Is this desktop PC worth buying?

[RobbieTheTruth]

I desperately need to upgrade my desktop PC.

I have a good monitor, so just need a tower. Used for daily work, browsing, downloading and watching media. I watch a lot of streaming sport/film but I'm not a gamer.

I have HyperOptic 900mbps internet.

Considering the following for circa £500:

https://outlet.euro.dell.com/Online/SecondaryInven...

Intel Core 12th Generation i5-12400 Processor (6 Core, Up to 4.40GHz, 18MB Cache, 65W)
Windows 11 Home
8GB (1X8GB) Up to 3200MHz DDR4 UDIMM Non-ECC
512GB PCIe M.2 NVMe QLC Solid State Drive
Intel Integrated Graphics
180W EPA Power Supply (Bronze)
Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 2x2 802.11ax
External English UK Wired Black Keyboard
8X DVD +/- RW DRIVE

How does the above look? Any noticeable issues? Anything obviously better for similar price?

Thanks in advance!

[randlemarcus]

Add more RAM.

Second Hard Drive may be useful if you download a lot, and dont have a NAS on the network.

[Captain_Morgan]

I would expect that to work well for your use case & last good 5-7 years at least, likely closer to 10.

[RobbieTheTruth]

Thanks! Shall I increase to 16mb ram?

[RobbieTheTruth]

Thanks! Shall I increase to 16mb ram?

[Mr Pointy]

Yes, if you can but there don't seem to be any 16Gb versions available.

[FourWheelDrift]

Careful adding things you've only got 180w of PSU there, the i5-12400 can turbo boost draw up to 117w on it's own and a few online PSU calcs with extra RAM and storage are pushing it towards 160W total power draw.

[Brother D]

I'd only say have a look what is available on ebay. e.g.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/234748353742?hash=item3...

[RobbieTheTruth]

FourWheelDrift said:

Careful adding things you've only got 180w of PSU there, the i5-12400 can turbo boost draw up to 117w on it's own and a few online PSU calcs with extra RAM and storage are pushing it towards 160W total power draw.

What, so this won't work with an extra 8mb ram?

[RobbieTheTruth]

Brother D said:

I'd only say have a look what is available on ebay. e.g.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/234748353742?hash=item3...

Great idea! It says HDMI port not working - do i need that?

[Harpoon]

RobbieTheTruth said:

Great idea! It says HDMI port not working - do i need that?

What monitor do you have?

Looking on the Dell website, there should be a DisplayPort, erm, port next to the HDMI so you may be able to use that. If your monitor is HDMI, you can get direct HDMI <> DP cables.

If somebody has been ham fisted enough to mash the HDMI, I'd be worried about something else being borked though.

HP have a Ryzen system on offer for £349, though "only" 8GB RAM and a 180w PSU

https://www.hp.com/gb-en/shop/product.aspx?id=54C7...

[Captain_Morgan]

Personally I’d say the dell in your original post has a better processor to the hp/amd suggestion something that would matter little today but might as the systems age & the os/app demands increase over time, it might well be the difference of a extra couple of years useful life.

Obviously that depends on how long you tend to keep them.

I would also not worry about installing another 8gb I’d ram, the psu will manage. Adding additional graphics/network cards etc would be another question.

Edit:
If you do want to add memory once you have any system you can go to crucial’ space website scan the system & it will offer memory that will fit, often not the cheapest but as technology isn’t you bag it may buy you some extra piece of mind.

https://uk.crucial.com/upgrades

Edited by Captain_Morgan on Tuesday 25th October 09:59

[RobbieTheTruth]

Captain_Morgan said:

Personally I’d say the dell in your original post has a better processor to the hp/amd suggestion something that would matter little today but might as the systems age & the os/app demands increase over time, it might well be the difference of a extra couple of years useful life.

Obviously that depends on how long you tend to keep them.

I would also not worry about installing another 8gb I’d ram, the psu will manage. Adding additional graphics/network cards etc would be another question.

Edit:
If you do want to add memory once you have any system you can go to crucial’ space website scan the system & it will offer memory that will fit, often not the cheapest but as technology isn’t you bag it may buy you some extra piece of mind.

https://uk.crucial.com/upgrades

Edited by Captain_Morgan on Tuesday 25th October 09:59

Thank you! Seriously considering pulling the trigger on it

[stephenjk]

Black Friday is only a couple of weeks away I'd be tempted to wait and see what offers dell have then.

[RobbieTheTruth]

I've listened to some advice, increased RAM and storage space, and picked up the following spec for £475 on Dell Outlet

Dell Outlet Inspiron 3910 Desktop
Intel Core 12th Generation i5-12400 Processor (6 Core, Up to 4.40GHz, 18MB Cache, 65W)
Windows 11 Home
16GB (1X16GB) Up to 3200MHz DDR4 UDIMM Non-ECC
1TB 3.5inch SATA Hard Drive (7200 RPM)
256GB PCIe M.2 NVMe Class 35 Solid State Drive
Intel Integrated Graphics
180W EPA Power Supply (Bronze)
Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 2x2 802.11ax
External English UK Wired Black Keyboard

[Greenmantle]

RobbieTheTruth said:

I've listened to some advice, increased RAM and storage space, and picked up the following spec for £475 on Dell Outlet

Dell Outlet Inspiron 3910 Desktop
Intel Core 12th Generation i5-12400 Processor (6 Core, Up to 4.40GHz, 18MB Cache, 65W)
Windows 11 Home
16GB (1X16GB) Up to 3200MHz DDR4 UDIMM Non-ECC
1TB 3.5inch SATA Hard Drive (7200 RPM)
256GB PCIe M.2 NVMe Class 35 Solid State Drive
Intel Integrated Graphics
180W EPA Power Supply (Bronze)
Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 2x2 802.11ax
External English UK Wired Black Keyboard

for that sort of money have you considered a NUC?

[RobbieTheTruth]

Greenmantle said:

RobbieTheTruth said:

I've listened to some advice, increased RAM and storage space, and picked up the following spec for £475 on Dell Outlet

Dell Outlet Inspiron 3910 Desktop
Intel Core 12th Generation i5-12400 Processor (6 Core, Up to 4.40GHz, 18MB Cache, 65W)
Windows 11 Home
16GB (1X16GB) Up to 3200MHz DDR4 UDIMM Non-ECC
1TB 3.5inch SATA Hard Drive (7200 RPM)
256GB PCIe M.2 NVMe Class 35 Solid State Drive
Intel Integrated Graphics
180W EPA Power Supply (Bronze)
Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 2x2 802.11ax
External English UK Wired Black Keyboard

for that sort of money have you considered a NUC?

What on earth is an NUC?

[tribbles]

Next Unit of Computing.

It's an ultra-small form factor PC, around 100mm square.

Intel and Gigabyte are the main name manufacturers, but there are others.

[Captain_Morgan]

tribbles said:

Next Unit of Computing.

It's an ultra-small form factor PC, around 100mm square.

Intel and Gigabyte are the main name manufacturers, but there are others.

I was struggling to get a gen 12 I-5 nuc for the op’s dell system, could you link to the one you were thinking matched spec & budget?

I’m coming out at nearly £900 for a broadly equivalent spec.

[RobbieTheTruth]

Captain_Morgan said:

tribbles said:

Next Unit of Computing.

It's an ultra-small form factor PC, around 100mm square.

Intel and Gigabyte are the main name manufacturers, but there are others.

I was struggling to get a gen 12 I-5 nuc for the op’s dell system, could you link to the one you were thinking matched spec & budget?

I’m coming out at nearly £900 for a broadly equivalent spec.

Yeah - I've seen the smaller ones cost more for similar spec.

Not sure why that was proposed as an alternative for that price?