Need recommendations for new computer

[BAJ475]

Looking to put a new computer together for my brother. He is not a gamer and uses his computer for internet access, word processing and similar tasks. He has used AutoCad type graphic programs in the past and may do so in the future. His present computer uses an Intel I5 2500K processor with 16GB of memory running Windows7. This computer is becoming unstable and is crashing more than it should. I do not know if it is a HD, mother board or memory problem. But, the decision has been made to replace the computer. Should I be looking for an Intel or AMD based system?

He is in his mid 70s and has no patience when things do not work the way he thinks they should work. So, stability, reliability and speed are of top importance. My thoughts are a minimum of 32GB of memory and a mid level graphics card. What are your thoughts about the Intel Core i9-10850KA processor? What memory speeds should I be looking for? I have generally used Gigabyte MBs in the past. Do any of you recommend a different brand? If not or if so what are your MB recommendations?

[Uncivil Engineer]

Amd just launched their ryzen 5000 chips a couple of days ago. They are beating Intel on every metric. Even if you don't go with a newest chips the amd is still the better choice.


Check out pcpartpicker.com their system builder will find good deals and do a basic compatibility check.

[the86d]

If you need to compare between 2 procs, just Google:
"AMD Ryzen 7 2700X 8-Core vs i7 9700k", or
"AMD RYZEN 7 3800X 8-Core vs i7 9700k" no quotes, and click userbenchmark for a comparison.

Don't cheap out on the proc... get something toward the upper end if you want performance, which will last longer. If you absolutely can't afford a higher end proc, go with the newest socket you can, and upgrade the proc as you are able... or just later. 16GB of RAM should be plenty for MOST non-gamers, and plenty for even running a side-chick VM on occasion, for a non-power user...

I upgraded my AMD Phenom x4 to an Phoenom2 x6 7-8 years after I built the computer, because I went with the latest CPU socket at the time, and it lasted a few more years until the board finally died. 10-12 years was a hellofarun, never going into power-save mode (disabled) for my longest run ever, and the newest processor for that socket went down in price substantially when I finally did it, since the time I built the rig... MSIs are what I always run with for my rigs, but my son had an Asus last 5-6 years.

Get the fastest non-overclocked bus speed RAM the board supports.

[Cowboy T]

Agreed on the AMD Ryzen. There are versions of the Ryzen with built-in AMD/ATI video like Intel's been doing for years, but with the better AMD/ATI performance. If he's doing CAD, you'll want a discrete video board with more oomph, but it's about time AMD started doing this.

However, with DRAM, I've always believed, from experience, "go big or go home". This is how I've been able to build computers over the last 25 years that have outperformed boxes with faster processors than mine. I would do that first before going with a top-end CPU and strangling it with low DRAM.

It's like Gale Banks says about power with turbodiesel engines: "first air, then fuel". The "air" here is the DRAM, and the fuel is the CPU.

So, I would go with at least 32GB of DRAM, preferably 64GB.

A good motherboard is essential. I would look for the maximum amount of PCIe slots, M.2 storage slots, and USB 3.x storage ports. Likewise for DRAM expandability; at current technology levels, it's best to get a mobo that supports up to 128GB for future expandability. Most motherboards these days have plenty of SATA ports, so that shouldn't be an issue in real-world terms. ASRock is a good bargain brand that actually does very well; I've used them. I also like MSI, Gigabyte, and of course, ASUS.

Storage should now be one of those new M.2 solid-state varieties for at least the OS and applications. If he can afford enough M.2 storage for everything (i. e. including user data), then that's even better, but a solid-state SATA drive for the user data would also be a vast speed improvement over the traditional platter-type. Now, for archival storage, platters are still best due to the price/terabyte.

Also, consider running a more stable OS than Microsoft Windows. I find Ubuntu very easy and comfortable to use, and I'm hardly alone. It "just works" for me.

[67Cuda]

If your brother is in his 70's, make it simple and get a Dell.

Other than that, I like Asus MB's and Intel processors.

[The War Wagon]

Craigslist.

[Jorvaljr]

As everyone listed above, AMD offers the best bang for the buck. This really shouldnt be complicated though. In this day and age, most motherboards are sufficient. I have built lots of pcs this year and used every brand of motherboard and havent seen any issues. Personally this is what i would suggest you look at building.

-Cpu: ryzen 3600
-Motherboard : any brand that is B450 chipset
-Memory: 2 sticks of 16gb of corsair
-Power supply: 500-650 watts. Evga, corsair, thermaltake
- storage : i would clone or copy the important files and install a SSD drive. The motherboard will have m.2 slot for that type of SSD or you can use your current drive but the hard drive may be what is causing your issue.
-Graphics card: gtx 1660ti, rtx 2060 super, 2070 super.
-Case: depends what size of motherboard.

[the86d]

Since we are on M.2's... a 512GB 970 PRO Samsung SSD these days is only like $165+TX!!!

Max Sequential Read Up to 3500 MBps
Max Sequential Write Up to 2300 MBps

[sonofeugene]

If he's going to run CAD programs, find out which ones and look at their sites for recommendations. I run Solidworks and run it on a very high end Lenovo laptop.

[tigerpan]

Any 800 dollar desktop will do anything him wants.

https://slickdeals.net/f/14404076-hp-omen-obelisk-desktop-i5-9400f-16gb-ddr4-512gb-ssd-gtx-1660-ti-699-99-micro-center?src=SiteSearchV2Algo1