Office Computer

[Jimbob 2705]

Hi All,

I'm looking at a build for a new office computer which will be used for the following tasks :

• Emailing
• Internet
• Word Processing
• Couple of easy programs (Nothing difficult to run)

Now I'm looking for a computer which will be quick and hopefully not need upgrading in the near future.

Currently using a very old HP which is about 7 years old, but its starting to get slow and unresponsive so could need updating!

I should point out The current computer has only got 44GB space used, hence the small SSD. (Most information is on a server)

Here's my specification so far :

Case
STYLISH PIANO BLACK ENIGMA MICRO-ATX CASE + 2 FRONT USB
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i5 Quad Core Processor i5-4690 (3.5GHz) 6MB Cache
Motherboard
ASUS® H81M-PLUS: Micro-ATX, LG1150, USB 3.0, SATA 6GBs
Memory (RAM)
4GB KINGSTON DUAL-DDR3 1600MHz (1 x 4GB)
Graphics Card
INTEGRATED GRAPHICS ACCELERATOR (GPU)
1st Hard Disk
120GB Samsung 840 EVO SSD, SATA 6Gb/s (upto 540MB/sR | 410MB/sW)
1st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
24x DUAL LAYER DVD WRITER ±R/±RW/RAM
Memory Card Reader
INTERNAL 52 IN 1 CARD READER (XD, MS, CF, SD, etc) + 1 x USB 2.0 PORT
Power Supply
CORSAIR 450W VS SERIES™ VS-450 POWER SUPPLY
Processor Cooling
INTEL STANDARD CPU COOLER
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Wireless/Wired Networking
10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT (Wi-Fi NOT INCLUDED)
USB Options
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 4 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Operating System
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit w/SP1 - inc DVD & Licence (£79)
Office Software
Microsoft® Office Home & Business 2013 (1 License & Disc) (£159)
Anti-Virus
NORTON ANTI-VIRUS 2014 - 1 Year Licence for 1 PC (£12) *SPECIAL*
Monitor
BENQ GL2250HM LED 21.5" 1920 x 1080, 5MS, HDMI, D-SUB, DVI-D (£99)
Keyboard & Mouse
LOGITECH® MK270 WIRELESS KEYBOARD & MOUSE COMBO (£22)
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour) (£5)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 7 to 9 working days
Quantity
1

Price: £782.00 including VAT and delivery.

Unique URL to re-configure: http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/quotes/intel-home-office-pc/_9BheQxDYA/


Here's a few questions regarding it :

Firstly, and most importantly, how does it look?

Roughly how long will this setup last?

I ideally want a ATX Micro case as it will go ontop of a desk, so size is an issue.
The issue with the Micro Case is that I can't fit a CPU Cooler - do I need one?

Finally, I haven't put in a graphics card as the computer won't have any gaming, and very little video watching. Will the inbuilt graphics be good enough? I hear the graphics on the 4th Gen Itel is quite good...

Any help would be very much appreciated!

Many Thanks,

James

 

[WelshOsprey]

I am looking for a similar machine but also for watching HD video and live sports streaming. The spec I have put together is very similar to yours. I am defintely not a techie when it comes to PC's but from the feedback I've received regarding mine, your spec will be more than enough for what you want it to do.

 

[keynes]

Firstly, and most importantly, how does it look?

For your intended use an i3 should do the job. If you are not planning to add a dedicated graphics card a 350w PSU should be plenty.

Roughly how long will this setup last?

difficult to tell but I would assume similar to the hp if you are not doing anything demanding.

The issue with the Micro Case is that I can't fit a CPU Cooler - do I need one?

if you are not stressing the CPU no. I would try to push for the zalman t4 case

Will the inbuilt graphics be good enough?

for your intended use yes

 

[Jimbob 2705]

For your intended use an i3 should do the job. If you are not planning to add a dedicated graphics card a 350w PSU should be plenty.

difficult to tell but I would assume similar to the hp if you are not doing anything demanding.

if you are not stressing the CPU no. I would try to push for the zalman t4 case

for your intended use yes

Thanks for that. The reason I chose the i5 4690 over the i3 4360 is that I thought for an extra £50 I'd have a noticeable difference in the performance of the computer...so not worth doing?

Reason I chose 450w was if I decided to add a graphics card at a later date, which is doubtful but could happen.

I would like to go for the Zalman T4 but the issue is that it won't hold an internal card reader - which is quite an important feature for me.

I'm guessing a better case would offer better cooling? Maybe I'll look at finding a case elsewhere and sending it in...could be an option.

Many Thanks for the help!!

 

[keynes]

You wouldn't get a noticeable improvement in performance between the i3 vs i5 for the tasks you indicated.

 

[Jimbob 2705]

You wouldn't get a noticeable improvement in performance between the i3 vs i5 for the tasks you indicated.

Ok - that's that solved then, it's looking like i3.

When would you notice the extra difference between i3 and i5?
I'm just thinking you can get the Quad Core i5 4460 over the Dual Core i3 4360 for only £18. Is it really not worth doing?
Would it affect the life span of the computer?

What I'm trying to say was if I was going to spend an extra £50 on a computer, would the Processor (CPU) be the best to spend it on?

Many Thanks

James

 

[keynes]

Since it is a small difference in price I would go with the i5. You will notice the difference when running applocat

 

[Jimbob 2705]

Just need to get a case sorted then - any recommendations?

Does the internal card reader fit in a 5.25" or a 3.5" slot?

Budget is around £50 (excluding VAT) and it needs to be fairly compact (used on a desktop), have decent cooling/airflow, good protection from dust and hold both a DVD drive and card reader.

That leads me onto my next question, regarding dust - the office can get quite dusty at times and in the past when I have taken apart the computers to clean I have found a lot of dust in there.

Is there anything I can do to help stop this? I assume a decent case will be a start?

Many thanks

James

 

[Karnor00]

Does the internal card reader fit in a 5.25" or a 3.5" slot?

I'm fairly sure it's a 3.5" slot.

That leads me onto my next question, regarding dust - the office can get quite dusty at times and in the past when I have taken apart the computers to clean I have found a lot of dust in there.

Is there anything I can do to help stop this? I assume a decent case will be a start?

The Zalman T4 case comes with dust filters, which will help stop the fans sucking dust into the computer. But it's always worth giving the computers a clean with some compressed air every so often to combat dust build up.

 

[Jimbob 2705]

Make me an Office Computer

Just wondering what specification you guys would go for with a budget of £800, I'd preferably spend less if possible.

Just a few things which must be noted :

Be a full build - monitor, keyboard, etc
Must have Microsoft Office Business Edition
The computer only currently has 44GB on it at the moment, so I'm thinking a 120GB SSD should be suffice
Must have an internal card reader and DVD writer/reader

Besides that its all up to you.

Just a few things it will be used for :

- Emailing
- Internet
- Word Processing
- Couple of easy programs (Nothing difficult to run)

It will have a few programs open, and I don't know how strenuous the latest Microsoft Outlook is with about 25,000 emails on it.

Many Thanks,

James

 

[keynes]

Morning James,
it would be better to stick to one thread so others don't repeat the advice you have been given already. Same advice as before i3 and 4gb ram.

 

[Jimbob 2705]

Morning James,
it would be better to stick to one thread so others don't repeat the advice you have been given already. Same advice as before i3 and 4gb ram.

Thanks Keynes - I just thought a couple of people may build one up

I'm still tempted to go for the i5, just for the sake of an extra £50...I want this PC to last at least 5 years so at only £10 per year it's not much when you look at it that way...

Would you say that over a long length of time the i5 would be performer better, or more likely to handle the modern software? Just if it will last longer or more likely to it's well worth the money in my eyes

 

[A314159]

^ spend to the point where you hit the sweet spot for price to performance now. Then, do the same again when you need a new pc. If you don't need the extra power, why pay for it now when it will be significantly cheaper in a few years?