Build AdviceBudget family PC
Build AdviceBudget family PC
Considering a family or budget PC for my parents this Christmas, I’m thinking of swapping their old HP with an i5 2500. I already have a decent case ready to reuse and a spare 750-watt modular power supply from Microcenter. It won’t be a high-performance gaming rig, more suited for basic tasks like checking emails and using eBay. I’ve got the necessary components. I’m looking at the board here: https://www.microcenter.com/product/6276...otherboard. I’m also expecting to find a Ryzen 3 4300G for around $60 on eBay, and I think I might already have a working Ryzen cooler somewhere that isn’t in use. I plan to install 16 GB of DDR4 RAM and some affordable 1 TB NVMe storage. I’m sure I’ll need Windows, but I’m aiming for something more affordable and faster than what they currently have. Anyone experienced with the 4300G has used it before? I’ve mostly used Ryzen CPUs, but not this specific model. Just a note, Dad usually checks his email and eBay regularly, so it shouldn’t be a speedy machine.
It requires very little effort to read web pages and watch videos on YouTube. The small CPU found in televisions can handle this task. The 4300g processor is an unusual chip originally intended for bulk sales to companies such as Dell or HP. A legitimate Windows license will significantly increase your overall build expenses. You might consider skipping registration or opting for Linux instead. For basic web browsing, the difference will be minimal. You may find a Raspberry Pi 5 more suitable if you can obtain one. Other comparable devices can be assembled for roughly $150 to $200 including cases and power supplies.
The older members of the family might not be happy about altering their usual methods. They have their photos, emails, and established processes. You won’t become their IT expert and will often be asked to troubleshoot issues. If the HP PC uses a hard drive, switching to an SSD can significantly boost performance. You could also clone the HDD to an SSD, which will improve speed without changing much else. Increasing the RAM might be beneficial if it’s too low.
This has no relation to the claim he issued. And these are not simply similar to PC CPUs. They are specifically designed components.
The hp has an ssd. I’m already the family pc tech, so bringing their kid around is routine—they often ask for help when needed. My parents are quite knowledgeable and rarely require tech assistance. With Christmas approaching, I’m thinking of a budget-friendly project. I have some ideas.
On a side note, I’m considering experimenting with chrome os flex. Although I’m technically inclined, we also support a Bible college, and they’re using some of our older PCs that we’ve been phasing out due to age. We have a few legacy Microsoft Surface Studio desktops, and I plan to test chrome os flex in the library to breathe new life into them. For email and research, it should work well, I think.
I used the same motherboard for a recent budget build around a 3600. It seems to function adequately, and it doesn’t look bad unless you’re tempted to find or own the usual windowed case. I’d double-check the CPU’s BIOS compatibility just to be sure.
For RAM, I went with this link:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08QV1...OQJA&psc=1
It was a bit cheaper at the time, but started up properly and handled XMP settings without trouble.
I also used the Crucial P3 Plus for a very affordable M.2 NVMe drive, like this:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B25N...X0DER&th=1
Prices have been slowly rising lately. I think it’s likely due to the upcoming Black Friday promotions, similar to past deals. On this project I skipped some parts on the PSU, but the entire setup with case and OS came in around $350 thanks to a graphics card already available from my previous build. For your scenario it would be excessive, which is okay—especially considering the cost.
I’m bringing this thread back a bit. Right now I own a PC with these components:
Ryzen 5 5500
Asus b450 prime II micro ATX board
32GB DDR4 3200
Rx 5600xt 6GB
Corsair rmx 850 watt.
I’m thinking about rebuilding it in a different case, using my old power supply and a low-power GPU. Ideally something passive like a GT1030. If I do that, I’m hoping to stay under 300 and explore CPU or board upgrades. I’m close to Microcenter, so a 5600X3D would be an option I’ve looked at. But what about an i5 12400 or 13400? I haven’t built an Intel rig in a while but I’m curious.