I have had the same desktop PC since 2009 and while I have had to replace components over the years, it is finally dead beyond my desire to fix (although the HD should be fine so I think I can get all the data off it) so it is finally time for a new one. My last two PCs were Dell but as I wrote that was over a decade ago so I don’t know if there are better options these days. So any advice from people who have bought PCs? A few things:
I don’t want to replace it with a tablet or lap top. I want a desktop PC. I also have no desire to build my own.
When I bought the one that just died I played a lot of PC games so I got a real top of the line one at the time and it served me well. Nowadays I don’t play PC games anywhere near as often (90% of my PC gaming is Slay the Spire and Monster Train) so that is not so much a priority this time. Thinking something beefy on RAM and mid tier on graphics.
Any and all suggestions, pitfalls to look out for, or other advice is appreciated. Thanks.
Simple things:
Ensure the computer is SSD and not traditional HD.
HP is as reliable as Dell in Desktops (over the last decade at least) and typically cheaper. Well worth looking at.
Look for at least 8GM of ram but I recommend 12-16GB.
Get Windows 11 as you’re not a high end gamer. (like me)
If you’re going prebuilt, you definitely want to stick with the big manufacturers. There are a number of YouTube channels devoted solely to buying rigs from online vendors that seem really great and then end up being boxes of soldered garbage.
Since you’re not worried about gaming, it’s hard to go wrong. No worries about having a current-gen CPU or anything like that.
Along with the good advice What_Exit gives, I’d also make sure you’re getting an actual graphics card rather than an onboard chip. Even if you’re not doing much gaming, you want a dedicated GPU.
Going to agree with @What_Exit already said, but add a few things.
if you’re using older secondary systems (drives, or especially printers) make sure their connectors are compatible with new system or you have adaptors. Yes, I’d think everything was USB or newer, but I still have one older printer (because it just works dammit) that had to get an adapter.
double and triple down on the SSD of course.
16G of RAM would be my advice, as the base models tend to go from 8 to 16, and 8 just doesn’t cut it they way it should, especially if you go with multitasking on the system (even without games)
HP and Dell both make solid if uninspired computers, and sometimes (!) the moderate end gaming systems are better values than the high end non-gaming systems that would have features you’d like. Especially when it comes to getting a dedicated Graphics card so you’re not always sucking resources from your CPU to try to run even pretty basic games.
If your needs are modest, and budget an issue, consider both parties refurbished options, that still come with a full warranty. A couple of scratches aren’t a big thing if it nets you a big savings, and buying a slightly older system isn’t going to hurt your usage.
I agree with What_Exit said. Don’t overspend unless you want to splurge just for the sake of doing so, and the brands he suggests have a good track record for reliability and performance. Since you’re doing some gaming, I suggest a Track Ball instead of a regular mouse. Once you get used to it, you’ll never go back to a mouse.
If you’re a Costco member, I believe computers purchased through them come with a two-year warranty even if the manufacturer only normally offers a one-year warranty.
Get a wireless card even in case you ever decide to keep the computer away from the router. (This might cost twenty or thirty dollars more.)
And if your monitor is as old as your computer, I’d recommend a new one of that as well.
And consider keeping your files on Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive or some other cloud site. In that case, a 256GB or 512GB SSD might be all you need.
Good point about the Budget. I should have mentioned that. Let’s say the ceiling would be around $3000 but if there is quality to be had at cheaper prices I am all for it. Also had already planned on 12 gigs of RAM but may go 16. Hope to keep the PC a long time like the last one and RAM goes a long way.
Thanks for starting this thread, OP. I’m in the same boat. I’m not a gamer, so my needs are scant. I’m upgrading from a Gateway all-in-one running 8.3, so it will be a big leap for me. All info gratefully appreciated.
Here’s an HP machine currently on sale for a grand that looks like it should comfortably run any game currently on the market. I’d replace the secondary HDD with a large SSD, though.
This one is $1269.99 with the upgrades I listed below. OMEN 25L Gaming Desktop GT15-0340qd
I brought the processor up to the middle choice, an i7 for $150
Memory to 16GB for $70 & Storage to 512 GB for $70.
The base graphics card should be great for your needs.
Just bought a new Dell Inspiron from Costco to replace my ancient Lenovo all in 1. The computer and a new 32" monitor came in right at $1500. 1 TB HD and a 512 SSD HD and 32 gigs of RAM. My god it this thing fast compared to my old computer. I have no more lag with my wireless headphones, the words now match the mouth movements. I have been using 3 monitors with my all in 1 but with the 32" monitor I am going to go with 2. My only issue if you want to call it one is with Google Maps. With my old computer I can scroll in and out of street view but it doesn’t work that way with the new unit. Not sure if it’s something with W11, my old rig still has W10.
At your budget point then, W_E’s priced out system is more than a good enough light weight racehorse, and I’d splurge on a nice, big new monitor and some killer speakers.
I think your pick is a great general-purpose machine, but this seems like an unnecessary upgrade for the OP’s stated needs. Especially with the 3050 rather than the 3060.
@Quimby: do you think there’s any chance at all that you’ll wake up tomorrow or next year and decide you want to start playing more demanding games? Since your budget is pretty much “build whatever you damn well please,” the only real question is whether you want to retain the option for serious gaming.
