Looking to build my grandmother a computer!

[Von Swordfish]

So my grandmothers computer blew up not to long ago and she wants me to build her one... Ive only ever really built extremely expensive gaming rigs before and need some help making one for some one like herself... lots of facebook some less graphic intensive game... but it needs to feel snappy and needs to feel 100% better then her old one (which I will link below) looking to spend anywhere from 400 - 600 dollars.

Would really appreciate it if all the parts could be picked from http://www.memoryexpress.com/ its my go to hardware store.

Would like the parts to be intel... have atleast 8gb of ram and a dedicated GPU of some sort... doesnt have to be insane or anything.

ive always been the kind of person to overthink/overbuild simple computers by putting to large of a PSU ect... so I really appreciate any help!



Her old computer: http://support.hp.com/ee-en/document/c03023117

 

[gangrel]

Intel integrated graphics...4th or 5th gen i3 or i5, so you should be talking at least HD 4600 graphics. 128 gig SSD. Not sure I see 8 gig of RAM; 4 should be plenty. But if the budget permits, ok, 8.

Me, I'm biased. At these levels, I lean to barebones. Look at the Intel NUC 5i3 models. $280 on newegg (just for point of reference)...but that's case, power supply, motherboard, and processor. That's not easy to beat. Another $125 or so for the m.2 SSD and RAM; pick your favorite brands.

 

[Saberus]

What is she doing that needs a dedicated GPU over an integrated graphics processor? Even for watching videos and movies an IGP works quite well.

Asking because it can help cut the cost and complexity of the build.

 

[kwa-e]

Not the most cost effective build- But should do the job pretty well.

For everyday browsing and the casual FB game an APU is all you need, And paired with high speed RAM to get the most out of it.
-
Picked an 120GB intel SSD (Pretty reliavble) for the main OS and most used programs like Google chrome and the like; paired with a 3TB HDD to give you all the storage space for stuff like photos your grandmother will likely ever need.

All put in an N200 case (Solid build quality) and a cheap but reliable PSU to power the whole build.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD A8-7650K 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($94.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: MSI A68HM-E33 Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($44.99 @ Directron)
Memory: Mushkin Stealth 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($52.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Intel 530 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($72.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($86.95 @ OutletPC)
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($40.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Antec EarthWatts Green 380W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($38.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $432.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-07-30 20:28 EDT-0400

 

[gangrel]

And I'm being a tad pessimistic/conservative. The base-level integrated graphics might well be enough. Intel's got a new NUC, the 5PPYH, using a Braswell Celeron. But this might not be quite as snappy...not burdened with Windows and its bloat.

 

[gangrel]

Question to OP: is that $400-600 US, or Canadian? The site you reference is Canadian, so that makes me think the latter.

 

[Von Swordfish]

Canadian. Gnagrel. Also I just posted her old computer... its motherboard and HDD gave out.

 

[gangrel]

Ouch. That also suggests a basic monitor has to fit into the budget. Again, I'd just go very basic. You have to stay with the same size/resolution or go a bit better, but the budget's tight to fit everything in.

 

[ko888]

Does the $400 ~ $600 CAD include a new display panel?

 

[kwa-e]

600CAD for a PC and a display's a bit tight.

Here's a rough draft of what you could possibly do.

(Probably too much money is invested in the monitor itself, though)

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD A8-7650K 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($119.99 @ NCIX)
Motherboard: MSI A68HM-E33 Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($64.99 @ Memory Express)
Memory: Mushkin Silverline 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($31.99 @ Canada Computers)
Storage: Kingston HyperX Fury 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($62.99 @ Canada Computers)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ Memory Express)
Power Supply: Antec EarthWatts Green 380W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($44.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Monitor: ViewSonic VX2370Smh-LED 23.0" Monitor ($198.50 @ Vuugo)
Total: $568.43
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-07-30 21:16 EDT-0400

 

[gangrel]

I think I have that ViewSonic model...maybe a different size. But yes, you can find others at newegg.ca cheaper.

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824025209

And I daresay that any of the known-brand monitors will be quite adequate...and probably an upgrade. Not dissing the HP monitor, but a big chunk of the price of that system was the touchscreen itself. Suggests the monitor quality was likely just so-so. So I probably am dissing it. Oh well.

 

[kwa-e]

I think I have that ViewSonic model...maybe a different size. But yes, you can find others at newegg.ca cheaper.

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824025209

And I daresay that any of the known-brand monitors will be quite adequate...and probably an upgrade. Not dissing the HP monitor, but a big chunk of the price of that system was the touchscreen itself. Suggests the monitor quality was likely just so-so. So I probably am dissing it. Oh well.

I have the exact same viewsonic monitor myself, Excellent colors out of the box and the anti-reflective coating is donee just right. No complaints so far.

 

[Von Swordfish]

oh no 600 dollars is just for the tower. 250ish for the monitor

Sorry for late responses Im at work.

 

[kwa-e]

How does this sound? A flat 700 for both the tower and the monitor,

(But a windows 10 license will cost you around $125 for the 64-Bit version, Keep that in mind)

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD A8-7650K 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($119.99 @ NCIX)
Motherboard: MSI A68HM-E33 Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($64.99 @ Memory Express)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Kingston HyperX Fury 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($62.99 @ Canada Computers)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.98 @ DirectCanada)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ Memory Express)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($84.99 @ NCIX)
Monitor: ViewSonic VX2370Smh-LED 23.0" Monitor ($198.50 @ Vuugo)
Total: $700.42
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-07-30 21:54 EDT-0400

 

[gangrel]

The OS is a tricky call. I'll grant 8.1 is probably Right Out; the dead PC had an i3-2120, which I think means 7 would've been the OS. 8.1 is too radical a switch for many. 10 is halfway between 7 and 8.1, and it's got its own annoyances. BUT, 7 is now dated, and maintaining good PC security...never a bad idea, as it sounds like your grandmother is computer-savvy enough to do some web browsing...strongly suggests Win 10. Maybe not for right now, but for 2-3 years from now.

This last build of kwa's looks ok; I also like the idea of just the 5i3 NUC, altho its net cost is a tad more.

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856102093
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231698

$380 for the NUC; 2x4 gb G.Skill RAM is $62. Then the SSD, HD, and monitor from kwa's list. That nets out at about $740 or so. But a couple points in favor of the NUC...VERY low power consumption, very quiet operation, and TINY! Wanna hide the unit? Mount it to the back of the monitor. At that point, it'll *act like* the old AIO. (Double check the mounting on each, but it should work, I think.)