Requirements

• Easy to replace parts
• Reliable
• Fast
• Large screen
• Plenty of USB ports
• Wired network connection

• No touch screen
• Optional wireless networking

Motivation

When a laptop, tablet or all-in-one computer breaks down (cracked screen, power supply failure, keyboard/trackpad failure) it is more difficult to replace parts than with a desktop computer.  If you build a desktop computer using off-the-shelf parts (modular power supply, standard CPU socket, PCI expansion slots, SATA storage) you can fairly easily obtain and replace parts.

For a business computer you don’t want a blurred screen covered in fingerprints – use a mouse and keyboard and optionally install ClassicShell or Start8 if you have difficulties using the Windows 8 tiled Metro interface.  Additionally, we don’t want wireless as for business use wired networking is preferred over wi-fi.  You are free to add a cheap USB or PCI Express wi-fi adapter if need be.

The following specification is a cost-effective high performance (non-gaming) build using quality components.  It uses a Micro-ATX mainboard (244mm x 174mm); you can choose a compact small form factor case that sits flat (often used as a HTPC – home theater personal computer), or use a taller tower case for improved airflow and room for additional hard disks.  This specification offers 6 external USB ports (4x USB3 + 2x USB2).  The specification uses a mainstream mainboard with high end processor.  We use an  Intel H97 Express Chipset mainboard in combination with an  Intel LGA1150 CPU socket processor (Intel Core i5-4690 3.5GHz 6MB level3 cache quad core processor).  2x 4GB 1600MHz DDR3 Corsair memory and an optional solid state drive complement the setup.  Western Digital RED hard disk drives are designed for always-on devices like Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices and are preferred for business use.

Avoid 5400RPM hard disks like WD Green (Caviar) for desktop computers; purchase a 7200RPM hard disk where possible (i.e. WD Blue/Black/Red Caviar series for desktop computers).  Note that WD Scorpio series are 2.5″ notebook/tablet hard disks and that a WD Blue (Scorpio) spins at 5400RPM.  So ‘Blue’ is not always 7200RPM.  Also beware when purchasing an all-in-one computer as these often ship with 5400RPM 2.5″ notebook hard disks as well.

Note: It is recommended to place the operating system on the fast Solid State Drive and keep important personal files on the Hard Disk Drive(!)

Specification

Gigabyte GA-H97M-HD3 Motherboard $119
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=138_1491&products_id=27616
Note: This is a no-frills mainstream high-end mainboard – it comes with (only) 2 memory slots and 1 case fan connector.  Feel free to opt for an Intel Z97 rather than Intel H97 mainboard if you feel this mainboard lacks features.

Corsair Vengeance CML8GX3M2A1600C9 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 $99.00
https://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=17729

Western Digital WD Red 1TB WD10EFRX $95.00
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=210_344&products_id=20884
Feel free to opt for a 2TB or 3TB hard disk if need be.

Crucial MX100 SSD – No longer available

Samsung 850 EVO Series 250GB SSD $165.00
https://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=30448

Intel Core i5-4690 3.5GHz $319.00
https://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=27941

Micro ATX Case – choose one $99
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=25_1532
Recommended brands: Bitfenix, Silverstone, Thermaltake

Seasonic M12II 520W EVO Edition Bronze Power Supply $119.00
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15_972&products_id=15957
Feel free to opt for a Silver, Gold or Platinum power supply if you have unreliable mains power or use a high end (gaming) video card

Samsung S24D300H 24in Widescreen LED Monitor $189
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=558_1212&products_id=27489

Gigabyte KM6150 Multimedia USB Keyboard and Mouse $12
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=113_257&products_id=15324

Logitech Z150 Multimedia Speakers Midnight Black $29
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=567_571&products_id=27804

Optional

1000VA UPS (Uninterruptable Power Supply) – acts as surge protect and battery-in-a-box
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=15_1120
I would purchase this item locally as the weight makes it expensive to send via mail.  APC and Eaton brands are recommended.

Microsoft Windows 8.1 64bit OEM $135
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=25441&cPath=974

Microsoft Office 2013 / Microsoft Office 365
http://pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=375_1025

Samsung 850 EVO Series 500GB SSD $289.00
https://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=30449

Wireless Network Card
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=200_328

Cost saving options

You can opt for a 256GB SSD or 500GB SSD.  You can leave out the SSD drive completely and simply go with a single hard disk instead.  This will save you money but will reduce performance.  If you already have a monitor you could skip purchasing one; however if you care about your eyes I would recommend replacing an old monitor after 4 years.  As you can see, the processor is the most expensive component.  Money spent on purchasing a high-end processor is money well spent.

Department of Education and Training (DET) employees

To purchase Microsoft or Adobe software products for use at home at discounted rates, visit the following website:

http://detwah.onthehub.com/WebStore/Welcome.aspx?JSEnabled=1

You can purchase software products like Microsoft Windows 8.1, Microsoft Office 2013, Adobe Creative Suite, Symantec antivirus, etc.

Beware of cheap laptops / tablets

If you are thinking of purchasing a computer (typically a laptop or tablet)  that costs less than ~$500, you can be certain you are purchasing a budget processor and chipset (i.e. Intel Atom, Intel Celeron or AMD A8).  Please check the detailed specification and do your research.  These devices are like Netbooks; low-end devices used for browsing the internet, but not suited for business use or content creation.  These devices have a life span of about 3 years.

Component Reviews

http://www.pcgamer.com/samsung-850-evo-ssd-review/

http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/5800/seasonic-m12ii-750w-evo-edition-750-watt-80-plus-bronze-psu-review/index5.html

http://www.quietpc.com/ga-h97m-hd3

http://www.techweirdo.com/samsung-s24d300h-1080p-monitor-review/

Important

When deviating from the specification make sure:

• the processor and mainboard use the same socket (i.e. LGA1150).
• the mainboard and case use the same form factor (i.e. microATX, ATX).
• whether or not the case needs front bays (i.e. 3.5 inch for card reader, 5.25 inch for DVD/BD drives).
• the mainboard has sufficient fan connectors for the number of fans in the case.
• the mainboard has sufficient memory slots.
• the mainboard supports the type and speed of memory modules (i.e. DDR3-1600/1866/2133/2400MHz).
• whether or not the power supply is modular.