I'm putting together a work and home PC for my grandfather. He just needs something basic, and I've assembled a configuration that I'm considering. I'd love to hear your thoughts on it and any suggestions for improvements or ways to cut costs. Here's what I have so far:
- **Processor:** AMD Ryzen 5 5600GT - €119.90
- **Motherboard:** MSI B550M PRO-VDH WIFI - originally €209.00, now €106.90
- **RAM:** Corsair DIMM 16 GB DDR4-3200 (2x 8 GB) - €64.90
- **SSD:** Kingston NV3 1 TB - €70.90
- **Case:** Chieftec Pro Mini AZ-01B-OP - €43.90
- **Power Supply:** be quiet! System Power 11 450W ATX3.1 - €49.90
I won't need Windows for this build since I have a boot USB, and there's no need for a dedicated GPU as he just needs it for basic tasks like using Excel and viewing images. I appreciate your help!
5 Answers
If you're intent on building, consider switching the NV3 SSD since it often uses QLC flash. You might want to look at other options like the Kioxia Exceria Plus. Otherwise, a mini PC setup would keep costs down without sacrificing usability.
What does your grandpa actually need it for? If it’s just for Excel and photo viewing, looking for a mini PC like Beelink could be a more cost-effective solution. Plus, you can usually find solid options with built-in Wi-Fi.
An older ThinkPad could be perfect for him. If you're not really committed to building, there’s no reason to spend so much. A used business laptop or desktop might be cheaper and meet his needs just fine.
Honestly, a cheaper option could be a simple laptop. It’ll handle what he needs and might save you some time and hassle on the build.
Have you thought about getting a mini PC or even a used laptop? For basic tasks like what your grandfather is doing, a custom build might be overkill and more expensive than necessary.
He mainly uses it for Excel and looking at pictures. Thanks for the tip, I'm definitely considering something compact with Wi-Fi!