[SOLVED] A good base CPU

[Boxiky]

I am not really good at posting but I have run into a problem. I do not know which CPU to get. To me there seems to be an infinite amount of CPUs on the market when I go to partpicker.
I just want to build my first desktop cheap to get the hang of it before I drop a few thousand while having a server like desktop backing up things for the family. I was thinking an i3 or i5, maybe AMD, but even then it just seems like an endless list of different variants with small micro changes for specific uses.
Which CPU is really best for a 500$ build regarding as a simple server like entity? (Desktop will mostly be used to large space and filing documents away from the laptops we all use)

 

[AngelTech]

Will you be doing multitasking on it also have you chosen any parts yet or are you stick with all the parts?

 

[Boxiky]

Will you be doing multitasking on it also have you chosen any parts yet or are you stick with all the parts?

I am still deciding parts and trying to find the CPU first before deciding on a motherboard and ram configurations.
The most multitasking will probably be about 10 Office applications like Excel opened at once worth, so not the worst in the world. Some basic photo editing and programs as well to make the computer run smoothly as a digital filing cabinet.

 

[Wolfshadw]

I really don't think you'd need much more than an 8th or 9th generation Intel Core I3 or an AMD second generation Ryzen 3G (2200G) processor. For your usage, your main concerns are probably going to be RAM and storage.

-Wolf sends

 

[justin.m.beauvais]

I would also suggest a 2200G or a 2400G. On top of that 16GB of reasonably quick RAM, something in the 2666 MHz to 3200 MHz range. I don't know what you'll need for storage, but a RAID array with some reasonably sized HDDs and a very small SSD would be a good setup for reasonably fast and reliable storage and OS and programs, respectively.

I'd suggest this system.


PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 3 3200G 3.6 GHz Quad-Core Processor ($91.95 @ B&H)
Motherboard: Gigabyte B450M DS3H Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($72.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Aegis 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($67.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Blue 250 GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($50.01 @ Walmart)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda Compute 2 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda Compute 2 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12III 500 W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ B&H)
Total: $490.88
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2020-02-25 10:36 EST-0500

You'll get a good CPU in the 3200G, a reasonable chunk of RAM, a reasonable motherboard, a good amount of storage, though you can probably drop the RAID array for a single larger drive if you need space over speed or redundancy. Additionally you get a metal box to put the parts in, mostly because flashy cases aren't necessary, but really you can pick whatever case you want. To round it out you get a 500W Seasonic PSU, not the best Seasonic PSU, but just being a Seasonic puts its reliability above many other brands.

 

[Boxiky]

I really don't think you'd need much more than an 8th or 9th generation Intel Core I3 or an AMD second generation Ryzen 3G (2200G) processor. For your usage, your main concerns are probably going to be RAM and storage.

-Wolf sends

Thank you!

I would also suggest a 2200G or a 2400G. On top of that 16GB of reasonably quick RAM, something in the 2666 MHz to 3200 MHz range. I don't know what you'll need for storage, but a RAID array with some reasonably sized HDDs and a very small SSD would be a good setup for reasonably fast and reliable storage and OS and programs, respectively.

I'd suggest this system.


PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 3 3200G 3.6 GHz Quad-Core Processor ($91.95 @ B&H)
Motherboard: Gigabyte B450M DS3H Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($72.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Aegis 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($67.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Blue 250 GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($50.01 @ Walmart)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda Compute 2 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda Compute 2 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12III 500 W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ B&H)
Total: $490.88
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2020-02-25 10:36 EST-0500

You'll get a good CPU in the 3200G, a reasonable chunk of RAM, a reasonable motherboard, a good amount of storage, though you can probably drop the RAID array for a single larger drive if you need space over speed or redundancy. Additionally you get a metal box to put the parts in, mostly because flashy cases aren't necessary, but really you can pick whatever case you want. To round it out you get a 500W Seasonic PSU, not the best Seasonic PSU, but just being a Seasonic puts its reliability above many other brands.

I was actually building a system similar to this but thank you for the input. I plan to just add a lot of storage overtime in multiple drives so if one fails, I don't lose all my sensitive data. RAID wouldn't be the most pressing issue since it will sit in a corner practically but it would be nice to learn for my next build so I may try your suggestion.

 

[Wolfshadw]

You might also consider a Network Attached Storage (NAS) setup. Maybe not in the immediate future, given your budget, but strictly for storage/backup, you can't go wrong here.

-Wolf sends