[Recommendation needed] PC for Office use

[ashtray]

Hi all,

What would you guys configure for a PC for office use? Perhaps some light gaming (FB games?) from time to time but primarily for work (some graphic work and other regular stuff) .

Looking to have fast boot up, file transfers and ample storage space.

Importantly it has to be reliable with good warranty support for parts.

Will 1.8k and below (incl. at least a 23" monitor) be enough?

Was thinking of getting either a Asus or Lenovo laptop at first... but after reading the Asus support...

Now deciding to do a DIY PC or get a Lenovo laptop..

Thank you all!

 

[royfrosty]

What are the main applications that you are using in office. That will count the most.

 

[ashtray]

What are the main applications that you are using in office. That will count the most.

The usual browsers, Chrome & Firefox (I load a lot of tabs though). Paint.net, Microsoft Office, Foxit PDF, Adobe PDF, notepad++ and play some FB games at best.

Might get Photoshop soon.

Thanks!

 

[kurt111494]

The usual browsers, Chrome & Firefox (I load a lot of tabs though). Paint.net, Microsoft Office, Foxit PDF, Adobe PDF, notepad++ and play some FB games at best.

Might get Photoshop soon.

Thanks!

Looks like Photoshop may be the more demanding one. I don't think you need a 1.8k budget though, it seems a bit too much >.<

 

[deepblue_82]

yea... 1.8 abit too high..
i think about 1.2-1.5 should be ok ordy...

fast boot? ssd a must ... 128gb+1tb hhd
maybe get a simple gfx...
a 23" led...
win 7 for me... win 8.1 not too good.. i feel..
some i5 will do...

that is what i feel.. feel free to add or change

 

[royfrosty]

1.8k too high.

Those dont really need anything.

MSI H81M E33 + i5-4460 ~ $308
Crucial 8gb 1600mhz Value Ram x 2 ~ $67
WD Purple 2tb ~ $124
Samsung EVO 850 250gb ~ $175
Powercolor r7 260X 2gb Turbo Duo ~ $166
Xigmatek 400w 80+ Bronze PSU ~ $60
Coolermaster Elite 361 Slim Chassis ~ $55
LG DVD Drive ~ $21
Windows 8.1 OEM Pro 64bit ~ $35 (g2a.com)

Total ~ $1011. Buy at tradepac. DIY

 

[ashtray]

Thanks for the recommendations.

Out of curiosity, why WD purple drive? Reliability?

How much would it usually cost to assemble the set up? I have not assembled anything since early 2000...

 

[royfrosty]

Thanks for the recommendations.

Out of curiosity, why WD purple drive? Reliability?

How much would it usually cost to assemble the set up? I have not assembled anything since early 2000...

There is not much difference in DIY though. Your skills should be able to assemble the current standards.

WD are slightly reliable than other brands. That's what i know. But however it is still a mechanical drives, and it is bound to have either mechanical or reader failure.

Green is the slowest among all, being an Eco drive. 2tb onwards, only Purple, Black, Green and Red has it. Blue only 1tb.

 

[ArcticCheetah]

1.8k too high.

Those dont really need anything.

MSI H81M E33 + i5-4460 ~ $308
Crucial 8gb 1600mhz Value Ram x 2 ~ $67
WD Purple 2tb ~ $124
Samsung EVO 850 250gb ~ $175
Powercolor r7 260X 2gb Turbo Duo ~ $166
Xigmatek 400w 80+ Bronze PSU ~ $60
Coolermaster Elite 361 Slim Chassis ~ $55
LG DVD Drive ~ $21
Windows 8.1 OEM Pro 64bit ~ $35 (g2a.com)

Total ~ $1011. Buy at tradepac. DIY

Too high end already lah.
Office i3 2 core 4 thread good enough.
Graphic card integrated can already.
Why you all keep giving him gaming config?

 

[royfrosty]

Too high end already lah.
Office i3 good enough.
Graphic card integrated can already.
Why you all keep giving him gaming config?

Not gaming config. He mentioned getting photoshop.

Considering that it needs a physical 4 cores and also a entry card.

 

[ArcticCheetah]

Not gaming config. He mentioned photoshop.

Considering that it needs a physical 4 cores and also a entry card.

No need lah Photoshop 2 core 4 thread can already lah
PSU no need so gd as well just get those OEM reliable ones like ACBEL no branded ones.
ACBEL lasted me more than 4 years rusty but still working.
You must understand that you buy for branding as well if you don't care about branding you can save a lot.
There are cheaper alternative not listed on the pricelist.

 

[royfrosty]

No need lah Photoshop 2 core 4 thread can already lah
PSU no need so gd as well just get those OEM reliable ones like ACBEL no branded ones.
ACBEL lasted me more than 4 years rusty but still working.
You must understand that you buy for branding as well if you don't care about branding you can save a lot.

Nope disagree.

http://www.techspot.com/review/972-intel-core-i3-vs-i5-vs-i7/

Read more on i3-i5 on CS needs. I wont hesitate to recommend an i5 instead of dual core with hyper thread.

As for PSU, its not about going out for OEM brands like acbel. It doesnt hurt to pay a little more for a brand that carries in more warranty period over OEMs, it was meant to be a work office, not something that cost savings. You skimp on PSU and the next thing TS looses all his save works if lets say the PSU happen to fry things up. Im not saying it isnt good for OEM brands like Acbel to do PSU. But more on a warranty support as the PC is used for a long period of time.

EDIT: Give you lah, you wanna save on PSU and go OEM. How much more can you save? $30? On the entire rig that cost not that much either?

 

[ArcticCheetah]

Nope disagree.

http://www.techspot.com/review/972-intel-core-i3-vs-i5-vs-i7/

Read more on i3-i5 on CS needs. I wont hesitate to recommend an i5 instead of dual core with hyper thread.

As for PSU, its not about going out for OEM brands like acbel. It doesnt hurt to pay a little more for a brand that carries in more warranty period over OEMs, it was meant to be a work office, not something that cost savings. You skimp on PSU and the next thing TS looses all his save works if lets say the PSU happen to fry things up. Im not saying it isnt good for OEM brands like Acbel to do PSU. But more on a warranty support as the PC is used for a long period of time.

EDIT: Give you lah, you wanna save on PSU and go OEM. How much more can you save? $30? On the entire rig that cost not that much either?

You know in those benchmark that 15s will not really matter in real life.
What I mean is that ACBEL is a very little heard name because they do PSU under other brands BUT they are very reliable
Only difference is that package and the rating certification but reliability is there, just don't go for those $20 PSU those has a difference in quality.

 

[royfrosty]

You know in those benchmark that 15s will not really matter in real life.

It does. That 15sec relate to only 1 job done. Imagine you got a queue of job load how?

Anyway TS. This topic has been a ongoing thing last time when Ark Law our forumer builds a specific photoshop needs.

Might wanna read here and how we ended up finding out a proper CS rig.


http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/hardware-clinic-2/[diy]-photoshop-rig-specs-4899761-6.html


Basically the highest clocked i5, an insane amount of rams you can fit, and lastly any entry level GPU to do the job.

 

[ashtray]

Thanks for all the info guys.

Last but not least, if getting Win 8.1 Pro, Bitlocker or Veracrypt?

 

[ArcticCheetah]

You see Photoshop is not a batching application, it is like office most of the time it is waiting for user input so that 15s will not matter a lot. Unless you are doing a compute application, then that time saved can accumulate to real time savings.

It does. That 15sec relate to only 1 job done. Imagine you got a queue of job load how?

Anyway TS. This topic has been a ongoing thing last time when Ark Law our forumer builds a specific photoshop needs.

Might wanna read here and how we ended up finding out a proper CS rig.


http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/hardware-clinic-2/[diy]-photoshop-rig-specs-4899761-6.html


Basically the highest clocked i5, an insane amount of rams you can fit, and lastly any entry level GPU to do the job.

 

[royfrosty]

Thanks for all the info guys.

Last but not least, if getting Win 8.1 Pro, Bitlocker or Veracrypt?

Just get original from g2a.com and onself load in USB thumbdrive.

 

[royfrosty]

You see Photoshop is not a batching application, it is like office most of the time it is waiting for user input so that 15s will not matter a lot. Unless you are doing a compute application, then that time saved can accumulate to real time savings.

Nvm. You have your points and i have mine. But this is so far not gonna benefit anything for TS. Let TS decide. And i can say it is not something that it is meant to be super cost savings, while TS budget is there. And an i5 rig everything at 1k is more than sufficient to even give it to TS to build one. It does not seems anything more convincing to even pull down the entire budget to just fit what it seems like either.

So leave it as it is.

So far we all here will recommend an i5 anytime over an i3 for such applications. And our stand is clear. Not unless someone is using so minor things on photoshops that requires no standards then may be. Else the stand for an i5 still remains IF the budget permits. Which in this case, a lot.

 

[kaixax555]

I would agree with Roy, would go for an i5 than an i3 at this point.

Since he has the budget to work with he can go for an i5. One might say it is not very obvious, but when your photo edits get bigger, it would be helpful to get more powerful processor and more RAM.

Source: me (I do edit really large photos lol)

 

[avsquare]

+1

Aku touch Lightroom and PS day in day out. Having a good processor matters.