Spec for £550

jimmy_uk · 13 Jan 2007 at 18:18

Need whole new system, with XP Pro (or would XP MCE be better) and excellent 15"/17" LCD for £550 inc. VAT.

Will be used for web design and database work, sometimes we have 10-12 applications (mainly IE/Dreamweaver) open at the same time.

Any advice and specs will be apprectiated

masslac · 13 Jan 2007 at 18:30

Will onboard graphics be OK? That way you *might* be able to get a C2D system, then have the option to buy a graphics card later if you feel the need.

jimmy_uk · 13 Jan 2007 at 18:33

Would consider on-board graphics.

How big a difference in performance is their between on-board and a cheap dedicated GFX card?

furnace · 13 Jan 2007 at 18:35

Web Design... IE ...

*grumble standards mumble useless grumble groan grunt*

Can you add any more to that budget at all?

This lot is about £550 excluding P&P.

You could exclude the graphics card if you want, as I think the S3 has on board graphics.

17" Monitor
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MO-050-HY
£125.71

CPU E4300 (in stock 22nd Jan)
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-142-IN
£117.49

Motherboard Gigabyte S3
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-063-GI
£84.59

RAM 1GB DDR2 5300
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-083-CS
£85.76

PSU Enermax Noisetaker (unsure on the quality of these though, you must always get a good quality PSU)
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-005-EN
£44.64

ATI X1300 Graphics Card (is ok, not "good" though to be honest)
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-128-SP
£58.74

Case Asus
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-004-AS
£25.84

Keyboard
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=KB-088-LG
£6.45

Mouse
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=KB-015-LG
£5.86

masslac · 13 Jan 2007 at 18:36

Condsiderably, for apps that will actually utilize it. From what youy say, though, it sounds like you probably will not.

Edit: The above system looks nice, though if you're going to buy a vid card I would strongly suggest an extra £30, wll will stretch you to a 7600GT.

Also I would go for this RAM. http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-011-OK

furnace · 13 Jan 2007 at 18:36

jimmy_uk said:
Would consider on-board graphics.

How big a difference in performance is their between on-board and a cheap dedicated GFX card?

Huge... massive. But for office work you would be OK with on board, I'm pretty sure office apps and web development tools don't make much use of the graphics card

jimmy_uk · 13 Jan 2007 at 18:49

Would love to spend more on a decent spec but as we need two new PCs the budget of £550 (£1100 for both) needs to include either XP Pro or XP MCE.

Sorry, should have included Firefox as well

masslac · 13 Jan 2007 at 18:51

Stick to on-board graphics then tbh. It'll be fine. Do upgrade the RAM to the kit I specified, though.

jimmy_uk said:
Sorry, should have included Firefox as well

Opera*

jimmy_uk · 13 Jan 2007 at 19:04

Does your spec above include XP?

Which would you recommend XP Pro or XP Media Centre?

furnace · 13 Jan 2007 at 19:10

Oh balls, yeah I forgot XP. I thikn you get it for about £65 now... OcUK will stock it. Get rid of the GFX card and you'll be able to afford XP, too, I think.

masslac · 13 Jan 2007 at 19:23

Seeing as you're not needing a vid card, I would replace the case and PSU with http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-048-AN tbh. That case is MUCH nicer, and the PSU just fine.

jimmy_uk · 13 Jan 2007 at 20:09

Would i get a better spec if i went with a AMD Dual Core system? Whats the difference in performance between Intel/AMD Dual Core?

I currently use a GeForce MX440 64MB GFX card im my home system, is this card better than going with onboard GFX in the new motherboard?

furnace · 13 Jan 2007 at 20:24

It's probably better than the onboard, yeah... but not a lot to be honest!

Intel Core 2 Duo is better than AMD, at the moment.

jimmy_uk · 14 Jan 2007 at 01:54

Just had a closer look at the spec above and i think it's missing Optical Drive, Hard Drive, Floppy Drive and Windows XP. If you add these items it'll take way over budget. Any further suggestions guys?