PC for office environment or HOW much PC is enough

[vaunull]

Hi Members,

 

I am looking to set up a new desktop computer (which I do every 5 or so years) and it just seems to get harder each time to find your way through the jungle of information out there. That being said, Thanks to Linus, youtube and this forum, I have managed to claw my way through much of it but am still left with some fairly important questions and would appreciate your input. There is oodles of information out there for gaming computers but I have not been very successful in finding much useful information for setting up computers for less demanding environments. Bear in mind I am one of those people with dangerous half knowledge so please bear with me. Any statements I make in here, add an invisible I THINK to the end.

 

The objective:

1. A FAST computer that will be reliable and not need upgrades or other work done to it for a few ears to come.

2. Good data security so as not to loose it all in a computer or HDD crash

3. As worry free as possible

 

The system usage:

1. Primarily word processing

2. Emails

3. Web based programs (for real estate office environment)

4. Maybe some occasional photoshop or Illustrator

5. uploading of pictures from camera to PC, sorting and renaming them.

 

 

What I think I would like:

1. MoBo: Gigabyte GA-Z97-D3H (seems to do all I need with room to spare)

2. CPU: Intel 4790K

3. SSD: 2 mirrored Samsung 850 EVO

4. PSU: Cooler Master V550 (According to Cooler Master Power Calculator, the recommended minimum for this setup is 267W)

5. Casing: Phanteks Enthoo Pro Full Tower

6. RAM Kit: Corsair Vengence 2X4GB

7. Onboard graphics should do just fine (I think)

 

My Biggest Question:

1. How much CPU is enough... ie, I want some overkill but I dont need a formula 1 racer on a go kart circuit and if non of the parts can keep up with teh CPU, not much point. I have done quite a bit of reading and gotten to the point where I am thinking that for $40 I can get the best 4th gen I7 why wouldnt I....?

 

Other Questions:

1. What is your general concensus about this setup?

2. Are things fairly balanced (am I likely to bottleneck somewhere)

3. Please add any comments and suggestions you might have .

 

Thanks a lot community!!!

 

And Linus, If you are reading this, If there is a way you could make an "As Fast As Possible" episode on deciding which CPU to buy for various setups or some guidelines in helping make that choice, that would be great. I saw (and liked) probably over a dozend episodes and you explained I3 vs I5 vs I7 and and Intel Buyers Guide and several other things but it didnt bring me closer to knowing what I would NEED as a minimum/good for an office environment setup ie how much is enough.

 

[Aytex]

are you going to be rendering

[Xayer]

are you going to be rendering

The system usage:

1. Primarily word processing

2. Emails

3. Web based programs (for real estate office environment)

4. Maybe some occasional photoshop or Illustrator

5. uploading of pictures from camera to PC, sorting and renaming them.

 

Unless it's 2D rendering, then I don't think he will

[WereCat]

That is a huge overkill PC for the needs you listed.

You should be fine with i3 along with using integrated graphics on it.

[vaunull]

Thanks for the  super fast replies!!

No rendering will be done.

The overkill is relating to the CPU obviously (I think), the Samsung SSDs I think we all agree will give big speed advantages even in every day computing and that is the goal, programs, OS all loads a lot faster. Would anyone dare a suggestion as to what processor I should look at with the other hardware? Even amongst the I3s and I5s there are Ss and Ts and Ks and different clock speeds and so on and on and on.... I would like some overkill on the system but how much is too much?

[SirRoderick]

The CPU is really not going to be stressed with those workloads. Something like a 4160 would be fine: http://www.amazon.com/Intel-I3-4160-Processor-Hyper-Threading-BX80646I34160/dp/B00LV8U0VE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1434359075&sr=8-1&keywords=i3+CPU

 

Or get a 4360 if you feel the extra money is worth the added headroom: http://www.amazon.com/Intel-i3-4360-Processor-Cache-BX80646I34360/dp/B00J2LIFDC/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1434359075&sr=8-6&keywords=i3+CPU

 

SSDs are WAAAAAY more important to your real world experience in a machine like this.

[Litargirio]

1. A FAST computer that will be reliable and not need upgrades or other work done to it for a few ears to come.

a few ears to come.

ears

 

[EllieThePurpleFuzzy]

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/w3s83C
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/w3s83C/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i3-4370 3.8GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($142.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($26.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H97-D3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($86.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($60.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($98.97 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($98.52 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($89.99 @ Directron)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA GS 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $715.31
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-15 06:15 EDT-0400

 

Is this a decent enough build for this person? :3

[hamzahimself]

current non "k" intel core i5

gtx 760

8 gb of ram 2*4

2 mirrored 256gb ssd 

2tb WD black (very robust)

Mid range MOBO about 200$ any one from a good brand would be just fine

500w 80+ silver and above PSU

[Thony]

i7-4790k for office work. Troll ?!

i5-4690 is fast enough already for the tasks its going to be used for. Even i3 would be.

[hackingwalrus]

You've got the right hardware but for maximum reliability I would suggest to put two SSD's in a RAID1 configuration. 

[brob]

Don't bother with a RAID array. Instead implement an automated daily backup. Ideally it would backup to a NAS, server, or other workstation. But you could add an hdd to the unit and keep a local backup.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($217.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus H97I-PLUS Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($100.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($48.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 500GB 2.5"; Solid State Drive  ($177.89 @ OutletPC)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case  ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($32.50 @ Newegg)
Wireless Network Adapter: Intel 7260 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Mini-PCI-Express Wi-Fi Adapter  ($21.98 @ Amazon)
Total: $630.33
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-15 21:03 EDT-0400

[vaunull]

Heh Guys,

 

You have been a great help! Many Thanks!!

 

And Litargirio, where did you get my Mom's picture?

[Michael.O.W]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Q2drBm

 

CPU : http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i54460

CPU Cooler : http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-cpu-cooler-rr212e20pkr2

Motherboard : http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-motherboard-gab85mds3h

RAM  : http://pcpartpicker.com/part/crucial-memory-bls2kit4g3d1609ds1s00

SSD : http://pcpartpicker.com/part/samsung-internal-hard-drive-mz75e250bam

HDD : http://pcpartpicker.com/part/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wd1003fbyx

Case: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/fractal-design-case-fdcacore1300bl

PSU: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-cs450m

Wi-FI : http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-wireless-network-card-gcwb867di

 

Total : 581,87$