Hi everyone, good to be back at Anandtech forums! It's been quite a while since I've built a PC, and I imagine some things have changed in terms of what's possible on a minimal budget. Our office PC has finally died, and I am looking to replace it with something dependable but affordable. I will use the outline in the sticky post to help. And any assistance is appreciated as always. It's been so long that I'm coming to Anandtech first to at least get some information from the best people possible, so that I can start the process.
1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
FYI I'm a residential Realtor. So we will use it for general office applications including web browsing, market analysis, google apps, microsoft office, some light photo, design, and video editing in photoshop (nothing too intensive), good amount of storage for photos and video content, and dual monitor setup. And I'd like it to be dependable and somewhat future proof for my needs.
2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
It's been a while so I'm not sure what is a realistic budget - may be cheaper or more than what I put here:
$ 500-700
Not wanting the greatest or to go beyond my requirements, but I don't want to sacrifice quality and dependability.
3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
USA
5. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.
Usually Intel, nVidia, WD guy, but honestly it's just because of familiarity. I'm open to other brands since I know it has more to do with the specific product than the brand.
6. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
Planning to build from ground up.
7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
Default
8. What resolution, not monitor size, will you be using?
Hmm, 1920x1080 I think. I might have to double check this one.
9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
Note that it is usually not cost or time effective to choose your build more than a month before you actually plan to be using it.
Soon if the price is right and build looks good.
10. Do you need to purchase any software to go with the system, such as Windows or Blu Ray playback software?
Just need Windows i.e. operating system.
Thank you so much ahead of time to anyone who reads this and responds with advice. Anandtech forums have always been very helpful, and I'm very grateful for it.
One last thing, I am open to a non-custom built or pre-built system. I love custom building PC's, but the primary goal here is an affordable, dependable PC that does what I need. If that can be accomplished more cheaply for just as good quality by not having to go custom, let me know. I will be back at some point to ask about custom building my next gaming PC since that one is crapping out on me too, though. Thanks again!
1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
FYI I'm a residential Realtor. So we will use it for general office applications including web browsing, market analysis, google apps, microsoft office, some light photo, design, and video editing in photoshop (nothing too intensive), good amount of storage for photos and video content, and dual monitor setup. And I'd like it to be dependable and somewhat future proof for my needs.
2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
It's been a while so I'm not sure what is a realistic budget - may be cheaper or more than what I put here:
$ 500-700
Not wanting the greatest or to go beyond my requirements, but I don't want to sacrifice quality and dependability.
3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
USA
5. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.
Usually Intel, nVidia, WD guy, but honestly it's just because of familiarity. I'm open to other brands since I know it has more to do with the specific product than the brand.
6. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
Planning to build from ground up.
7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
Default
8. What resolution, not monitor size, will you be using?
Hmm, 1920x1080 I think. I might have to double check this one.
9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
Note that it is usually not cost or time effective to choose your build more than a month before you actually plan to be using it.
Soon if the price is right and build looks good.
10. Do you need to purchase any software to go with the system, such as Windows or Blu Ray playback software?
Just need Windows i.e. operating system.
Thank you so much ahead of time to anyone who reads this and responds with advice. Anandtech forums have always been very helpful, and I'm very grateful for it.
One last thing, I am open to a non-custom built or pre-built system. I love custom building PC's, but the primary goal here is an affordable, dependable PC that does what I need. If that can be accomplished more cheaply for just as good quality by not having to go custom, let me know. I will be back at some point to ask about custom building my next gaming PC since that one is crapping out on me too, though. Thanks again!
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