New home PC - where the hell do I start?

[SonicHedgeHog]

Our ten year old all-in-one PC is running very slow. I’ve done a lot of reading but I’m ten years (at least) out of date. All the usual suspect reviewers end their reviews with a “but”. Lots of PCs look great until I dig a bit into the detail and I find stuff like laptop processors and basic graphics. It feels like retailers are just trying to bambosal buyers like me with stuff that looks good but will grind to a halt the next time Microsoft issues an update.

We want a good home PC that’s going to last. We don’t play games but don’t want the computer to fall over if we decide to play a round of solitaire. In Pistonheads terms I want a BMW 320d estate. Can somebody please tell me what the hell I should be buying? Budget including monitor is about £1000 but can go up if necessary.

[mikef]

You can’t go far wrong with PCSpecialist

[SonicHedgeHog]

Thanks for that suggestion. Is this overkill?

https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/computers-for-next-...

[flight147z]

SonicHedgeHog said:

Thanks for that suggestion. Is this overkill?

https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/computers-for-next-...

What do you intend to use it for?

[Griffith4ever]

SonicHedgeHog said:

Thanks for that suggestion. Is this overkill?

https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/computers-for-next-...

Yes - if you don't want to game, in 4K, at 160 Hz, then you do not need or want an RTX 5060 Ti , at all.

You'll be happy with integrated intel graphics, or, something from the Nvidia 30 or 40 series, (3060?). Even that's an overkill for no gaming.

[Gerradi]

Acer Aspire C24, I bought this about 9 months ago, my use sounds similar to yours.
https://www.technoworld.com/acer-aspire-c24-1800-i...

[Shaoxter]

I'd start with an Intel NUC or similar and get a nice monitor.
No need for a big case with an expensive GPU to play solitaire at 5000fps.

[Sebbak]

Shaoxter said:

I'd start with an Intel NUC or similar and get a nice monitor.
No need for a big case with an expensive GPU to play solitaire at 5000fps.

But the winning animation will be soooo smoooooth

Seriously though, if you're genuinely not playing any demanding games on it, then a 30 or 20 series Nvidia (or Intel ARC/AMD equivalent) will easily manage doing day to day display stuff. The suggestion of a NUC (mini PC type thing) is a good one if you want something small and out of the way.

Otherwise, being realistic about what you want the PC to do is your best start. If you want to save a few quid, you can look at previous generation processors, as the new ones always come out at a bit of a premium but previous gens will more than suffice if you're just using it as a fancy word processor.

Edited by Sebbak on Wednesday 13th August 00:03

[SonicHedgeHog]

Ok, thanks, I feel like I’m getting somewhere now. Most of the time it’s Microsoft Word and Office with a bit of internet admin stuff that’s too fiddly to do on the iPad. But occasionally my wife might want to drop into something like Second Life where some old friends hang out. It’s rare but I’d like that performance headroom so that it just works without feeling like the PC is pushing the limits. I might only need a BMW 316 but I’d like the 330, if you know what I mean. I’m a bit wary of the mini PCs but that may be because I’ve never had one before.

[SonicHedgeHog]

I will need a monitor so maybe stick with another all in one like this spec?

https://www.hp.com/gb-en/shop/product.aspx?id=A9DN...

[paddy1970]

The HP you linked looks decent, but I would be cautious about all-in-ones in general for your "future-proof" requirement. They often use mobile components and are harder to upgrade.

For £1000, you will get much more performance and longevity with a separate desktop and monitor.

[Timmos1974]

Imac end of

[popegregory]

Reading this with interest as ours is still working absolutely fine for nothing more demanding than MS applications and eldest to play Roblox on, but it’s windows 10 and not compatible with 11. Do I need a new computer in October or can this one keep going?

[clockworks]

If you've got an iPad (and maybe an iPhone too?) just get a Mac Mini and the screen of your choice.

I looked at the current iMacs, but they only do a 24" screen version now. I wanted a 32" screen.
Ended up with a base model Mini, a third party expansion box (sits under the Mini, extra ports and storage expansion), a 2TB nvme "hdd", BenQ 32" monitor, Apple keyboard and Logitech mouse. The whole lot was about the same price as an iMac.

I've still got an old Mini (2012 model) that boots Windows 10 for the odd occasion that I need Windows. Still works perfectly.

[breamster]

Shaoxter said:

I'd start with an Intel NUC or similar and get a nice monitor.
No need for a big case with an expensive GPU to play solitaire at 5000fps.

This. I've used plenty. Sounds like it will be perfectly adequate for what you need.

[mikef]

SonicHedgeHog said:

Thanks for that suggestion. Is this overkill?

https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/computers-for-next-...

That’s a cracking PC that will still be running happily in 5+ years. I was thinking of going a bit down the price range if you want a monitor as well in the budget

[Cobnapint]

If your old machine is a bit clunky either increase the RAM (if possible - it may already be maxed out or on-board), or replace the HDD with a compatible SSD - or both.

[SonicHedgeHog]

Thanks for all the replies.

Wyson, that’s a great post and really reflects where I’m at. 30 years ago I’d plough through PC PRO magazine every month and know what’s what. Now I just don’t care. I just want it to work.

Regarding Macs - we tried a couple of MacBook Pros about 12-15 years ago. They’re what lead to the all in one. Partitioning disc drives and switching between operating systems was a real mess and so many websites (especially my work) didn’t run properly if you didn’t have a work around. Even if it’s much better in 2025 we don’t want to go down that road again.

I’ll continue to utilise the Borg Collective on this thread. This afternoon I’ll research all in ones and ask if I should consider upgrading anything in the default spec.

Responses really appreciated.

[mmm-five]

Obligatory 'get a Mac' answer...

Apple MacMini M4 with 10-Core CPU, 10-Core GPU, 512GB SSD, 24GB RAM for £849

[mmm-five]

SonicHedgeHog said:

Regarding Macs - we tried a couple of MacBook Pros about 12-15 years ago. They’re what lead to the all in one. Partitioning disc drives and switching between operating systems was a real mess and so many websites (especially my work) didn’t run properly if you didn’t have a work around. Even if it’s much better in 2025 we don’t want to go down that road again.

No idea why you'd need to be partitioning drives on a Mac 15 years ago.

It's no different now (or then) to how you do it on a PC - i.e. YOU don't, the system sets up any required partitions for you when you initially install it...and it's invisible to you as a user unless you go into the Disk Tools or Disk Partition manager.