Best Desktop PC for my needs..?

ch3101

Hi guys, I'm currently looking to buy a PC to use for uni work and in a few years time use it working from home as well.

I study engineering so have to use a few large programs such as CAD, Abaqus, MatLab etc.

A chap I work with suggested I build my own but to be honest I would rather buy a computer that is ready made to give me peace of mind.

He reckons I need about 8gb RAM, 1TB Hard Drive, i5 or better processor....

My question is :

On a budget of up to £750, does anyone have any recommendations or even a suggestions of a place to buy such a computer?

Thanks

Knarf44

A bit like the often used analogy of asking what car you should buy. Everyone will have their own bias for particular makes/brands etc.

My advice will be to talk to a specialist company like Overclockers. They have been around for years and specialise in bespoke systems. Have a browse of their website at https://www.overclockers.co.uk and then give them a call to discuss your requirements.

S0litaire

Personally for CAD and MatLab i'd suggest stuffing in as much RAM as you can afford onto the board. Pair that with a good Graphics card and that will be the bulk of the cash and it will be fast.

As for the rest! get what ever CPU you can afford and a 1Tb drive.

Most of CAD and Matlab work can be offloaded to the Graphics GPU which will be a lot faster than your CPU. So you can save a bit by going for a slightly slower CPU.


The above is my suggestion and others will have their opinions. check the software's support site for suggested hardware...

ch3101

Knarf44 wrote: »

A bit like the often used analogy of asking what car you should buy. Everyone will have their own bias for particular makes/brands etc.

My advice will be to talk to a specialist company like Overclockers. They have been around for years and specialise in bespoke systems. Have a browse of their website at https://www.overclockers.co.uk and then give them a call to discuss your requirements.

Yes I realise that haha, I'm just making sure I have the correct specs to look for.
Is 1TB hard drive needed or would 500Mb be sufficient, I could always have general storage on a backup hard drive anyway?

I'll have a look at overclockers right now, thanks.

ch3101

S0litaire wrote: »

Personally for CAD and MatLab i'd suggest stuffing in as much RAM as you can afford onto the board. Pair that with a good Graphics card and that will be the bulk of the cash and it will be fast.

As for the rest! get what ever CPU you can afford and a 1Tb drive.

Most of CAD and Matlab work can be offloaded to the Graphics GPU which will be a lot faster than your CPU. So you can save a bit by going for a slightly slower CPU.


The above is my suggestion and others will have their opinions. check the software's support site for suggested hardware...

Okay, would 8GB be enough though or would you recommend getting 16 if I can?

I've had a look at a few Dells that have the RAM, CPU and windows 7 professional but only 500mb, again would I be able to just have an external hard drive for general storage or should I really get 1TB?

Dell optiplex is the computer we use in university, hence I looked there first

Messa

ch3101 wrote: »

Hi guys, I'm currently looking to buy a PC to use for uni work and in a few years time use it working from home as well.

I study engineering so have to use a few large programs such as CAD, Abaqus, MatLab etc.

A chap I work with suggested I build my own but to be honest I would rather buy a computer that is ready made to give me peace of mind.

He reckons I need about 8gb RAM, 1TB Hard Drive, i5 or better processor....

My question is :

On a budget of up to £750, does anyone have any recommendations or even a suggestions of a place to buy such a computer?

Thanks

I would suggest you listen to your friend as his recommendation is almost spot on. For your needs I wouldn't recommend less than a 1TB drive, even allowing for a 2TB for little extra cost.

http://www.ebuyer.com/540847-asus-cm6830-desktop-pc-cm6830-eu001s

http://www.ebuyer.com/516662-acer-aspire-xc-desktop-dt-sp5ek-021

danthemoneysavingman

Here's one just for fun: any good?
http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/medion-akoya-p6635-i3-3110-nvidia-gt630m-750gb-hd-8gb-ram-315-95-delivered-direct-1684677?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=10202013&utm_campaign=Daily%2BHot


sorry just noticed its i3 but hey ho ;-)

Mobeer

Sounds like you got decent advice. Given you effectively need a office PC I would go to Dell.

Mobeer

danthemoneysavingman wrote: »

Here's one just for fun: any good?
http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/medion-akoya-p6635-i3-3110-nvidia-gt630m-750gb-hd-8gb-ram-315-95-delivered-direct-1684677?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=10202013&utm_campaign=Daily%2BHot


sorry just noticed its i3 but hey ho ;-)

Now expired, and also a laptop processor built to run energy efficient rather than a higher performance desktop.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

your colleague is right.

Dell no go..

you need a fluent smooth system to run your programs which some are both cpu and ram load and graphics based.

as previously said a bespke system or custom built is the only guarantee that youll get what need for your money.

overclockers is one place to start give them a ring (I know! phone bill but for few mins on the phone to get you the right system will seem worth it)

i'm thinking youll need.

1.5-2TB harddrive.
16GB memory 2000mhz or higher
Intel i5/i7 3.2ghz processor or higher
NVidia GTX 650 TI or higher graphics card.
asus workstation motherboard.
with a 600watt PSU.

cram that into cheap tower.

I built a new system recently from overclockers.

my memory motherboard PSU and processor cost me £600. but I had a thermaltake armor bigwater case here anyway plus monitors and accessories.

ch3101

Such conflicting advice about dell, oh dear.

The main reason I was looking there was that the uni computers that run these programs are dell but the again, 8gb ram and 1tb from them costs a fair bit more than the acer and asus messa linked.

I'll give overclockers a ring tomorrow and ask their opinion/see what they can do.

What about operating system?

Is windows 8 fine or would 7 professional be better?