CPU choice question

[yoshiii]

Hello

 

I am building a computer for my mom, I asked for suggestions before but now I know what my mom wants to use it for.

 

She told me that she wants to do office work(Microsoft Office), entertainment (watching movies, Hulu, Netflix, etc), storing photos, possible manipulating the photos for better looks, web surfing, solitaire, and possibly gaming (no joke) I don't know what kind of gaming. 

 

I am going to build it for her.  Don't want to build her a overblown system because she is not using it for Gaming or productivity work.

 

What would be a good cpu for her that wont be outdated quickly and can handle her wants?

 

Haswell?  Skylake?   I was looking at the i3 4170 but don't know if that will be good because it is only 2 core with hyperthreading.  

 

 

[Sam Z Man]

A Pentium and a SSD for the OS and programs.

[alexhelvetica]

APU.

APU.

APU.

APU.

[TheMechEngineer]

The Core i3 is more processor than you'll ever need for basic computing and light gaming. And you have hyperthreading, so it performs better than a dual-core.

The AMD A8-7700K and A10-7850K have Radeon R7 graphics integrated into the CPU, so it'll do light gaming no problems and the quad core will help with the multitasking.

[Sam Z Man]

When your mom said gaming I'm 99% sure she means Facebook flash games, integrated graphics on a core 2 duo could handle that, there is no reason to get carried away.

[yoshiii]

When your mom said gaming I'm 99% sure she means Facebook flash games, integrated graphics on a core 2 duo could handle that, there is no reason to get carried away.

 

Hmmm wouldn't be quite so sure about that.

[yoshiii]

The Core i3 is more processor than you'll ever need for basic computing and light gaming. And you have hyperthreading, so it performs better than a dual-core.

The AMD A8-7700K and A10-7850K have Radeon R7 graphics integrated into the CPU, so it'll do light gaming no problems and the quad core will help with the multitasking.

 

I thought the APU's weren't really that good? I want the pc to last at least 2 years and not be outdated so quickly.

 

Would a i5 be over kill?   What would most people use a i5 for besides gaming?

 

thinking of going Mini iTX or Micro ATX, which is best?

[PlayStation 2]

AMD A8-7600

problem solved

[jc980]

I thought the APU's weren't really that good? I want the pc to last at least 2 years and not be outdated so quickly.

 

Would a i5 be over kill?   What would most people use a i5 for besides gaming?

 

thinking of going Mini iTX or Micro ATX, which is best?

 

APU's  are good, just don't expect massive gaming on demanding titles.

 

If you're going ITX get a Node 202.

[yoshiii]

APU's  are good, just don't expect massive gaming on demanding titles.

 

If you're going ITX get a Node 202.

 

What is a Node 202?

[jc980]

What is a Node 202?

http://www.fractal-design.com/home/product/cases/node-series/node-202

[Guest trucker2]

My main gaming rig is an a10-7850k with MB combo that cost 109 bucks.

plays Cyrsis 3.

nuff said

[Nena Trinity]

APU of some kind what ever fits your budget!

[cnapier39428]

Cheapest Intel cpu with built in graphics and a 1 tb hybrid drive

[TheMechEngineer]

I thought the APU's weren't really that good? I want the pc to last at least 2 years and not be outdated so quickly.

 

Would a i5 be over kill?   What would most people use a i5 for besides gaming?

 

thinking of going Mini iTX or Micro ATX, which is best?

 

I can say for 100% certainty that a Core i5 is overkill for an office machine.

A Core i3 is overkill, let alone a Core i5, and it will last 10 years no problems.

 

I've already built and used a MicroATX Core i3 + SSD machine for office purposes and it loads up stuff damn quick that your reaction time is slower than the loading time.

 

I don't recommend Mini-ITX for a budget rig because I've tried that and they tend to not be as good in value, and MicroATX is small enough anyway.

The reason I mentioned the AMD APU's is because they have better inbuilt graphics, but the Core i3 is better for outright performance.

 

Go for a MicroATX case (with decent PSU included), Intel Core i3 CPU, H81 motherboard, 8GB DDR3 RAM and a Samsung 120GB EVO SSD.

Very inexpensive, but very quick and will last for a very long time.

[yoshiii]

I can say for 100% certainty that a Core i5 is overkill for an office machine.

A Core i3 is overkill, let alone a Core i5, and it will last 10 years no problems.

 

I've already built and used a MicroATX Core i3 + SSD machine for office purposes and it loads up stuff damn quick that your reaction time is slower than the loading time.

 

I don't recommend Mini-ITX for a budget rig because I've tried that and they tend to not be as good in value, and MicroATX is small enough anyway.

The reason I mentioned the AMD APU's is because they have better inbuilt graphics, but the Core i3 is better for outright performance.

 

Go for a MicroATX case (with decent PSU included), Intel Core i3 CPU, H81 motherboard, 8GB DDR3 RAM and a Samsung 120GB EVO SSD.

Very inexpensive, but very quick and will last for a very long time.

Thanks

 

I have a 120 GB Samsung EVO 840.  Is this good?   I will add a 1tb drive because my mom wants to use the computer for entertainment purposes also.

[jc980]

Thanks

 

I have a 120 GB Samsung EVO 840.  Is this good?   I will add a 1tb drive because my mom wants to use the computer for entertainment purposes also.

Yep.

 

It's Samsung.