[Build Ready] Super-low budget PC for parents. ~200€
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
| Type | Item | Price |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Pentium G3240 3.1GHz Dual-Core Processor | €53.15 |
| Motherboard | ASRock H81M-HDS Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard | €46.85 |
| Memory | Crucial 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory | €29.35 |
| Storage | Sandisk Solid State Drive 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive | €49.94 |
| Case | MS-Tech LC-02 Desktop 400 Watt schwarz/anthrazit | €29.12 |
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts | ||
| Total | €208.41 | |
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-07 09:23 CEST+0200 |
Hey guys,
currently my dad is using my ex-ex-ex-PC which is not only slow in itself but pretty broken after so many years and struggles running Windows XP. So it's time for an upgrade. The new PC only needs to be able to run a browser, Word, Excel, just simple office stuff, almost no multi-tasking. Since my dad had to use the slow-as-hell machine before for such a long time I want to build a PC that can do all the tasks he needs lightning fast, that's why I decided on an SSD, a capable CPU and enough RAM. 128GB will be enough for everything he does, I'm sure of it. The case is pretty much the cheapest case I could find and comes with an included (overpowered) 400W power supply. Cheapest 4GB of RAM and a current Pentium G3240 to top it off. I found the motherboard recommended somewhere for cheap, small PCs.
Any way to save even more money on this build while keeping the system fast? (My mom got an Acer netbook which is pretty slow with its C-70 CPU and 2GB of RAM, I want to spare my dad the same experience! Editted!) Anyone experienced with this motherboard?
Thanks for your advice!
Posted Apr 7, 2015, 12:58 PM UTC · edited
If that was a pre bay-trail cpu, it's not indicative of current performance.
Regardless, I'd recommend checking out AMD's AM1 platform, specifically the 5350. The performance is reasonable and it might be cheaper. Obviously, you'll have to see if it's cheaper in your market or not.
Edit: I'd caution against case/psu combo's it might be cheaper now, you'll be paying a lot more later if it up and dies and in the worst case takes some other components with it. Look around for used or refurb'd units of a higher quality instead.
Your comment made me look up the netbook specs again and I was completely wrong, it's an acer Aspire One725 with an AMD C-70 CPU.
I wanted to get a small case and a separate SFX PSU but the cheapest cases actually all come with a PSU included... I also hate saving money on the PSU because many of them have died on me...
The boxed 5350 seems to be 45€ here, so about 8€ cheaper. I guess the main difference is 2 cores vs. 4 cores. Could you recommend a Micro ATX board for that platform from the top of your head?
:(
Frankly, any of them should do, this one though has a built in power converter, so you just need to plug in an external power brick and then choose a small (e.g., mini ITX mini) case like the M350. It might end up costing more though ... Alternatively your cheapest option will either be [this] (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157489) or [this] (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130759). You'll have to figure out what's cheaper.