Building an Internet surfing PC for parents

[katsopolis]

Looking for a build for my parents since Windows XP is no longer being updated. PC will be used mostly to surf the Internet, do some word processing, and using Skype. Looking to keep it around $400 or under after shipping and rebates. They will need an operating system (not sure if Windows 7 or 8 would be better, so would like advice there) and will NOT need a monitor. Undecided on HDD or SSD, but they probably don't need more than 256GB. Needs to be built relatively soon so I won't be waiting around for price drops. Looking for a mid-tower. Thanks for your input.

 

[i7Baby]

Try something simple already built for about $600US. Or if you want to build it yourself, have a look at the $600 build PC's on Tom's

 

[jdwii]

i'm getting a build ready should be 400$ with an OS

 

[sunder25]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-4330 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($124.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock B85 Pro4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($64.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.10 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($57.98 @ OutletPC)
Case: Zalman Z5 ATX Mid Tower Case ($33.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $456.01
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-07 20:18 EDT-0400)

You can go cheaper by buying a cheaper proc and getting the cheapest motherboard around, but i'd get this.

 

[jdwii]

Case: 35$ (Fractal Design Core 1000 FD-CA-CORE-1000-USB3-BL Black Steel MicroATX Mid Tower Computer Case)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352032&ignorebbr=1
PSU: 40$ (Rosewill Stallion Series RD400-2-SB 400W ATX 12V v2.2 Power Supply)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182074&ignorebbr=1
Board: 52$ (MSI A55M-E35 FM2+ / FM2 AMD A55 (Hudson D2) HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130753
Ram: 61$ (Team Zeus Yellow 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model TZYD38G1600HC9DC01)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820313436
APU: 65$ (AMD A6-6400K Richland 3.9GHz Socket FM2 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor - Black Edition AMD Radeon HD AD640KOKHLBOX)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113335
OS: 100$ Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit (Slim Envelope) - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832416806
HD 45$ (WD Blue 250 GB Desktop Hard Drive: 3.5 Inch, 7200 RPM, SATA III, 16 MB Cache - WD2500AAKX)
http://www.amazon.com/Blue-250-Desktop-Hard-Drive/dp/B00461K1QW/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top


Here and shipping is included 8GB of ram and a dual core clocked at 3.9ghz should do it and it should even run 1080P videos total is like 5$ under your budget

 

[TechCIDLC]

Here. The graphics are powered by the CPU, it has Intel HD Graphics, it's enough for watching HD videos and playing old games. 4GB RAM is enough for everyday tasks. The hard drive is fast enough, it's not worth buying an SSD in this low tier PC.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Celeron G1830 2.8GHz Dual-Core Processor ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus H81M-A Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($63.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($42.24 @ Adorama)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ OutletPC)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($26.97 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $410.13
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-07 20:20 EDT-0400)

 

[M0j0jojo]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 2.33Ghz Quad-Core Processor ($65.95 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Gelid Solutions CC-Siberian-01 51.9 CFM CPU Cooler ($9.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-G41MT-S2PT Micro ATX LGA775 Motherboard ($74.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Crucial 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($42.24 @ Adorama)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.58 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GT 640 1GB Video Card ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake VL80001W2Z ATX Mid Tower Case ($24.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $447.68
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-07 20:31 EDT-0400)

 

[sunder25]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 2.33Ghz Quad-Core Processor ($65.95 @ Amazon)

What's wrong they didnt have a pentium 2?

 

[i7Baby]

The OS is about $100. Maybe go with Integrated Graphics. Probably an i3 with HD4600 ($100). And use the stock CPU fan. You'd then also only need a small (cheaper) PSU ($50). Then there's a case (smaller is cheaper - $50), DVD player/writer ($15), RAM - probably only 4GB ($50), motherboard ($80), and HDD ($50). I'd say that's your minimum and OK for Internet surfing. It adds up. $400 is pushing it.

 

[katsopolis]

I can go over $400 if need be. I just thought $400 would be enough for their needs.

 

[i7Baby]

There's some suggestions here. Put together your own idea of a parts list and let us have a look.

 

[TechCIDLC]

Here's a better build with OS and very energy efficient.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($118.93 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus H81M-A Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($63.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($42.24 @ Adorama)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ OutletPC)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec EarthWatts Green 380W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($47.98 @ OutletPC)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $493.07
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-08 14:53 EDT-0400)

 

[katsopolis]

There's some suggestions here. Put together your own idea of a parts list and let us have a look.

Will do that. I seem to be getting this compatability issue.

ASRock B85 Pro4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard has an onboard USB 3.0 header, but the [insert cheaper case] does not have front panel USB 3.0 ports.

That isn't the end of the world, right?

Would still like some input on whether to go with Windows 7 or 8? I only know Windows 7 is better for gaming. Does it even matter for their needs?

 

[TechCIDLC]

There's some suggestions here. Put together your own idea of a parts list and let us have a look.

Will do that. I seem to be getting this compatability issue.

ASRock B85 Pro4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard has an onboard USB 3.0 header, but the [insert cheaper case] does not have front panel USB 3.0 ports.

That isn't the end of the world, right?

Would still like some input on whether to go with Windows 7 or 8? I only know Windows 7 is better for gaming. Does it even matter for their needs?

Windows 8 is better for modern games because it supports DirectX 11.2, and Windows 7 goes up to DirectX 11.

 

[i7Baby]

If you want to transfer info (photos, movies) back and forth from the PC to/from a USB, you really should have USB3.0 eg 200R. I personally don't like W8 - I find it hard to navigate around it. And even with 8.1 I still hear stories of bugs with it. Your $500 parts list looks pretty good.

 

[katsopolis]

Parents will upload pics every now and then from a digital camera, but not too much transferring so I don't think 3.0 is that necessary.

Here's what I've kinda mashed together from everyone's recommendations. Still up in the air with Windows 7 or 8.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-4330 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($124.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock B85 Pro4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($64.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($42.24 @ Adorama)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.58 @ Amazon)
Case: Zalman Z5 ATX Mid Tower Case ($33.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $450.74
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-08 19:49 EDT-0400)

 

[stillblue]

You could save a forth of your cost by installing Linux mint which will have a much smaller learning curve than win8. Won't cost anything to take a look.

 

[katsopolis]

Might consider that if it were my computer, but I'd rather stick with Windows since it will be for my parents.

 

[stillblue]

Might consider that if it were my computer, but I'd rather stick with Windows since it will be for my parents.

You could just not tell them, they probably wouldn't even notice. Besides, Libreoffice that comes with it will be a lot better for writing unless you plan on spending a bunch more of case on MS office. However, there is libreoffice for windows as well.

 

[katsopolis]

I'll probably have them try OpenOffice since that is what I have and am familiar with.

 

[Karadjgne]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A10-5800K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($104.49 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A75M Pro4+ Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($59.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ OutletPC)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 430 ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $429.39
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-10 23:02 EDT-0400)

 

[RazerZ]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($118.93 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock H81M-DGS R2.0 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($51.38 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.10 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ OutletPC)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24F1ST DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $434.34
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-10 23:50 EDT-0400)

Fast and cheap build. Perfect for basic use such as internet, office, etc.

 

[GamerBam]

Here's one that goes 8 bucks over 500$ that includes a 256gb ssd since you said they shouldn't need anything over that.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A6-6400K 3.9GHz Dual-Core Processor ($69.99 @ Micro Center)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A88X Extreme6+ ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($54.99)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($42.99 @ Micro Center)
Storage: Sandisk Ultra Plus 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($129.99 @ Micro Center)
Case: Thermaltake VL80001W2Z ATX Mid Tower Case ($24.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($34.99 @ Micro Center)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Micro Center)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro (OEM) (64-bit) ($134.99)
Total: $508.92
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-11 00:14 EDT-0400)

The motherboard is from Micro Center at a combo price and the OS is from Micro Center as well (pcpartpicker doesn't list Micro Center's price) Now mind you the OS will take around 20gb itself so your looking at around 230gb of free space and your parents (or yourself if your a good child -.o ) can always add an extra 1TB hard drive (or an external drive) down the road for about 50-60$ if they/you really want.

Now mind you none of the builds that I seen posted here include a wireless adapter which is becoming more and more common place so you could just go and buy a prebuilt that includes one like this one here:
http://www.microcenter.com/product/423410/B359_Desktop_Computer

It has an i3 4340 processor, Intel HD 4600 graphics (enough for HD videos and some older games) windows 7 pro (alot easier than windows 8 if they are coming from XP) a 2tb hard drive, dvd drive and wireless included for 499$

And if you decide to build it yourself and go with windows 8 on ANY of the builds posted here be sure to get a "Pro" version as you will need to buy a dvd "player" app if you don't (I made this mistake myself when I built mine)

 

[RazerZ]

Here's one that goes 8 bucks over 500$ that includes a 256gb ssd since you said they shouldn't need anything over that.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A6-6400K 3.9GHz Dual-Core Processor ($69.99 @ Micro Center)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A88X Extreme6+ ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($54.99)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($42.99 @ Micro Center)
Storage: Sandisk Ultra Plus 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($129.99 @ Micro Center)
Case: Thermaltake VL80001W2Z ATX Mid Tower Case ($24.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($34.99 @ Micro Center)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Micro Center)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro (OEM) (64-bit) ($134.99)
Total: $508.92
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-11 00:14 EDT-0400)

Now mind you the OS will take around 20gb itself so your looking at around 230gb of free space and your parents (or yourself if your a good child -.o ) can always add an extra 1TB hard drive (or an external drive) down the road for about 50-60$ if they/you really want.

Now mind you none of the builds that I seen posted here include a wireless adapter which is becoming more and more common place so you could just go and buy a prebuilt that includes one like this one here:
http://www.microcenter.com/product/423410/B359_Desktop_Computer

It has an i3 4340 processor, Intel HD 4600 graphics (enough for HD videos and some older games) windows 7 pro (alot easier than windows 8 if they are coming from XP) a 2tb hard drive, dvd drive and wireless included for 499$

You do know you can buy a wireless adapter for $8 off amazon or some other retailer?

Also that PSU is way overkill and an i3 is much stronger than an A6

 

[GamerBam]

Here's one that goes 8 bucks over 500$ that includes a 256gb ssd since you said they shouldn't need anything over that.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A6-6400K 3.9GHz Dual-Core Processor ($69.99 @ Micro Center)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A88X Extreme6+ ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($54.99)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($42.99 @ Micro Center)
Storage: Sandisk Ultra Plus 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($129.99 @ Micro Center)
Case: Thermaltake VL80001W2Z ATX Mid Tower Case ($24.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($34.99 @ Micro Center)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Micro Center)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro (OEM) (64-bit) ($134.99)
Total: $508.92
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-11 00:14 EDT-0400)

Now mind you the OS will take around 20gb itself so your looking at around 230gb of free space and your parents (or yourself if your a good child -.o ) can always add an extra 1TB hard drive (or an external drive) down the road for about 50-60$ if they/you really want.

Now mind you none of the builds that I seen posted here include a wireless adapter which is becoming more and more common place so you could just go and buy a prebuilt that includes one like this one here:
http://www.microcenter.com/product/423410/B359_Desktop_Computer

It has an i3 4340 processor, Intel HD 4600 graphics (enough for HD videos and some older games) windows 7 pro (alot easier than windows 8 if they are coming from XP) a 2tb hard drive, dvd drive and wireless included for 499$

You do know you can buy a wireless adapter for $8 off amazon or some other retailer?

Also that PSU is way overkill and an i3 is much stronger than an A6

Its for his parent's I doubt they will notice the difference between the two while web browsing and watching movies. And I did include a link to an i3 PC didn't I?