My dad asked me to build him a PC for his home office work because he knows I am into PC building and I have never built a PC before. I am struggling at deciding what components to use. He doesn't game (asides from poker), and all he does use write some documents and stuff. I can only use 400$ or less. Please give some suggestions.
Need Help for a first time build for my Dad
- Thread starter CrazyCow
- Start date
Solution
Makentox
Estimable
- Sep 24, 2016
- 1,099
- 0
- 2,960
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
CPU: Intel - Pentium G4560 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($68.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus - PRIME B250M-A Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($65.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill - Aegis 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($57.88 @ OutletPC)
Storage: PNY - CS1311 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($52.99 @ Best Buy)
Storage: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.44 @ OutletPC)
Case: Thermaltake - Versa H15 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($38.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA - 430W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply ($29.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus - DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($18.69 @ OutletPC)
Total: $381.96
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-06-20 10:24 EDT-0400
But if your dad doesnt have a laptop, then maybe he should get it instead.
CPU: Intel - Pentium G4560 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($68.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus - PRIME B250M-A Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($65.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill - Aegis 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($57.88 @ OutletPC)
Storage: PNY - CS1311 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($52.99 @ Best Buy)
Storage: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.44 @ OutletPC)
Case: Thermaltake - Versa H15 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($38.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA - 430W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply ($29.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus - DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($18.69 @ OutletPC)
Total: $381.96
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-06-20 10:24 EDT-0400
But if your dad doesnt have a laptop, then maybe he should get it instead.
Barty1884
Retired Moderator
- Apr 16, 2015
- 22,250
- 1,350
- 108,740
$400 including Windows? OR excluding? That'll play a big factor.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
CPU: Intel - Pentium G4560 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($68.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock - H170M-ITX/DL Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($70.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws 4 series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($59.92 @ Amazon)
Storage: SanDisk - SSD PLUS 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($75.99 @ Best Buy)
Storage: Western Digital - Blue 1TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.33 @ OutletPC)
Case: Silverstone - Sugo SG13B Mini ITX Tower Case ($39.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair - CXM 450W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($26.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $391.19
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-06-20 10:26 EDT-0400
I'd look to something like this.
The G4560 should be more than enough power, and the iGPU should handle online poker. Keeps the footprint small too
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
CPU: Intel - Pentium G4560 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($68.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock - H170M-ITX/DL Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($70.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws 4 series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($59.92 @ Amazon)
Storage: SanDisk - SSD PLUS 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($75.99 @ Best Buy)
Storage: Western Digital - Blue 1TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.33 @ OutletPC)
Case: Silverstone - Sugo SG13B Mini ITX Tower Case ($39.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair - CXM 450W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($26.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $391.19
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-06-20 10:26 EDT-0400
I'd look to something like this.
The G4560 should be more than enough power, and the iGPU should handle online poker. Keeps the footprint small too
geofelt
Titan
- Oct 9, 2006
- 54,307
- 4,149
- 174,240
1. The key for nice performance is a good ssd.
240gb Samsung evo is best for reliability and performance.
Unless dad is storing videos or large files, that is all that is needed.
No need for a hard drive at all.
2. The aforementioned G4560 is a very good choice. The included HD610 graphics is quite good.
3. With a 7th gen cpu, buy a B250 based motherboard. H110 is cheaper, but not all will have the enabling bios update to be able to run 7th gen G4560 processors.
4. Buy a 2 x 4gb DDR4 ram kit. Dual channel ram is faster, particularly for integrated graphics. 2400 speed is fine.
5. All motherboards will have an Ethernet port. If you need wifi, look for a motherboard with included wifi.
I like smaller cases, the Silverstone sugo mentioned above is fine.
You will need a ITX motherboard for that.
6. Do not go cheap on the psu. look for a tier 1 or 2 unit on a list such as this:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html
300w is more than enough.
Seasonic is always good.
I mihttps://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151074ght pick this tier 2 Seasonic s12II 430w unit for $25 after rebate:
240gb Samsung evo is best for reliability and performance.
Unless dad is storing videos or large files, that is all that is needed.
No need for a hard drive at all.
2. The aforementioned G4560 is a very good choice. The included HD610 graphics is quite good.
3. With a 7th gen cpu, buy a B250 based motherboard. H110 is cheaper, but not all will have the enabling bios update to be able to run 7th gen G4560 processors.
4. Buy a 2 x 4gb DDR4 ram kit. Dual channel ram is faster, particularly for integrated graphics. 2400 speed is fine.
5. All motherboards will have an Ethernet port. If you need wifi, look for a motherboard with included wifi.
I like smaller cases, the Silverstone sugo mentioned above is fine.
You will need a ITX motherboard for that.
6. Do not go cheap on the psu. look for a tier 1 or 2 unit on a list such as this:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html
300w is more than enough.
Seasonic is always good.
I mihttps://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151074ght pick this tier 2 Seasonic s12II 430w unit for $25 after rebate:
bicycle_repair_man
Splendid
- Jan 10, 2014
- 5,752
- 2
- 28,960
Are we talking USD, CAD, AUD or another form of dollar?
With a $400 USD budget you may want to consider getting a prebuilt computer. Major OEMs will be able to assemble a computer more cheaply then you could.
With a $400 USD budget you may want to consider getting a prebuilt computer. Major OEMs will be able to assemble a computer more cheaply then you could.
Hi, your solution looks great, however about windows. What I understand is that you download windows ISO onto a usb, and you boot it up on the PC and its finished. I never understood what part requires payment, because downloading the ISO is free, no? Please enlighten me, as I don't know much about these things.
Barty1884
Retired Moderator
- Apr 16, 2015
- 22,250
- 1,350
- 108,740
Downloading it is free.
Installing it is free.
The "paid" aspect is licensing it - ensuring your copy of Windows is legit & activated. Numerous reasons why: Security updates*, Personalization etc.
*Interestingly, the recent WannaCry ransomware was most prominent in China & Russia AFAIK - two regions with a substantial level of non-activated/cracked/pirated OS's.
Windows from an authorized reseller is going to set you back somewhere in the neighbourhood of ~$100.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
Operating System: Microsoft - Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($89.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $89.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-06-20 23:10 EDT-0400
Anywhere selling it for substantially less is unlikely to be a legit source.
Installing it is free.
The "paid" aspect is licensing it - ensuring your copy of Windows is legit & activated. Numerous reasons why: Security updates*, Personalization etc.
*Interestingly, the recent WannaCry ransomware was most prominent in China & Russia AFAIK - two regions with a substantial level of non-activated/cracked/pirated OS's.
Windows from an authorized reseller is going to set you back somewhere in the neighbourhood of ~$100.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
Operating System: Microsoft - Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($89.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $89.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-06-20 23:10 EDT-0400
Anywhere selling it for substantially less is unlikely to be a legit source.
geofelt
Titan
- Oct 9, 2006
- 54,307
- 4,149
- 174,240
You get to use windows for about 30 days before activation.
That requires entering an activation code that you must pay for.
Better to buy a copy of windows 10 which can come on a usb stick.
You insert the stick, install windows and activate using the code included in the package.
Do not try to buy a "cheap" copy of windows. They may contain malware and viruses.
You will not get updates and all sorts of nastiness. Buy from a legitimate source such as newegg, I think they are authorized to give a 10% discount.
That requires entering an activation code that you must pay for.
Better to buy a copy of windows 10 which can come on a usb stick.
You insert the stick, install windows and activate using the code included in the package.
Do not try to buy a "cheap" copy of windows. They may contain malware and viruses.
You will not get updates and all sorts of nastiness. Buy from a legitimate source such as newegg, I think they are authorized to give a 10% discount.
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