Processor types for $250 plex, web pc? Initial guidance please, I'll return with proposed build

fitzf

Honorable
Nov 2, 2013
2
0
10,510
I'd like to make a quiet, small form factor, low power consumption computer. I can only spend up to $250 and already have a 3.5" 1TB HDD, DVD drive, monitor, keyboard, mouse. Case and PSU are not worth keeping. If I have USB 3.0 I can put my HDD in an external enclosure.

I haven't built a system in 10 years and everything has changed. If you want to give further advice I'd love it, but if you just read how I'll use it and tell me what level of processors to consider/avoid I can come back for a review of a proposed system.

I use the computer for the following:
linux
web browsing with too many tabs open
Plex serving to smart TV (single movie at a time, not often concurrent with other uses)
no gaming
inkscape, would love to use sketchup w/wine or dual boot but current machine chokes
I also need to use vnc and chrome remote desktop occasionally to support family members.

None of that should be hard, but my old Athlon x2 4050e 3G ram emachine is just not handling it well at all, and memory for it is pricy now.

Most of my issues are from memory use - tuning swapiness hasn't helped much. Yet I see many systems with 4GB ram still.

Thank you!
 
Solution
I`d get something like this:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3220 3.0GHz Dual-Core Processor ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus H81M-D PLUS Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($35.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($27.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GT 740 1GB FTW Video Card ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman Z5 ATX Mid Tower Case ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec EarthWatts Green 380W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($42.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $231.93
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by...
I`d get something like this:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3220 3.0GHz Dual-Core Processor ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus H81M-D PLUS Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($35.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($27.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GT 740 1GB FTW Video Card ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman Z5 ATX Mid Tower Case ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec EarthWatts Green 380W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($42.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $231.93
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-09 14:39 EST-0500
 
Solution