Basic office PC

[Lizzy 68]

What would you suggest?

Needing to build a basic office PC at little cost as possible. Users use microsoft office for most of their duties, a terminal emulation software to access data from corp. mainfraim. Exchange corp. email, completing on line applications and viewing HR training videos.


Need advice on:

CPU
Motherboard
Memory
Hard drive
Power supply
Case
Video card
Monitor


Thanks

 

[tecmo34]

Welcome to Tom's Hardware...

What is your budget??

I would look at an AM3 build...

■CPU: AMD Athlon II X3 445 Rana 3.1GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Desktop Processor ADX445WFGMBOX
■Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-880GM-D2H AM3 AMD 880G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
■Memory: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL8D-4GBHK
■Hard drive: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F4 HD322GJ/U 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
■Power supply: CORSAIR Builder Series CX430 CMPSU-430CX 430W ATX12V Active PFC Power Supply
■Case & OS Combo: COOLER MASTER ELITE 335 and Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
■Video card: None... On-board will meet your needs without issues.
■DVD: ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM
■Monitor: ASUS VH222H-P Black 21.5" 5ms HDMI Widescreen Full HD 1080P LCD Monitor

 

[dalauder]

i3-build:

-CPU: <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.580871">i3-540 </a>
-Mobo: Included in above combo
-Memory: <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146748">Mushkin 2x2GB DDR3</a>
-Hard Drive: same (although I like the Spinpoint F3 1TB for personal use better)
-PSU: <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811148046">Logisys PSU/Case Combo</a>
-Case: Included from above
-Video Card: None...i3 integrated
-DVD: Same as tecmo34's build
-Monitor: <a href="http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7025296&CatId=2775">ACER G215H</a>

My CPU/Motherboard Combo costs $9 more, but is much better. My memory is a little slower, but $8 cheaper. My hard drive is the same. My PSU is worse, but will probably get the job done and this case/PSU combo saves you $47--or $27 if you get the rebate. My case is worse--but does that actually matter? The i3-540 processor has better integrated graphics. Same DVD. My monitor is $15 cheaper, $5 after rebate. I did not include Windows 7 Home Premium.

My build saves you $60 and costs $442 total + ~$99 for Windows 7. This includes shipping, but not tax and other fees. Typical builds people put together do not include Windows or a monitor in builds.

If I were building cheaply for myself, I would order the RAM, Case, & PSU tecmo34 recommended. I would prefer faster RAM for $50 for myself (DDR3 1600MHz CL9 or better) and also get a Samsung Spinpoint F3 hard drive from Amazon for $55.

 

[dalauder]

Wow, my links came out ugly. If money is the only concern, you actually come out cheaper with this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883108456
With a monitor for $480. The computer's $60 cheaper than the build I suggested and a lot worse.

 

[Lizzy 68]

Thanks for the help