What is your minimum processor for basic (non-gaming) desktop?

[Conroe]

A 2.4 ghz C2D, 2 gb and win7.

 

[Zodiark1593]

Guys an office machine is not for surfing or watching youtube videos. There is something about work you have misunderstood. Its not about a fluent facebook page.

An slow ssd is a must then and as a min core duo and 2 gig so it can run win7. Can handle google and facebook ad backend

Hell, for office use, I'd make sure the 3d hardware can't be used at all, then underclock the cpu (1-1.5 GHz) for less power use and less fun. .

It doesn't take a 2 GHz processor to run a word processor, and most excel files we use here. I would add a small SSD though. PC boots up faster which means would-be slackers can get to work faster and shut them down later. Basically nettops for our basic users.

Our Solidworks users though can have the prestige of using a fast computer and acess to 3d hardware.

 

[piasabird]

A lot should depend on how long you keep your computer before you upgrade next time. I often keep a computer running for 5 years or more.

Even with a standard use PC, I want to be able to stream HD video with possible Ultra HD video or 4k in the near future. I also want to be able to do a lot of multi-tasking, with 5 or more websites, or other resources like e-mail (Outlook), Database, Word, Excel, Scanning, Abode, etc. all open at once with multiple monitors.

So I would want at least 3ghz processor with 4-6 megs of cache.

I know some people try to get by with lower end CPU's, but I never approach choosing a CPU with the minimum standards. I most always have wished I had chosen a faster processor with more RAM and more cache than I purchased. So I try to keep that in mind and just spend more money.

 

[bbhaag]

AMD Turion 64 x2
4gb of ram
240gb SSD

I use it everyday and it's ok. A little sluggish at times though especially when unpacking rar archives but the SSD helps.

 

[escrow4]

AMD Turion 64 x2
4gb of ram
240gb SSD

I use it everyday and it's ok. A little sluggish at times though especially when unpacking rar archives but the SSD helps.

Just reading that . . . . . .

 

[VirtualLarry]

Just reading that . . . . . .

Yes... but, probably faster than my N2830 Atom dual-core laptop with 500GB 5400RPM HDD.

 

[bbhaag]

Just reading that . . . . . .

It's not my main computer. It's my sofa side laptop. I use it to browse, check emails, and post to the Usenet. Just general stuff while I tune in and out on whats on tv.
The OP asked what the minimum for basic tasks was so I answered the question.....:shrug:

 

[aaksheytalwar]

Core i3 Sandybridge
Or Core i5 first gen,

8GB DDR3 1600+

Onboard gpu.

250-500 GB SSD

 

[jihe]

ThinkPad R60. C2D 1.83ghz, 3g ddr2, win7 x32, uxga screen, works great!

 

[ArisVer]

It's interesting that this group of enthusiasts that is on the whole fairly well versed in PC hardware has such a wide range of answers on this question. A poll might be an more illustrative way to follow up on the subject.

Indeed a poll is necessary considering the answers that are ranging from a E5xxx to an i5. The OP asked for a minimum though and NOT WHAT YOU LIKE TO USE or what you are using.

 

[jihe]

man, thats why i dont get it when they come out with these crap celeron chromebooks and everyone says "man, wif a chromebook dat all you need". no, cuz web pages these days require faster than 1.4 ghz cpus

What webpage these days need is adblock.

 

[DeathReborn]

Indeed a poll is necessary considering the answers that are ranging from a E5xxx to an i5. The OP asked for a minimum though and NOT WHAT YOU LIKE TO USE or what you are using.

I agree, also maybe a clarification on what tasks the machine would be for as many are confused as to the definition of basic desktop.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Xeon X5690, lga 1366

 

[BSim500]

What webpage these days need is adblock.

^ This. Some sites are so cr*ppy and laden down with +50-100 Javascripts / "social" frames they'll load & render faster on a Pentium with Adblock, Disconnect, Noscript, etc, than an i7 without.

 

[cbn]

Correct, but the LGA775's chipset only supports IDE SATA (no AHCI), some no SATA II, plus obsolete, slow Intel integrated graphics card (you can put in a PCI graphics card, but you will make it 2x more expensive than getting one of Sandy Bridge processor with built-in GPU). Also doesn't compete well for 2015 anymore (maybe in 2013 and before). I favor the Celeron G460 more. Plus, you can still buy new LGA1155 boards.

Some of the Core 2 Pre-builts don't have a way to set the SATA controller to AHCI (even though the chipset supports it). Some folks have written that enabling RAID gives the features found in AHCI desirable for an SSD (but I need to read up on this more).

As far as the iGPU goes all three of my Core 2 Pre-built desktops have GMA 3100 iGPUs (via Q33, Q35 and G31 chipsets). So far this iGPU appears to work well enough (though currently two of the machines are using dGPU for gaming and the need for additional video outputs). My Dell Optiplex 755 with E6550 and GMA 3100 smoothly plays 1080p youtube in the chrome browser. For some reason Firefox has trouble though. My Dell Optiplex 360 with Xeon E5440 and GMA 3100 has no trouble with 1080p youtube using firefox.

EDIT: I disabled two cores on my E5440 Xeon (2.83 GHz dual core with 6MB cache remaining) and I had no problem with 1080p youtube when using the GMA 3100 iGPU in Firefox.

EDIT 2: Dell Optiplex 755 with E6550 and GMA 3100 now confirmed to play 1080p youtube smoothly with Firefox.

 

[Puffnstuff]

I think that a core i3-4130 should be the minimum cpu if going intel and the one I have turns a 7.2 in the WEI. I keep it as a spare just in case my 4790k should ever fail so I can get my pc back up.