Desktop Advice

[juss]

Looking at these two:

http://www.dell.com/au/p/inspiron-3668-desktop/pd?oc=a210840au&model_id=inspiron-3668-desktop

https://www.scorptec.com.au/product/Scorptec-Systems/Home-&-Office-PC/70893-SS-AMDA10

Required for study/basic internet browsing, and maybe very casual gaming on lower settings, games like League of Legends.

Leaning towards the Dell, but are there any red flags? I tried to custom design one to be built but I dont know what I'm doing and it kept going over budget.

Need to hook these PCs up to a 29 inch widescreen monitor, much easier for me to work as I often need multiple browser options.

Cheers for any recommendations, happy to look elsewhere if people know other good places to look.

 

[dav3]

Looking at these two:

http://www.dell.com/au/p/inspiron-3668-desktop/pd?oc=a210840au&model_id=inspiron-3668-desktop

https://www.scorptec.com.au/product/Scorptec-Systems/Home-&-Office-PC/70893-SS-AMDA10

Required for study/basic internet browsing, and maybe very casual gaming on lower settings, games like League of Legends.

Leaning towards the Dell, but are there any red flags? I tried to custom design one to be built but I dont know what I'm doing and it kept going over budget.

Need to hook these PCs up to a 29 inch widescreen monitor, much easier for me to work as I often need multiple browser options.

Cheers for any recommendations, happy to look elsewhere if people know other good places to look.

If the choice is between those two I'd go the Dell, purely because the guts of that Scorptec system seem pretty old, and older AMD gear didn't have the greatest reputation. Personally I wouldn't go near the Dell either.

There are plenty of builds to choose from here, they're a little out of date but should be pretty accurate.

 

[juss]

Gold Member

Can I ask for your advice?

Looking to spend only $1100 max on the PC (already have monitor + accessories)
Need it to have:
Wireless capability
Be able to support the above 29" 21:9 monitor via HDMI
SSD to install W10 on
Would also like it to support low level gaming

Im not sure where to spend the money
Mainly used for work/study but yeh, I want it to run fast with good wireless speeds.

 

[Gold Member]

Gold Member[/USgER]

Can I ask for your advice?

Looking to spend only $1100 max on the PC (already have monitor + accessories)
Need it to have:
Wireless capability
Be able to support the above 29" 21:9 monitor via HDMI
SSD to install W10 on
Would also like it to support low level gaming

Im not sure where to spend the money
Mainly used for work/study but yeh, I want it to run fast with good wireless speeds.

Hey mate, just so you know LoL can run fine on Intel integrated graphics...
[MEDIA=youtube]cNdD8FQAFrE[/MEDIA]

I'm running a 2nd hand Dell Inspiron or Optiplex, can't remember, at work for the receptionist and it's a great machine for the money...
This would cover your current requirements but would be fairly limited in it's up-gradability...
[URL]http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Dell-OptiPlex-9020-SFF-i5-4570-16GB-256GB-SSD-DVDRW-Win-7-Pro/253285828024?hash=item3af90305b8:g:thsAAOSwZtlaH3PV[/URL]
Only problem is the video output is via display port, not HDMI, which I'm pretty sure are not compatible.
Just needs an AC wifi dongle and you're set! [URL]https://www.pccasegear.com/products/32179/edimax-ew-7811uac-ac600-wifi-dual-band-usb-adapter[/URL]

The i5 processor is pretty much the same that I have in my gaming rig now, an i5 4670k. I game on this and occasionally edit video as well as browse the nets etc...

Waaayyy under your budget though, food for thought...

 

[juss]

Hey mate, just so you know LoL can run fine on Intel integrated graphics...
[MEDIA=youtube]cNdD8FQAFrE[/MEDIA]

I'm running a 2nd hand Dell Inspiron or Optiplex, can't remember, at work for the receptionist and it's a great machine for the money...
This would cover your current requirements but would be fairly limited in it's up-gradability...
[URL]http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Dell-OptiPlex-9020-SFF-i5-4570-16GB-256GB-SSD-DVDRW-Win-7-Pro/253285828024?hash=item3af90305b8:g:thsAAOSwZtlaH3PV[/URL]
Only problem is the video output is via display port, not HDMI, which I'm pretty sure are not compatible.
Just needs an AC wifi dongle and you're set! [URL]https://www.pccasegear.com/products/32179/edimax-ew-7811uac-ac600-wifi-dual-band-usb-adapter[/URL]

The i5 processor is pretty much the same that I have in my gaming rig now, an i5 4670k. I game on this and occasionally edit video as well as browse the nets etc...

Waaayyy under your budget though, food for thought...

Do you reckon AMD offer better bang for buck than Intel?

 

[Gold Member]

Do you reckon AMD offer better bang for buck than Intel?

Not on stuff that's that age, 2014. An AMD APU maybe a little slower in the cpu but better onboard graphics. Be a struggle to find something as good as the ex lease dell though.

Should be good for a few years, 4 core i5, 16gb ram & ssd. 3-5 years left easily unless you get into more demanding games...

Ps, there are display port to hdmi adaptors commonly available..

 

[juss]

Found a windows 10 PRO key here for $49
https://msofficeworks.com.au/produc...MI84_zx4Hp2AIVWHm9Ch04JAxeEAYYAiABEgLHGPD_BwE

Are there any similar options for to just buy a key and download Microsoft Office?

 

[dav3]

Found a windows 10 PRO key here for $49
https://msofficeworks.com.au/produc...MI84_zx4Hp2AIVWHm9Ch04JAxeEAYYAiABEgLHGPD_BwE

Are there any similar options for to just buy a key and download Microsoft Office?

They're dodgy, don't use them

 

[juss]

They're dodgy, don't use them

Thanks for the tip, haven't bought yet so lucky me.
What about ebay for W10PRO and MS Office?

 

[dav3]

Thanks for the tip, haven't bought yet so lucky me.
What about ebay for W10PRO and MS Office?

I wouldn't be buying something like that from anywhere other than Microsoft themselves or an actual store, you might get lucky with one of those really cheap keys but chances are it won't be valid and you'll be down $50. Windows 10 will be around for a while, try to grab an OEM version from somewhere as they're a little cheaper.

 

[juss]

I wouldn't be buying something like that from anywhere other than Microsoft themselves or an actual store, you might get lucky with one of those really cheap keys but chances are it won't be valid and you'll be down $50. Windows 10 will be around for a while, try to grab an OEM version from somewhere as they're a little cheaper.

Gold Member
What are your thoughts on this? Do you think the W10PRO keys off ebay are legit?

The below for example?
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Genuine...083136?hash=item362a7d3700:g:Mf8AAOSwLjxaUamg

 

[Gold Member]

Gold Member
What are your thoughts on this? Do you think the W10PRO keys off ebay are legit?

The below for example?
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Genuine...083136?hash=item362a7d3700:g:Mf8AAOSwLjxaUamg

I'm running an eBay key for Win 10 64 pro. No problems.

Also you have 3 layer buyer protection.
1. eBay
2. Paypal
3. Credit card right of chargeback

 

[THE_GUN]

Need help guys hope to find answer here !

My pc had issue's and had to reset but in the process lost a cracked version of micro office that had been installed by a 'friend' that has been working perfectly for 4 - 5 years but now he can no longer do this as he is in another country - Here is my problem

I only ever use excel for invoicing and need a office program, Have just purchased this from ebay for $68 but am yet to pay for it and will pick it up myself

I didnt want to pay a yearly subscription of $15 per month and didnt need the latest version for hundreds of dollars and im thinking if the PC dies i can always move the key to another PC

will this work fine and also is it easy to install and enter the key also is this a decent price ?

 

[Helfarch]

Need help guys hope to find answer here !

My pc had issue's and had to reset but in the process lost a cracked version of micro office that had been installed by a 'friend' that has been working perfectly for 4 - 5 years but now he can no longer do this as he is in another country - Here is my problem

I only ever use excel for invoicing and need a office program, Have just purchased this from ebay for $68 but am yet to pay for it and will pick it up myself

I didnt want to pay a yearly subscription of $15 per month and didnt need the latest version for hundreds of dollars and im thinking if the PC dies i can always move the key to another PC

will this work fine and also is it easy to install and enter the key also is this a decent price ?

Have you tested OpenOffice or LibreOffice?

 

[HerveyBayTiger]

Good advice above.

Both good options.

 

[The Big O]

Hi all. We run an online business and our aging desktop is struggling. Looking to replace it but getting overwhelmed by choices. We want a desktop for around the $1500 mark with the idea being to get the highest specs so we get a good run out of it. Looking at systems with an i7 processor.
Is it better to match this with more ram or is having a ssd more important? Also, my mate said don't buy a dell but failed to reccomend an alternative.

On [device_name] using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[dav3]

Hi all. We run an online business and our aging desktop is struggling. Looking to replace it but getting overwhelmed by choices. We want a desktop for around the $1500 mark with the idea being to get the highest specs so we get a good run out of it. Looking at systems with an i7 processor.
Is it better to match this with more ram or is having a ssd more important? Also, my mate said don't buy a dell but failed to reccomend an alternative.

On [device_name] using BigFooty.com mobile app

What do you do with the PC?

 

[The Big O]

Maintaining a web store, processing orders and accounting. Biggest problem at the moment is the large amounts of images downloaded from suppliers and then uploaded to our site. When dropbox is running everything else is super slow. Also waking from sleep mode seems to take for ages.
Looking at this model
https://www.harveynorman.com.au/hp-pavilion-570-p077a-desktop.html

On [device_name] using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[dav3]

Maintaining a web store, processing orders and accounting. Biggest problem at the moment is the large amounts of images downloaded from suppliers and then uploaded to our site. When dropbox is running everything else is super slow. Also waking from sleep mode seems to take for ages.
Looking at this model
https://www.harveynorman.com.au/hp-pavilion-570-p077a-desktop.html

On [device_name] using BigFooty.com mobile app

You'll probably find that an i7 will be overkill for what you're doing. I don't know what system you're currently running, but none of what you're doing is particularly complex, and even an i5 system would be plenty. Your Dropbox issues are probably more likely to be a broadband issue than a PC performance issue, unless your current PC is completely shagged.

That model you posted will work fine, but honestly you're probably better off finding a reasonable PC shop and getting one built for you. Hell, use the i5 downgrade savings to buy a 2nd monitor, that'll probably provide you with more productivity than the extra CPU grunt. That HP also has a video card in it what would be fairly useless in a business PC.

 

[atlas1]

You'll probably find that an i7 will be overkill for what you're doing. I don't know what system you're currently running, but none of what you're doing is particularly complex, and even an i5 system would be plenty. Your Dropbox issues are probably more likely to be a broadband issue than a PC performance issue, unless your current PC is completely shagged.

That model you posted will work fine, but honestly you're probably better off finding a reasonable PC shop and getting one built for you. Hell, use the i5 downgrade savings to buy a 2nd monitor, that'll probably provide you with more productivity than the extra CPU grunt. That HP also has a video card in it what would be fairly useless in a business PC.

Was thinking the same thing, an i5 with an SSD and decent RAM would probably be enough.

 

[The Big O]

Thanks guys! Not a broadband issue as we have pretty constant 25mbps and our laptop flies. The old girl is just shagged I think. Usually by late afternoon we start to see the flashlight icon as we wait for folders to open.
Was thinking i7 mainly as future proofing if our needs grew.
Any thoughts re Dell?

On [device_name] using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[dav3]

Thanks guys! Not a broadband issue as we have pretty constant 25mbps and our laptop flies. The old girl is just shagged I think. Usually by late afternoon we start to see the flashlight icon as we wait for folders to open.
Was thinking i7 mainly as future proofing if our needs grew.
Any thoughts re Dell?

On [device_name] using BigFooty.com mobile app

Even for "future proofing" the extra cost may not be worth it, I can't see a basic business machine requiring 8 cores for basic tasks, even well into the future. If you can afford it and want one then go for it, it's just that if you're looking at a $200ish saving you could probably put that towards something more useful like going to dual monitors, you'll be amazed how much that can help. PCs are getting more and more powerful, I've got an i3 running 4 virtual PCs (including a Windows Server) and the CPU isn't breaking a sweat.

We run Dells pretty much exclusively here (3000+ devices) and they're fine, you get the odd model that's worse than others but for the most part they're reliable. You're better off looking into the reliability of the model you're looking at than the brand itself, as quality changes between models/ranges/revisions, it's nothing a few Google searches can't dig up for you. The only thing I'd suggest is to avoid something with the PC integrated into the monitor (unless you're talking the Lenovo Tiny PCs, as they are detachable) because they're a campaigner to fix.

 

[The Big O]

Cheers!

On [device_name] using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Gold Member]

Was thinking the same thing, an i5 with an SSD and decent RAM would probably be enough.

Yeah, would shit it in.

We have a refurbed Dell Inspiron 3647 for general admin and cloud purposes and it is perfect for it's purpose.
i3 cpu
8gb ram
120ssd
win10 pro
Was $200 from memory a year ago.

Plus 2 2nd hand 1280x720p Dell monitors for $40 each.
And a $20 Dell KB & Mouse combo.