PC for the Parents

[4eigner]

My parents want me to build a pc for them. What do you guys think.


1. What YOUR PC will be used for. Mainly browsing the web, editing pictures (mainly with Picasa), and uploading files online.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
$300 - $400

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
USA Newegg

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.
Not really.

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

Have some RAM laying around. I think they're the GSkill Ripsaws X 1600 8GB.

*

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
Default
8. What resolution will you be using?
I think they have a 23inch Widescreen monitor at 1080p, and I'm not sure of the resolution.
9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
Note that it is usually not cost or time effective to choose your build more than a month before you actually plan to be using it.

This next 2 weeks.

*

X. Do you need to purchase any software to go with the system, such as Windows or Blu Ray playback software?

No software needed.

Case/Mobo: Foxconn RM2-H2

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16856119065

CPU: Intel i3-3225
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116774

HDD : Seagate Barracuda 500GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148767

I'll probaby have to buy a DVD drive too, but I think they're around 20 bucks.

[Insert_Nickname]

If you can afford it, I really suggest to get an SSD. Even at the cost of using a lower end CPU.

Also do your parents really need an i3?. How long is the life expectancy of the system?.

[4eigner]

They're wanting to use it for at least 3-5 years. I figured the i3 since it had the integrated graphics unless there are cheaper processors with integrated graphics so I didn't have to buy a video card.

I'll keep checking around for SSD.

[T_Yamamoto]

Dell

[Termie]

You currently have a $320 build (including the DVD drive). That's not bad, but I'm going to suggest a few changes:

(1) Although it's quite a deal, I'm not comfortable with that Foxconn barebones kit. When I was researching ITX motherboards, Foxconn had the worst reviews, and also the most limited features. They are surely putting their most stripped-down MB in that kit.

(2) Consider whether you really need to build a super-thin (<4") system. I did, using this case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811108196

The case is very nice, and I'd recommend it over the Foxconn, but the drawback to going with this form factor is PSU fan noise. You're just not going to avoid it in cases like this.

My suggestion is to just go ATX or mATX - as an example, you could build with this very nice Corsair case for $35AR: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811139018

And this very good Corsair PSU for $25AR: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...=corsair%20430

If size is an issue, an mATX like this Rosewill would work: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147123

(3) $145 for that dual-core is a lot of money. I'd go with this model, which only sacrifices the GPU power slightly: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116775

And yes, absolutely buy a 60GB SSD.

[Insert_Nickname]

Originally Posted by Termie

You currently have a $320 build (including the DVD drive). That's not bad, but I'm going to suggest a few changes:

(1) Although it's quite a deal, I'm not comfortable with that Foxconn barebones kit. When I was researching ITX motherboards, Foxconn had the worst reviews, and also the most limited features. They are surely putting their most stripped-down MB in that kit.

(2) Consider whether you really need to build a super-thin (<4") system. I did, using this case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811108196

The case is very nice, and I'd recommend it over the Foxconn, but the drawback to going with this form factor is PSU fan noise. You're just not going to avoid it in cases like this.

My suggestion is to just go ATX or mATX - as an example, you could build with this very nice Corsair case for $35AR: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811139018

And this very good Corsair PSU for $25AR: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...=corsair%20430

If size is an issue, an mATX like this Rosewill would work: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147123

(3) $145 for that dual-core is a lot of money. I'd go with this model, which only sacrifices the GPU power slightly: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116775

And yes, absolutely buy a 60GB SSD.

I was about to reply something similar. With the exception of the CPU, the A8-5600K (or A6-5400K, if you need something cheaper) seems like a good fit for a basic machine. Of course you will need a mainboard for it...

[Termie]

Originally Posted by Insert_Nickname

I was about to reply something similar. With the exception of the CPU, the A8-5600K (or A6-5400K, if you need something cheaper) seems like a good fit for a basic machine. Of course you will need a mainboard for it...

That's an ITX board you linked for the AMD processor - if he's not going ITX, he doesn't have to spend more on a miniature motherboard.

As to the 5600k suggestion, I have mixed feelings. Given that this is not a gaming build, I'd go for the lower power use of the Intel CPUs, personally.

By the way, you can get very inexpensive H61 motherboards, like this ECS for $35 AR: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813135288

With the Corsair case/PSU and this motherboard, you're talking $95AR, and in my opinion getting a much more solid machine than the $90 Foxconn. But again, it depends on space constraints.

[Insert_Nickname]

Originally Posted by Termie

That's an ITX board you linked for the AMD processor - if he's not going ITX, he doesn't have to spend more on a miniature motherboard.

Just a suggestion, you can get a cheaper mATX. No problem.

Originally Posted by Termie

As to the 5600k suggestion, I have mixed feelings. Given that this is not a gaming build, I'd go for the lower power use of the Intel CPUs, personally.

Only a suggestion. I would much prefer a trinity system (5400K or 5600K) WITH an SSD, then a Pentium/i3 system without an SSD.

Thing is that at least here in Denmark especially the 5400K is priced very competitively.

[mfenn]

If it were me, I would go to Dell outlet and never look back. However, since you don't need an OS, you can actually come out with something competitive by building your own.

Question for the OP, do your parents needs a lot of local storage, or do they pretty much instantly upload the photos to Picasa Web?

[4eigner]

They don't need a lot of storage. I think they have at most 100 gigs. I picked the small case because they don't like the larger towers. I'll recheck and see if they're willing to get a Mid tower. Looks like I keep looking around!

Thanks for all the replies!

[Termie]

Originally Posted by 4eigner

They don't need a lot of storage. I think they have at most 100 gigs. I picked the small case because they don't like the larger towers. I'll recheck and see if they're willing to get a Mid tower. Looks like I keep looking around!

Thanks for all the replies!

The Foxconn barebones kit you originally listed has now dropped to $60: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&amp;SID=u00000687

At that price, it's probably worth the risk of a lower-end motherboard and PSU. Go for that, and give it a thorough test before handing it off to your parents.

[mfenn]

Here's what I'm thinking:

i3 3225 $135 AP
ASRock B75M-DGS $55 - too much of a premium for a 7 series ITX board, and Ivy Bridge i3 that was listed likely won't work in the Foxconn's H61 board unless you have a spare Sandy Bridge CPU that you can swap in to do a BIOS flash
Existing Ram $0
Crucial M4 128GB $110
Lite-ON DVD Burner $18
Seasonic 300W $40
Fractal Design Core 1000 $40 - obviously not as small as a mini-ITX case, but still good quality and probably quieter
Total: $398

This ends up being more expensive and bigger than the Foxconn bundle, but it is a better quality machine with a good SSD that will run quiet. There's nothing saying that you couldn't just swap the CPU that you've listed to an i3 2100 or 2120 and call it a day; I'm just not a fan of buying junk and hoping to get lucky.

[Termie]

Originally Posted by mfenn

Here's what I'm thinking:

i3 3225 $135 AP
ASRock B75M-DGS $55 - too much of a premium for a 7 series ITX board, and Ivy Bridge i3 that was listed likely won't work in the Foxconn's H61 board unless you have a spare Sandy Bridge CPU that you can swap in to do a BIOS flash
Existing Ram $0
Crucial M4 128GB $110
Lite-ON DVD Burner $18
Seasonic 300W $40
Fractal Design Core 1000 $40 - obviously not as small as a mini-ITX case, but still good quality and probably quieter
Total: $398

This ends up being more expensive and bigger than the Foxconn bundle, but it is a better quality machine with a good SSD that will run quiet. There's nothing saying that you couldn't just swap the CPU that you've listed to an i3 2100 or 2120 and call it a day; I'm just not a fan of buying junk and hoping to get lucky.

Excellent point, mfenn, about the motherboard incompatibility issue with the Foxconn.

Again, I think the OP has to really gauge his parents' interest in / need for a super-small system. It will come with tradeoffs.