Recommended processor for parents' PC

[Arcadio]

What's the best choice right now for a good, low power processor for someone who uses the computer for internet browsing, listening to music, and watching movies? The computer should last for at least 4 years before becoming obsolete.

 

[poohbear]

sandy bridge 2500. it'll last 4 years no problems whatsover. Some people will say its overkill but you're looking at 4 years, this cpu will last more than that for what they're using it for.

 

[RyanGreener]

sandy bridge 2500. it'll last 4 years no problems whatsover. Some people will say its overkill but you're looking at 4 years, this cpu will last more than that for what they're using it for.

For the purposes stated, if those purposes don't change, I don't think his parents will need a quad core, ever. I'd say i3 2100. Cheaper, lower power usage.

 

[Zap]

What is the overall system budget? How "low power" did you want to get?

Likely any dual core Sandy Bridge will suffice.

Low price? Pentium G620

Super low power at low price? Pentium G620T

Super low power with better performance? Core i3 2100T

Best performance? Core i3 2105

While the "low power" T version of the CPUs have a TDP of 35W versus 65W of the other CPUs, in real world power draw the higher wattage CPUs will average only around 5-10W more, so it isn't that much. The only thing is that you will need the PSU overhead to handle the extra wattage. For instance if you use a mini ITX case with a really low wattage PSU (like the Antec ISK 300-65) then you will definitely want to use a T low power processor. Otherwise, go for a normal one for the extra oomph.

The Pentium versions are really close to the Core i3, being a bit slower (roughly 5-20% depending on tasks). The Core i3 has Hyperthreading, making them a pseudo quad core. The Core i3 2105 has the better HD 3000 graphics.

I'd say go as cheap as you need to on the CPU to be able to get an SSD in there. I did such a system for my mom (older Clarkdale dual core) with an Intel 40GB SSD and EVERYONE who sits down at the system is amazed at how fast it feels. Does it matter how it "benchmarks" if it is so snappy that everyone thinks it is some crazy fast system?

 

[cebalrai]

For those purposes a 2.6 ghz Sempron for $29.99 would be fine. I have one in an uber-cheap computer I built for my wife's browsing and occasional video needs and it's perfectly responsive. It's also got a Seagate Momentus XT Hybrid HDD which helps it out

 

[Ratman6161]

What's the best choice right now for a good, low power processor for someone who uses the computer for internet browsing, listening to music, and watching movies? The computer should last for at least 4 years before becoming obsolete.

For these purposes DO NOT BUILD YOUR OWN! I have been through this with family members many times. When you build it, you become their tech support (though for your parents you probably will anyway).

Seriously, any new computer they buy - including the lowest of the low end - will take care of those tasks just fine. Two years ago when my father in law asked me to help him with a system, I steered him to a pre-built HP. For $330.00 we got a E5200, onboard graphics and a 500 GB hard drive. That was two years ago and since he is 77 years old- this is probably the last computer he will ever need.

At the low end, DIY systems just can't compete with what you can get from the big OEM's. There is just no way I could have built the same system for that price and he got it all assembled and with a single source warranty. Single source as in its an HP so all warranties are through HP where in a DIY system warranties are through each component manufacturer.

Even for enthusiasts, building your own rarely saves money. I know I'm going to be seen as a heretic for saying that but its true. It will not save you money. I do it because I get exactly what I want and lets face it, I like to tinker. But for your parents? No way. Just buy a reasonable but low end Dell or HP and be done with it.

Edit: to answer your actual question, look for a pre-built system with a Sandy Bridge i3 and use the on-board graphics. For the purposes listed thatch going to be good for a long time.

 

[VirtualLarry]

What is the overall system budget? How "low power" did you want to get?

Likely any dual core Sandy Bridge will suffice.

Low price? Pentium G620

Super low power at low price? Pentium G620T

Super low power with better performance? Core i3 2100T

Best performance? Core i3 2105

If you can live with only VGA output, Superbiiz.com (ewiz.com) has a 1155 mobo for $55. It's an H61, and it doesn't have HDMI or DVI, sadly, but it's damn cheap for a SB mobo.

 

[VirtualLarry]

At the low end, DIY systems just can't compete with what you can get from the big OEM's.

I would say the exact opposite. There is no way that big OEMs can compete with what you can put together yourself.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2169456

I don't think that I could even get as nice and as small a system as I built, certainly not for the price I paid.

 

[LOL_Wut_Axel]

What's the best choice right now for a good, low power processor for someone who uses the computer for internet browsing, listening to music, and watching movies? The computer should last for at least 4 years before becoming obsolete.

The thing we have to take into account the most is the budget. What's the budget for the CPU? If it's $75, go for the Athlon II X3. If it's $50, you're better off waiting until the Celeron G530 comes out. It'll only be around 10% slower than the Pentium G620 and cost $20-25 less. If you want something that will last for a very long time, you can go for an Athlon II X4 if your budget is $100. If you need something that will be adequate and cost next to nothing but will last less and you need it right now, go for the Celeron E3400; it's $44 at Amazon.

 

[toolbag]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103933

AMD Athlon II X2 245 Regor 2.9GHz 2 x 1MB

$44.99. All you need for 4 years doing what they do.

 

[Zap]

For these purposes DO NOT BUILD YOUR OWN! I have been through this with family members many times. When you build it, you become their tech support (though for your parents you probably will anyway).

As with many things in life, "it depends..." If you will be their tech support anyways and they aren't limited to the absolute cheapest, then I would absolutely build it for them.

I've done the "buy a Dell" for my mom and aunt, and I ended up their tech support anyways. I try to pick good components (and don't tweak stuff) for these builds and have had good reliability.

For those who you can get away with not being tech support, then yes send them to Dell.com or their local B&M.

I've flip-flopped on this topic in the past, but my stance depends on what hardware is on the market and what I think of reliability. I think these days parts are more reliable than ever, if you choose the right parts.

At the low end, DIY systems just can't compete with what you can get from the big OEM's.

You can absolutely build a lower end (but not lowEST end) rig that absolutely demolishes big OEMs. Put an SSD in it. How many big OEM systems can you customize with an SSD? My mom's system was well under $600 including operating system and monitor, and everyone who has sat down in front of it to use it have been amazed at how fast it feels to them. It is all from the SSD. The CPU is a Pentium Dual Core G9650 (Clarkdale), so it is nothing expensive nor fancy.

 

[DominionSeraph]

I would say the exact opposite. There is no way that big OEMs can compete with what you can put together yourself.

Your E-350 is what, 1/4th the speed of a 3.2GHz Pentium Dual-core? It's 1/3rd that of a 2.5GHz one...
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/66?vs=328

Windows 7 is $100. That leaves $210 to get a processor, motherboard, case, PSU, RAM, hard drive, and DVD-R.

Good luck matching Dell.

How many big OEM systems can you customize with an SSD?

Uhhh... all of them? It's just SATA.

 

[RaistlinZ]

Why do people always cheap out when it comes to getting a computer for their parents? As if their parents wouldn't want something quick and responsive like any normal person.

 

[john3850]

Every time I build a new system I give my old pc to one of my two daughters
If I had to go new for my parents I would go with i3.

 

[LOL_Wut_Axel]

Why do people always cheap out when it comes to getting a computer for their parents? As if their parents wouldn't want something quick and responsive like any normal person.

<------------------ Implying that something like an Athlon II X3 or a Pentium G620 combined with 4GB of RAM and perhaps a 64GB SSD isn't gonna be responsive enough.

Newsflash: you don't need a system with 8GB of RAM and a Core i7 for it to be responsive. An SSD will make much more difference for normal use than having a faster CPU than the ones I mentioned.

 

[FS]

Why do people always cheap out when it comes to getting a computer for their parents? As if their parents wouldn't want something quick and responsive like any normal person.

^ this

I would definitely go with what Zap suggested. The sandybridge platform + SSD would be a very responsive system and well worth over 5+ years of usage that it'll provide. It wouldn't need any extras(ie: the room heaters that are called discrete cards when compared to other pc components) if your parents choose to watch full high definition movies at any time.

 

[DominionSeraph]

Why do people always cheap out when it comes to getting a computer for their parents? As if their parents wouldn't want something quick and responsive like any normal person.

Oh noes, it's my $350 Dell from 2006! How deprived am I!

 

[FS]

^ can it play ANY high def (1080p at least) movie you throw at it?

 

[richierich1212]

lol. Any dual core processor these days will be just fine. Be it an Athlon II X2 or i3. Just use that extra money for an SSD.

 

[DominionSeraph]

^ can it play ANY high def (1080p at least) movie you throw at it?

You know that's handled by the GPU now, right?

 

[LOL_Wut_Axel]

^ can it play ANY high def (1080p at least) movie you throw at it?

Anything from the GMA X4500 onwards can handle 1080p video, but obviously it's not gonna be sufficient for anything like light video gaming. The Intel HD 2000 and Radeon HD 4290 can handle light gaming at least.

For his parents I think an Athlon II X3 and an SSD is the best.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Your E-350 is what, 1/4th the speed of a 3.2GHz Pentium Dual-core? It's 1/3rd that of a 2.5GHz one...
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/66?vs=328

Windows 7 is $100. That leaves $210 to get a processor, motherboard, case, PSU, RAM, hard drive, and DVD-R.

Good luck matching Dell.

Good job. You missed my point entirely. My rig is MINI-ITX. Not a tower like the Dell. The whole POINT of the rig is that it is small, unobtrusive, low-power, and most importantly, fast enough. Something that those Atom set-tops like the Acer Revo are not.

For comparable prices, check out this boutique shop:
http://www.lowcarbonpc.com/

$500 for a crappy Atom rig. My Zacate rig is better, faster, and cheaper. (Than an OEM rig.)

Edit: And for prices, here's how my Zacate rig stacks up.
ASRock E350M1 mobo + CPU........................$110
single 4GB DDR3-1066 CAS7 1.5v RAM..........$40
1TB Seagate 7200.12 SATA HD.....................$60
SATA DVD burner........................................$20
Rosewill mini-ITX cube case + 150W PSU.......$50
Windows 7 HP 64-bit....................................$40

Total..........................................................$320

 

[tweakboy]

They will need 4GB RAM if their going to use W7

2 x 2GB dual channel

gl

 

[tweakboy]

Go with earth also. gg

 

[VirtualLarry]

Anything from the GMA X4500 onwards can handle 1080p video

That's a common mistake. There is actually a 4500, and a 4500HD. You must have the "HD" version to play 1080P videos smoothly. Not all GMA 4500 chipsets have this. Many do not.