Hey everyone! I've been tasked with building a new PC for my grandparents since their old Vista machine just gave up on them. My budget is a maximum of $750, which feels a bit high for what they'll really be using it for. Their primary activities are web browsing, using MS Office, playing some light games (think bubble pop, solitaire, and a few other simple games), storing photos and videos, and making video calls.
I've mainly been looking at APUs since they don't need a dedicated GPU, which helps stretch the budget further. Something like a Ryzen 5 5600G or 3200G has caught my eye, but I'm wondering if that's overkill for their needs. Is a processor like the 5600G really necessary, or are there better alternatives? Would it be simpler to choose any CPU with integrated graphics?
Also, should I just consider buying a pre-built office PC like an OptiPlex instead of building one myself? I want to ensure whatever I get is long-lasting and won't become a hassle for them, like slow boot-ups or apps crashing. I'm open to any advice you can offer!
2 Answers
I was in a similar situation with my grandparents. I ended up getting them a micro Ryzen PC with 16GB RAM and a 512GB NVMe for under $300, and it's been amazing! It's super quiet and compact, and they love it.
That's a great option! What specific model did you get? Most of what I see around are the N100s and N150s.
Honestly, just go for a CPU with integrated graphics. It'll save you some hassle and fit their needs just fine. Overly powerful CPUs aren't necessary for light tasks.
That sounds good! I might look into something similar, especially for the price!