Computer for grandfather

[CRITICALThinker]

My grandfather has an old computer with an Athlon x2, windows XP, and an older graphics card. I have told him that I would build him a new computer, so I priced one up(which I will link later in the OP) I want a computer that will last for him and have very few stability issues. I think I have priced it all out well, I would just like some feedback. I have two 1TB HDDs, and the case is still good I think. The 240GB ssd could be smaller, but I want this PC not to break when the hard drive dies, and seeing as the current one sounds like death after less than a year, solid state is important.

PCPartPicker part list: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/NkmgNG
Price breakdown by merchant: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/NkmgNG/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i3-4150 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($139.99 @ NCIX)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 PRO4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($92.99 @ NCIX)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($79.99 @ NCIX)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($129.99 @ Memory Express)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ NCIX)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (32/64-bit) ($119.98 @ NCIX)
Total: $622.93
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-27 00:06 EST-0500

Thanks

 

[i7Baby]

That looks OK. Any specific questions?

 

[TOMpel]

please mister CRITICALThinker, that pc build is honestly overkill for a grandfather.
A decent $300 build will good enough.

 

[i7Baby]

Its fine. No graphics card. Just integrated graphics.

 

[CRITICALThinker]

Should I switch to a 128 GB SSD, and is 8GB a good sweet spot for every build, or should I throw a 4gb stick in and call it a day? thanks for checking, prices may be changed out due to pricing at the time, but always a higher tier PSU.

 

[Bossyfins]

Its fine. If your grandfather uses a lot of word and saves a lot of stuff, you might want the 2567, but if he just browsing the web, the 128 gig option is better

 

[USAFRet]

please mister CRITICALThinker, that pc build is honestly overkill for a grandfather.

HAHAHAHA. I am a grandfather.

The question is, what will he be using it for.

 

[Bossyfins]

You...

A grandfather O.O

 

[CRITICALThinker]

He will be using it for a couple old games, slots and whatnot, skype, and facebook, nothing too heavy. the reason I wen i3 over pentium or APU is because I wanted a stable, quiet system that was very quick, and lasted longer.

 

[USAFRet]

You...

A grandfather O.O

Yes indeed.....

 

[tsnor]

Hi, I don't know what your grandfather would like, but for my mom...

She likes a trackball rather than a mouse. Its easier to get the curser lined up with the trackball then poke the mouse button. With a mouse the cursor would move when she went to click things. Consider what pointing device your Grandfather would prefer.

She really likes her 24" touchscreen. She is happier poking it than using the trackpoint. This was a surprise for me, I really don't like the idea of touching a PC's screen.

She likes speakers that are on automatically so she can watch showtunes from Youtube.

 

[USAFRet]

He will be using it for a couple old games, slots and whatnot, skype, and facebook, nothing too heavy. the reason I wen i3 over pentium or APU is because I wanted a stable, quiet system that was very quick, and lasted longer.

Overall, looks good.
Just be sure to set up all the software properly. With multiple drives, unless it is automatic, or pops knows what to do....things will get weird.

 

[CRITICALThinker]

I have thought about just connecting them externally for backups, it does get weird, but I can move his photos to the secondary drive myself, and link it to the one on the OS drive.

 

[USAFRet]

I have thought about just connecting them externally for backups, it does get weird, but I can move his photos to the secondary drive myself, and link it to the one on the OS drive.

2 things.
1. Set the default save folders to the HDD
This:
Win 7 & 8: http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-1834397/ssd-redirecting-static-files.html
Win 8.1: http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-2024314/windows-redirecting-folders-drives.html

Second, set up an automatic file save to elsewhere, via this: SyncBack Free
(Just in case)

 

[CRITICALThinker]

Thanks! that is awesome!