Best CPU/Motherboard for basic computing tasks

[plrbear1028]

I'm building a computer for my mother, I have DDR3 RAM. But I would like the quickest/cheapest CPU/Motherboard for the price. She will only be using Microsoft 365 and browsing the internet, maybe using itunes.

 

[Wolfshadw]

She's not going to need a lot of processing power. What's your budget for just the CPU/Motherboard?

-Wolf sends

Edit: For around $100, you could get:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($64.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H81M-HD2 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($39.99 @ Micro Center)
Total: $104.98
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-01-21 19:40 EST-0500

- or -

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD A6-7400K 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($57.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A68HM-DS2H Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($44.99 @ Micro Center)
Total: $102.98
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-01-21 19:41 EST-0500

-Wolf sends

 

[010TheMaster010]

Budget?

 

[010TheMaster010]

She's not going to need a lot of processing power. What's your budget for just the CPU/Motherboard?

-Wolf sends

Edit: For around $100, you could get:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($64.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H81M-HD2 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($39.99 @ Micro Center)
Total: $104.98
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-01-21 19:40 EST-0500

- or -

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD A6-7400K 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($57.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A68HM-DS2H Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($44.99 @ Micro Center)
Total: $102.98
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-01-21 19:41 EST-0500

-Wolf sends

wow those are both what I had in mind lol

 

[bliq]

I'd say with such low requirements, go for something cheaper and lower power consumption. something like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157497

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138412

if you need full sized RAM slots. This plus a small SSD (or even a fast 64GB USB drive) would make it totally usable.

I use this http://www.amazon.com/ECS-Elitegroup-J1900-BAT-I-1-0/dp/B00JST5612/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453423841&sr=8-1&keywords=ECS+BAT-I with a 4GB stick of DDR3 from an old laptop and a 64GB USB drive like this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LLEODCK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 for my Kodi box and it works perfectly and is pretty responsive.

alternatively, consider a chromebook- never have to worry about viruses and very good performance for the price.