Desktop Recommendations

LAllison123 on 03/05/2019 - 13:32

I am looking for a new computer to replace my 7+ years old ultrathin HP laptop. Don’t know much about computers, and I have read all relevant old posts, but still not sure what to do.

So this is what I need, it will be mainly use for home office purpose, running excel spreadsheets, and possibly some Photoshop. I do play SIM4 occasionally and also wouldn’t mind to have some spec that allows me to keep the machine more than just 2-3 years.

Budget starts from $800 and don’t want to spend over $1200 - $1300.

I don’t know much/any about computer, but I think I ll need a minimal of Intel I5 processor for the game, and I wouldn’t mind to have a memory slot available, in case if I want to increase memory from 8G to 16G in the future ( I don’t know how and when … but sounds like a good like that I read somewhere..) , that’s honestly all I know about computers…

Budget no include monitors/keyboards/speaker etc.. I have some old ones already.

Any help is appreciated!

Computing Computer Desktop Computer

Comments

  • SnowDragon on 03/05/2019 - 14:02
    +1

    I'd suggest waiting for another TechFast deal.

    Something like this would suit your needs quite well.

    Not sure how Sim4 would go but you could always get a Refurbed optiplex which would be fine as well, but perhaps a bit slower.

    • IVI on 03/05/2019 - 14:08

      If I'd seen it in time, I'd have
      bought the Refrub'd Dell Optiplex
      (cited by SnowDragon) in a flash.

      It's just what I need, & no more.

      • N1NJ4W4RR10R on 03/05/2019 - 15:17

        They pop up every few weeks.

    • Allison123 on 03/05/2019 - 14:33

      Thanks for the reply, I almost brought the techfast one but wasnt so sure about how to replace parts as mentioned by some in the post, and deal expired…

      The refurbished one looks good too, I think? Maybe an option to just buy a cheap one and replace it in a year or so?

      Thanks again for the options

      • N1NJ4W4RR10R on 03/05/2019 - 15:19
        +1

        Just on the Techfast PC, for your needs you'd only need to add more storage (easy if it's an SSD, which is advisable) and RAM (the included stuff will work fine, but dual channel is heavily recommended for Ryzen). Maybe the PSU post warranty, but I've been using the included Allied one amd it works fine enough.

  • Caped Baldy on 03/05/2019 - 14:04

    You're replacing a laptop with a desktop, do you need laptop features? ie ability to move around easily

    Sims 4 could probably run on the inbuilt cpu and a discrete gpu wouldn't be needed.

    • Allison123 on 03/05/2019 - 14:36

      I don't really mind laptop/desktop, don't really need to move it around. Just trying to get a better value.

      Thanks for your reply

  • IVI on 03/05/2019 - 14:05

    I've recently paid well

    • under $140 (incl Shipping)

    for a Resellent-Refurbished DELL desktop
    (CPU: i5, 4 GB RAM (should have got 8 GB),
    10 USB ports (for lotsa devices + HDDs),
    I had an older Acer 17" screen (add ~$100
    & get a bigger one, New, if you don't) &
    New mid-range Logitech Keyboard, you may
    prefer higher-end), & mouse (fr noteboook).

    If you have Tax reasons for buying New, OK.

    For all my (non-Photoshop) needs, both
    Home Office + Hobby (a few USB ports),
    this modest dell has proven itself to
    be quite enough.

    I've pretty much Stopped buying New,
    on principal. (I think I was selective
    in my choice of eBay vendor, albeit in
    a OzB Deal… ;~)

    YMMV.

  • Garroshs on 03/05/2019 - 14:25

    Something ike this wi ast you for over 10 years. Shop around and take the parts to a computer shop to put together. Mind you, you can either chose your own case or go with what i've suggested. Many of these items can be replaced with similar. But all suggested are soid options

    https://au.pcpartpicker.com/list/G2PxpG

    Edit: my L doesn't work on my keyboard

    • Allison123 on 03/05/2019 - 14:39

      Thanks.

      Wonder if I can just take this to msy/any local shops and ask them to put it together

      Thanks again

    • geech on 03/05/2019 - 14:39
      +1

      Any reason you think the RX580 is needed?

      If it were me, I'd drop the it and go for a 2400G APU instead, saving $300. If more graphics processing is required down the track, a discrete graphics card could be added - but it seems like the 2400G would be a good fit for the stated use cases now. I have a 2400G in my wife's PC, which she uses for similar things - and it performed fine for everything (including Sims).

      Otherwise a pretty solid build.

      edit - oh I just noticed the build only has a mechanical hard drive. I'd definitely add an SSD, or replace the mechanical hard drive depending on capacity requirements

      • Allison123 on 03/05/2019 - 14:56

        Noted, thanks!!

      • Garroshs on 03/05/2019 - 14:56

        which GPU are you using? I've never heard of that before, sorry.

        • geech on 03/05/2019 - 14:59

          The 2400G is a CPU/GPU in one. It performs surprisingly well, but you've always got the option of adding a separate GPU later if it's not up to the task

          • Garroshs on 03/05/2019 - 15:03

            @geech: Oh it's an intergrated cpu.I guess you could, for minimal work computer. I've never once used one before. So i couldn't reccomend one. I have basic knowledge on them and were seen to be laughed at. Advancments in the industry could be good enough to use one, wouldn;t know lol

            • geech on 03/05/2019 - 15:07

              @Garroshs: 2nd Gen Ryzen ones are surprisingly powerful. The cost for the 2400G APU and the 2600 CPU is pretty much the same. The CPU performance of the 2400G is a little less than the 2600 - but given the OP's use, I think it would be a pretty solid option

              • Garroshs on 03/05/2019 - 15:18

                @geech: You might be onto something here. I'll do some more research.

              • N1NJ4W4RR10R on 03/05/2019 - 15:24

                @geech: I'd be more concerned about the 2 less cores and 4 less threads. Assuming the games/other tasks op uses can utilise them, I'm not sure the drop in cash is worthwhile.

                Shame the CPUs only come in quad core versions, as the GPU is excellent.

      • Garroshs on 03/05/2019 - 14:59

        a 2TB HDD is perfect for what's needed. And with Prices of SSD's dropping dramaticy, i would hold off on getting one for now. I personaly use 2 Samsung 860 EVO 1tb. But really isn't a necessity on a budget

        • geech on 03/05/2019 - 15:03

          For an extra ~$50 or so I think a 240GB SSD would make a massive difference to the overall performance of the machine. If it comes down to it, I think $50 is far better spent on an SSD than a CPU cooler.

          Entirely depends on how much storage capacity is required though as to whether to go for a build with just an SSD or a SSD + HDD combo. I'm in the process of building a similar spec PC for my mother-in-law and will be putting in a 500GB SSD because that's more than enough capacity in total for her use, and will make the system performance feel much better overall - not to mention offer benefits in noise + reliability.

          • Garroshs on 03/05/2019 - 15:13

            @geech: 7200rpm 6gb/s with 2 tb of storage. wouldn't touch anything that had less than 1tb internal storage

          • Garroshs on 03/05/2019 - 16:14

            @geech:

            For an extra ~$50 or so I think a 240GB SSD would make a massive difference to the overall performance of the machine. If it comes down to it, I think $50 is far better spent on an SSD than a CPU cooler.

            lol

            By next February your whole PC will explode in the 40 degree heat. No one would forgo a cpu cooler in place of stock

      • N1NJ4W4RR10R on 03/05/2019 - 15:22

        I'd agree here. OP would benefit from increased CPU power rather then GPU power.

        Albiet I'd drop to a 570 and to for a 2600. Money savings is nice, but so is CPU power.

        *If you were fine with used though, there are better GPUs that'll do what you want. The 570 is just the best value new GPU.

  • Allison123 on 03/05/2019 - 15:10

    Thanks for all the suggestions above, just had a look of the Dell link and wondering if this would be a good buy for what I need

    https://www.dell.com/en-au/outlet/ProductDescription?cfID=95…

    Pros it has windows 10 installed already and its the cheapest with graphics card memory (?), and its in my budget.

    Would I be better off getting this than try to pay someone to put together a computer for me with the parts above?

    • Garroshs on 03/05/2019 - 15:17

      Unnamed memory

      Unnamed HDD=SSD

      unnamed psu + wattage

      Unknown Motherboard.

      No cooler

      CPU far too powerful for GPU

      Imo, it's a bad buy for how expensive it is.

      • N1NJ4W4RR10R on 03/05/2019 - 15:28

        I'd be most concerned by it being a dell. Tmk they tend to be fairly proprietary.

    • geech on 03/05/2019 - 15:20

      It's probably an easy option.
      To buy that CPU would be ~$450 and the graphics card would be ~$250 - so the total price is reasonable.

      That PC will do everything you've said you need one for, but is probably a bit of overkill.

      You'll likely save money by either waiting for a TechFast deal, ordering all the parts yourself and finding someone to build them or going to a store like MSY - but that's mainly because you probably don't need such a powerful CPU and would save a bit on that

      • Allison123 on 03/05/2019 - 15:25

        Thanks!

        Which computer I should be getting from techfast?

        • Garroshs on 03/05/2019 - 15:29

          again they use offbrand b350 motherboards, unnamed memory, and shitty power supplys

          • N1NJ4W4RR10R on 03/05/2019 - 15:34
            +1

            @Garroshs: Biostar is fine - not recommended for OC mind, but if you're sticking with a320 that's not a concern. Not sure on the a320 brands they use but I got an ASUS prime board. Memory isn't no brand, just not listed (albiet they seem to be the cheaper parts. But they're a recommended upgrade personally so I'm indifferent) and the PSU will be fine for anything sub RTX or Vega (albiet I'd upgrade before end of warranty out of paranoia)

        • N1NJ4W4RR10R on 03/05/2019 - 15:29

          Just looking for you now. Will factor in upgrades I'd recommend.

          Were you looking to stay with the price of the above link? Or the original post?

        • Garroshs on 03/05/2019 - 15:29
          +1

          https://au.pcpartpicker.com/list/G2PxpG

          +

          https://www.scorptec.com.au/product/Hard-Drives-&-SSDs/SSD-2…

          Would be a good buy. But shop around for each part, don't go with pcpart picker for pricing. Get far better deals if you shop elsewhere.

          You'd be around $800-900 + 100 bucks for a shop to install

        • geech on 03/05/2019 - 15:45
          -1

          Something like:

          https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Ryzen-5-2600-GTX-1660-6GB-120GB-…

          Pay for the B350 motherboard upgrade

          https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/System-Upgrade-A320M-to-B350M-Mo…

          I'd then look to replace the power supply and add/change the storage depending on your capacity requirements.

          Base price is $920 ($881 + $39 for the mobo).
          Factor in ~$100 for the new power supply and ~$100 for storage.

          You can get a 500GB SSD for $100 if 500GB is enough capacity for you, otherwise you can get a 2-3TB mechanical drive and add that to the existing 120GB SSD the PC comes with.

          You could probably get away with a lower spec base machine from them, but the above one comes in under budget and will last for several years

          Then just buy a 6 pack of beer for a nearby nerd to swap the parts out for you :)

          • N1NJ4W4RR10R on 03/05/2019 - 15:51

            @geech: Gah, dam the ebay app links being flagged as "affiliate" links.

            TL;DR - This guys advice. But I'd recommend either the i5 9400f + 1660 (9400f is equivalent to the r5 2600x) system or the r5 2600 + 580 system ($1,000 and $720 respectively I think).

            I'd also recommend replacing RAM eventually. There's a kit on Amazon of 16gb 3000MHz CL15 RAM for $150~ I saw on a deal from the reddit last week I'll link if you PM (because I can't be bothered typing this a 3rd time).

  • Allison123 on 03/05/2019 - 16:48
    +1

    Thanks so much for all the comments.

    I'm going to save the recommended list and go to a local computer shop tomorrow to see what price they can do to put everything together, while try to watch some "put computer together step by step" ytb videos,
    and also keep on eyes on the techfast ones for another 20% off deal.

    Will report back for I have got

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