Need advice on PC build

D

drnaphtali

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Hi Guys,

Currently I have the following PC build ->
CPU: i5-2500k
MOBO: Asus P8Z68-M Pro Micro-ATX (R1772) http://www.wootware.co.za/asus-p8z68-m-pro-lga1155-micro-atx-desktop-motherboard.html
RAM: G.Skill F3-12800 2x4GB 1600 Sniper
HDD: Adata 120GB S511 SSD
& 1TB WD Caviar Black
Monitor: 2x S24A350H 24" LED (R2150 each) http://www.wootware.co.za/samsung-s24a350h-led-24-wide-desktop-monitor.html

The PC is for office use. I am unsure about the MOBO & the monitor? Are those recommended items for the price?

I would appreciate any feedback, thanks.

Regards,
Leon
 
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D3x! said:
for office use :eek:

what kind of work are you doing :/
Click to expand...

I reckon the price difference between a cheapish CPU like an i3 and this CPU is so small I'll pay abit more and get the better one. The extra expensive items are the 2x monitos and the SSD, but I defenitately want these. I might get a cheaper Seagate 1Tb Hdd though.

***Added links
 
drnaphtali said:
I reckon the price difference between a cheapish CPU like an i3 and this CPU is so small I'll pay abit more and get the better one. The extra expensive items are the 2x monitos and the SSD, but I defenitately want these. I might get a cheaper Seagate 1Tb Hdd though.

***Added links
Click to expand...

besides for the lack of a GPU this looks like a decent gaming PC to me :eek:
 
CPU, mobo, RAM seem overkill. Perhaps elaborate on 'work' so as to receive better build suggestions?

If the cash is there, then by all means go ahead... Nice PC.
 
PostmanPot said:
CPU, mobo, RAM seem overkill. Perhaps elaborate on 'work' so as to receive better build suggestions?

If the cash is there, then by all means go ahead... Nice PC.
Click to expand...

that is what i was asking as to me it also seems like a huge overkill, granted if he can afford it then do what he wants
 
D3x! said:
that is what i was asking as to me it also seems like a huge overkill, granted if he can afford it then do what he wants
Click to expand...

I might be wrong, but my feeling is that I might save something like R1,500 on the CPU & Mobo if I go cheaper? The ram is dirt cheap.

Its really just for extensive Word editing (writing a large book) & then watching some movies maby. I currently have some core2 laptop which is incredibly slow...I do not want this problem again soon.

I do not know alot about the current monitors & wondering if those 2 monitors are the best for that price range?
Also, how is that Motherboard??
 
Getting an i5 2500k isn't overkill for an office PC if you're running servers and things on your PC.

The RAM that you got is overkill. For an office PC DDR3 1333MHz would do just fine. Rather get more RAM than faster RAM. Like I made the mistake of going for DDR3 1600MHz, and now I'm stuck at just 8GB of RAM since all of my slots are filled with 2GB modules.

The 2500k is very good, but my colleague's 2500k simply can't keep up with my i7 860 that I'm overclocking when we're doing server load tests.

I would recommend the following if you're going to run multiple Virtual Machines:
Intel Core i7 2600k CPU
Intel Z68DB motherboard
AData 120GB SSD
Any 1TB hard drive that you can find for under R800
4x 4GB DDR3 1333MHz

That Intel Z68DB motherboard is pretty cool. Like my 1 colleague is running 4 screens in total: 2 from that motherboard and 2 from a GTS250.

Update:
Seeing that you're just going to do simple word processing, you won't need more than the following:
Intel Core i3 2100
2x 4GB DDR3 1333MHz RAM
Intel H61/H67 motherboard, depending on whether you want USB3 + SATA3
Adata 60GB SSD + Cheap 1TB HDD or Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB * It all depends on whether you need to open files & applications fast or not

Now you still need a decent (yet cheap) PSU + case + Windows license.
 
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drnaphtali said:
I currently have some core2 laptop which is incredibly slow...I do not want this problem again soon.
Click to expand...

A core2 should not be slow for office use (the things you listed). Maybe it just needs a format & reinstall + some extra ram.
 
Depending on the Core2 Duo CPU, it could be just as fast as a new Sandy Bridge Core i3 CPU for most tasks. The E7xxx and E8xxx series CPU's are still quite fast for word processing.

A format + reinstall + new RAM + SSD might be all you need.
 
Hi guys,

Thanks for the great advice. Will ask the seller to give me an updated quote so that I can compare.

What do you think of the monitor(s)??
 
ponder said:
A core2 should not be slow for office use (the things you listed). Maybe it just needs a format & reinstall + some extra ram.
Click to expand...

What he said. Seriously don't waste your money on that rig.. put it in a savings account and get a new PC when you ACTUALLY need one.

Unless you're loaded, then.. by all means! (Given that you're writing a book this seems unlikely?)
 
If it is for work, consider swapping two monitors for one 27" dell u2711 IPS panel. It will cause less eye strain, and most likely be a more practical solution than two widescreens (depending on the user).
 
If your going to use it for writing and watching the odd movie I'd suggest getting a prebuilt OEM i3 (i3 2100,2GB DDR3 1333,500GB HDD, PSU+chassis ~ R3600) rig along with a decent display. For day to day word processing/browsing ect it's almost overkill as the sandy bridge Pentium rigs will be just fine.

Just don't expect 120fps 1080p gaming from an i3.
 
drnaphtali said:
Hi guys,

Thanks for the great advice. Will ask the seller to give me an updated quote so that I can compare.

What do you think of the monitor(s)??
Click to expand...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TFT_LCD#Types

Those are TN LCD panels. TN is dying a slow death. But if you never see one you wouldn't know. (LCD TVs are IPS/PVA panels which explains their much improved colours and viewing angles).

Go for LG iPS236V S-IPS LCD panel. 8-bit colour per pixel against 6-bit of TN LCD leading to excellent colour accuracy, wide viewing angles (important for multi monitors), deeper blacks, etc.

Can be had for ±R2,650. You'd have to speak to your seller to see if they can get it at that price, otherwise you'll be paying around R3k.
 
PostmanPot said:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TFT_LCD#Types
Go for LG iPS236V S-IPS LCD panel. 8-bit colour per pixel against 6-bit of TN LCD leading to excellent colour accuracy, wide viewing angles (important for multi monitors), deeper blacks, etc.
Click to expand...

Is this the same monitor?

http://www.wootware.co.za/lg-ips236v-pn-23-led-with-ips-technology-1920x1080-d-sub-dvi-hdmi-desktop-monitor.html

That one is only an IPS, not the S-IPS you specified (whatever that is :D) but otherwise the same model number?

Thanks for the great help and advice!
 
PostmanPot said:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TFT_LCD#Types

Those are TN LCD panels. TN is dying a slow death. But if you never see one you wouldn't know. (LCD TVs are IPS/PVA panels which explains their much improved colours and viewing angles).

Go for LG iPS236V S-IPS LCD panel. 8-bit colour per pixel against 6-bit of TN LCD leading to excellent colour accuracy, wide viewing angles (important for multi monitors), deeper blacks, etc.

Can be had for ±R2,650. You'd have to speak to your seller to see if they can get it at that price, otherwise you'll be paying around R3k.
Click to expand...


I'm pretty sure the lg is an eIPS, which is also 6bit/color. But it is still A LOT better than any TN panel... I'm never buying a TN panel again
 
Your PC is too powerful for office use. Offices normally dont need more than a Dual Core processor and 2gb of RAM, and onboard Intel Graphics.
 
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