So its been a while (8 years) since I looked at computer parts and what to buy and not buy but its time for an upgrade. I have no idea what is out there now in terms of processors, RAM, graphics cards etc so could do with some help...

I am after a desktop that will allow me to do the following:

- Office work
- Photo editting
- Other usual stuff i.e. download music, surf net etc
- Dont need a monitor

Budget: £300

What can you recommend me that is good value for money? Need something that will last the next 4-5 years without much upgrading needed. I dont plan to play games but want decent-ish graphics.



Thanks folks

£300 pounds and to still be usable in 5 years is a big ask --- how long a PC is viable for really depends on what bloat wear Microsoft and Intel devise to make our PC look slow.

At £300 pounds your are really going to have to look at rework and ex-demo PCs. Try Morgan Computers I have bought many PCs off them over 20 years without a single problem. ---- look at the "HP Renew" PCs --- you will need 2gb or more memory

300 should get you a brand new basic spec machine especially if you dont need a screen...

dell do some good ones... they are reasonable quality for the money..

Or wait a few months and buy a PC with windows 7even on it...

cheers guys.

Britishtrident - when I say last me 5 years, its more in the sense that it wont slow down when doing basic stuff and will still be able to have newer programs installed by meeting the minimum requirements.


any other suggestions on what sorts of spec I should be aiming for? I've been looking and notice there is now DDR3 RAM and intel core 2 duo processors...

Do you want an OS - or do you already have a copy of windows? You can still get OEM Windows XP if you wish to avoid Vista (actually I don't have the same phobia about vista that a lot of others do - having said that I have a mac, and that has XP on it).

Novatech are good for that sort of thing, (had a laptop from them before after a recommendation from an IT bloke). They have monitor-less systems of all specs with or without an OS.

Otherwise, I would want a reasonable processor, big hard disk, lots or RAM, graphics memory, DVD burner.

eg: Novatech (the PRO version looks good)

cheers for the replies folks... still doing some reading up and searching (Geoff - thanks for your site link, looks good!)

Came across this company too but never heard of them. Has anyone else?

PC Specialist.
Have built up the following spec:


Processor (CPU) Intel® Core™2 Duo E7400 (2.80GHz) 1066Hz FSB/3MB L2 Cache
Memory (RAM) 4GB CORSAIR XMS2 800MHz - LIFETIME WARRANTY! (2x2GB)
Motherboard ASUS® P5N73-AM: DDR2, S-ATA II, 1 x PCI-E x16, 2 PCI, etc
Operating System NO OPERATING SYSTEM REQUIRED
USB Options 6 x USB 2.0 PORTS (4 REAR + 2 FRONT) AS STANDARD
Memory - 1st Hard Disk 500GB SERIAL ATA 3-Gb/s HARD DRIVE WITH 8MB CACHE (7,200rpm)
2nd Hard Disk NONE
RAID (HDD 1 & 2) NONE
1st CD/DVD Drive 22x DUAL LAYER LIGHTSCRIBE DVD WRITER ±R/±RW/RAM
2nd CD/DVD Drive NONE
Graphics Card Integrated NVIDIA® GeForce 7050 CineFX 3.0 Graphics
2nd Graphics Card NONE
Sound Card ONBOARD 8 CHANNEL (7.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Modem NONE, I WILL BE USING BROADBAND
Network Facilities ONBOARD 10/100 LAN PORT
Floppy Disk Drive NONE
Memory Card Reader INTERNAL 52 IN 1 CARD READER (READS XD, MS, CF, SD, etc)
Case STYLISH PIANO BLACK FUSION CASE + 2 FRONT USB
Power Supply & Case Cooling 350W Dual Rail PSU + 120mm Case Fan
Processor Cooling STANDARD CPU COOLER
Firewire & Video Editing 3 Port IEEE 1394a Firewire PCI Card (£9)
TV Card NONE
Monitor NONE
2nd Monitor NONE
DVI Cable NONE
Keyboard & Mouse NONE
Mouse NONE
Speakers NONE
Webcam NONE
Headsets (VOIP) NONE
Surge Protection NONE
Printer NONE
Anti-Virus NONE
Office Software NONE
External Hard Drive NONE
Home Installation NONE
Warranty 1 Year Return-to-Base incl 1 Year Free Collect & Return: £5
Delivery STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time Standard Build - Approximately 8 to 10 working days
Price (excluding VAT) £276.52
Price £318.00
Order Quantity 1
Bulk discount £0.00
Total order price (Ex VAT) £276.52
Total order Price
£318.00


Good price? I know I need to still include the O/S but the spec overall seems pretty good...