non gaming spec

[dan1987]

Need to build a new computer for my dad as his laptop has just about had it!

It needs to include everything apart from an OS as I have windows vista already. Was thinking around a 19" lcd, 2gb ram and probably around a E2160 processor which I will overclock.

There will be no games played on this so the graphics card will only need to be able to run vista and be capable of photoshop and video editing even though this is probably more processor and ram based.

Money isnt really an issue but since its only getting used for general things and the uses I stated above I dont want it to be a waste of money on un-needed high spec components.

What specs would people sugest for this?

 

[t31os]

How about this...

Asus GeForce EN7300TC 512MB DDR TV-Out/DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail Asus GeForce EN7300TC 512MB DDR TV-Out/DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail £25.99
(£30.54) £25.99
(£30.54)
Microsoft Laser Mouse 6000 - OEM Microsoft Laser Mouse 6000 - OEM £15.99
(£18.79) £15.99
(£18.79)
Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000 Keyboard (B2L-00005) Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000 Keyboard (B2L-00005) £11.99
(£14.09) £11.99
(£14.09)
Asus VW192S 19" Widescreen LCD Monitor - Black Asus VW192S 19" Widescreen LCD Monitor - Black £104.99
(£123.36) £104.99
(£123.36)
Samsung SH-S183ABEBN 18x18 DVD±RW Dual Layer Serial ATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM Samsung SH-S183ABEBN 18x18 DVD±RW Dual Layer Serial ATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM £16.50
(£19.39) £16.50
(£19.39)
Western Digital Caviar SE16 250GB 2500KS SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM Western Digital Caviar SE16 250GB 2500KS SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM £36.99
(£43.46) £36.99
(£43.46)
Intel Core 2 Duo E2140 "LGA775 Conroe" 1.60GHz (800FSB) - Retail Intel Core 2 Duo E2140 "LGA775 Conroe" 1.60GHz (800FSB) - Retail £45.99
(£54.04) £45.99
(£54.04)
GeIL 2GB (2x1GB) PC6400C5 800MHz Value DDR2 Dual Channel Kit (GX22GB6400DC) GeIL 2GB (2x1GB) PC6400C5 800MHz Value DDR2 Dual Channel Kit (GX22GB6400DC) £46.99
(£55.21) £46.99
(£55.21)
Asrock 4CoreDual-VSTA (Socket 775) PCI-Express/AGP DDR2 Motherboard Asrock 4CoreDual-VSTA (Socket 775) PCI-Express/AGP DDR2 Motherboard £39.99
(£46.99) £39.99
(£46.99)
Antec NSK4400 Mini Tower Case - 380W SmartPower PSU Antec NSK4400 Mini Tower Case - 380W SmartPower PSU £39.99
(£46.99) £39.99
(£46.99)
Sub Total : £385.41
Shipping cost assumes delivery to UK Mainland with:
City Link Parcel Next Day (Delivered Mon-Fri)
(This can be changed during checkout) Shipping : £12.95
VAT is being charged at 17.5% VAT : £69.71
Total : £468.07

or AM2 setup with onboard video....

Abit AN-M2 Micro ATX (Socket AM2) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard Abit AN-M2 Micro ATX (Socket AM2) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard £44.99
(£52.86) £44.99
(£52.86)
AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 3800+ 2.00GHz (Socket AM2) - Retail AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 3800+ 2.00GHz (Socket AM2) - Retail £37.99
(£44.64) £37.99
(£44.64)
Microsoft Laser Mouse 6000 - OEM Microsoft Laser Mouse 6000 - OEM £15.99
(£18.79) £15.99
(£18.79)
Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000 Keyboard (B2L-00005) Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000 Keyboard (B2L-00005) £11.99
(£14.09) £11.99
(£14.09)
Asus VW192S 19" Widescreen LCD Monitor - Black Asus VW192S 19" Widescreen LCD Monitor - Black £104.99
(£123.36) £104.99
(£123.36)
Samsung SH-S183ABEBN 18x18 DVD±RW Dual Layer Serial ATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM Samsung SH-S183ABEBN 18x18 DVD±RW Dual Layer Serial ATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM £16.50
(£19.39) £16.50
(£19.39)
Western Digital Caviar SE16 250GB 2500KS SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM Western Digital Caviar SE16 250GB 2500KS SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM £36.99
(£43.46) £36.99
(£43.46)
GeIL 2GB (2x1GB) PC6400C5 800MHz Value DDR2 Dual Channel Kit (GX22GB6400DC) GeIL 2GB (2x1GB) PC6400C5 800MHz Value DDR2 Dual Channel Kit (GX22GB6400DC) £46.99
(£55.21) £46.99
(£55.21)
Antec NSK4400 Mini Tower Case - 380W SmartPower PSU Antec NSK4400 Mini Tower Case - 380W SmartPower PSU £39.99
(£46.99) £39.99
(£46.99)
Sub Total : £356.42
Shipping cost assumes delivery to UK Mainland with:
City Link Parcel Next Day (Delivered Mon-Fri)
(This can be changed during checkout) Shipping : £12.95
VAT is being charged at 17.5% VAT : £64.64
Total : £434.01

Could do the Core2Duo setup with onboard but you'd save only £4 literally.... which i think is pointless....

Both specs could have cheaper mouse/keyboard and smaller hard drive, and of course you could skimp on the monitor a little....

 

[dan1987]

I'm likeing the core 2 spec there, its right along the lines I was thinking!

Is that motherboard any good as I would like to overclock a bit? Also would it be better to future proof a bit and get one of the low end dx10 graphics cards as this machine will be running vista?

 

[t31os]

You don't need a DX10 card to run Aero in Vista.

Regarding the board, it's not the best but should be fine, i assumed as it's for your dad overclocking wasnt essential.

Slightly more pricey board but should be a better for overclocking...
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-063-GI&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=565

And graphics wise if you really want a DX10 card then once of these should do you fine...
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-059-OK&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=912
or
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-156-SP&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=939

Though personally i'd stay away from Sapphire they have the worst customer service i have ever come across, a right pain in the butt for RMA...

 

[dan1987]

Regarding the board, it's not the best but should be fine, i assumed as it's for your dad overclocking wasnt essential.

After seeing how easy these chips overclock i thought I might as well get a lower end one and overclock it, I would hope to take the E2160 to around 2.4ghz without much trouble meaning its saved a lot of money over getting him a E6600.

Though personally i'd stay away from Sapphire they have the worst customer service i have ever come across, a right pain in the butt for RMA...

Gutted to hear that as I have just recently got a sapphire 2900xt! At the time it seemed like sapphire had the best rma reputation and thats why I got it!