Best value CPU and Motherboard for office work?

[Barney6262]

Hi guys.
I am currently in the process of upgrading an older computer as it is starting to slow down a bit.

I am planning on replacing the DDR2 4gb ram with some newer DDR3 4gb corsair Ram (worth the £30?), and upgrading the OS from XP to 7.

I am also going to be replacing motherboard/cpu. I was surprised to find the motherboard that is currently in use (a DELL brand I think...) has the CPU at a diagonal to the boards edge o.o

So, what is the best 'value'/'budget' Cpu/motherboard which would be sufficient for office work (mostly photo viewing, internet browsing and word document work)

I have selected the I3-4330 and Gigabyte GA-Z87X-SLI Motherboard as a possible combinaton. Is this a good choice or are there better options? I was wondering if a Z87 chipset is really needed for this kind of use or not?

Obviously, the more money I can save the better but I would like the price of both CPU and Motherboard to stay below £160. If an extra £10-20 would vastly improve performance I'm sure i could stretch to that, but I would prefer to reduce cost (relative to the above combination) rather than increase it.

Thanks for any input
~Barney6262

 

[ImDaBaron]

I think you can go with an H81 motherboard instead of the Z87. But that I3 with an H81 board will be just fine.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/MSI-H81M-P33-LGA1150-M-ATX-Motherboard/dp/B00EPLE3J4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1411594812&sr=8-1&keywords=MSI+H81M-P33

 

[Barney6262]

Thanks for the reply, Any suggestions for a H81 motherboard?

 

[ImDaBaron]

Thanks for the reply, Any suggestions for a H81 motherboard?

Just posted one from Amazon UK. The value is really good on that board.

 

[Barney6262]

Thanks, I will have to look at my existing case to see if it will fit being M-Atx (I don't even know if it supports ATX :/)

 

[ImDaBaron]

Thanks, I will have to look at my existing case to see if it will fit being M-Atx (I don't even know if it supports ATX :/)

You can get cases fairly cheap if you need to go that route

 

[Barney6262]

If I was to get a case aswell it would cost the same as the z87 board I posted in OP, which would be a better option since price is no different?

 

[Barney6262]

by the way, the computer i am upgrading is an oldish Dell Optiplex 960, If that helps with details?

 

[Barney6262]

with a bit of research looks like the current motherboard is BTX form factor, whether the case supports ATX is a mystery?

 

[ImDaBaron]

with a bit of research looks like the current motherboard is BTX form factor, whether the case supports ATX is a mystery?

I'm going to go with no on there. I would get a new case and technically you dont need a Z series board since you arent overclocking. Unless you plan to upgrade to an unlocked I5 or I7 in the future.

 

[Barney6262]

Won't be overclocking any cpu most likely.

 

[ImDaBaron]

Won't be overclocking any cpu most likely.

Then a H series board is fine

 

[Barney6262]

Slight issue (ish), So I have been looking for M-Atx cases and found the zalman T3 mini

(http://www.amazon.co.uk/Zalman-Mini-M-ATX-M-ITX-Tower/dp/B00G4E60TQ/ref=sr_1_4?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1411754448&sr=1-4)

Which seems like a good enough case at a decent price. However, I was planning on getting a cooler master hyper 212 EVO Cpu cooler (I know this is overkill. I just want a larger fan so there is less noise) but I am unsure if it will fit in this case...

If it doesn't what should i get as an alternative?

 

[ImDaBaron]

It doesnt look like it will fit in that case. The CPU cooler is one of the best so I would stick with it.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cooler-Master-Window-Enhanced-Edition/dp/B004EWYSF8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1411759240&sr=8-1&keywords=Cooler+Master++HAF+912#productDetails

It'll fit in that one

 

[Barney6262]

unfortunately the case is too expensive. Could you suggest a cpu cooler that would fit in this case and not cost alot more than the 212 evo?

 

[ImDaBaron]

There really isnt one that's as good for the same price.

http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/parts/case/?compatible_with=cooler-master-cpu-cooler-rr212e20pkr2

You can find a case on there that is compatible within your price range.

 

[Barney6262]

Case-wise:
It needs to be below £35
It needs/preferably have dust filters
Preferably Fit the EVO

Any suggestions based on that criteria? Couldn't care less about aesthetics.

 

[ImDaBaron]

http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/zalman-case-z9

 

[Barney6262]

Slightly too open...

How about the bitfenix neos?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/BitFenix-Neos-Midi-Tower-schwarz-Netzteil/dp/B00KDR557S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1411761390&sr=8-1&keywords=BitFenix+Neos

 

[ImDaBaron]

It's got some decent reviews. Keep in mind its a full tower. So you can do a full ATX motherboard.

 

[Barney6262]

I would need to use a micro atx to keep costs down... Would an ATX bring any significant benefits (except PCI slots)

 

[ImDaBaron]

I would need to use a micro atx to keep costs down... Would an ATX bring any significant benefits (except PCI slots)

Some more features.But nothing too concerning. So you can go with the I3 and the H81 board. That's a solid platform.