New PC build for a friend?

Greetings. A friend is struggling with a laptop that is impossibly slow. I suggested she switch to a desktop instead. What configuration would you recommend? Her primary needs are web browsing, Photoshop, and similar software...

8 GB of RAM or 4?
An i5 processor?
A 120 GB SSD?
Should she get a 1 TB HDD or less?

She also needs a monitor.

Are any of the pre-built systems at Future IT any good?

Budget is up to 4 $0.00.

I forgot to mention she will need Windows as well.

$1001 (Assembly included at no extra charge)

+ You absolutely need this monitor
https://www.amazon.com/monitor/asus...3-169-15329351

$270

Total: $1270

I’d probably just pick out the parts individually and toss them in the cart:

1 x WD Caviar Blue 1TB SATA 3 WD10EZEX Hard Drive
1 x GIGABYTE 120GB SSD
1 x Patriot Elite DDR4, 2666Mhz, 8GB (2x4GB)HS
1 x MS HELIOS III midi tower case
1 x LG 22" LED IPS, 22MK430H, VGA, DVI, HDMI
1 x LC-Power LC500-12 V2.31, 400W, 80+ Bronze Power Supply
1 x AMD Ryzen 3 2200 g 1 x
1 x MSI A320M_PRO-VD, AM4, mATX motherboard

Total: $1188 Future IT

+ maybe add one front fan:

It might be smarter to find a cheaper Windows Key somewhere (maybe on eBay?)... but here's this:

EDIT: I think the monitor suggested above is actually the better way to go.

Heads up: they'll put the PC together for you at no extra charge in the shop.

Thanks for the builds. I’m leaning toward this Dell monitor. Would it actually work with these setups?

https://www.amazon.com/dell-monitor...4-1610-7613921

Peter Green said:

$1001 (Assembly included at no extra charge)

Plus, you definitely need this monitor
https://www.amazon.com/asus...3-169-15329351

$270

Total: $1270

Why that specific monitor? Would any other choice cause issues?

Or maybe this monitor:
https://www.amazon.com/lenovo-monitor/s?k=lenovo+monitor

Look, those monitors you linked are way outside the budget you laid out.
That Dell you pointed out is sitting at $1,700, while this other one is $1,300—but we only have $1,000 left over for the actual monitor.

The Asus monitor I sent over is $270 and honestly, it’s got the best IPS panel you’re gonna find for that kind of cash. Everywhere else, it's going for $417, but they've got it on sale at Best Buy for $270. That's exactly why I said it was a must-buy. (And yeah, just for the record, the pixel density on the Asus is slightly better than that Lenovo one at $433.)

As for how it actually looks? It’s way sleeker in person than it does in the photos, so don't sweat the aesthetics.
If you've decided to blow past that $1333 limit, just give me a straight answer on what your max number is. Then either me or some of the other folks here can hunt down something that actually fits.
Or, you could just pick out a few you think look cool, and we'll tell you which one is actually worth your money.

I can set aside extra budget for a monitor if necessary. I’ll look over some options and post them here. Thanks.

Since we're pulling components from Future IT, this looks like the final configuration. Does this work?

1 x WD Caviar Blue 1TB SATA 3 Hard Drive WD10EZEX
1 x GIGABYTE 120GB SSD
1 x Patriot Elite DDR4, 2666Mhz, 8GB (2x4GB)HS
1 x MS HELIOS III midi tower case
1 x LC-Power LC500-12 V2.31, 400W, 80+ Bronze Power Supply
1 x AMD Ryzen 3 2200 g 1 x
1 x MSI A320M_PRO-VD

We still need to pick a monitor.
She also needs speakers, a mouse, and a keyboard. Is there anything specific I should watch out for when buying those?

Nothing specific to watch out for, though maybe give it a feel if you get the chance.

For a mouse and keyboard combo, I’d suggest this. It’s a solid keyboard, won't break the bank, and comes bundled with a mouse (haven't personally tested the mouse, but it's probably fine).

https://www.amazon.com/logitech-mk120

If you prefer buying them separately, you can still grab that same keyboard—just search for "Logitech K120" on Amazon.

P.S. The guys over at Best Buy have some kind of error on their site regarding this keyboard, so skip them.

I am considering a few different monitors. My main priorities are minimizing eye strain, ensuring there is no flicker, and avoiding any glossy surfaces. Does anyone have a better recommendation within this price range?

I’d probably go with the first one... it seems to have everything, though I guess there isn't really a standardized way to measure how much eye strain you might actually deal with 😬

Asus still pulls ahead when it comes to the panel quality compared to that Dell.😁 But let’s be real, it’s not just about colors and raw performance—looks matter too, and there's no denying Dell wins on aesthetics.

Honestly, this third Dell is my top pick. Only problem? It'll absolutely wreck your bank account. $600 We're talking serious cash here.

Should I go with this Asus because of the eye-care tech, or stick with the Dell monitor?

https://www.amazon.com/asus...5-169-10847561

https://www.future-it.com/monitor-dell...%2D09/product/

Has anyone here actually used either of these monitors? I'd appreciate a few thoughts. Or better yet, suggest something else in this price range that I might have missed: $667.

Just get a Dell. Seriously. You’re getting a way better panel, much more accurate color reproduction, and higher resolution. If you're doing any photo editing, it’s a total no-brainer.

1440p on a 24" monitor—it might end up looking a bit too small for her...

Making the jump from a laptop to a 24" monitor. It’s gonna be just right.
That resolution on a 24" screen looks absolutely insane—the picture is crystal clear and ridiculously sharp.

Asus. Honestly, HD resolution is more than enough for that processor and GPU combo. Plus, you get those Bang & Olufsen speakers built-in, so there's zero need for extra desktop speakers. That Dell setup has a resolution that’s way too high for the average user; it’s overkill and won't even let you run most games at native resolution anyway. Sure, the Dell looks better and feels higher-end, but for a budget build? It just doesn't make sense.

darkowl72 said:HP. HD resolution is plenty for those specs. Plus, you get Bose speakers, so there's no need for external ones. That Dell screen is overkill for the average user—you won't be running any games at native resolution anyway. Sure, the Dell looks better and feels more premium, but for a budget build? It’s just wasted money...

We're talking about Photoshop and stuff here, not gaming. Running apps shouldn't be an issue.

I agree, the resolution might be high for a budget setup, but that's not necessarily a dealbreaker. Look, designers love the "Retina" standard on the iMac and Macbook Pro—which is even denser than what we're discussing. I think it makes sense; you can actually see the difference in sharpness compared to standard pixel density.