Cheap Office PC

[DrDiaMedic]

My parents desktop PC is going on 8+ years old and I would like to build them a new one. Something that will run the newest windows, do word processing, and normal internet use. I want to keep it as cheap as possible though. You guys have any ideas for parts?

[T.Vengeance]

Get an SSD first and see if that'll increase the user experience first. Roughly judging, 8 years means a dual core right? That should be enough for what you just mentioned. 

[Whypatch]

Get an SSD first and see if that'll increase the user experience first. Roughly judging, 8 years means a dual core right? That should be enough for what you just mentioned. 

Not sure if an SSD will help if the build is running on DDR2 or something like that. 

[Dive5885]

My parents desktop PC is going on 8+ years old and I would like to build them a new one. Something that will run the newest windows, do word processing, and normal internet use. I want to keep it as cheap as possible though. You guys have any ideas for parts?

A cheap AMD Quad core should be enough.

[Pugs501]

A cheap AMD Quad core should be enough.

Like how cheap?

[Aniallation]

My parents desktop PC is going on 8+ years old and I would like to build them a new one. Something that will run the newest windows, do word processing, and normal internet use. I want to keep it as cheap as possible though. You guys have any ideas for parts?

If it's something like a Core 2 Duo then an SSD will help a lot more for the money then building a whole new PC will, considering the E8400 keeps up with the new AMD 5350 

[Dive5885]

Like how cheap?

I would get the Athlon 5150.

 

Unless you want more speed and newer onboard graphics go with the 5350.

 

 

[watts300]

I agree on the hard drive upgrade/replacement.  If the computer is still going after all these years, and has been taken care of (dusted, minimal forced shut downs), the components are probably just fine except for the 8 year old moving parts in the hard drive. 

 

Unless the main board has SATA1 or Parallel ATA.  <gasp>   In which case, ya... might as well replace it if you really want them to have something better. 

[Dive5885]

If it's something like a Core 2 Duo then an SSD will help a lot more for the money then building a whole new PC will, considering the E8400 keeps up with the new AMD 5350 

I rather have all new stuff with the latest technology compared to the old.

 

Just my opinion.

[Bosspro1]

My parents desktop PC is going on 8+ years old and I would like to build them a new one. Something that will run the newest windows, do word processing, and normal internet use. I want to keep it as cheap as possible though. You guys have any ideas for parts?

I have one suggestion. Unless your parents are good with tech I recommend not changing their OS to the latest, simply because it will make them learn a brand new OS and they will not know how to use it there for making there experience much less enjoyable.[Just a tip] B)  

[brob]

Not the least expensive possible. But it is a good compromise between low cost and utility.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4160 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($118.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M Anniversary Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($73.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Mushkin Stealth 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($65.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: A-Data Premier Pro SP600 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($98.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Antec NSK3180 MicroATX Mid Tower Case w/380W Power Supply  ($79.99 @ Mwave)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit)  ($90.26 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Acer H236HLbid 60Hz 23.0" Monitor  ($129.99 @ Best Buy)
Keyboard: Microsoft Wireless Desktop 3000 Wireless Standard Keyboard w/Optical Mouse  ($37.99 @ B&H)
Total: $696.17
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-08 23:43 EDT-0400

[Dive5885]

Here's what I picked out.

 

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/mRPJNG
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/mRPJNG/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD 5350 2.05Ghz Quad-Core Processor  ($64.99 @ Newegg)
 

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-AM1M-S2H Micro ATX AM1 Motherboard  ($35.98 @ Newegg)

 

Memory: Team Elite Plus 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory  ($36.98 @ Newegg)

 

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($48.00 @ Amazon)

 

Video Card: MSI Radeon R5 230 2GB Video Card  ($36.98 @ SuperBiiz)

 

Case: Antec VSK-4000 ATX Mid Tower Case  ($22.99 @ Newegg)

 

Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($19.99 @ Newegg)

 

Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer  ($13.99 @ Newegg)

 

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit)  ($89.98 @ OutletPC)

 

Total: $359.88
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-09 12:42 EDT-0400

[NumLock21]

Adding a SSD will definitely help with your parents PC, possibly up to a point that it's better than when the first bought the computer.