What is a good desktop for a college English Professor?

MisterNguyen

Honorable
Aug 29, 2016
55
0
10,540
Hi!

My wife recently got a full time job at a 4-year University, and her birthday is coming up on the 23rd of this month. I want to buy her a nice, fast desktop for her work; she'll be doing a lot of grading online, etc, so she'll need something that will support at least two monitors. Does anyone know a good desktop? This is the one I'm currently looking at on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JAEXIFA/ref=nav_timeline_asin?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I'm looking to put down at least $600 for a nice desktop. I'm looking for something with a quad-core processor, at least 8GB of RAM + (she likes to stream movies on Netflix and Amazon), and an SSD or a Hybrid drive (I want it to boot fast!).

Any recommendations would be great!

Thanks!
 
Solution


Question would you mind building it yourself? Also that amazon computer is ok but already a bit older and for being nice and fast and responsive I recommend an actual ssd not a sshd hybrid.
 

MisterNguyen

Honorable
Aug 29, 2016
55
0
10,540


Hi Jaslion,

I wouldn't mind building one myself, but I'm no expert at putting one together; I had my buddy put my gaming rig together. And I kind of want it soon, so I can surprise her with it. What would you recommend for the custom build desktop? I'm willing to put down $600 for one.
 


https://pcpartpicker.com/list/3PPrcc
CPU: Intel Core i5-6400 2.7GHz Quad-Core Processor ($174.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: *ASRock H110M-HDS Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($39.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill NT Series 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($45.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: *PNY CS1311 480GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($109.99 @ Best Buy)
Case: Thermaltake Versa H15 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: *EVGA 450W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($38.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $444.82

It's better and will last you longer. It also has better integrated graphics. I picked that case because it was cheap and looked nice but if you don't like it feel free to change it. Don't forget you'll need about 100 still for windows unless because your wife is a college teacher she can get a free copy of windows due to certain institutions handing that out as a basic work necessity. If you don't like something feel free to tell me and I'll change. Same for questions feel free to ask me.
 
Solution

MisterNguyen

Honorable
Aug 29, 2016
55
0
10,540


Awesome! Thanks!
 

Cubsfan15

Commendable
Aug 21, 2016
53
0
1,640


FYI I want to build a computer soon and that specific case is out EVERYWHERE. I suggest getting this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352039&cm_re=micro_atx_fractal-_-11-352-039-_-Product

as it is similar, but if that specifc case comes back in stock somewhere, definitely get it.
 

Silverbear

Honorable
Feb 24, 2015
593
0
11,360
Spend $100 more and get better quality components, much better case and a be quiet! CPU cooler for totally silent operation:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6400 2.7GHz Quad-Core Processor ($174.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: be quiet! PURE ROCK 51.7 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($31.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI B150M Pro-VD Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($62.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury Black 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($57.45 @ Jet)
Storage: Crucial MX300 525GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($124.99 @ Jet)
Case: Fractal Design Define S ATX Mid Tower Case ($65.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec EarthWatts Green 380W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($42.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $561.28
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-12-03 17:49 EST-0500
 

budgy

Honorable
Sep 20, 2013
210
1
10,690



I don't know much about computers but assembling a computer is an easy and rewarding experience (I've built 4 so far). Tom's Hardware forums, instruction manuals that comes with the parts, and Youtube are great tools to help you build your computer. I'm sure your wife will be pleased by a gift built by her husband.