Cheap but powerful non gaming desktop

[Mark4_4]

Hey, my friend is look for a cheap computer that will not need to run games but will be good for programming. He also plans to use 2 screens with it and multitask.

What sort of specs would he need?

What sort of price range is he looking at?

Any good examples?

 

[Darren]

For those purposes you don't need to spend a whole lot. 600USD or so? I don't know other currencies and prices in different countries but there are a fair amount of Brits on here that might guide you to the promised land.

Is he open to building it?

 

[Mark4_4]

I'm sure he wouldn't mind building it. He really wants to spend as little money as possible but he had no idea what sort of budget to set I'd guess a maximum of ~£300.

 

[C4C]

Seems pretty doable. Is that price including the monitors or is it just the tower?

 

[Mark4_4]

Oh sorry that's not including the monitors since he already has 2 monitors spare.

 

[ninjabubbles3]

http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/cLXWP6

Plus a case he likes.

AMD is better at this price point, and there is expansion for a dedicated GPU later on

With monitors, its undoable.

 

[C4C]

http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/cLXWP6

Plus a case he likes.

This is almost exact to what I put together. I had an A8-6600K instead because the price to power ratio is better.

THIS, is quality content Ninja. Nice job

 

[Mark4_4]

Just spotted this. http://www.ebuyer.com/580586-lenovo-thinkcentre-edge-73-twr-desktop-10as002puk

Is this a good desktop? and would it be able to run 2 monitors?

 

[ninjabubbles3]

This is almost exact to what I put together. I had an A8-6600K instead because the price to power ratio is better.

THIS, is quality content Ninja. Nice job

Thanks mate, wish we had a rep system like some other forums, if someone approves of a message you post, they rep you

Also, that lenovo is garbage, Intel onboard graphics with a 2.7 GHz processor? Nope

 

[Mark4_4]

Ah ok. That build you linked looks great ninja, I'll show him tomorrow and see what he thinks. Thanks for the help!

Edit: Also I'm curious, would an SSD be beneficial? Would there be a noticeable difference when programming/ compiling?

 

[C4C]

Edit: Also I'm curious, would an SSD be beneficial? Would there be a noticeable difference when programming/ compiling?

an SSD would be beneficial in file saving/opening and boot times.

+ that Lenovo isn't bad, but you could possibly have issues running multiple monitors.

 

[Cisco001]

Just spotted this. http://www.ebuyer.com/580586-lenovo-thinkcentre-edge-73-twr-desktop-10as002puk

Is this a good desktop? and would it be able to run 2 monitors?

That is good enough for his use
That has display port and VGA. I would assume it support 2 screen. if not, just spend another £30 and get a low end video card.