New Build for Casual User

[jasper1605]

I'm building a computer for my grandma here in the next week or so and wanted to run my choice by you guys. This will be overkill a bit, but she doesn't want to have to buy a new computer for quite a long time so I went a bit higher. She pretty much uses it for emails, facebook games and movies. Budget is unkown ATM, but I'm shooting for under 800. Always looking for suggestions on how to cut price down though!

I've got a 2x2 gb kit of Geil ram to put in. I assume 4 will be enough.
Also just going to put in a generic DVD drive so I left that out (forgot before I took the screenshot haha)

Thanks for the input!

 

[[Ion]]

I'd say no reason to go with a HDD that big. Personally, I'd suggest a 64GB SSD and a 500GB (tops) HDD. I have a 500GB HDD and it's barely half full, even with my whole Steam library on it. The 840 Pro is also a quite expensive SSD.

You could also go with a cheaper Pentium Dual Core--they still pack a punch for just over half the price.

Also, YGPM

 

[drdeathx]

Your better off with a AMD Trinity A10-5800K. It will kick the snot out of an Intel i3. Heck, you should be able to build a system for under $800 using an AMP Piledriver FX-6300 under $800 and it will kick the snot out of both

 

[RCoon]

Your better off with a Trinity A10-5800K. It will kick the snot out of an Intel i3

My thoughts exactly.
FM2 board and APU.
G-Ma dont need no 1TB HDD.
Get a Samsung 120GB Basic.
That thermal paste is also unnecessary if you're using stock cooling.
Also, Bronze rated 450w PSU would be good, like an Earthwatts or something.

 

[Fourstaff]

Grandma, games? Interesting

Ill seriously consider 6700, its a good compromise. Increase RAM to 8, we want the rig to last for 7-8 years, and more ram is the way to go by year 5 ish

Another is to consider i3 3225, the power bill pays the difference and some more compared to FM2 based system by year 5, but you will be stuck with a much weaker graphics (not a big deal if grandma plays farmville).

 

[CJCerny]

Why aren't we getting granny a nice budget AMD APU based $350 desktop on sale from Staples? That would last her 4-5 years easy and meet all her needs. Sounds more like you are building a computer for yourself and asking her to pay for it. That's fine--as long as she is aware of the plan and on board with it.

 

[Fourstaff]

Why aren't we getting granny a nice budget AMD APU based $350 desktop on sale from Staples?

This is the best idea imo.

 

[silkstone]

Why does every thread nowadays have to turn in to i3 vs. Trinity?

You might want to go for a white case or something if it's for your grandma and if you are looking to cut costs then you don;t really need the AS5 or the premium version of windows.

You might consider a cheaper SSD and a version of windows 8 with start8 for future-proofing.

 

[Fourstaff]

Ok I think we have agreed to disagree. Commencing purging.

 

[RCoon]

Because the OP asked for suggestions? Did you read the thread?

Your a big boy, you can work out that after 3-5 years, the power consumption of the APU is going to drive the overall costs of an APU system past the intel system. Especially if its used for a decade like most grandparent systems.

 

[drdeathx]

Your a big boy, you can work out that after 3-5 years, the power consumption of the APU is going to drive the overall costs of an APU system past the intel system. Especially if its used for a decade like most grandparent systems.

Ok big boy, the pointless 2500 graphics on the i3 3220K will be worthless in 5 years over the 7660D on the AMD Trinity. Quit hitting Power consumption. unless grandma is on limited income, power consumption will not be an issue. I am sure the OP can take our recommendations from here. Again, he never listed Power consumption as an issue but there will not be much difference. OP states he is looking for something for 5-8 years and A10-5800K is the clear choice here. Time to get off Power Consumption. AMD's 7660D ownes the Intel HD2500 graphicsand in the long run, will be 2-3x better.

 

[jasper1605]

Thanks for the tips all. It's been more than 2 years since I really looked into pc stuff with Mrs school dominating my time so I'm glad for all the suggestions.
Here's my reasoning for i3: she keeps her computer on 24/7 despite constant recommendations on shutting it down so power consumption would be a big deal.
As far as trying to get the most out I don't need something that can blow stuff out of the water, just to be able to hold its own for the next long while. Thanks again.

 

[de.das.dude]

i concur with the rest, APU is the only way to go. hell, i think even a SoC E2-1800 is good enough for facebook games and definitely good enough for movies.

you might want to invest a little less on the HDD (500GB is fine, SSD wont make a difference to her)

and yes, do get a big screen. and nice sound system. that would be nice!

 

[Fourstaff]

Ok big boy, the pointless 2500 graphics on the i3 3220K will be worthless in 5 years over the 7660D on the AMD Trinity. Quit hitting Power consumption. unless grandma is on limited income, power consumption will not be an issue. I am sure the OP can take our recommendations from here. Again, he never listed Power consumption as an issue but there will not be much difference. OP states he is looking for something for 5-8 years and A10-5800K is the clear choice here. Time to get off Power Consumption. AMD's 7660D ownes the Intel HD2500 graphicsand in the long run, will be 2-3x better.

[url]http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq77/AAdeath/Stalkerstandalone_zpsee42a272.png[/URL]
[url]http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq77/AAdeath/dirt3standalone_zps01f723f9.png[/URL]
[url]http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq77/AAdeath/CODstandalone_zps42858fe1.png[/URL]
[url]http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq77/AAdeath/AvPstandalone_zps3dabae0e.png[/URL]

Yes grandma will be playing AvP, STALKER and Dirt 3, etcetcetc. Please recommend a system for her needs, not some budget gamer's needs. I fail to see how she will need something more powerful than a HD2500.

SSD only if she turns on/shuts down her pc regularly, if she leaves it on 24/7 spinning ones are the way to go.

 

[drdeathx]

Yes grandma will be playing AvP, STALKER and Dirt 3, etcetcetc. Please recommend a system for her needs, not some budget gamer's needs. I fail to see how she will need something more powerful than a HD2500.

SSD only if she turns on/shuts down her pc regularly, if she leaves it on 24/7 spinning ones are the way to go.

HD2500 is a piece of Crap compared to 7660D. I put those there so you would understand... Do you?

 

[Fourstaff]

HD2500 is a piece of Crap compared to 7660D. I put those there so you would understand... Do you?

I play Dota 2 with HD2500, not sure what you are talking about. I am pretty sure grandma doesnt play anything more demanding than Dota 2

 

[de.das.dude]

Yes grandma will be playing AvP, STALKER and Dirt 3, etcetcetc. Please recommend a system for her needs, not some budget gamer's needs. I fail to see how she will need something more powerful than a HD2500.

SSD only if she turns on/shuts down her pc regularly, if she leaves it on 24/7 spinning ones are the way to go.

hate to disagree. but why go for intel in this situation, clearly AMD is good match to her requirements.

 

[Fourstaff]

hate to disagree. but why go for intel in this situation, clearly AMD is good match to her requirements.

Because better single threaded preformance and lower power consumption (given that she doesn't turn off her pc), and she doesn't need the graphics power.

At the end of the day, I think both platforms are fine for her needs.

 

[ne6togadno]

100$ rest to 800, rebates and sale of simcity use to pay difference in electric bills.
you can also fix power consumption with win power settings

 

[drdeathx]

Because better single threaded preformance and lower power consumption (given that she doesn't turn off her pc), and she doesn't need the graphics power.

At the end of the day, I think both platforms are fine for her needs.

But 1 is the clear winner due to his requirements are a system for 5-8 years and in this time frame, things will change mainly on the graphics side as I showed 7660D ass whoops HD2500. In my benchmarks at default core speed, even single threaded, the 2 chips trade blows. When multi-threaded, the 5800K unleashes on the 3220.

Don't take the argument personal by no means, but I did an in depth head to head for TPU with both chips(where you didn't) and I am an Intel fan as you see by my main rig. AMD is far better for her needs in this particular situation. That said, the OP has $800. The FX-6300 may be a better fit for the budget kicking the snot in single and multi thread over the 3220 but we would have to add a dedicated GPU>

 

[drdeathx]

http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=51746&stc=1&d=1372874720
100$ rest to 800, rebates and sale of simcity use to pay difference in electric bills.
you can also fix power consumption with win power settings

Heck for an additional $129 you could add on a Radeon 7770 and be about $830 complete with a dedicated GPU.

 

[de.das.dude]

Because better single threaded preformance and lower power consumption (given that she doesn't turn off her pc), and she doesn't need the graphics power.

At the end of the day, I think both platforms are fine for her needs.

i dont think the intel one will be cheaper though....

 

[ne6togadno]

Heck for an additional $129 you could add on a Radeon 7770 and be about $830 complete with a dedicated GPU.

power consumption here will be higher. even with trinity it will be higher

 

[jasper1605]

I see a lot of discussion about amd's offerings against hd 2500 but the chip I looked at is hd 4000 which I thought was a significant step up from 2500?

 

[[Ion]]

I see a lot of discussion about amd's offerings against hd 2500 but the chip I looked at is hd 4000 which I thought was a significant step up from 2500?

Intel says that the i3-3225 has the HD4000, which is hardly remarkable, but is competent. I can play Portal at 720p with no issues--Civ V is a stretch, but can be made to work...