Desktop PC Home/Office spec

beardiedog

Hi, just considering a replacement for my 10-year-old Pentium 4 (2.93GHz) PC but not sure what spec would suit my needs.

I use it mainly for home/office so would like it to be able to run Office 2016 and to be reasonably future proof for the next few years at least.

I've identified a few but I think they may be a little too high spec for my needs:

Zoostorm Core i3-4170 Dual Core Desktop PC, 8GB RAM, 1TB HDD, Win 7, DVD-RW £269.99

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/262714779815?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Dell Vostro 3900 Desktop Intel Core i3 500GB Windows 7 Pro £349.97 (can be found cheaper than this)

http://www.tesco.com/direct/dell-vostro-3900-desktop-intel-core-i3-500gb-windows-7-pro-integrated-graphics/405-8081.prd?skuId=405-8081

Or should I go for a more up-to-date spec with something like an i3 6100 processor for a lot more money? Build quality would also be a factor.

NiftyDigits

Don't waste money and forget about future proof.

Some cheap models with a twelve month warranty here

Stick an SSD in as a boot drive and you'll be happy for years...including in the pocket.

beardiedog

Thanks. So many to choose from :think: :undecided

I want an Intel processor, so that reduces it down a bit and one that is quite a bit faster than my current processor and can cope with several applications open at the same time (say w/p, spreadsheet and d/b plus chrome and playing music). Maybe I should steer clear of the Celeron?

What do you reckon would be a suitable setup assuming the Zoostorm i3 in my OP is perhaps more than I require?

motorguy

I did similar - I got an i7 desktop Dell PC off a refurber on ebay for around £100.


I stuck in a cheap SSD drive though it wasn't really necessary.


I run Office 365 on it no problem, and use it for video conferences and teleconferences when I'm working from home.

NiftyDigits

beardiedog wrote: »

Thanks. So many to choose from :think: :undecided

I want an Intel processor, so that reduces it down a bit and one that is quite a bit faster than my current processor and can cope with several applications open at the same time (say w/p, spreadsheet and d/b plus chrome and playing music). Maybe I should steer clear of the Celeron?

What do you reckon would be a suitable setup assuming the Zoostorm i3 in my OP is perhaps more than I require?

Definitely no Celeron U

Pentium G2130 is ok.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Zoostorm-Pentium-G2130-Dual-Core-Desktop-PC-500GB-HDD-4GB-No-OS-DVD-RW-/262718863073

or this;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Zoostorm-Core-i3-3240-Dual-Core-Desktop-PC-500GB-HDD-4GB-No-OS-DVD-RW-/262718975340

a little better, but Grade 2.

Grade 1 here

Enquire with the seller the exact Motherboard fitted and let me know, before attempting to purchase an OS.

Stick a £40 SSD in as the boot drive and that should keep you going for a while.

Personally I spent £40 on an Optiplex 780 MT.

Cisco001

i3 6100 not worth the extra if you can get 4th gen cheaply.

The zoostorm you link is expensive.

If you don't mind refurb, £250 is enough for 4th gen i5
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Zoostorm-Core-i5-4440-Quad-Core-Desktop-PC-1TB-8GB-GT-740-Win-8-1-WiFi-/262719010828

Or if you need new, slower i3 4130, 4GB RAm is only £180. You can add another 4GB RAM for £20 yourself in future.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Zoostorm-Core-i3-4130-Dual-Core-Desktop-PC-1TB-HDD-4GB-Win-7-DVD-RW-WiFi-/262702072042

If you want to pay extra for better quality component, you probably need to assemble yourself or get custom-build and specify quality component. PC with i3 6100, 8GB RAM with decent quality component will cost you about £430 if you assemble yourself.

beardiedog

Thanks very much everyone for your advice

How about this one? It's new and has W7 Pro pre-installed.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/262713558976?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

beardiedog

NiftyDigits wrote: »

Grade 1 here

Enquire with the seller the exact Motherboard fitted and let me know, before attempting to purchase an OS.

Stick a £40 SSD in as the boot drive and that should keep you going for a while.

Personally I spent £40 on an Optiplex 780 MT.

Gigabyte GA-H61M-S2PV

beardiedog

^ Is this motherboard OK then and will I be able to install Windows 7 pro on it without any problems?

Thanks

beardiedog

Bumping for any further help and advice