Cheap PC Build for the Parents

[Frake34]

Howdy Folks, long time reader - first time poster.

 

My father is currently running an old Dell PC. 

1GB Ram - OLD Core Duo etc....

 

Before I got back into PC's again (literally just happened, thanks Linus) my first option was to

find them an old refurbish PC online for around 199.99 

of course anything would be an upgrade for them.

They are so used to their old PC, that they don't realize how slow it is,

nor wanting a new one.  

 

So me being the good son, I would like to surprise them with a new PC soon.

 

Needs:

Windows 10

Web browsing

YouTube

Supports VGA monitor - with potential for HDMI (when I purchase them a monitor) Soon to come

1 or 7 emails a year (lol)

 

That's it!  Keep it simple stupid.   

 

I've been out of the PC building game for 10+ yrs - I have no idea whats a good deal or garbage.

Thanks to rediscovering the channel, I've begun to fall in love with tech again.

 

Ultimately  I would like to keep the budget around $300 USD

I don't even know if that's possible.

 

All Input is greatly appreciated! 

 

Thanks,

Frake34

 

 

 

 

[Jumballi]

Look at a ryzen 3200u build, it’s cheap and has built in graphics, just make sure to use a ssd so that it doesn’t slow down.

 

edit: check if 2200u are still available, it’s roughly the same amount of performance for what you parents may want.

[Daniel Z.]

PCPartPicker Part List

Type	Item	Price
CPU	AMD Ryzen 3 2200G 3.5 GHz Quad-Core Processor	$77.98 @ Amazon
Motherboard	ASRock B450M PRO4 Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard	$78.98 @ Newegg
Storage	ADATA Ultimate SU800 512 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive	$58.99 @ Amazon
Case	Rosewill FBM-X1 MicroATX Mini Tower Case	$26.99 @ Amazon
Power Supply	Corsair CXM (2015) 450 W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-modular ATX Power Supply	$58.54 @ Amazon
	Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
	Total	$301.48
	Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-12-17 19:32 EST-0500

 

[Frake34]

@Daniel Z. 

 

Wow, that was fast!

Exactly what I was looking for!

 

What about RAM?

In reference to keeping it around 300

 

 

Thank you so much!

 

Frake34

[Daniel Z.]

1 minute ago, Frake34 said:

@Daniel Z. 

 

Wow, that was fast!

Exactly what I was looking for!

 

Thank you so much!

 

Frake34

Welcome!

[Frake34]

@Daniel Z.

 

Any Ideas withe RAM - while keeping with the budget?

 

Thanks,

Frake34

[Daniel Z.]

1 minute ago, Frake34 said:

@Daniel Z.

 

Any Ideas withe RAM - while keeping with the budget?

 

Thanks,

Frake34

Sorry, forgot to add that

PCPartPicker Part List

Type	Item	Price
CPU	AMD Ryzen 3 2200G 3.5 GHz Quad-Core Processor	$77.98 @ Amazon
Motherboard	ASRock B450M PRO4 Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard	$78.98 @ Newegg
Memory	Patriot Signature Premium 8 GB (1 x 8 GB) DDR4-2666 Memory	$26.99 @ Amazon
Storage	ADATA Ultimate SU800 512 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive	$58.99 @ Amazon
Case	Rosewill FBM-X1 MicroATX Mini Tower Case	$26.99 @ Amazon
Power Supply	Corsair CXM (2015) 450 W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-modular ATX Power Supply	$58.54 @ Amazon
	Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
	Total	$328.47
	Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-12-17 19:43 EST-0500

 

[Jumballi]

1 minute ago, Daniel Z. said:

Sorry, forgot to add that

PCPartPicker Part List

Type	Item	Price
CPU	AMD Ryzen 3 2200G 3.5 GHz Quad-Core Processor	$77.98 @ Amazon
Motherboard	ASRock B450M PRO4 Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard	$78.98 @ Newegg
Memory	Patriot Signature Premium 8 GB (1 x 8 GB) DDR4-2666 Memory	$26.99 @ Amazon
Storage	ADATA Ultimate SU800 512 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive	$58.99 @ Amazon
Case	Rosewill FBM-X1 MicroATX Mini Tower Case	$26.99 @ Amazon
Power Supply	Corsair CXM (2015) 450 W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-modular ATX Power Supply	$58.54 @ Amazon
	Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
	Total	$328.47
	Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-12-17 19:43 EST-0500

 

Please go extra with the ram and get 2 sticks at 3200mhz, the integrated graphics love faster ram, and ryzen works better with faster ram.

also if you got a little extra to burn, the ryzen 2400u has 2 threads per core instead of 1, so depending on your parents use case, keep that in mind

[Frake34]

@Daniel Z.

 

Once again, thank you.

You've saved me so much time and effort! lol.

 

@jumballi

 

Thanks aswell! you folks are GREAT!

 

Thanks,

Frake34

[Herman Mcpootis]

To keep within budget:

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Athlon 3000G 3.5 GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($49.99 @ B&H) 
Motherboard: Gigabyte B450 AORUS M Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard  ($74.98 @ Amazon) 
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 8 GB (2 x 4 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory  ($39.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: TCSunBow X3 480 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($45.99 @ Amazon) 
Case: Rosewill FBM-X1 MicroATX Mini Tower Case  ($26.99 @ Amazon) 
Power Supply: EVGA GD (2019) 600 W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply  ($50.98 @ Newegg) 
Total: $288.92
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-12-17 19:51 EST-0500

[boggy77]

PCPartPicker Part List

Type	Item	Price
CPU	AMD Athlon 3000G 3.5 GHz Dual-Core Processor	$49.99 @ B&H
Motherboard	Gigabyte B450M DS3H Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard	$59.99 @ Newegg
Memory	G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 8 GB (2 x 4 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory	$39.99 @ Newegg
Storage	TCSunBow X3 240 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive	$27.99 @ Amazon
Case	Rosewill FBM-X1 MicroATX Mini Tower Case	$26.99 @ Amazon
Power Supply	Corsair CX (2017) 450 W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply	$59.23 @ Amazon
	Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
	Total	$264.18
	Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-12-17 20:06 EST-0500

 

[dizmo]

For what they need, why don't you just get them a laptop?
While Windows can be found cheap, none of the above builds include it. It's also not the most legitimate way to get it.

https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/laptops/new-15-3584/spd/inspiron-15-3584-laptop

This is $299, comes with a proper Windows key.

[Frake34]

@dizmo

 

Thanks for you suggestion,  but a laptop would not work for them.

 

Thanks,

 

Frake34