Need CPU/mobo for under $200, every day usage.

[mg83]

An older guy I work with wants a basic setup for internet browsing and media.

I was thinking of something cheap and simple like AMD A6-5400K Trinity 3.6GHz? What's a good motherboard for it? I'm thinking just pair it up with a MSI or ASRock D3.

 

[burritobob]

CPU: Intel Core i3-2120 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($113.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock B75M-GL Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($66.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $180.97
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

or

CPU: AMD A8-5600K 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor ($103.79 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A75 Pro4-M Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($66.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $170.78
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

 

[mg83]

Your second answer was actually what I was thinking. I don't know why I put the A6, I meant the A8.

 

[Azn Cracker]

go for the a10. it would still be under $200

 

[mg83]

Now for RAM I'm reading that faster is better, and everyone recommends 1866 speeds. Should I grab 4 or 8GB for him?

 

[thecynicalmonk]

go for the a10. it would still be under $200

I agree. Here, check this out.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1224927

Now for RAM I'm reading that faster is better, and everyone recommends 1866 speeds. Should I grab 4 or 8GB for him?

You said he's only going to be using the computer for Internet browsing and media... There is no reason to shell out for 1866 RAM. You'd have to OC the sticks to even reach that, in most cases. I'd say 1600s would do fine... Maybe even 1333, but I wouldn't go that low imo.

I'd go for 4 gigs of DDR3-1600 if he never plans on gaming. I have a hard time even utilizing 8 gigs in gaming, honestly. I'd say 4 gigs is the casual users sweet spot.

 

[geofelt]

For the usage you described, any modern cpu will do.
I might suggest a Celeron g1610 for $50 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116889A
A H61 motherboard for $45 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157315
4gb of ram( with Intel, speeds do not matter) $29 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231253

Now, the key Item I would strongly suggest is a 120gb ssd: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147185
It will be about $100

A SSD makes everything you do feel much quicker. Even internet browsing has some I/o activity.

Have you considered a small form factor build?
You can build a ITX based pc that takes minimal room even on top of a desk.
The lian li PC-Q07 comes to mind.

 

[burritobob]

I agree. Here, check this out.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1224927



You said he's only going to be using the computer for Internet browsing and media... There is no reason to shell out for 1866 RAM. You'd have to OC the sticks to even reach that, in most cases. I'd say 1600s would do fine... Maybe even 1333, but I wouldn't go that low imo.

I'd go for 4 gigs of DDR3-1600 if he never plans on gaming. I have a hard time even utilizing 8 gigs in gaming, honestly. I'd say 4 gigs is the casual users sweet spot.

You really do not even need the 1600mhz ram you can save some by going for 1333mhz you really will never feel the performance hit at all. 4gbs is more than substantial for what your colleague plans on doing.

A10 is a great choice but you really do not need it, for ultra budget I believe the A8 is really the sweet spot, and you really shouldn't need much more processing power.

For the usage you described, any modern cpu will do.
I might suggest a Celeron g1610 for $50 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 819116889A
A H61 motherboard for $45 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813157315
4gb of ram( with Intel, speeds do not matter) $29 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231253

Now, the key Item I would strongly suggest is a 120gb ssd: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820147185
It will be about $100

A SSD makes everything you do feel much quicker. Even internet browsing has some I/o activity.

Have you considered a small form factor build?
You can build a ITX based pc that takes minimal room even on top of a desk.
The lian li PC-Q07 comes to mind.

Couple things to note is that you will get a performance hit with the celeron...

Also if you want to do an MITX build your motherboard is to large for that

Other parts weren't necessary for what the OP wanted though if the OP wants suggestions for other parts I think we all agree on 4gb.

SSD really is not tat important with this setup, I tested Chrome on my old computer that only had an HDD and then my newer one with the SSD and you really do not feel any greater performance. With this said you do not need to spend the extra $120 for the SSD.

 

[mg83]

OK, just talked to him.

He's really only getting this PC so his grand kids don't pick on him for not having a PC when they visit lol. He wants the kids to be able to play games from Nickelodeon and Disneys website, they're only 5 and 7. Aside from that he's just interested in the internet.

We're talking REALLY minimal usage here.

 

[geofelt]

OK, just talked to him.

He's really only getting this PC so his grand kids don't pick on him for not having a PC when they visit lol. He wants the kids to be able to play games from Nickelodeon and Disneys website, they're only 5 and 7. Aside from that he's just interested in the internet.

We're talking REALLY minimal usage here.

Perhaps you should look into a pre built pc.

Here is a lenovo for $388. By the time you add in the cost of a case, psu, and os you will be right up there.
http://outlet.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/outlet_us/LenovoPortal/en_US/catalog.workflow:item.detail?GroupID=445&Code=5048X01

Or... some laptops are even less.

 

[thecynicalmonk]

Perhaps you should look into a pre built pc.

Here is a lenovo for $388. By the time you add in the cost of a case, psu, and os you will be right up there.
http://outlet.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/outlet_us/LenovoPortal/en_US/catalog.workflow:item.detail?GroupID=445&Code=5048X01

Or... some laptops are even less.

Agreed, as hard as it is for me to say... Sometimes it's better to just forgo any difficulty and heartache when looking for a min spec build. Those Disney games you speak of can be played on nearly any modern system.

 

[swifty_morgan]

if you choose the APU build go with the 1866 ram. The apu runs better with the faster ram. 4gigs is plenty.

 

[Aristotelian]

For the usage you described, any modern cpu will do.
I might suggest a Celeron g1610 for $50 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116889A
A H61 motherboard for $45 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157315
4gb of ram( with Intel, speeds do not matter) $29 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231253

Now, the key Item I would strongly suggest is a 120gb ssd: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147185
It will be about $100

A SSD makes everything you do feel much quicker. Even internet browsing has some I/o activity.

I agree with this. SSD will make a much bigger difference in general use than going up to i5. I would rather have Celeron G1610 + SSD than i5.