Suggestions for a Basic Home PC upgrade

[karthik316_1999]

Hi friends,
I'm in need of your advice for buying a desktop PC for my dad who is a senior citizen & needs a basic computer that works smoothly & swiftly..

1. What is the purpose of the computer? What all applications and games are you going to run? (Be exact. Which games? Which applications? Avoid the word 'et cetera.' Vague answers like 'gaming' or 'office work' will not work.)
✓ Ans: PC to be used by a senior citizen for general computing. For basic activities like working on office documents / browsing / multimedia / YouTube videos. Applications like Chrome, vlc player, Excel, word..

2. What is your overall budget? If you can extend a bit for a more balanced configuration, then please mention.
✓ Ans: 20k

3. Planning to overclock?
✓ Ans: Not at all

4. Which Operating System are you planning to use?
✓ Ans: Windows 8.1.. Provision to upgrade in the future to Windows 10/11 should exist.

(Note : The desktop should be able to decently support latest softwares like Windows 11 in future (I plan to run the new PC on Windows 8.1 only, at least for now.. due to headache of excessive background programs/services, optimizations, unwanted CPU/HDD utilisation..in Windows 10,11.

The main reason for upgrading the current PC that is almost a decade old, is due to poor speed.. so, we would be worried if the new PC keeps showing frequent/continuous HDD activity ...!)

5. How much hard drive / solid-state drive space is needed?
✓ Ans: Currently using an IDE drive I believe. If old IDE is not suitable for this new PC ( even with a IDE to SATA converter) and/or would be a serious bottleneck to the performance of the new PC... I'm okay to buy a new minimum capacity hard drive (pls suggest both SATA as well as SSD) to be used as primary for the OS + applications & the old one as a secondary storage (with an IDE to SATA connector if needed & feasible)

6. Do you want to buy a monitor? If yes, please mention the screen size and resolution you prefer. If you already have a monitor and want to reuse it, then do mention the screen size and resolution of the monitor you have.
✓ Ans: Utilize existing Acer 15 inch LCD monitor. Unsure of the resolution.

7. Which components you DON'T want to buy? i.e. which components you already have and plan on reusing?
✓ Ans:

• Monitor
• Speakers (Creative 2.1 exist)
• Keyboard + Mouse (Wired)
• HDD (if possible) - Currently using an IDE drive I believe
• Optical disk drive
• UPS (If possible) - Currently using old one from a brand called WEP

8. When are you planning to buy the system?
✓ Ans: In a couple of days

9. Have you ever built a desktop before? Or, will this be done by an assembler?
✓ Ans: Assembler (Keen to assemble by myself if I can get some guidance!)

10. Where do you live? Are you buying locally? Are you open to buying stuff from online shops if you don't get locally?
✓ Ans: Tamilnadu. Not comfortable with online purchase of the components.

11. Anything else which you would like to say?
✓ Ans: Expected setup:-
(Price range I have in mind for individual components is just as a guideline for arriving at the budget.. Fine with any corrections & pardon me if they are wrong!)

Cabinet : Basic with built-in SMPS (Okay with local brands that are a decent value for money buy)
Good to have feature : Front USB ports, HDD activity indicator.
Price range in mind = 2k

- Motherboard : A good reliable buy with onboard GPU, high speed USB support & suitable for above mentioned activities. Good to have features like, 8GB RAM support (for future)
Price range in mind = 4.5k

- Planned RAM capacity : 4GB (Trust this is fine)
Price range in mind = 2.5k

- CPU price range in mind = 6k

- HDD price range in mind = 6k for an basic capacity SSD if possible & absolutely needed. Or 4k for a SATA drive if absolute needed.

Thanks a bunch for all your valuable help(s) !

Cheers

 

[omega44-xt]

CPU - Intel Pentium G6405 (LGA1200) - 6.8k

Mobo - MSI H510M A Pro - 5.8k

RAM - 1x8GB DDR4 3000MHz - 3k

GPU - None

SSD - Kingston A400 240GB 2.5″ - 2.5k (for OS)

HDD - None

PSU - Corsair CV450 80+ Bronze - 2.8k

Cabinet - Deepcool WAVE V2 - 2.3k (no fan, preferably get one el cheapo for rear exhaust)

Monitor - None

Total - 23.2k

Win10 is bloated, needs 8GB RAM & SSD. Win8.1, was never a great OS. Stay on Win10, in case Win11 gets much better in future, can upgrade. I won't in my right mind recommend an el cheapo PSU. If Gigabyte P450B can explode, cheaper ones can as well.

 

[karthik316_1999]

Hi,

I'm sorry for not getting back to you sooner. There was some dilemma in the upgrade & hence the delay in the process..

Whilst thanking you for the prompt response, may I put in a few quick clarifications with an aim to reduce the expense...

Firstly, I would like to add-on to my initial post.

Current System Config:

CPU - Intel Pentium E2160
Motherboard - Intel D945GCNL
Onboard GPU- Intel 82852/82855 GM/GME
RAM - 2 * 1 GB DDR2
Hard disk - 160 GB SATA
Existing Cabinet - Micro ATX
Existing PSU - 450 watts ATX switching
Existing UPS - 500VA

Photo of existing cabinet:

*ibb.co/tXrNtcp

*ibb.co/kQ2WFkH

*ibb.co/VTmPDP1

Photo of existing SMPS

*ibb.co/1R4m3Lx

Photo of existing UPS

*ibb.co/gVCNMtL

*ibb.co/6v04fXK

Correction in my initial post : My existing HDD is SATA interfaced & not IDD like I mentioned earlier..

Maximum resolution of my 17' LCD : 1440 x 900, missed to share this in the initial post..

For the CPU : I have been suggested a "Tray" i3 10100 processor @ 10k by a local vendor.. Not sure if the extra cost is justified ? I was under the impression that tray one's are cheaper than boxed one's?
Further, is it worth buying a "lower generation high performance CPU" instead of a "newer generation basic CPU" like the i3 10100?

For the Mobo - I have been very happy with Asus mobo's in the past. Not that I'm not open to MSI but could you suggest a economical model from Asus.. Not sure if there is a difference in their warranty period.

For the HDD - Can you advise if I can make use of the old Seagate SATA HDD as the primary storage for the OS itself? We are fine with a difference of just a few seconds.. or else will it be a very serious bottleneck to this new config if I do not opt for an SSD?

For the cabinet - Coming to the cabinet, is there a way that I can salvage the existing cabinet ? Attached a pic of the existing cabinet with this post.. I'm guessing that this cabinet "might not" support a USB 3.0 front jack..not sure how to check that.. however, in case that is the fact, I have a USB 3.0 hub that I can use to extend the motherboard's USB 3.0 ports from the rear of the CPU. Sounds good?

For the - OS : "Win 10 is bloated" -> exactly the reason I prefer to avoid it ! With both windows 10 & 11 out of the picture, I have been happy with the 8.1 on both my desktop as well as laptop for several years. Is there any specific reason I need to still opt for windows 10 only & not 8.1 ? Thought I could also cut down on the RAM cost with a 4 GB stick (while opting 8.1 ) as against 8 GB (when opting for Win 10 or 11)

Further, the vendor was suggesting to buy an 'activation PIN' for win 10 professional edition @ around 3-3.5k.. Although not the same as the actual license, he says that I could register the Key with my e-mail ID & can get genuine support from Microsoft if needed.. Any thoughts here ?

For the UPS - Attached a pic too, for your opinion pls

For the SMPS - I know this is a debatable question often.. but this has always made me wonder.. local power units of those days (those plain normal metal boxes often accompanying the cabinet) purchased in the early 2000's still function without any problem for decades together ! (As it is still on our current PC that's about to be upgraded..) BUT these 'branded' black box one's fail at some point of time during their life.. (I myself had a Corsair GS600 & an Antec VP 650 both costing upwards of 5k fail within 3-4 years..! exactly after their warranty period)

While I'm definitely interested in the protection of the new PC, I'm hoping if there is still a chance to utilize the old SMPS & Cabinet..

Thank you for your patience.. & sorry again for not reverting earlier..

 

[K_akash_i]

u dont need to buy activate key to install and use windows 10 , dont connect to internet when installing OS as they would require u to have a microsoft id(its like a gmail id or something, nothing related to license) after that u can use it however u want ,

i3 10100 is cheaper online with box (should be cheaper in retail) Intel core i3-10100 Series processor - Warranty 3 years | Ezpzsolutions which prolly means he maybe ripping u off (in my view , because whenever i goto a retailer i get cheaper rate than online) , and yes that one is with package

 

[karthik316_1999]

Thank you for your response.. I'm aware of that way of windows usage .. but just queried as the vendor informed me that there would virtually be no difference between buying the o/s from microsoft & registering the o/s with his activation key at a lower price .. hence the curiosity...

 

[karthik316_1999]

Pls. could some one assist me with my other queries too... especially the smps/cabinet/ups...

 

[omega44-xt]

The i3 10100 costs 10-10.5k with many sellers, buy a new box.
Older CPU of older gen vs new CPU - depends on CPUs being considered.

Storage - get SSD, use old HDD as well

OS - Win10, not 7/8/8.1 or 11
There are grey market sellers selling Win10 Pro retail keys for 500.

Cabinet, PSU & UPS - your call, I'll prefer a new PSU. Cheap out if you want.

 

[karthik316_1999]

Hi, thanks for your response..
w.r.t using an older gen CPU could you kindly suggest me a model which would match & possibly outperform the i3 10100? (Around the same budget though..)
+
My vendor has quoted a price of around 8,000 for the i3 10100. Is this a red flag then?

Any suggestions in finding a suitable ASUS motherboard for my Intel configuration please?

May I understand why windows 8.1 is not being recommended although windows 10 has issues such as excessive background programs/services, windows updates that can't be avoided, unwanted CPU/HDD utilisation, etc? Is it just to stay updated with the market or any other technicalities involved..?

Lastly, is there any harm in using a windows grey licence key.. be it windows 8.1 or windows 10..?

Thanks much for your time ! hopefully with these information I'll be able to assemble the system soon..

 

[omega44-xt]

Your budget is too price sensitive. Get any cheap H510 mobo with 2 RAM slots & 1 NVMe slot.

Check benchmarks for CPU comparison, I can't say what you can get used locally at your place. Something like i5 8400 would be nice, I guess.

8k for used i3 10100 is ok-ish.

Win8.1 is old & worse than Win10 IMO even if not as much heavy as latest Win10. Your call what you want to use. Do some of your own research as well, as sometimes in forums there are people who don't much & still suggest something. SSD is a must these days as every software & website are becoming more resource intensive.

Win10 grey market license - those phone activation keys & retail keys which work directly when you type in, should be fine. Avoid MSDN Win10, something like that. If it stops working after some time, you can just get another one. Some grey market keys are as low as 200.

 

[karthik316_1999]

w.r.t the CPU.. I'm sorry that there is a gap here..
I was not referring to an used CPU.. but a 'boxed previous gen processors' that could possibly outperform the i3 10100.. (Assuming that the expensive old gen cpu might have had a price reduction..)

Also, I do not intend to buy an used i3 10100 as well !
My query was that... my vendor is selling me a 'brand new boxed i3 10100 for around 8k'... Hence wanted to know if this is a red flag alert ?

 

[omega44-xt]

w.r.t the CPU.. I'm sorry that there is a gap here..
I was not referring to an used CPU.. but a 'boxed previous gen processors' that could possibly outperform the i3 10100.. (Assuming that the expensive old gen cpu might have had a price reduction..)

Also, I do not intend to buy an used i3 10100 as well !
My query was that... my vendor is selling me a 'brand new boxed i3 10100 for around 8k'... Hence wanted to know if this is a red flag alert ?

Old CPUs don't get too much price reduction if removed from market like 8th & 9th gen. 10th gen is already 2 years old. As I said, check CPU benchmarks, only older 8/9th gen i5s will outperform that i3 10100, i5 7400 is quad core. I won't pay more than 10-12k for i5 8400 + H series mobo as its just too old now.

An i3 10100 at 8k is unheard of as of now but not too good to be true, usually around 9.5-10k these days. But i3 10100F is priced at under 8k, that F makes a difference as F variant lacks iGPU, hence won't work without a GPU.

 

[karthik316_1999]

Wow.. excellent catch !
Just had a look at the configuration recommended by the vendor.. & he has included a 2gb gpu @ 4k ... So it could be the F version indeed... though no explicit mention of "F"...
Thank you!

 

[K_akash_i]

wait could u put in the specs before confirming?
with prices and total

 

[karthik316_1999]

Sure, will do...

When finalizing on the Motherboard, pls. could someone advise between these 2 boards...

*www.asus.com/in/Motherboards-Components/Motherboards/PRIME/PRIME-H410M-E/

*www.asus.com/in/Motherboards-Components/Motherboards/PRIME/PRIME-H510M-E/

Differences as far as I could find... Are these worth it ? Considering that :

[ I definitely won't be upgrading to the 11th Gen CPU as such, Intend to purchase a SATA M.2 SSD only (Since I read that NVMe is useful only for intense tasks.. ]

Note: There is a confusing mention of "Integrated Graphics Processor" in the specs of the 410 board.. (Aren't the days of iGPU on the mobo's gone?)

ASUS PRIME H410M-E	ASUS PRIME H510M-E
DVI-D port + HDMI + VGA	Displayport + HDMI + VGA
Realtek LAN	Intel LAN
Intel 10th gen support	Intel 10th + 11th gen support
PCIe 3.0 x16	PCIe 4.0 x16
M.2 slot	PCIe 3.0 x4 & SATA mode

 

[karthik316_1999]

wait could u put in the specs before confirming?
with prices and total

Intel i3 10105 - 9900/-
Asus H510M-E - 5900/-
Corsair Vengeance 1x8GB ddr4 3200Mhz - 3200/-
Samsung 980 evo M.2 NVMe 250 GB SSD - 4300/-
Total = 23,300

 

[omega44-xt]

Buy a 500GB slower NVMe than Samsung 980 250GB, like:
*www.amazon.in/Western-Digital-SN550-Internal-WDS500G2B0C/dp/B07YFF3JCN/

 

[karthik316_1999]

Buy a 500GB slower NVMe than Samsung 980 250GB, like:
*www.amazon.in/Western-Digital-SN550-Internal-WDS500G2B0C/dp/B07YFF3JCN/

Hi, thank you for your suggestion.. any specific reason/differences in adopting a WD drive as against a faster Samsung drive?(apart from more bang for the buck) .. since both appear to be on the same price range..

 

[SaiyanGoku]

Hi, thank you for your suggestion.. any specific reason/differences in adopting a WD drive as against a faster Samsung drive?(apart from more bang for the buck) .. since both appear to be on the same price range..

There is no point in going for a lower capacity drive if you can get a higher capacity one at similar price, especially if that will be the only storage option for your PC. Also, do not partition the SSD IMO.

Sent from my Poco X3 Pro using Tapatalk

 

[omega44-xt]

Hi, thank you for your suggestion.. any specific reason/differences in adopting a WD drive as against a faster Samsung drive?(apart from more bang for the buck) .. since both appear to be on the same price range..

More capacity is more useful than a faster smaller SSD for you. Also, any way you see it, an i3 PC will be slow & even Samsung 980 is overkill for it. I mean, 2000MBps is already very fast & you won't see a difference between 2000MBps SSD vs 3000MBps one. There are other factors at play as well.

Say you have a Maruti Alto & put a high end racing tyre on it, its good but the extra money you paid could be better spent elsewhere.

 

[omega44-xt]

There is no point in going for a lower capacity drive if you can get a higher capacity one at similar price, especially if that will be the only storage option for your PC. Also, do not partition the SSD IMO.

Sent from my Poco X3 Pro using Tapatalk

I personally partition my primary 1TB SSD to keep OS drive separate, easier to format the OS partition. But not much point with 250GB SSD or lower.