Need a new Desktop - be gentle with me
Discussion
Ok folks,
After keeping my old PC going for about 10 yrs with several hardware upgrades I recognise it is time to bite the bullet and buy a new one.
The old one is running Windows 10 and is not compatible with Windows 11. I guess I could upgrade the hardware again, but frankly I can't be arsed. It is pretty much done.
One of the reasons I have kept it alive for so long is that the last time I bought a new computer it was a nightmare getting the new one set up.
Outlook was a pain plus all of the inevitable lost passwords etc. It took weeks and then I had to laboriously install a bunch of programs on to it.
However, times have moved on I think and the good news is that the my existing PC still works (unlike last time) so I have access to all the passwords to copy across to the new machine if I need them.
Am I right in thinking that I can just fire up a new PC, log in to my 356 account, google account etc and I'll be basically up and running?
Will my bookmarks be there or will I need to copy them across somehow?
I know that probably sounds daft - but I'm a bit of a numpty when it comes to computers. I just want it to work.
Also, what to buy as a replacement.
Would something like this do me for a good few years? I can live without the garish looks but if it a decent spec that that is all I really care about.
https://ao.com/product/3xs137373-3xs-core-4060-rgb...
I'm sure it is overkill, but I'd rather that than find I have to upgrade yet again in a few years.
Ta in advance for any help and, as I said in the title, be gentle!
After keeping my old PC going for about 10 yrs with several hardware upgrades I recognise it is time to bite the bullet and buy a new one.
The old one is running Windows 10 and is not compatible with Windows 11. I guess I could upgrade the hardware again, but frankly I can't be arsed. It is pretty much done.
One of the reasons I have kept it alive for so long is that the last time I bought a new computer it was a nightmare getting the new one set up.
Outlook was a pain plus all of the inevitable lost passwords etc. It took weeks and then I had to laboriously install a bunch of programs on to it.
However, times have moved on I think and the good news is that the my existing PC still works (unlike last time) so I have access to all the passwords to copy across to the new machine if I need them.
Am I right in thinking that I can just fire up a new PC, log in to my 356 account, google account etc and I'll be basically up and running?
Will my bookmarks be there or will I need to copy them across somehow?
I know that probably sounds daft - but I'm a bit of a numpty when it comes to computers. I just want it to work.
Also, what to buy as a replacement.
Would something like this do me for a good few years? I can live without the garish looks but if it a decent spec that that is all I really care about.
https://ao.com/product/3xs137373-3xs-core-4060-rgb...
I'm sure it is overkill, but I'd rather that than find I have to upgrade yet again in a few years.
Ta in advance for any help and, as I said in the title, be gentle!
OK cool I will have to let someone else answer your questions because I'm not very up-to-date on this stuff. But the one you linked to has a high-end gaming graphics card which possibly you won't need. I know that the Intel chips have a fairly good GPU in them for encoding and decoding video which might be helpful for your editing. I guess the other question is how much storage do you need? Do you know how much you have consumed on the computer? My initial impression is you will not need a computer as expensive as that one for what you are doing but I will let's someone informed actually answer your questions I hope it goes well
A Ryzen 5, 16GB, and 1TB are fine as a spec for basic needs and reasonable longevity. That is a gaming PC though. You could live without the 4060 graphics card and the massive case and save some money.
As a quick "first Google hit" comparison an HP desktop with similar spec is £529
https://www.hp.com/gb-en/shop/product.aspx?id=7M4Z...
As a quick "first Google hit" comparison an HP desktop with similar spec is £529
https://www.hp.com/gb-en/shop/product.aspx?id=7M4Z...
Yes, you are almost certainly right about it being overkill.
That said, I really hate it when my existing computer goes in to overdrive trying to do updates. Max or almost memory and cpu usage, fans screaming, everything taking ages to do anything.
I'd rather lob an extra couple of hundred at a PC now and hope that the spec sees me through for a good while.
Mind you if can get a solid, fast and reliable PC for £500 or £600 instead of £850 then that would be great.
That said, I really hate it when my existing computer goes in to overdrive trying to do updates. Max or almost memory and cpu usage, fans screaming, everything taking ages to do anything.
I'd rather lob an extra couple of hundred at a PC now and hope that the spec sees me through for a good while.
Mind you if can get a solid, fast and reliable PC for £500 or £600 instead of £850 then that would be great.
grumbledoak said:
A Ryzen 5, 16GB, and 1TB are fine as a spec for basic needs and reasonable longevity. That is a gaming PC though. You could live without the 4060 graphics card and the massive case and save some money.
As a quick "first Google hit" comparison an HP desktop with similar spec is £529
https://www.hp.com/gb-en/shop/product.aspx?id=7M4Z...
Thanks! As a quick "first Google hit" comparison an HP desktop with similar spec is £529
https://www.hp.com/gb-en/shop/product.aspx?id=7M4Z...
That is certainly much more aesthetically pleasing! I see that the 1TB SSD takes it up to £749 but that is still a hundred quid less than the big box of flashing lights that I linked in my post.
I'd rather just buy a box that will do me for a good while.
Don't get me wrong, I quite like fiddling about and upgrading stuff, but in this instance I'd rather spend the money now and not have to worry about it.
Mind you, I did put in a 1TB SSD in my old clockwork PC about a year ago so I guess I could buy the HP one with the smaller 500GB SSD and just swap in my existing 1TB one. That would save me 200 notes right there.
Don't get me wrong, I quite like fiddling about and upgrading stuff, but in this instance I'd rather spend the money now and not have to worry about it.
Mind you, I did put in a 1TB SSD in my old clockwork PC about a year ago so I guess I could buy the HP one with the smaller 500GB SSD and just swap in my existing 1TB one. That would save me 200 notes right there.
TorqueDirty said:
Thanks!
That is certainly much more aesthetically pleasing! I see that the 1TB SSD takes it up to £749 but that is still a hundred quid less than the big box of flashing lights that I linked in my post.
You can get extra storage for way less than that.That is certainly much more aesthetically pleasing! I see that the 1TB SSD takes it up to £749 but that is still a hundred quid less than the big box of flashing lights that I linked in my post.
The big box shippers are much of a muchness, and there are offers all the time.
Try a Google search for "desktop PC i5 15GB 1TB" ...
If you need 1TB storage this one is the same as the HP linked above, processor is one generation newer, comes to £50 less
https://www.dell.com/en-uk/shop/desktop-computers/...
https://www.dell.com/en-uk/shop/desktop-computers/...
Thanks for all the helpful pointers.
So basically the spec I was considering is about right, minus the fancy graphics card and flashing lights.
That is good to know. I'm OK to spend about £750 so the 1TB HP with the i7 processor should easily do whatever job I throw at it.
In terms of getting it up and running with all the stuff from my old computer is it just a matter of logging in to my various accounts and hey presto? Like I say I'll have the old one running too so I can always manually check passwords and things.
Of course I'll copy across all the actual docs, pics and so on (I don't use One Drive). I have a couple of 500GB SSD portable drives that I can use to move stuff over.
Anything else I need to think about before buying myself this rather unexciting Christmas present?
So basically the spec I was considering is about right, minus the fancy graphics card and flashing lights.
That is good to know. I'm OK to spend about £750 so the 1TB HP with the i7 processor should easily do whatever job I throw at it.
In terms of getting it up and running with all the stuff from my old computer is it just a matter of logging in to my various accounts and hey presto? Like I say I'll have the old one running too so I can always manually check passwords and things.
Of course I'll copy across all the actual docs, pics and so on (I don't use One Drive). I have a couple of 500GB SSD portable drives that I can use to move stuff over.
Anything else I need to think about before buying myself this rather unexciting Christmas present?
Edited by TorqueDirty on Friday 20th December 12:37
TorqueDirty said:
In terms of getting it up and running with all the stuff from my old computer is it just a matter of logging in to my various accounts and hey presto? Like I say I'll have the old one running too so I can always manually check passwords and things.
Of course I'll copy across all the actual docs, pics and so on (I don't use One Drive). I have a couple of 500GB SSD portable drives that I can use to move stuff over.
Anything else I need to think about before buying myself this rather unexciting Christmas present?
Yeah, it should pretty much be signing in with your Microsoft account. All the online stuff should just be there.Of course I'll copy across all the actual docs, pics and so on (I don't use One Drive). I have a couple of 500GB SSD portable drives that I can use to move stuff over.
Anything else I need to think about before buying myself this rather unexciting Christmas present?
You could probably move your files over using One Drive.
Mind, as a Christmas present I would try to make if more exciting. Maybe you do want all those coloured LEDs?
Right, new PC ordered.
Thanks for the help guys.
I went for the HP Slim Desktop S01-pF3000na – Core™ i7
So 1TB SSD, the better processor and it seems to come with a better graphics driver.
https://www.hp.com/gb-en/shop/product.aspx?id=7m4z...
Job - I hope - jobbed.
Thanks for the help guys.
I went for the HP Slim Desktop S01-pF3000na – Core™ i7
So 1TB SSD, the better processor and it seems to come with a better graphics driver.
https://www.hp.com/gb-en/shop/product.aspx?id=7m4z...
Job - I hope - jobbed.
total overkill imho for your use.
something like
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/316027988173?_skw=lenov...
should be more than adequate for your use
something like
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/316027988173?_skw=lenov...
should be more than adequate for your use
markiii said:
total overkill imho for your use.
something like
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/316027988173?_skw=lenov...
should be more than adequate for your use
I have one of these and they are brilliant and if you watch carefully you can pick them up for even less than this particular one. That's nonetheless I hope you are happy with your purchase and it's new which gives you the peace of mind. something like
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/316027988173?_skw=lenov...
should be more than adequate for your use
markiii said:
total overkill imho for your use.
something like
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/316027988173?_skw=lenov...
should be more than adequate for your use
I had one of those previously. Loved it. But they are really not upgradable at all and 8GB / 256GB is rather tight these days. Good value as a disposable PC. Not great for 5+ years longevity.something like
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/316027988173?_skw=lenov...
should be more than adequate for your use
grumbledoak said:
I had one of those previously. Loved it. But they are really not upgradable at all and 8GB / 256GB is rather tight these days. Good value as a disposable PC. Not great for 5+ years longevity.
What upgrades do you need that it can't do for desktop work? Swap CPU check 32gb ram check nvme check 2.5 inch drive space check or pcie slot for quad NIC or 10gbe But really for the price Mac mini is hard to beat
Edited by Trustmeimadoctor on Friday 20th December 19:24
Note that video editing does benefit from a dedicated graphics card (they are not just for gaming!) if you are doing editing on large or high res videos or applying lots of filters, edits, etc.
It is also fairly easy, even from non-technical people, to get Windows 11 on to older non-supported hardware. This is done using the "Rufus" app which you install from the Microsoft app store on your current machine, then use it to make a USB Windows 11 installer and tick the option along the way for bypassing unsupported hardware checks. I have used it to install Windows 11 on a load of machines including my 2007 Sony Vaio dual core laptop!
It is also fairly easy, even from non-technical people, to get Windows 11 on to older non-supported hardware. This is done using the "Rufus" app which you install from the Microsoft app store on your current machine, then use it to make a USB Windows 11 installer and tick the option along the way for bypassing unsupported hardware checks. I have used it to install Windows 11 on a load of machines including my 2007 Sony Vaio dual core laptop!
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