New desktop PC advice
Discussion
I need a new desktop PC. Toyed with the idea of building my own but decided that's a bit more faff than I can be bothered with. But I do like the idea of being able to get at the innards to upgrade eg SSD, memory etc so I can keep it fairly up to date. Current PC is an old Lenovo all in one that is creaking increasingly loudly;)
I would also like to be able to specify what's in it. I use a mix of MS Office and Google docs (mostly the former since I have been WFH mostly recently now and GD's main advantage is the ease of working anywhere). I don't need fancy graphics cards but I do want a decent amount of basic horsepower and memory as I often have 30 or so browser sessions going plus Word, PP, Excel, Acrobat at the same time. Don't want a laptop as a) I already have one and b) I need a big screen and a decent keyboard, I type a lot and neither my eyes nor my wrists would stand working only on a laptop for long.
Where is a good place to go for good value and flexible speccing, and what brands are good, if it makes much difference? It's a work tool not a lifestyle statement so less bothered about the cool factor. Not averse to Macs (I have a Macbook lappy) but would rather not pay the mactax as IMO the difference in usability is modest these days compared to what it was.
Many thanks for any suggestions.
I would also like to be able to specify what's in it. I use a mix of MS Office and Google docs (mostly the former since I have been WFH mostly recently now and GD's main advantage is the ease of working anywhere). I don't need fancy graphics cards but I do want a decent amount of basic horsepower and memory as I often have 30 or so browser sessions going plus Word, PP, Excel, Acrobat at the same time. Don't want a laptop as a) I already have one and b) I need a big screen and a decent keyboard, I type a lot and neither my eyes nor my wrists would stand working only on a laptop for long.
Where is a good place to go for good value and flexible speccing, and what brands are good, if it makes much difference? It's a work tool not a lifestyle statement so less bothered about the cool factor. Not averse to Macs (I have a Macbook lappy) but would rather not pay the mactax as IMO the difference in usability is modest these days compared to what it was.
Many thanks for any suggestions.
Does the laptop meet your performance needs, if so, you could always use an external keyboard and mouse for input and add a really nice big monitor.
If desktop is preferred then take a look at Palicomp https://www.palicomp.co.uk/
or PC Specialist https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/
both have base models for all budgets which you can configure if you so desire.
If desktop is preferred then take a look at Palicomp https://www.palicomp.co.uk/
or PC Specialist https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/
both have base models for all budgets which you can configure if you so desire.
You are asking for conflicting things, really.
There are a few custom PC builders who will build to your spec, but they really are not a known item from a "good brand" in the same way as a Dell XPS would be.
On the other hand a standard unit from the box shippers will probably be upgradable once - increase memory, swap SSD, maybe CPU, but it probably won't have power to spare or room to swap in a standard ATX power supply for a bragging rights graphics card.
I think you need to express a preference, or order your priorities.
There are a few custom PC builders who will build to your spec, but they really are not a known item from a "good brand" in the same way as a Dell XPS would be.
On the other hand a standard unit from the box shippers will probably be upgradable once - increase memory, swap SSD, maybe CPU, but it probably won't have power to spare or room to swap in a standard ATX power supply for a bragging rights graphics card.
I think you need to express a preference, or order your priorities.
I've recently ordered one from PC Specialists, my hubby is on his 2nd from them, his are gaming computers though (had the 1st one for quite a few years, only got the 2nd as he was upgrading the spec, nothing wrong with the old one, we are giving it to my son).
He helped with the spec for mine, its probably specced beyond what I need, when you start picking the bits it tells you if there is a conflict between the parts (like if the power supply isn't right for the case etc).
Broke my heart to pay over a grand for it, but as I see it, it's future proof and will last me years. (It was going to come with windows 11, I downgraded that to 10)
He helped with the spec for mine, its probably specced beyond what I need, when you start picking the bits it tells you if there is a conflict between the parts (like if the power supply isn't right for the case etc).
Broke my heart to pay over a grand for it, but as I see it, it's future proof and will last me years. (It was going to come with windows 11, I downgraded that to 10)
grumbledoak said:
You are asking for conflicting things, really.
There are a few custom PC builders who will build to your spec, but they really are not a known item from a "good brand" in the same way as a Dell XPS would be.
On the other hand a standard unit from the box shippers will probably be upgradable once - increase memory, swap SSD, maybe CPU, but it probably won't have power to spare or room to swap in a standard ATX power supply for a bragging rights graphics card.
I think you need to express a preference, or order your priorities.
I don't think I want a full fat custom built PC, but I do want something I can configure and that is a bit more futureproof than a box from Dell/Lenovo/whoever. There are a few custom PC builders who will build to your spec, but they really are not a known item from a "good brand" in the same way as a Dell XPS would be.
On the other hand a standard unit from the box shippers will probably be upgradable once - increase memory, swap SSD, maybe CPU, but it probably won't have power to spare or room to swap in a standard ATX power supply for a bragging rights graphics card.
I think you need to express a preference, or order your priorities.
Is that a thing?
speedchick said:
I've recently ordered one from PC Specialists, my hubby is on his 2nd from them, his are gaming computers though (had the 1st one for quite a few years, only got the 2nd as he was upgrading the spec, nothing wrong with the old one, we are giving it to my son).
He helped with the spec for mine, its probably specced beyond what I need, when you start picking the bits it tells you if there is a conflict between the parts (like if the power supply isn't right for the case etc).
Broke my heart to pay over a grand for it, but as I see it, it's future proof and will last me years. (It was going to come with windows 11, I downgraded that to 10)
That sounds promising tks will def take a look. He helped with the spec for mine, its probably specced beyond what I need, when you start picking the bits it tells you if there is a conflict between the parts (like if the power supply isn't right for the case etc).
Broke my heart to pay over a grand for it, but as I see it, it's future proof and will last me years. (It was going to come with windows 11, I downgraded that to 10)
Here's my spec (the monitor is actually for hubby, I'm happy with the two I already have)
Intel® Core™ i5 Six Core Processor i5-10600K (4.1 GHz) 12 MB Cache
Motherboard GIGABYTE B560 AORUS PRO AX (rev. 1.0) : LGA1200, USB 3.2, PCIe 4.0, CrossFireX, Wi-Fi - ARGB Ready
Memory (RAM)32GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 2666MHz (2 x 16GB)
Graphics Card 4GB AMD RADEON™ RX 550 - HDMI, DVI - DX® 121st
Storage Drive 2TB Samsung 870 QVO 2.5" SSD, SATA 6Gb/s (up to 560MB/sR | 530MB/sW)
DVD/BLU-RAY Drive24x DUAL LAYER DVD WRITER ±R/±RW/RAM
Power Supply CORSAIR 450W CV SERIES™ CV-450 POWER SUPPLYPower Cable1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling PCS FrostFlow 100 V3 Series High Performance
CPU Cooler Thermal Paste ARCTIC MX-4 EXTREME THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY COMPOUND
Sound Card ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Network Card 10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORTUSB/Thunderbolt
Options MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Operating System Windows 10 Home 64 Bit
Monitor Samsung LC24F390FHUXEN Curved 24"
Monitor Cables 1 x 2 METRE HDMI (M) to DVI (M)
Warranty 3 Year Standard Warranty (1 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Total Order Price £1,235.00
Intel® Core™ i5 Six Core Processor i5-10600K (4.1 GHz) 12 MB Cache
Motherboard GIGABYTE B560 AORUS PRO AX (rev. 1.0) : LGA1200, USB 3.2, PCIe 4.0, CrossFireX, Wi-Fi - ARGB Ready
Memory (RAM)32GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 2666MHz (2 x 16GB)
Graphics Card 4GB AMD RADEON™ RX 550 - HDMI, DVI - DX® 121st
Storage Drive 2TB Samsung 870 QVO 2.5" SSD, SATA 6Gb/s (up to 560MB/sR | 530MB/sW)
DVD/BLU-RAY Drive24x DUAL LAYER DVD WRITER ±R/±RW/RAM
Power Supply CORSAIR 450W CV SERIES™ CV-450 POWER SUPPLYPower Cable1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling PCS FrostFlow 100 V3 Series High Performance
CPU Cooler Thermal Paste ARCTIC MX-4 EXTREME THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY COMPOUND
Sound Card ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Network Card 10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORTUSB/Thunderbolt
Options MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Operating System Windows 10 Home 64 Bit
Monitor Samsung LC24F390FHUXEN Curved 24"
Monitor Cables 1 x 2 METRE HDMI (M) to DVI (M)
Warranty 3 Year Standard Warranty (1 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Total Order Price £1,235.00
nikaiyo2 said:
Mac Mini M1 £699 and will do everything you want with ease. Its tiny so takes up no desk space and silent.
That’s a fair shout if the op is comfortable moving to macOS which isn’t a massive wrench and the low storage at 256Gb isn’t an issue It’s worth noting that an 11 gen i7 intel nuc of equivalent spec is around the same price if a move to macOS really is a deal breaker
For what you describe the best value for money is just to go on Gumtree and pick up a secondhand gaming rig. There's always a teenager that's come into money and finally got hold of an RTX3900 build that has a spare machine to get rid of.
I have one that is way beyond what you need, cost half your budget and will run 6 screens if you wanted to. It has also paid for itself as it's been sat mining Bitcoin since I got it in the new year.
I have one that is way beyond what you need, cost half your budget and will run 6 screens if you wanted to. It has also paid for itself as it's been sat mining Bitcoin since I got it in the new year.
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