Building PC for simple tasks (Skype-email..etc.)

Jake Wenta · Sep 23, 2013

I am trying to help a friend with a PC build.
They are coming Friday-and unable to contact them until then-so I'm not sure the budget or what they need exactly.
But I'm guessing cheapest and for 1080p Skype chats.
What would you guys recommend on this build with keyboard, mouse, camera, microphone and display as well.
And operating system, definitely wants Windows 8-32 bit should be plenty.
My build for her (W/O Mic & Camera)
Can someone help me though since I usually do more expensive gaming builds lol.
But she may just buy one out of the store-a premade. (Very impatient) so any recommendations if she wants a pre-built PC?

{Not even sure if she wants a laptop or Desktop) Sorry to be so vague with the details, but any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Designs · Sep 23, 2013

Well if it is just for Skype - Web - Email and basic every day stuff then it should be simple and cheap to get a very efficient design meaning.

Core i3's are very powerful and not very power consuming (very beneficial to a laptop) they also are quite cheap.

with the RAM your not really going to utilize more than 4GB so as long as you have get some good DDR3 that will be plenty.

Definitly best to get a cheap dedicated graphics card (there are so many out there) i only mention this because 1080p on Intel based graphics isn't always the smoothest operation.

all other components are just a means to an end so as long as you re-search on prices you should be able to get a fantastic deal with minimal cost and effort

ps3hacker12 · Sep 23, 2013

Definetely get windows 8-64bit over 32bit, its not 2007/8 no-one should be buying 32bit operating systems anymore.

Jake Wenta · Sep 23, 2013

ps3hacker12 :

The difference between 32 and 64 bit is very minor, and if the RAM will only be 4GB, there really is no need for a 64 bit client, it's more expensive for something that'll never be used. No games, just emails, Skype calls, and browsing.

Jake Wenta · Sep 23, 2013

Designs :

I'm not sure if you checked out the build I've linked in there.
I'm trying to make it cheap while run very smoothly for years to come.

ps3hacker12 · Sep 24, 2013

Jake Wenta :

I geuss, but if your looking for longevity 64Bit is the way to go, eg if they ever decide to run a 64bit VM, or want to run software that runs faster/more efficiently wiht 64bit registers. But as you said, its not in their needs.

How about switching to an FM2 based system rather than an FM1 based system:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD Athlon II X4 740 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A55M-HD2 Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($30.83 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Galaxy GeForce GT 610 1GB Video Card ($27.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-118BB DVD/CD Drive ($16.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($95.87 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Gateway KX2153bd 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($107.62 @ TigerDirect)
Keyboard: Logitech Desktop MK120-TAA LOG920004218 Wired Standard Keyboard w/Laser Mouse ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Speakers: Cyber Acoustics CA3001RB 14W 2.1ch Speakers ($19.78 @ Amazon)
Total: $538.00
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-24 04:32 EDT-0400)

Jake Wenta · Sep 26, 2013

ps3hacker12 :

Jake Wenta :

I geuss, but if your looking for longevity 64Bit is the way to go, eg if they ever decide to run a 64bit VM, or want to run software that runs faster/more efficiently wiht 64bit registers. But as you said, its not in their needs.

How about switching to an FM2 based system rather than an FM1 based system:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD Athlon II X4 740 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A55M-HD2 Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($30.83 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Galaxy GeForce GT 610 1GB Video Card ($27.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-118BB DVD/CD Drive ($16.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($95.87 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Gateway KX2153bd 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($107.62 @ TigerDirect)
Keyboard: Logitech Desktop MK120-TAA LOG920004218 Wired Standard Keyboard w/Laser Mouse ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Speakers: Cyber Acoustics CA3001RB 14W 2.1ch Speakers ($19.78 @ Amazon)
Total: $538.00
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-24 04:32 EDT-0400)

Ok, yea. That seems reasonable. Thank you.
Now lets say she wants a laptop, or just buys one from some store like best buy because, well-lack of patience lol. Would you have any recommendations? I don't really follow laptops let alone, or any pre-built junks haha.

1s3ct0wN · Sep 26, 2013

ps3hacker12 :

Jake Wenta :

I geuss, but if your looking for longevity 64Bit is the way to go, eg if they ever decide to run a 64bit VM, or want to run software that runs faster/more efficiently wiht 64bit registers. But as you said, its not in their needs.

How about switching to an FM2 based system rather than an FM1 based system:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD Athlon II X4 740 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A55M-HD2 Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($30.83 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Galaxy GeForce GT 610 1GB Video Card ($27.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-118BB DVD/CD Drive ($16.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($95.87 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Gateway KX2153bd 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($107.62 @ TigerDirect)
Keyboard: Logitech Desktop MK120-TAA LOG920004218 Wired Standard Keyboard w/Laser Mouse ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Speakers: Cyber Acoustics CA3001RB 14W 2.1ch Speakers ($19.78 @ Amazon)
Total: $538.00
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-24 04:32 EDT-0400)

+1 FM platform, I even suggest you to look at APU.

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Building PC for simple tasks (Skype-email..etc.)

Jake Wenta

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