CPU sweet spot

[Pinwig]

Anyone on here have a need to keep up to date with CPU speeds vs price?

I used to build my own machines but haven't had a need to for years now, however my Dad has asked me to spec him out a new home office PC as his is driving him nuts (Windows 7 generation). I'm trying to read up on what a good mid-upper speed CPU for a home office PC would be. He doesn't play games or owt, the most intensive software he uses is some light video editing and photo work. I just don't want to buy something under powered. He will get a massive boost changing to a solid state drive for the OS, but I need a CPU that will impress without going OTT.

I can look at CPU speed charts and the like, but I'm not sure where the sweet spot is currently.

[The Doctor]

LCARS should meet your needs.

-Ralph

[Pinwig]

Thank you.

I also see that for equivalent speeds - the AMD Ryzen chips are far cheaper. Like Passmark rate an i5-12400 as near identical to a Ryzen 5 5500, but there's £85 difference in the price. Are AMD chips okay to use? I've always gone Intel.

Ah right, I see. The Ryzen chips need a separate graphics card to use them, which puts the price much closer together. Hmm. Separate graphics card might be nice. I'd love to get him playing some strategy games again.

[The Doctor]

Have you tried running a Level III Diagnostic?

-Ralph

[KnightBeat]

A Ryzen 5 processor is fine for most tasks, including low-to-mid range gaming.

It's worthwhile to look at cheap Dell Optiplex i5 desktops on ebay. You can get a good office machine for £60-100.

[The Doctor]

Try accessing the ODN.

-Ralph