there.

If you want, instead of picking up a really cheap mouse on Amazon, you can treat yourself and possibly pick up a LED optical programmable gaming mouse from a company like Havit, the model HV-MS732 isn’t expensive (www.prohavit.com). Havit also produces keyboards and other peripherals at a price that doesn’t break the bank.

I’m going to consider the budget on a mid-range build to be from $350 to $1,000. This price range also includes the cost of computer components, an operating system (Windows, Linux), and computer accessories (not limited to various types of keyboards and mice). A mid-range computer build gives you a lot of flexibility to add bells and whistles to your machine. Your able to focus not just on the performance aspect of the machine, you are able to focus somewhat on aesthetics. You can purchase a better looking case with options such as a clear side panel window, with internal LED lights, and multiple illuminated fans that aren’t noisy.

If your going to be gaming, you may want to consider getting an appropriate mouse, keyboard, and headset/speakers. You can again check out companies like Havit. If you like gaming with a controller, companies like Scuf Gaming, produce high quality gaming controllers and accessories like the SCUF Infinity1. You can fully customize this controller online with their Infinity1 Builder . You can also order various parts for your controller and continue to customize your device on the fly after you receive it.

Another great option is, you’re able to use the controller with your Xbox One and your PC because Scuf Gaming is the exclusive third party accessories partner for the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller (www.scufgaming.com).

Gaming on the PC is going to require you to get a quality graphics card in order to play games on higher settings. Great titles such as Tomb Raider, Just Cause 3 (both by Square Enix, na.square-enix.com) and Star Wars: Battlefront and Need for Speed  (by EA Games, www.ea.com) will require a quality GPU to fully enjoy your gaming experience. As you start looking at various computer peripherals, remember to save a decent amount of money and get the best possible GPU with you’re allotted budget. You don’t want to have all this fancy gear and not be able to play the games at an acceptable quality setting.

You migh
t not be gaming, but with the added flexibility of a mid-range build, you can choose a hard drive with added speed and storage because of the additional options this type of build offers.  Seagate offers great quality Solid State Hybrid Drives (SSHD) at an affordable price (www.seagate.com). You’re also able to get a better processor (CPU) and a better cooling unit for it (higher end CPU’s draw more power, so they produce additional heat). Along with all these added things, you can add items such as quality speakers, audio cards, webcams, wireless network and or bluetooth adapters (if your motherboard doesn’t have them included).

A high-end build is going to cost you over a $1,000 and will probably end up totaling between $1,500 to $3,000, if you want the bells and whistles. As I previously mentioned, this build is for someone editing video/multimedia, high-end gamers, and those individuals who run a lot of simultaneous tasks at once. Most users won’t need to spend this kind of money because their usage doesn’t require them to purchase these types of “high-end” components.

Since we have established a budget for the computer build, stay tuned, as I we discuss how to pick the processor (CPU) or what I will refer to as the “brain” of the computer. Visit newburghtechgroup.com for additional information.