Budget 21-30k PC Build Advice needed. Budget under 30k.

Hello people. I'm thinking about building a light gaming/HTPC around a spare 1650S which I own. I have very recently thought of this idea and it might not get finalized but I'm exploring my options.

Budget - Under 30k. I need a cabinet with everything inside it minus GPU.

Components - I'm thinking about going with 10th Gen Core i5 or something similar without integrated GPU, maybe 12th Gen i3. I have just started researching about it. Pair it up with single stick 8GB RAM so that I have upgrade path open in the future. For SSD, I'm thinking about getting a Crucial P2 or some cheap M.2 NVMe SSDm, no crucial data will ever be stored on this PC. For motherboard and SMPS, I have no idea yet.

Usage - This will be used for running light couch co-op games (main use) and movies, and sometimes playing single player games like Far Cry 5, Days Gone, etc. at low-medium setting at 1080p. It will be connected to a 1080p monitor and a 4K TV.

Cabinet
- I'm thinking about getting a micro-ATX cabinet with micro-ATX motherboard and ATX Power Supply. Going any smaller (mini-ITX) will incur a very large SFF tax as everything becomes quite costly, even SFX power supply. Although I would like it to be as small as possible.

Upgrade/Overclock
- I do not plan to upgrade it in the near future, except for upgrading the RAM to 16GB. Everything else would be the same till foreseeable future. I do not intend to overclock any of the component.

Thanks folks!
 
[PCPriceTracker Build](https://pcpricetracker.in/b/s/9612df7e-e294-4a26-9f62-2d5b4cfa1363)


**Processor** | [INTEL CORE I3-12100F DESKTOP PROCESSOR (12M CACHE, UP TO 4.30GHZ)](https://pcpricetracker.in/products/5ff8a0fec9097443280ecb56d399ab9e) | TlgGaming | 8999
**Motherboard** | [MSI PRO H610M-B DDR4 INTEL 12TH GEN LGA 1700 MOTHERBOARD](https://pcpricetracker.in/products/fbd86c6f829218b6ba50212ebfc225d9) | PCStudio | 6900
**Power Supply** | [Cooler Master MWE 650 Bronze V2 Power Supply MPE-6501-ACABW-BIN](https://pcpricetracker.in/products/b50ed406fca964f5ec7bb6d8fbb7343b) | Vedant Computers | 4770
**Cabinet** | [Antec NX291 Mid Tower Gaming Case](https://pcpricetracker.in/products/4777517071e2ec9f00ffd84b4a6f153a) | PrimeABGB | 2999
**Memory** | [G.Skill F4-3200C16S-8GVKB Desktop Ram Ripjaws V Series 8GB (8GBx1) DDR4 3200MHz Black](https://pcpricetracker.in/products/9890ead814673f79d1bad1f7739d05a5) | TlgGaming | 2399
**SSD drive** | [Crucial P2 500GB M.2 NVMe Internal SSD (CT500P2SSD8)](https://pcpricetracker.in/products/5cfa6f829507b81dae7572857c7a213a) | TlgGaming | 3479
| | **Grand Total** | **INR 29546** |

Hello, I tried to incorporate your suggestions with whatever I could find on PcPricetracker, but I have not considered sites like Amazon or other factors such as bank discounts, so it might be possible you can get a better deal so some components. Processor prices have gone up recently so I agree with your choice of going with i3-12100f, it certainly gives you value for your buck and provides you a good upgradability path, Also, Antec NX290 and NX291 both come with pre-installed fans and are similarly priced, It more about your personal preference, Would've gone for a B660 but they cost more than 10k, but this is a decent one too for how much it costs, curious with other members might come up with.
 
[PCPriceTracker Build](https://pcpricetracker.in/b/s/9612df7e-e294-4a26-9f62-2d5b4cfa1363)


**Processor** | [INTEL CORE I3-12100F DESKTOP PROCESSOR (12M CACHE, UP TO 4.30GHZ)](https://pcpricetracker.in/products/5ff8a0fec9097443280ecb56d399ab9e) | TlgGaming | 8999
**Motherboard** | [MSI PRO H610M-B DDR4 INTEL 12TH GEN LGA 1700 MOTHERBOARD](https://pcpricetracker.in/products/fbd86c6f829218b6ba50212ebfc225d9) | PCStudio | 6900
**Power Supply** | [Cooler Master MWE 650 Bronze V2 Power Supply MPE-6501-ACABW-BIN](https://pcpricetracker.in/products/b50ed406fca964f5ec7bb6d8fbb7343b) | Vedant Computers | 4770
**Cabinet** | [Antec NX291 Mid Tower Gaming Case](https://pcpricetracker.in/products/4777517071e2ec9f00ffd84b4a6f153a) | PrimeABGB | 2999
**Memory** | [G.Skill F4-3200C16S-8GVKB Desktop Ram Ripjaws V Series 8GB (8GBx1) DDR4 3200MHz Black](https://pcpricetracker.in/products/9890ead814673f79d1bad1f7739d05a5) | TlgGaming | 2399
**SSD drive** | [Crucial P2 500GB M.2 NVMe Internal SSD (CT500P2SSD8)](https://pcpricetracker.in/products/5cfa6f829507b81dae7572857c7a213a) | TlgGaming | 3479
| | **Grand Total** | **INR 29546** |

Hello, I tried to incorporate your suggestions with whatever I could find on PcPricetracker, but I have not considered sites like Amazon or other factors such as bank discounts, so it might be possible you can get a better deal so some components. Processor prices have gone up recently so I agree with your choice of going with i3-12100f, it certainly gives you value for your buck and provides you a good upgradability path, Also, Antec NX290 and NX291 both come with pre-installed fans and are similarly priced, It more about your personal preference, Would've gone for a B660 but they cost more than 10k, but this is a decent one too for how much it costs, curious with other members might come up with.
Thanks for your prompt reply and insight. I didn't get time to go through it earlier.

I was thinking about getting pretty much the same configuration. I would like to get a better/more aesthetic cabinet and can afford to spend 1-2k extra on it. Currently looking for a good mATX cabinet, the smaller the better but it should support ATX power supply.

I think getting a 450W power supply would be better, the selected components won't draw more than 200-250W at peak usage.
 
Word of advise, get 16GB single stick today keep option for 32GB later or don't won't matter much unless you multitask but 16GB is minimum for those games you mentioned it'll choke the PC on 8GB and you'll have a lot of stuttering.

Also if you think you'd be upgrading the CPU/GPU some time in future then get a good wattage PSU from the start otherwise you'll just end up spending twice.
 
I added 650w just for future-proofing sake, for 450w here are my two recommendations
https://tlggaming.com/cooler-master-mwe-450-bronze-v2?limit=100

If you are looking for an aesthetically pleasing compact case, you can go for this one

If you want to get an idea of how it looks, I found the case on a "everyday" show-off thread post from @SunnyBoi , you can thank him for the suggestion
 
Word of advise, get 16GB single stick today keep option for 32GB later or don't won't matter much unless you multitask but 16GB is minimum for those games you mentioned it'll choke the PC on 8GB and you'll have a lot of stuttering.

Also if you think you'd be upgrading the CPU/GPU some time in future then get a good wattage PSU from the start otherwise you'll just end up spending twice.
Yes, thanks. I'm seriously considering going for 16GB (8GB*2).

I don't see 32GB being useful for me anytime soon in this usage scenario and I do not plan on updating CPU/GPU in the foreseeable future.
 
I added 650w just for future-proofing sake, for 450w here are my two recommendations
https://tlggaming.com/cooler-master-mwe-450-bronze-v2?limit=100

If you are looking for an aesthetically pleasing compact case, you can go for this one

If you want to get an idea of how it looks, I found the case on a "everyday" show-off thread post from @SunnyBoi , you can thank him for the suggestion
I have selected the same PSU. Will order it today.

I have a thing for SFF builds but that is not possible at all in my budget. Mini ITX motherboards and SFX power supply is so damn costly that make SFF builds prohibitively impossible. SilverStone P15 looks promising but I was looking something more like NR200 (case which is short in height, shaped like a UPS).

I came across Sama IM01 which seemed perfect and to my surprise, I could find 2 clones available in Indian market at ₹5000-5500. The case budget is has already crossed what I had planned but can't do anything about it ("शौक बड़ी चीज़ है" :p ). I wanted clean look in the front and non-glass panels on the sides and this case has it both. Its shape is also what I wanted.

Here is a 3D size comparison.

The following two cases are clones of Sama IM01.
1. Zebronics Zeb-Woodan
2. Galax REV-03

Most likely I will be buying one of the above two mentioned cases, any suggestions as to which and why are most welcome. I'm leaning towards the Galax case. Also, I'm looking for a white case.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UPDATE: Ordered Galax REV-03 case.
 
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I have selected the same PSU. Will order it today.

I have a thing for SFF builds but that is not possible at all in my budget. Mini ITX motherboards and SFX power supply is so damn costly that make SFF builds prohibitively impossible. SilverStone P15 looks promising but I was looking something more like NR200 (case which is short in height, shaped like a UPS).

I came across Sama IM01 which seemed perfect and to my surprise, I could find 2 clones available in Indian market at ₹5000-5500. The case budget is has already crossed what I had planned but can't do anything about it ("शौक बड़ी चीज़ है" :p ). I wanted clean look in the front and non-glass panels on the sides and this case has it both. Its shape is also what I wanted.

Here is a 3D size comparison.

The following two cases are clones of Sama IM01.
1. Zebronics Zeb-Woodan
2. Galax REV-03

Most likely I will be buying one of the above two mentioned cases, any suggestions as to which and why are most welcome. I'm leaning towards the Galax case. Also, I'm looking for a white case.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UPDATE: Ordered Galax REV-03 case.
If possible, please share the build when its done, I would like to see how it came together.
 
If possible, please share the build when its done, I would like to see how it came together.
Sure will do. I have ordered all the components as follows -
CPU: Intel Core i3 - 12100f
Motherboard: Gigabyte H610M H (rev1.0)
RAM: XPG Gammix D30 8GB*2 3200MHz
Case: Galax REV-03
SMPS: Cooler Master MWE 450 v2 (Bronze)



The components will take a while to reach me as I'm in a peripheral town.
 
How much did you pay for each component and where did you order from?
CPU: Intel Core i3 - 12100f - Flipkart ₹8500
Motherboard: Gigabyte H610M H (rev1.3) Vedant - ₹7000
RAM: XPG Gammix D30 8GB*2 3200MHz Amazon ₹2448 x 2
Case: Galax REV-03 Amazon ₹5300 or ₹5500
SMPS: Cooler Master MWE 450 v2 (Bronze) Vedant ₹2750


UPDATE: The last components arrived yesterday and I built the PC in the evening.

The Cabinet quality is much better than what I expected. The texture and finish is very premium. I will upload some images when I get time. There is a lot to be done in the case. I haven't cable managed at all yet. Just threw in all the components and booted it. The CPU fan makes a lot of noise while at 100% load and temperatures stablise at around 70-75 degree C (with the side panel open). I forgot to order case fans, hence I'm keeping the side panel open for now so that it doesn't become a hot-box.

I'm thinking about getting some aftermarket CPU cooler, something more silent. I have a budget of ₹3000 for CPU cooler and 2 or 3 fans, I would like something with RGB in it, not ARGB, just the regular RGB fans with rainbow preset. Can increase the budget by ₹500-1000.

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Hi folks. Please recommend some 120mm case fans with RGB. (ARGB not required, just basic rainbow RGB would do). Also suggest some aftermarket RGB CPU Cooler for LGA1700. The overall budget for 3 case fans and CPU Cooler is ₹4000. Thanks.
 
Thanks a lot for prompt reply.

I'm very inexperienced with ARGB things and connections, haven't done it yet so.

The motherboard has an ARGB header and the case has some ARGB lighting. I got confused with the 5V / 12V thing, hence didn't connect the Case lighting to motherboard. There is an inbuilt controller in the case and a button to control the case RGB, so I just connected power (via SATA Power) to the case RGB.

I think I'll buy simple RGB fans this time, will buy ARGB next time.

Regarding the CPU Cooler, the case has max cpu cooler height listed as 155mm and Deepcool Gammaxx 400 XT is 157mm high, would it fit in?
 
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The setup looks nice. What temps and fps are you getting while gaming?
Thanks :)

CPU stabilizes at 70-75 degree C at sustained 100% loads with stock cooler (with 100% fans, makes a lot of noise). This is with side panel open.

GPU stays at approx 65-68 degrees at sustained 100% load with side panel open.

I just ordered a better CPU coooler and some cabinet fans. Will update when I install them.

Regarding FPS, it would vary drastically with games and settings. I aim to get atleast 60fps 1080p in game.
 
Best mid range air cooler is Deepcool AK400 priced at Rs. 2349

Deepcool AK400 Black CPU Air Cooler​


Link:https://mdcomputers.in/deepcool-ak400-black-r-ak400-bknnmn-g-1.html

It comes with single 120mm fan just add another 120mm fan and it becomes a great push pull setup cooler like its elder sibling AK620 which is priced much higher.
Add this below fans into 2x and you are good to go.

Arctic P12 PWM (Fan speed: 200–1800 RPM)​


Link:https://www.amazon.in/dp/B07GB5JRTZ...colid=3RO3PH4L26MYV&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1

Couple it with this

DAHSHA 4 Pin to 1 x 4 Pin & 1 x 3 Pin Computer Case Fan Y-Splitter Power Connector Adapter Cable PWM splitter cable 13cm- Black​


Link:https://www.amazon.in/dp/B078ZF1K56...olid=3RO3PH4L26MYV&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Total comes to Rs. 3567.
 
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