Pc build for my Mum

MoridinUK · 11 Sep 2025 at 20:32

I need to build a pc for Mum!

She doesn't need much just something new, good for office workloads only. But she wants to run two monitors. I had though about just using a cpu with integrated graphics but I'm unsure I can run two different displays that way?

Anyone got any suggestions?

Was basing my ideas around this:

My basket at OcUK:

1 x Asus Prime B650-Plus WIFI (Socket AM5) DDR5 ATX Motherboard (SKU: MOT-ASU-04537) = £119.99
1 x AMD Ryzen 5 7600X Six Core 5.30GHz (Socket AM5) Processor - Retail (SKU: CP-3DG-AM) = £169.99
1 x Kingston FURY Beast 16GB EXPO (2x8GB) 5600Mhz DDR5 CL36 Dual Channel Kit - Black (SKU: MEM-KNG-02339) = £52.99
1 x WD Blue SN580 1TB SSD NVME M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 Solid State Drive (SKU: STO-WDC-00540) = £46.99

Total: £389.96 (includes delivery: £0.00)

Tetras · 11 Sep 2025 at 20:41

MoridinUK said:
She doesn't need much just something new, good for office workloads only. But she wants to run two monitors. I had though about just using a cpu with integrated graphics but I'm unsure I can run two different displays that way?

Anyone got any suggestions?

The integrated graphics in any modern PC should have no trouble with running two monitors, but the outputs on these boards can be very limited.

I'd take a look at Gigabyte's B850M D3HP, it has 2x DP and 1x HDMI.

For CPU, the 7600X is alright, but the 7600 is cheaper and includes a cooler in the box. The 8500G is another option and good on power, though the performance is limited and the connectivity (PCI-E lanes, primarily) is far more restricted than full-fat CPUs like the 7600/7600X (review here).

I'd strongly recommend you get 32GB of memory for the relatively small increase.

Quartz · 11 Sep 2025 at 21:02

MoridinUK said:
I need to build a pc for Mum!

Take a look at the NUC boxes by Intel / Asus. My mother loved hers. So small and cute.

NUC Mini PCs - All Models｜NUCs｜ASUS United Kingdom

you can select Displays / Desktops which is most suitable for you according to the product features, specifications or price, and view detailed product information.Then also compare different products or add favorite item to your personal list in Displays / Desktops product list of ASUS "NUC...

www.asus.com

MoridinUK · 12 Sep 2025 at 07:45

Currently the 7600x is just £9 more than the 7600!

Quartz said:
Take a look at the NUC boxes by Intel / Asus. My mother loved hers. So small and cute.

NUC Mini PCs - All Models｜NUCs｜ASUS United Kingdom

you can select Displays / Desktops which is most suitable for you according to the product features, specifications or price, and view detailed product information.Then also compare different products or add favorite item to your personal list in Displays / Desktops product list of ASUS "NUC...

www.asus.com

They are, I'm not sure she'd like it though...

MoridinUK · 12 Sep 2025 at 07:46

Tetras said:
The integrated graphics in any modern PC should have no trouble with running two monitors, but the outputs on these boards can be very limited.

I'd take a look at Gigabyte's B850M D3HP, it has 2x DP and 1x HDMI.

For CPU, the 7600X is alright, but the 7600 is cheaper and includes a cooler in the box. The 8500G is another option and good on power, though the performance is limited and the connectivity (PCI-E lanes, primarily) is far more restricted than full-fat CPUs like the 7600/7600X (review here).

I'd strongly recommend you get 32GB of memory for the relatively small increase.

The gigabyte is on pre-order...

and the 7600x is just £9 more right now!

MoridinUK · 12 Sep 2025 at 08:03

So now I'm wondering about am4 but I really feel that deadlocks the system for later improvements?

My basket at OcUK:

1 x WD Blue SN580 1TB SSD NVME M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 Solid State Drive (SKU: STO-WDC-00540) = £46.99
1 x TeamGroup Vulcan 32GB (2X16GB) DDR5 PC5-44800C36 5600MHz Dual Channel Kit - Black (FLBD532G5600HC36BDC01) (SKU: MY-0BB-TG) = £79.99
1 x Gigabyte B550M DS3H (AMD AM4) B550 Micro-ATX Motherboard (SKU: MB-5BR-GI) = £73.00
1 x AMD Ryzen 5 5600 Six Core 4.4GHz (Socket AM4) Processor - Retail (SKU: CP-3D2-AM) = £89.99

Total: £290.00 (includes delivery: £0.00)

or £410 for AM5... Not sure if it's worth it?

MoridinUK · 12 Sep 2025 at 08:05

Quartz said:
Take a look at the NUC boxes by Intel / Asus. My mother loved hers. So small and cute.

NUC Mini PCs - All Models｜NUCs｜ASUS United Kingdom

you can select Displays / Desktops which is most suitable for you according to the product features, specifications or price, and view detailed product information.Then also compare different products or add favorite item to your personal list in Displays / Desktops product list of ASUS "NUC...

www.asus.com

I'm looking at this, I'd need to buy storage and memory for it and fit it right?

darkwildchild79 · 12 Sep 2025 at 08:07

definitely a nice setup...i agree with the increase of ram for real to have some future head room, if the price is right.

Rob_B · 12 Sep 2025 at 08:10

A mini PC is a good shout, GMKTec and others do N100/N105 based machines for well under £200 that would likely be enough for this usage as well as some Ryzen or better Intel chips for about the £200 mark.

£120 gets you
N100
16GB RAM
512GB SSD
Dual HDMI

mickyflinn · 12 Sep 2025 at 08:34

MoridinUK said:
So now I'm wondering about am4 but I really feel that deadlocks the system for later improvements?

My basket at OcUK:

1 x WD Blue SN580 1TB SSD NVME M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 Solid State Drive (SKU: STO-WDC-00540) = £46.99

1 x TeamGroup Vulcan 32GB (2X16GB) DDR5 PC5-44800C36 5600MHz Dual Channel Kit - Black (FLBD532G5600HC36BDC01) (SKU: MY-0BB-TG) = £79.99

1 x Gigabyte B550M DS3H (AMD AM4) B550 Micro-ATX Motherboard (SKU: MB-5BR-GI) = £73.00

1 x AMD Ryzen 5 5600 Six Core 4.4GHz (Socket AM4) Processor - Retail (SKU: CP-3D2-AM) = £89.99

Total: £290.00 (includes delivery: £0.00)

or £410 for AM5... Not sure if it's worth it?

No graphics unless you get a G variant CPU.

5600g 5700g

StarShock · 12 Sep 2025 at 11:06

+1 for a mini pc. Beelink and minisforum do a number of decent ones with ram and storage from about £150

Tetras · 12 Sep 2025 at 12:52

MoridinUK said:
The gigabyte is on pre-order...
and the 7600x is just £9 more right now!

It isn't, OCUK don't sell it. And sure, the 7600X isn't much more, but no cooler means you'll have to buy one.

MoridinUK said:
So now I'm wondering about am4 but I really feel that deadlocks the system for later improvements?

My basket at OcUK:

1 x WD Blue SN580 1TB SSD NVME M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 Solid State Drive (SKU: STO-WDC-00540) = £46.99

1 x TeamGroup Vulcan 32GB (2X16GB) DDR5 PC5-44800C36 5600MHz Dual Channel Kit - Black (FLBD532G5600HC36BDC01) (SKU: MY-0BB-TG) = £79.99

1 x Gigabyte B550M DS3H (AMD AM4) B550 Micro-ATX Motherboard (SKU: MB-5BR-GI) = £73.00

1 x AMD Ryzen 5 5600 Six Core 4.4GHz (Socket AM4) Processor - Retail (SKU: CP-3D2-AM) = £89.99

Total: £290.00 (includes delivery: £0.00)

or £410 for AM5... Not sure if it's worth it?

You can't fit DDR5 to AM4.

Capitano · 12 Sep 2025 at 13:43

Maybe can just go for a mini pc with integrated graphics

adrichardson81 · 15 Sep 2025 at 14:41

I went the mini PC route for my sister's last build. Plus side, the whole thing hung off a vesa mount. Minus side, it didn't support Windows 11 and obviously can't be upgraded.

I'd go for AM5 to give yourself a bit of future proofing and plan the build around her case preferences