Girlfriend's parents PC

iiNNeX · July 8, 2019

Hello LTT,

I am building my other half's parents a PC as their AMD Athlon is now a relic in today's world. I have a budget of roughly £500 (although it's not hard capped) and have managed to put together the following:

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 3 2200G 3.5 GHz Quad-Core Processor (£73.16 @ Box Limited)
Motherboard: Asus - PRIME B450M-A Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard (£72.98 @ Box Limited)
Memory: Team - Vulcan 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory (£73.69 @ Overclockers.co.uk)
Storage: Crucial - MX500 250 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive (£37.98 @ Aria PC)
Storage: Seagate - Constellation ES.3 2 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (Purchased For £0.00)
Case: Fractal Design - Focus G Mini MicroATX Mini Tower Case (£46.36 @ Aria PC)
Power Supply: EVGA - 500 W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply (£43.10 @ CCL Computers)
Monitor: AOC - I2481FXH 23.8" 1920x1080 60 Hz Monitor (£117.99 @ Box Limited)
Keyboard: Logitech - MK345 Wireless Standard Keyboard With Optical Mouse (£29.98 @ PC World Business)
Total: £495.24
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-07-08 19:42 BST+0100

Just wondering if there is anything I can change out for a better component. I am looking for quality items and something powerful enough to do any day-to-day internet browsing, document editing, watching 2k/4k videos without a sweat. it needs to include peripherals of course and I have gone with wireless in this case as they would most likely prefer it.

The HDD is priced at 0 as I already have one to give them. I look forward to what improvements you can make :)

Sid

maartendc · July 8, 2019

14 minutes ago, iiNNeX said:

Hello LTT,

I am building my other half's parents a PC as their AMD Athlon is now a relic in today's world. I have a budget of roughly £500 (although it's not hard capped) and have managed to put together the following:

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 3 2200G 3.5 GHz Quad-Core Processor (£73.16 @ Box Limited)
Motherboard: Asus - PRIME B450M-A Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard (£72.98 @ Box Limited)
Memory: Team - Vulcan 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory (£73.69 @ Overclockers.co.uk)
Storage: Crucial - MX500 250 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive (£37.98 @ Aria PC)
Storage: Seagate - Constellation ES.3 2 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (Purchased For £0.00)
Case: Fractal Design - Focus G Mini MicroATX Mini Tower Case (£46.36 @ Aria PC)
Power Supply: EVGA - 500 W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply (£43.10 @ CCL Computers)
Monitor: AOC - I2481FXH 23.8" 1920x1080 60 Hz Monitor (£117.99 @ Box Limited)
Keyboard: Logitech - MK345 Wireless Standard Keyboard With Optical Mouse (£29.98 @ PC World Business)
Total: £495.24
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-07-08 19:42 BST+0100

Just wondering if there is anything I can change out for a better component. I am looking for quality items and something powerful enough to do any day-to-day internet browsing, document editing, watching 2k/4k videos without a sweat. it needs to include peripherals of course and I have gone with wireless in this case as they would most likely prefer it.

The HDD is priced at 0 as I already have one to give them. I look forward to what improvements you can make

Sid

I would go with something like this:

- I have put a Mini ITX system together. For these types of machines, I feel like even micro ATX is seriously overkill, and people appreciate having a smaller "box" in their living room (apart from going with a NUC, which is another good option but not upgradeable). I built my parents a Mini ITX system and they like it!

- Storage: Go with an M.2 drive. Doesnt need a Sata and Power cable, which cuts down on the clutter in the case. Better airflow that way. Just a cleaner solution overall.

- Case: I selected a fractal design Mini ITX, but there are many nice options. This one is more "shoe box" size. But there are those that are more vertical like a gaming console. Personal preference. The Silverstone Sugo 13 is a great option too (I have that one personally). Antec ISK 600 is good if they need an optical drive.

- PSU: I would go semi-modular at least, especially for a build like this, that wont use 75% of the cables anyway. Much cleaner, better airflow. Also go with a Gold Rated PSU for extra efficiency.

- Monitor: no opinion, I would get something nicer but thats just me. I would get my parents a 1440P monitor nowadays.

- Keyboard: logitech is a solid option.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 3 2200G 3.5 GHz Quad-Core Processor (£73.16 @ Box Limited)
Motherboard: ASRock - Fatal1ty B450 Gaming-ITX/ac Mini ITX AM4 Motherboard (£104.32 @ More Computers)
Memory: Team - Vulcan 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory (£73.69 @ Overclockers.co.uk)
Storage: ADATA - SU800 256 GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive (£36.68 @ CCL Computers)
Case: Fractal Design - Core 500 Mini ITX Desktop Case (£50.98 @ Laptops Direct)
Power Supply: SeaSonic - FOCUS Gold 450 W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-modular ATX Power Supply (£60.46 @ Scan.co.uk)
Monitor: AOC - I2481FXH 23.8" 1920x1080 60 Hz Monitor (£117.99 @ Box Limited)
Keyboard: Logitech - MK345 Wireless Standard Keyboard With Optical Mouse (£29.98 @ PC World Business)
Total: £547.26
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-07-08 19:54 BST+0100

iiNNeX · July 8, 2019

1 minute ago, maartendc said:

I would go with something like this:

- I have put a Mini ITX system together. For these types of machines, I feel like even micro ATX is seriously overkill, and people appreciate having a smaller "box" in their living room (apart from going with a NUC, which is another good option but not upgradeable). I built my parents a Mini ITX system and they like it!

- Storage: Go with an M.2 drive. Doesnt need a Sata and Power cable, which cuts down on the clutter in the case. Better airflow that way. Just a cleaner solution overall.

- Case: I selected a fractal design Mini ITX, but there are many nice options. This one is more "shoe box" size. But there are those that are more vertical like a gaming console. Personal preference. The Silverstone Sugo 13 is a great option too (I have that one personally). Antec ISK 600 is good if they need an optical drive.

- PSU: I would go semi-modular at least, especially for a build like this, that wont use 75% of the cables anyway. Much cleaner, better airflow.

- Monitor: no opinion, I would get something nicer but thats just me. I would get my parents a 1440P monitor nowadays.

- Keyboard: logitech is a solid option.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 3 2200G 3.5 GHz Quad-Core Processor (£73.16 @ Box Limited)
Motherboard: ASRock - Fatal1ty B450 Gaming-ITX/ac Mini ITX AM4 Motherboard (£104.32 @ More Computers)
Memory: Team - Vulcan 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory (£73.69 @ Overclockers.co.uk)
Storage: ADATA - SU800 256 GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive (£36.68 @ CCL Computers)
Case: Fractal Design - Core 500 Mini ITX Desktop Case (£50.98 @ Laptops Direct)
Power Supply: SeaSonic - FOCUS Gold 450 W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-modular ATX Power Supply (£60.46 @ Scan.co.uk)
Monitor: AOC - I2481FXH 23.8" 1920x1080 60 Hz Monitor (£117.99 @ Box Limited)
Keyboard: Logitech - MK345 Wireless Standard Keyboard With Optical Mouse (£29.98 @ PC World Business)
Total: £547.26
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-07-08 19:54 BST+0100

I like that a lot, and I agree Mini ITX was my initial intention but never quite researched the market to see what good cases are about and what motherboard to go with. As for the monitor, I agree however it would bump the budget by at least another £100 or so, and 24 inch is overkill for them as this PC in all honestly will not see that much use (they have a laptop and an iPad...).

Ah yes m.2, totally forgot... haha. Many thanks bud, what other good looking cases are there, just thinking about aesthetics and silent operation in mind as this system will not generate much heat?

jerubedo · July 8, 2019

This build will save you a bit of extra money, and it has more quality components including a much better PSU, a higher capacity M.2 SSD, and a slightly better, but cheaper, monitor.

PCPartPicker Part List

Type	Item	Price
CPU	AMD - Ryzen 3 2200G 3.5 GHz Quad-Core Processor	£73.16 @ Box Limited
Motherboard	ASRock - B450M PRO4 Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard	£69.91 @ CCL Computers
Memory	Corsair - Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory	£63.18 @ Aria PC
Storage	Crucial - MX500 500 GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive	£59.99 @ Amazon UK
Storage	Seagate - Constellation ES.3 2 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive	Purchased For £0.00
Case	Cooler Master - MasterBox Lite 3.1 MicroATX Mid Tower Case	£37.97 @ Amazon UK
Power Supply	Corsair - CXM (2015) 450 W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-modular ATX Power Supply	£46.34 @ Amazon UK
Monitor	Asus - VZ249HE 23.8" 1920x1080 60 Hz Monitor	£107.99 @ CCL Computers
Keyboard	Logitech - MK345 Wireless Standard Keyboard With Optical Mouse	£29.98 @ PC World Business
	Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
	Total	£488.52
	Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-07-08 20:06 BST+0100

maartendc · July 8, 2019

9 minutes ago, iiNNeX said:

I like that a lot, and I agree Mini ITX was my initial intention but never quite researched the market to see what good cases are about and what motherboard to go with. As for the monitor, I agree however it would bump the budget by at least another £100 or so, and 24 inch is overkill for them as this PC in all honestly will not see that much use (they have a laptop and an iPad...).

Ah yes m.2, totally forgot... haha. Many thanks bud, what other good looking cases are there, just thinking about aesthetics and silent operation in mind as this system will not generate much heat?

I personally have that Asrock mini ITX motherboard. Best B450 ITX board, and one of the cheapest too. I recommend it!

I personally have the Silverstone Sugo 13, great cheap case for airflow, but not quiet.

In terms of cases, i've done a fair bit of research on ITX:

The Fractal Design Core 500 is good and cheap.

Fractal Design Node 202 is great, more vertical design, or if you want to put the monitor on top of the case.

Fractal Design Node 304 is great, and in my opinion the best looking Mini ITX case in that format. 70 pounds, not cheap but good case.

For this purpose, I would go with the Fractal Design Node 304. comes in black or white.

Yeah, I hear you for monitor. Whenever I am at my parents, I hate the 24 inch 1080P monitor that I got them. The pixels are so HUGE. I would get 1440P nowadays for anything over 21 inches large. But yeah.. for older people the 1080P might be better anyway lol.