Dad's Build

[Socky]

My dad needs a new computer. His laptop has an old Intel Celeron and 3gbs RAM. All he does is Stream Videos so Content Consumption, Word Docs, Web Browsing, basic stuff really. There is no budget but keep it cheap not overkill and it must last for roughly 3 years. The build needs a wireless keyboard + mouse and a good sized monitor at about 2 feet away at a desk and 10 feet away lying on a couch w/ a Vesa Mount (1080p); I was thinking a 27 inch monitor (BenQ GW2750HM) or a 24 inch monitor (Dell E2414H). I'd like to see a dedicated GPU on the computer but, really, anything will do, just within reason. Here's the build I think might work. Keep it relatively small and quiet since it's going to be in his room, in a relatively small place.

[tecbot]

All looks fine. I mean If you really want to save money there are some things you can cut down on.

 

1. Cooler. There is really no need to buy a third party cooler I would just keep with stock cooler (even though amd coolers are flimsy)

2. GPU- uhh there is really no point of having one unless he does play some games so that is your call.

3. RAM- this is just really personal preference but I just never had good experience with PNY ram so I maybe (corsair, mushkin ram)

[Stonep11]

I'd like to see a dedicated GPU on the computer but, really, anything will do, just within reason.

If you don't even think a dedicated GPU is that need for your build, but maybe you want some of the functionality, go for an APU.  So go for a AMD APU, some fast RAM (it helps with an APU).  Drop the dedicated card.  Unless he stores a lot on his hard drive now, then word docs and streaming really don't need a 1TB HDD.  Drop the HDD and get a 120GB SSD.

[Bonsai99]

Would go for an APU build as said above ^

[Stonep11]

My dad needs a new computer. His laptop has an old Intel Celeron and 3gbs RAM. All he does is Stream Videos so Content Consumption, Word Docs, Web Browsing, basic stuff really. There is no budget but keep it cheap not overkill and it must last for roughly 3 years. The build needs a wireless keyboard + mouse and a good sized monitor at about 2 feet away at a desk and 10 feet away lying on a couch w/ a Vesa Mount (1080p); I was thinking a 27 inch monitor (BenQ GW2750HM) or a 24 inch monitor (Dell E2414H). I'd like to see a dedicated GPU on the computer but, really, anything will do, just within reason. Here's the build I think might work. Keep it relatively small and quiet since it's going to be in his room, in a relatively small place.

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

This build is just the system (no OS)

 

There is no PSU (the case comes with a 300W one)

You can just use the stock PC cooler

There are some extra expansion slots if you want to add a TV tuner or another low profile expansion card

 

This CPU is a bit more powerful for multi-tasking and the like.  The SSD will give him MUCH BETTER performance for everything he does.  This case is a lot smaller and will be easy to move if he ever needs it to.  The motherboard is a bit expensive, but it comes with a really good Wi-FI solution (considering he we browses a lot this should help)

[Bonsai99]

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

This build is just the system (no OS)

 

There is no PSU (the case comes with a 300W one)

You can just use the stock PC cooler

There are some extra expansion slots if you want to add a TV tuner or another low profile expansion card

 

This CPU is a bit more powerful for multi-tasking and the like.  The SSD will give him MUCH BETTER performance for everything he does.  This case is a lot smaller and will be easy to move if he ever needs it to.  The motherboard is a bit expensive, but it comes with a really good Wi-FI solution (considering he we browses a lot this should help)

Would stay away from power supplies bundled with cases.

[AjAlien]

I would go for a quad core due to the fact that AMD doesn't have the greatest per core performance and down the line three years from now a quad core will be a much better option now,

[Stonep11]

Would stay away from power supplies bundled with cases.

I would agree if you need steady overclocking power, have power sensitive hardware (GPUs), care about the PSU efficiency at all, or if the system would be anywhere close to the PSU limit.  This is a simple web browsing/word processing rig, the PSU in this case is MADE for this kind of use case.

[WoodenMarker]

This would do: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1OyHd

I threw in the ssd for fun--leave it in if you'd like. It would be a nice wow factor for your dad.

[Stonep11]

I would go for a quad core due to the fact that AMD doesn't have the greatest per core performance and down the line three years from now a quad core will be a much better option now,

I would be interested to see what exactly you recommend (an i5?)  I suggested this AMD APU, because for the low power use case his dad has, this CPU will out last three years of the current market advancements in Word Processing and internet browsing.

[lachyman]

Get an APU. Any A4/Pentium will work.