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Spec for Win 8.1 Office workstations

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  • Office 2013
  • Workstations
  • Components
  • Office
Last response: in Components
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June 1, 2014 10:28:00 AM

Need to put together a spec to build a few Office workstations whose main job is to run Win 8.1 & Office 2013 but have got a bit behind with my knowledge of current hardware at the moment. Would appreciate a few suggestions as to where to start.

Only clues I have so far are:

  • AMD CPU with built-in GPU, as long as has DVI out
  • Long lasting and reliable PSU, say Seasonic 550W
  • Say 22" monitor, maybe 24" if budget will stretch to it
  • SSD drive 128Gb - will backup system to a removable USB HDD


  • Other than that don't really know where to start. For example are there any barebones available to do the job of is it best to build from scratch. If so which Mobo manufacturer is most suitable to use to make reliable workstations? Many years ago I used to use Asus but stopped that after some support issues, then went to Gigabyte but after a while they let us down by not doing updated drivers for later OSs that were needed.
  • More about : spec win office workstations

    June 1, 2014 10:37:02 AM

    Why do you "Want" Win 8.1?

    I like 7
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    June 1, 2014 10:43:29 AM

    anonymous1 said:
    Why do you "Want" Win 8.1?

    I like 7

    I have found 8.1 a bit more snappy than Win 7. Ignoring the Metro interface shite it does actually run Office 2013 a bit faster than Win 7.
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    June 1, 2014 11:35:24 AM

    Hi

    550 watt psu is overkill if no graphics card (good brand though)

    Many would consider SSD overkill for office duties
    Are pc's linked to network server?
    If not is 128GB may be small if any video data on local drives

    If a business , school or charity then maybe buy from Dell or similar with a 3 or 5 year service contract

    Obviously SSD reduces startup time and very good for laptops & tablets
    less important for desktops ( SSD has no risk of damage if vibration or impact while in use)

    Not sure which are best motherboard manufacturers there many good companies and a few less reliable companies

    Updated new operating system drivers seems to be more important for laptops than desktops

    Regards
    Mike Barnes
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    June 1, 2014 1:10:48 PM

    mbarnes86 said:
    Hi

    550 watt psu is overkill if no graphics card (good brand though)

    Many would consider SSD overkill for office duties
    Are pc's linked to network server?
    If not is 128GB may be small if any video data on local drives

    If a business , school or charity then maybe buy from Dell or similar with a 3 or 5 year service contract

    Obviously SSD reduces startup time and very good for laptops & tablets
    less important for desktops ( SSD has no risk of damage if vibration or impact while in use)

    Not sure which are best motherboard manufacturers there many good companies and a few less reliable companies

    Updated new operating system drivers seems to be more important for laptops than desktops

    Regards
    Mike Barnes


    Thanks for your comments Mike.

    Ok so maybe smaller PSU if that will suffice.

    SSD may sound like overkill but running Office 2013 from a HDD is so much slower, I hope an SSD will speed this up.

    PCs all linked to central storage so nothing much required locally apart from Windows, Office and a few other applications.

    Nick
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    !