Help me spec a build for my dad + any reasons to delay building system right now?

EdwardTeach

EdwardTeach

EdwardTeach

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I am planning to build my dad a pc soon.

This is just going to be my parents general use home computer. Their current computer feels annoyingly slow (prob 7-8 yr old) It will mainly be used for ms office, web based applications and general Internet. One of my brothers lives at home so it may get used for gaming a bit.

Working with a fairly large budget (£1000-1500), but I wouldnt want to waste money on anything that isn't needed.

My intention is to go for a 2500k sandybridge, and a nice ssd. I want the computer to feel fast and snappy as that is the whole idea behind the upgrade.

I was not intending to overclock at the moment, but the price difference between 2500 and the k editon is so small I thought I may as well leave my options open.

I will possibly put my 5850 in this build and my dad will buy me a new card, or I will just go for something like a 5770.

I am going to suggest at Dell UltraSharp U2410 Monitor, because I have heard great things about it and I like their pixel policy. I would be open to suggestions on monitors though as it is possible that my dad would prefer to go for something cheaper.

I could do with suggestions for a nice (non-gaming) mouse, Probably would like something from logitech. Again price is not an issue, if the mouse is worth it.

I could do with suggestions for a nice ssd. Read speeds more important than write speeds.

I was wondering if there was any reasons to hold of upgrading right this minute?

When are z68 boards expected? Am I correct in thinking that integrated graphics is disabled on p67 boards even when you are not overclocking? In which case z68 would be preferable, as I presume you will be able use the computer without a graphics card? (helpful if your card dies for example).

What are the latest rumours on the ati 7000 series?
Anything exciting happening with ssd's that is worth waiting for?
 
Is your current graphics card sufficient for current needs? Or are you wanting extra performance?

Also, what kind of games are you playing and what kind of settings are you using (do you want to pay extra for full or happy at moderate).
 
The Z68 boards are due in may, they allow overclocking and the use of the cpu built in gpu.

They also allow the use of graphics card along side the inbuilt gpu for extra ommph.

Come back in may for a spec.
 
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This is what I would recommend. It includes dual monitors (big difference for web browsing etc) a brand new card for your current setup which would allow you to use your existing card in this build. 120GB SSD for operating system + apps and 1TB HDD for storage.

You could have course choose to only have one monitor, a smaller SSD/HDD or wait until May for the new boards so you don't have to buy a new card (however, by the sounds of it; you probably want a new card ^^)

Hope this helps,
Oliver
 
Last edited:
Twin monitors for improved web browsing sounds interesting, how do you find it?

Any pics of your setup?
 
stulid said:
Twin monitors for improved web browsing sounds interesting, how do you find it?

Any pics of your setup?
Click to expand...

Was the pics question directed at me?

The twin monitors has been a huge improvment (obviously not JUST for web browsing) but it means I can have a game on one screen and browser on another, word document in one and browser in another.

Have two 22's at the moment but would have gone bigger if I had the money.
 
stulid said:
The Z68 boards are due in may, they allow overclocking and the use of the cpu built in gpu.

They also allow the use of graphics card along side the inbuilt gpu for extra ommph.

Come back in may for a spec.
Click to expand...

I guess I may wait for the z68's then. If they aren't much more expensive than the p67 then they seem a much better option.
 
oliver2601 said:
Was the pics question directed at me?

The twin monitors has been a huge improvment (obviously not JUST for web browsing) but it means I can have a game on one screen and browser on another, word document in one and browser in another.

Have two 22's at the moment but would have gone bigger if I had the money.
Click to expand...

I use two monitors at the moment, the main one is a 24" and the second one is 19". It can be very handy for work or web browsing, particulary if you are doing research or need to be looking at a log of docs at once. I have also used it to play games and watch a film/iplayer at the same time. I turn the second monitor off most of the time though as it really isn't needed.

I am fairly certain, my dad wouldn't like it though.
 
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