Office Build help

[andrey64]

Hi everyone.

My dad wants me to build him a computer for his office. He currently has a 8 year old Dell pc computer. That thing sucks and is just slow.

He wants something to work for the next 5-10 years for sure.

Price: approx $500

Since its not a gaming or anything of that sort he doesn't need a dedicated GPU.

I was thinking of getting an Antec Sonata II with 500w PSU because this case plus the PSU combo is really good deal.

Im confused on a few things.

1. which cpu should i throw in? i currently have a 3770k on my personal gaming build. He just need something that will run quick and responsive. i think integrated graphics will be good for him. I was interested in getting an AMD a8 3050 because of its eight core and good integrated graphics.

Which cpu should i get? sandy bridge? ivy?

2. SSD vs HDD?
- he doesn't save much files but since this computer is going to be used for the next 5-10 years a 128 gb M4 ssd might get filled up really quick. Is it worth getting an SSD or hdd.?

3. will 4gb be enough or just get 8gb?

Thank you!!!!
Also will be running all this on a samsung 23 1080p monitor.

Remember no gaming, just emails, smal programs and internet searching.

 

[g-unit1111]

1. which cpu should i throw in? i currently have a 3770k on my personal gaming build. He just need something that will run quick and responsive. i think integrated graphics will be good for him. I was interested in getting an AMD a8 3050 because of its eight core and good integrated graphics.

I'd seriously hesitate to recommend a Llano. Even if you use heavy powerpoint the Intel HD 3000 / 4000 is a far better setup than the integrated Radeon 6670 is on the Llano CPUs.

I was thinking of getting an Antec Sonata II with 500w PSU because this case plus the PSU combo is really good deal.

The PSUs built into cases for the most part suck. Antec includes a couple of good ones but that's usually very rare.

- he doesn't save much files but since this computer is going to be used for the next 5-10 years a 128 gb M4 ssd might get filled up really quick. Is it worth getting an SSD or hdd.?

Get an HDD for now, you can always add an SSD later on.

3. will 4gb be enough or just get 8gb?

Just get 8GB.

Try something like this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3450 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($194.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($87.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($41.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Antec One ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($24.97 @ Newegg)
Total: $529.46
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-09-07 14:39 EDT-0400)

If you want a low cost GPU try a Radeon 7750 or GTX 640.

 

[andrey64]

1. which cpu should i throw in? i currently have a 3770k on my personal gaming build. He just need something that will run quick and responsive. i think integrated graphics will be good for him. I was interested in getting an AMD a8 3050 because of its eight core and good integrated graphics.

I'd seriously hesitate to recommend a Llano. Even if you use heavy powerpoint the Intel HD 3000 / 4000 is a far better setup than the integrated Radeon 6670 is on the Llano CPUs.

I was thinking of getting an Antec Sonata II with 500w PSU because this case plus the PSU combo is really good deal.

The PSUs built into cases for the most part suck. Antec includes a couple of good ones but that's usually very rare.

- he doesn't save much files but since this computer is going to be used for the next 5-10 years a 128 gb M4 ssd might get filled up really quick. Is it worth getting an SSD or hdd.?

Get an HDD for now, you can always add an SSD later on.

3. will 4gb be enough or just get 8gb?

Just get 8GB.

Try something like this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3450 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($194.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($87.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($41.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Antec One ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($24.97 @ Newegg)
Total: $529.46
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-09-07 14:39 EDT-0400)

If you want a low cost GPU try a Radeon 7750 or GTX 640.

thats a good build you recommended but will the hd 3000 and 4000 be enough for everything an office build needs?

 

[g-unit1111]

thats a good build you recommended but will the hd 3000 and 4000 be enough for everything an office build needs?

Yeah assuming you're not going to be doing any heavy duty graphics work or multimedia editing, then you'll want to go with one of the low cost GPUs I listed.

 

[andrey64]

Yeah assuming you're not going to be doing any heavy duty graphics work or multimedia editing, then you'll want to go with one of the low cost GPUs I listed.

thanks g unit. your awesome. you have given me some of the best advice on these forums.

 

[andrey64]

Best answer selected by andrey64.