Spec me PC for internet, office and music

madindehead · 11 Nov 2009 at 22:49

Hey guys,

I need you to help me spec a new system for my girlfriend's dad.

The system will be used to browse the internet, some general office work (Word, Excel) and storing music. The monitor for this PC will be a 40" Samsung TV.

The budget is between £300-400. And he needs an OS.

Show me what you can come up with. A MiniITX system would be great, if it could fit in the budget.

Thanks guys

PermaBanned · 11 Nov 2009 at 22:54

For that budget you could do better if you didn't have to spend so much on an OS. For EVERYTHING you've listed Linux would be a far better option...

cmndr_andi · 11 Nov 2009 at 22:56

This is £4 over (when delivered). If you went for a midi tower instead of M-ITX I could get it well within your budget for the same performance.

Unfortunately the case and M-ITX board are out of stock on OCUK. However, the componets I specified are very good - I suggest getting hold of them somehow.

You could go for an atom system, however I have used on of these (Dual core Atom) and I found it a bit sluggish - a Pentium Dual core system will be much faster, even for everyday things like office apps and internet browsing.

PermaBanned · 11 Nov 2009 at 22:57

I don't see the need for m-ITX really if you're not going to move it around. It just means using products from questionable manufacturers and have somewhat inadequate cooling.

Would be better with a newer CPU like an E6600.

madindehead · 11 Nov 2009 at 22:58

Superewza said:
For that budget you could do better if you didn't have to spend so much on an OS. For EVERYTHING you've listed Linux would be a far better option...

Linux for someone who doesn't know a lot about PCs isn't a great idea I don't think.

cmndr_andi said:
This is £4 over (when delivered). If you went for a midi tower instead of M-ITX I could get it well within your budget for the same performance.

Unfortunately the case and M-ITX board are out of stock on OCUK.

Thanks for that andi. Would the graphics on that mobo handle going to an such a big display ok?

cmndr_andi · 11 Nov 2009 at 23:01

madindehead said:
Thanks for that andi. Would the graphics on that mobo handle going to an such a big display ok?

I have used that motherboard's integrated graphics chip to play a blu-ray on a 1200p monitor - so yes it is more than powerful enough. I suggest connecting it via HDMI.

madindehead · 11 Nov 2009 at 23:04

cmndr_andi said:
I have used that motherboard's integrated graphics chip to play a blu-ray on a 1200p monitor - so yes it is more than powerful enough. I suggest connecting it via HDMI.

Awesome. Well, a non ITX system would be good to see also. If anyone could russle one up. I'm not at sticking to low budgets

(also, all the different LGA775 chipsets confuse the hell out of me).

cmndr_andi · 11 Nov 2009 at 23:10

Here ya go, m8. The performance of this should be a touch better (due to the faster CPU) and the integrated Graphics are again more than sufficient for your TV. You can play 1080p video if you so wish.

Again, the motherboard is out of stock on OCUK, but it is the best option imho.

madindehead · 11 Nov 2009 at 23:14

Thanks again andi. Legend.

PermaBanned · 12 Nov 2009 at 12:40

madindehead said:
Linux for someone who doesn't know a lot about PCs isn't a great idea I don't think.

I'd really have to disagree with that, since you're less accustomed to Windows there'd be less habits to break. Besides, anything of the same generation as Ubuntu 9.10 is just as easy to use - if not easier. It's well worth considering.

SfnX · 12 Nov 2009 at 12:41

netbook...tadaaa

PermaBanned · 12 Nov 2009 at 12:43

Considering they want to use it with a 40" screen...

madindehead · 20 Nov 2009 at 17:47

Superewza said:
I'd really have to disagree with that, since you're less accustomed to Windows there'd be less habits to break. Besides, anything of the same generation as Ubuntu 9.10 is just as easy to use - if not easier. It's well worth considering.

He is used to using Windows, so changing now it NOT a wise move.

SfnX said:
netbook...tadaaa

Not great for storing music exactly

PermaBanned · 20 Nov 2009 at 21:32

So? Use Mint... it's not a huge step away. In fact, it's more intuitive. At least show them... that money could be used to make it a hell of a lot better. Wasn't there an experiment where some people showed off Fedora at a shopping centre somewhere and called it the next version of Windows. Most people believed them

madindehead · 20 Nov 2009 at 22:53

I would Superewza, but I don't live near my girlfriend for a start. I would need to learn how to use Mint first. And then explain it to her dad. Something I sadly don't have time for.

Muel · 21 Nov 2009 at 10:48

cmndr_andi said:
http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/8131/334tower.png

This! But, I'd be tempted to have a go at this: http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18068218

I really wouldn't go with Linux, I tried my Dad with it and it was a complete none starter. No doubt all of the issues we had with it could have been solved with a few months messing about, but I just went back to windows in the end.

Please note to anyone who's going to tell me off now, I love Linux, I love everything about it, the concept and the way there is so much to play with. BUT, from a consumer point of view, it's not an every day solution. People like my Dad don't have time to mess about searching for drivers or trying to get thumbnails for images in file explorer, they want to turn the computer on and access the internet.

It's getting a lot better and I'm sure one day they will get it good enough for consumers, but it isn't there yet.