Which Processor?

My parents want me to build them a computer. It won't have to do much, since all they really need it for is internet and finances.

Could someone point me to a good budget processor?

AMD Sempron (based on Athlon64) should do a great job

OR...Go with a AMD or Intel Chip. Don't get the latest greatest! For example you can get a P4 2.8Ghz chip on the cheap. Same for AMD's line of chips.

The Sempron or the Celeron are just way too weak if you want them for gaming. I ordered a Dell 3000 with a Celeron 2.4Ghz chip. It is for my UPS Shipping computer at work. It is perfect for that. (I am using it to type this) But for gaming it is not what I own at home.

Actually the high end Semprons are basically remarked 754 pin Athlon 64's which are quite powerful, even for gaming. The lower end ones are remarked Athlon XPs, which still have plenty of punch for everything but the newest games.

Needless to say, any of these are fine for the basic applications you are talking about. Go with what fits your budget and put some extra money into making sure you have a reasonable amount of RAM (1GB would be nice), as they will see some real benefit from that when multi-tasking.

I prefer the AMD. But I still trust Pentium. I find that still reliable, because if I ever have a problem, I call, and get a quick response. Dunno if others do, but that's just me.

I perfer AMD (cheaper price / performance ratio) but intel will work just as well.
I would go with at least an Athlon 64 (939 pin) or if you can get an Athlon 64 X2 system (dual core) but it's going to cost money.

As long as you have a modern cpu, the video card is going to be biggest impact on performance. Cpu / Ram (as long as you have enough your fine) will then be secondary.

I have older Athlon 64 (Sempron are better then mine) and it runs great.

dude, did u read his post? he said his parents want an office pc.. not gaming pc with dual core cpu lol

Buy them a Dell. This way they can call THEM and not you when they start getting all of the issues they are going to have. I built a computer for my Dad, (he's 63) and every week I get a call saying, "My computer is doing this...is that normal, is there something wrong with it?" It gets to be a pain in the ***.

You really can't beat the price of a Dell when you are looking for an e-mail/web machine (especially if you find a coupon or special deal).

Dell = dependable and affordable. I prefer HP. But because I live down the street from Fry's, I bought their models. So whenever I feel like complaining about my computer, I take a nice walk.

For gaming: Athlon 64. For business/multiple applications open/etc.: Pentium 4. That's how I've always been taught. I'm not sure how much you're looking to spend, but if you do some googles for $800 PCs you'll find some nice articles & lists for what they recommend to build. Then you can tweak that for your needs (go to a lower processor and increase the RAM or harddrive, etc.). Also, I've always found www.tomshardware.com to be a GREAT site for computer tips, articles, and reviews.

they way i see it get them a pentium because im assuming theyre not big gamers, and pentuims are better fit for just everyday things on the computer.

Or like lexrst said buy a dell, cheap and decent customer service so they wont bug you, and any computer is fine for net surfing, my 6 year old gateway goes on the internet etc

If you are only going on the internet and doing financing, any computer within 5 years is decent. You only need roughly 800 MHz and 128MB ram for that.

i agree with LifeInfusion, but 256m ram for winxp, enough for office / internet pc

I wouldn't torture anyone by recommending only 256MB of RAM. The amount of page swapping (using hard drive as extra RAM) is unbearable with XP. It is SO much better to have 512 MB minimum.

most definately, more ram the better, specialy since their going to need anti-virus software and firewall...norton internet security gobbles up 50meg of usable memory just running, so anyhitng less that 512 is going to mean its slow doing stuff.

normally, i would say get a homebuild or indie store build for PCs, but if its just gona be a mom and pop home net machine, then a reasonable Dell will be fine....and buying form a gang like them, means that the owners will be able to get THEM to work it, like the others say....just make sure they dont get you buying that 5 year isureance thing, it SUCKS, cause after about 1 year or even 2 at the most, even mom and pop are gona want to update a little, and the 5 year thing is pants as the machines tend to bellyflop after 2 years of everyday use.

also, reminde them to turn the central heating off or at least down in the room, and not to leave it on standby or screansaver all night ^^ that burns them out, and though us game heads know these basic things *sometimes* ^^ the average pearant and grey net jockey sometimes thinks they are just a fancy TV