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New PC for the parents (400-500)

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Long time no see, y'all.

Since it's been years since I kept up with hardware, I could use some opinions.

My parents need a new pc. They already have an ATX case and a monitor they can use. What do you guys recommend for a parts list (budget in the 400 to 500 range, shipped/taxed in NY) for something that can do some light gaming?

Thanks guys!

Edit: They like to do photo editing with adobe products.
Maybe be able to run games like CIV 6/FPS' on low-mediumish playably. They may want to be able to upgrade it in the future to play more demanding games.
 
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Ryzen 5 3400G.
Whatever RAM and MB fits the budget.
SSD, again, what fits the budget.
 

TheLostSwede

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What are they using it for? This is were you should start.
And an ATX case might not be the ideal solution.
I put together a Gigabyte Brix and mounted on the back of a screen.
This form factor means that there are minimal wires. The only downside is that the power button is on the back of the screen for the PC itself.
It's a computer that's only used for web access and maybe the odd Skype call etc. i.e. basic stuff.
There are a lot of similar system from various manufacturers and you should be able to find something that fits your budget.

Maybe something like this?

Something between that and a regular PC is also an option. That's a complete system.
 
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What are they using it for? This is were you should start.
And an ATX case might not be the ideal solution.
I put together a Gigabyte Brix and mounted on the back of a screen.
This form factor means that there are minimal wires. The only downside is that the power button is on the back of the screen for the PC itself.
It's a computer that's only used for web access and maybe the odd Skype call etc. i.e. basic stuff.
There are a lot of similar system from various manufacturers and you should be able to find something that fits your budget.

Maybe something like this?

I'll update OP with an edit. Thanks!
 

TheLostSwede

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CIV VI requires a dedicated graphics card, so no chance with that budget.
Something like a GTX 1050 Ti would do, but that's still much much faster than integrated graphics from both AMD and Intel.
 
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Benchmark Scores They're pretty good, nothing crazy.
maybe:
ryzen 3200g - $94
450 board - ~$75 like this
rx 570 - $130 (xfx variant available)
ram - $70 like this
psu - something for $50ish like this
ssd - something for ~ $60

Right around the top of the budget but decent room to plop in a faster proc and gfx to give it some more juice in a few years. Maybe convince them to spend the extra $80 for the 3600, which will help in the photos department.
 
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Processor Intel Core i5 11600kf
Motherboard Asus Prime Z590-V ATX
Memory (48GB total) 16GB (2x8GB) Crucial Ballistix Sport 3000MHZ and G. Skill Ripjaws 32GB 3200MHZ (2x16GB)
Video Card(s) GIGABYTE RTX 3060 12GB
Storage 1TB MSI Spatium M370 NVMe M.2 SSD
Display(s) 32" Viewsonic 4k, 34" Samsung 3440x1440, XP Pen Creative Pro 13.3
Power Supply EVGA 600 80+ Gold
VR HMD Meta Quest Pro, Tundra Trackers
Software Windows 10
Thanks for the input guys!
 

TheLostSwede

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Processor AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Motherboard Gigabyte X670E Aorus Master
Cooling Noctua NH-D15 SE with offsets
Memory 32GB Team T-Create Expert DDR5 6000 MHz @ CL30-34-34-68
Video Card(s) Gainward GeForce RTX 4080 Phantom GS
Storage 1TB Solidigm P44 Pro, 2 TB Corsair MP600 Pro, 2TB Kingston KC3000
Display(s) Acer XV272K LVbmiipruzx 4K@160Hz
Case Fractal Design Torrent Compact
Audio Device(s) Corsair Virtuoso SE
Power Supply be quiet! Pure Power 12 M 850 W
Mouse Logitech G502 Lightspeed
Keyboard Corsair K70 Max
Software Windows 10 Pro
Benchmark Scores https://valid.x86.fr/5za05v
maybe:
ryzen 3200g - $94
450 board - ~$75 like this
rx 570 - $130 (xfx variant available)
ram - $70 like this
psu - something for $50ish like this
ssd - something for ~ $60

Right around the top of the budget but decent room to plop in a faster proc and gfx to give it some more juice in a few years. Maybe convince them to spend the extra $80 for the 3600, which will help in the photos department.
You're right, the RX 570 might be a better option, took me a bit to find a review here, only one card tested...
 

silentbogo

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For parents? Definitely NUC or AsRock Desk Mini.
Latter one may be a better option, cause of few reasons:
1) It's cheap as hell, even for a barebone
2) Socketed upgradeable CPU for both A300 and H310 variants
3) M.2 NVME slot and two 2.5" mounts give you tons of options in terms of storage.

Heck, for some basic amateur photoshop and typical web-browsing even an older DeskMini H110 paired w/ i5-6400 would do. Not sure about US, but locally there are still some stores selling leftovers under $120.

And a maxed-out A300W with 1TB NVME SSD would be just a tad over $500 state-side.
 
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I would be keeping an eye out for a 1600 AF for its normal sub $100 price or wait for one of the Zen 2 quads to be released.
 

TheLostSwede

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Cooling Noctua NH-D15 SE with offsets
Memory 32GB Team T-Create Expert DDR5 6000 MHz @ CL30-34-34-68
Video Card(s) Gainward GeForce RTX 4080 Phantom GS
Storage 1TB Solidigm P44 Pro, 2 TB Corsair MP600 Pro, 2TB Kingston KC3000
Display(s) Acer XV272K LVbmiipruzx 4K@160Hz
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For parents? Definitely NUC or AsRock Desk Mini.
Latter one may be a better option, cause of few reasons:
1) It's cheap as hell, even for a barebone
2) Socketed upgradeable CPU for both A300 and H310 variants
3) M.2 NVME slot and two 2.5" mounts give you tons of options in terms of storage.

Heck, for some basic amateur photoshop and typical web-browsing even an older DeskMini H110 paired w/ i5-6400 would do. Not sure about US, but locally there are still some stores selling leftovers under $120.

And a maxed-out A300W with 1TB NVME SSD would be just a tad over $500 state-side.
I guess you didn't read the OPs update to his post...
 

silentbogo

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