$700 NON- gaming rig

[my414]

HI, My uncle just gave me a call and said that his computer is getting old and he wants me to build him something new. He said he does not want to do any gaming on it (actually said he does not want a graphics card). He wanted to know how much an amazing computer would cost that he does not have to update for the next 5-7 years, he had $2000 to spend but does not want to spend anymore than what is needed.

So here is what I thought.

 

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/my414/saved/2yVd

 

If there is anything you would do different please let me know.

Thanks

[Hirad123]

I don't understand...2000 dollars to spend but DOESN'T want a video card, especially now that a radeon card can be bought for incredibly cheap..why?

[Jack.EXE]

seems pretty good, except for Why no video card? those are good for more than just gaming!

[ChicagoRAW]

for the next 5-7 years, i'd go with i7-4770k, solid asus mobo, and 500gb samsung evo. i'm guessing he won't be over clocking so no cooling fan needed.

[JoshM]

Looks fine, chuck a 7750/7770 in it so it frees up the ram

[my414]

I understand all the comments about video card but hes going to be running quick office and using email, he does not even watch youtube.

[JoshM]

for the next 5-7 years, i'd go with i7-4770k, solid asus mobo, and 500gb samsung evo. i'm guessing he won't be over clocking so no cooling fan needed.

lol no, he doesn't do intense stuff so i don't think he will need an i7 in 5 years, considering I have an i5 650 in dads pc and it runs everything fine, even indie games...

[JoshM]

I understand all the comments about video card but hes going to be running quick office and using email, he does not even watch youtube.

Trust me even if you put a crap card in, its better then no card

 

Also why bother with a  custom cooler?

[my414]

^ I know but he specifically told me that he does NOT want a video card because he does not want his kids playing 3d games on it or it will get all hacked up....

[helping]

Looks good, I would go with an evo instead but other than that you're set. 

 

Get a 1tb barracuda instead, 55$ for a 5400 RPM 500gb green isn't very good at all. You might also want to throw in a CD drive, casuals sometimes need them. 

[my414]

thanks for the help. I got an old cd drive that i can throw in and I think  I will just get a 250gb EVO instead of a hard drive. He has an 80gb IDE drive right now and its only half full so i think that is plenty of space.

[piplupgao]

^ I know but he specifically told me that he does NOT want a video card because he does not want his kids playing 3d games on it or it will get all hacked up....

Lol get an 8350 and put in a 210gt in it or something will be worse than intel graphics

[JoshM]

Lol get an 8350 and put in a 210gt in it or something will be worse than intel graphics

Yer this^ but get a 7750 they wont be able to play anything LOL

[my414]

Lol get an 8350 and put in a 210gt in it or something will be worse than intel graphics

 

I wish I could convince him that that is better. He does not want a graphics card and it is final... he is hard to explain things to. Plus his kids are getting gaming laptop so it does not really matter anyway.

[JoshM]

^ I know but he specifically told me that he does NOT want a video card because he does not want his kids playing 3d games on it or it will get all hacked up....

Lol get anti-virus or put child locks on it

[JoshM]

I wish I could convince him that that is better. He does not want a graphics card and it is final... he is hard to explain things to. Plus his kids are getting gaming laptop so it does not really matter anyway.

well build him like an 6300 and then dont put a gpu in it....teach him that you need a gpu

[ChicagoRAW]

lol no, he doesn't do intense stuff so i don't think he will need an i7 in 5 years, considering I have an i5 650 in dads pc and it runs everything fine, even indie games...

even so, we don't know what technology will be like in 5-7. i never believe in going the cheap route unless you're really on a budget. why buy a computer in 4-5 years when you can spend a little extra and buy one in 7-8 years. this is what i would go with, give or take the optical and can go with 500 hdd for backup instead of 1tb that i picked.

 

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1NGAQ

 

also on board graphics on haswell will be sufficient for his needs.

[my414]

His kids are not THAT stupid they are 14 and 11 so they can not cause too much damage. He just wants it to be his computer and it is meant for school work and email only. He is a strange person.

[piplupgao]

I wish I could convince him that that is better. He does not want a graphics card and it is final... he is hard to explain things to. Plus his kids are getting gaming laptop so it does not really matter anyway.

Well since it seems he's worried about his kids playing games on it why not put in a 210gt it even worse than intel integrated graphics

[my414]

He also said that he is going to pay in cash meaning I have to go to Best Buy / Office depot in order to get the parts.... Wish me luck. 

[JoshM]

Meant for school, work web browsing and other basic stuff:

 

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1NGLj

[JoshM]

even so, we don't know what technology will be like in 5-7. i never believe in going the cheap route unless you're really on a budget. why buy a computer in 4-5 years when you can spend a little extra and buy one in 7-8 years. this is what i would go with, give or take the optical and can go with 500 hdd for backup instead of 1tb that i picked.

 

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1NGAQ

 

also on board graphics on haswell will be sufficient for his needs.

Its over kill, your not going to need an i7 to run microsoft word or check emails

[stevv]

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/my414/saved/2yVd

 

If there is anything you would do different please let me know.

Thanks

 

This build will work fine for a while.  I would add a large 1-2TB drive and set his computer up for autobackup to it also.  This might alleviate some of his concerns of the system getting messed up.

 

Other things is what OS?

 

I understand all the comments about video card but hes going to be running quick office and using email, he does not even watch youtube.

If that's the case...maybe just build him a tiny NUC system.  I have one which is replacing tiny but now slow apu box in the living room that my dad uses.  For basic users, these are very elegant solutions.

[madcow]

There are many benefits to not having a dedicated GPU. The machine can run cooler, quieter and use less power. The build can also be significantly smaller (such as the NUC discussed above).

 

I have an ancient E8400 system using the onboard Intel GMA4500 graphics and it handles playback of 1080 rips and HD youtube without issues. The modern HD4000 or whatever integrated graphics would chew through anything non gaming and non professional graphics applications effortlessly.

[JoshM]

There are many benefits to not having a dedicated GPU. The machine can run cooler, quieter and use less power. The build can also be significantly smaller (such as the NUC discussed above).

 

I have an ancient E8400 system using the onboard Intel GMA4500 graphics and it handles playback of 1080 rips and HD youtube without issues. The modern HD4000 or whatever integrated graphics would chew through anything non gaming and non professional graphics applications effortlessly.

Well i would go with the build i suggested then