Home desktop PC shopping, 2025 edition

[El Chupacabra]

I need a new home computer -- a Windows PC, because that's what I've used forever, so not switching to Mac or Linux or whatever. I have a dedicated space for it, so an old style tower is what I'm looking for, not an all in one or a laptop. I have two monitors and want to reuse them for the new computer. I don't need a keyboard or mouse, but they usually come with anyway, so whatever.

Anyone have suggestions on where to shop, and ballpark for budget? I don't have high demands -- no video editing, not gaming -- so something basic will be fine. The current computer is ancient -- it's Intel Core i7-2600 CPU @ 3.40GHz, which google tells me dates to 2011. Has 8 gb RAM and two hard drives, no SSD.

Costco has this Dell on sale -- worthwhile, or POS?
https://www.costco.com/dell-inspiron...fa01d20a1cb827

Others at Costco:

https://www.costco.com/computer-towe...2BProfessional

[El Chupacabra]

More info on my current ancient computer specs:

Operating System - Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
CPU - Intel Core i7 2600 @ 3.40GHz 47 °C - Sandy Bridge 32nm Technology
RAM - 8.00GB Single-Channel DDR3 @ 665MHz (9-9-9-24)
Motherboard -
Hewlett-Packard 1494 (SOCKET 0)
Graphics - HP LA2206 (1920x1080@60Hz), HP LA2206 (1920x1080@60Hz), 512MB ATI AMD Radeon HD 6350 (HP) 47 °C
Storage - 931GB Seagate ST31000524AS (SATA ) 27 °C, 596GB Hitachi HDT721064SLA360 (SATA ) 25 °C
Optical Drives - HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GH24NS50, hp DVD-RAM GH80N
Audio - High Definition Audio Device

Two hard drives -- one 930 GB, one 640 GB set up for storage only


Do I need to shop for anything in particular to run the two monitors I have? Or will any desktop PC be able to do that?

[fleaches]

Don't have much input on current pre built desktops, but just wanted to say that building from scratch can be cheaper and you'll get exactly the specs you want. Plus it's kinda fun.

Use pcpartpicker.com to verify compatibility, shop around for the best price, and assemble in an afternoon.

Many CPUs have integrated graphics now so no need for a separate GPU if you aren't doing heavy lifting. Def get more RAM and an ssd.

[Bosco]

For your needs I'd just get the dell from costco. It will be way better than what you have. I wouldn't consider any dell desktop to be a POS. I'm not a fan of their laptops though. I wouldn't bother building something, unless you consider it a fun thing to do. I've done it before, but I had special needs.

[I Skied Bandini Mountain]

I've got a little Beelink micro and couldn't be happier.

Cheap, quiet and plenty of power for a business box. Processing photos through LR and PS takes more time, but that's not what it's for.

[nickwm21]

Yeah… I would just get one of those mini-pc’s / mini-chromebox’s off Amazon.


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[El Chupacabra]

I want a tower running Windows, not a mini box thing or a Chromebook. I need a DVD/CD writable drive too.

The criticisms I've heard of Dell, HP/ Compaq, and other non fancy PCs, usually seems to be that the power supply can't handle much more than what it comes with, or the motherboard is proprietary and has limited ability to add more drives. Not sure how I can figure that out in advance of buying, but if I grab something from Costco, I could just return it if it's not right.

Thanks everyone - going to Google more and see what I can learn + find.

[Snow Dog]

A new SSD for the OS and a fresh install of Windows 10 is all you need. Maybe more memory if you're doing video editing or something. Check you task monitor and see how much memory you're actually using.

New computers are usually full of crapware because manufacturers make good money installing all this trial software. They also have weird (cheap) hardware and the drivers never get updated. If you want something new, get your local computer shop to build you something.

[singlesline]

I'd say just buy that dell. But it is showing out of stock online for me, so it might only be an option if your local store has one or something--the $200 off made it a killer deal.

Building your own is nice (it is opposite of MTB--you can easily beat OEM prices by building yourself)...but there's not much savings to be found if you aren't trying to build a high performance rig. It could maybe save you $100 off that Dell for similar capability, but you wouldn't get Windows or a new keyboard/mouse (or a CD/DVD/BD drive). Technically you can get some gray market windows for like $25 and your old keyboard is probably fine. You'd get some higher quality parts, but have to do all the work yourself and lose the backing of Costco/Dell.

If you don't care about new, there are a lot of ways to get a couple year old machine fresh off a corporate lease for pretty cheap. As an arbitrary cutoff, I'd say anything with an 12-gen intel chip, SSD, and 16gb+ of RAM is a sufficient upgrade. See how much you can lowball this guy: https://www.ebay.com/itm/32643798671...Bk9SR5z28PieZQ

[El Chupacabra]

I'd say just buy that dell. But it is showing out of stock online for me, so it might only be an option if your local store has one or something--the $200 off made it a killer deal.

Building your own is nice (it is opposite of MTB--you can easily beat OEM prices by building yourself)...but there's not much savings to be found if you aren't trying to build a high performance rig. It could maybe save you $100 off that Dell for similar capability, but you wouldn't get Windows or a new keyboard/mouse (or a CD/DVD/BD drive). Technically you can get some gray market windows for like $25 and your old keyboard is probably fine. You'd get some higher quality parts, but have to do all the work yourself and lose the backing of Costco/Dell.

If you don't care about new, there are a lot of ways to get a couple year old machine fresh off a corporate lease for pretty cheap. As an arbitrary cutoff, I'd say anything with an 12-gen intel chip, SSD, and 16gb+ of RAM is a sufficient upgrade. See how much you can lowball this guy: https://www.ebay.com/itm/32643798671...Bk9SR5z28PieZQ

Thanks! Thats helpful info on what to shop for.

The Dell at Costco is showing OOS for me too, but I'll keep an eye out in case it comes back. I'm going to the local Costco tomorrow anyway, and will see what they have in the store.

[El Chupacabra]

Update: and admission of user error -- I got my ancient home computer running much faster, so the need for a replacement isn't too urgent anymore.

I've always done the Windows updates that get pushed out, but haven't been installing the "optional" updates -- the driver updates where Windows cryptically says something like "if you're having issues, installing these might help". But there was very little info on what those updates were for.

I figured that my computer was on its last legs, so why not try installing *all* of the optional updates. I did that, and now it works in an acceptably quick manner. I guess it needed some/all of those driver updates!

[NBABUCKS1]

el chu

that thing absolutely on it's last legs. It's an 11 year old machine? Put it out of it's misery.

As for the little pc's i use them at work, they pack a lot of punch and you could get a usb dvd-rw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llnf3Vnzcxs

I'm team build your own if you need a tower. If you are in utah i'll build you a sick lil pc with whatever budget you have for $50

Or just get the new mac mini, it's an insanely good deal.

[RShea]

I need a new home computer -- a Windows PC, because that's what I've used forever, so not switching to Mac or Linux or whatever. I have a dedicated space for it, so an old style tower is what I'm looking for, not an all in one or a laptop. I have two monitors and want to reuse them for the new computer. I don't need a keyboard or mouse, but they usually come with anyway, so whatever. Anyone have suggestions on where to shop, and ballpark for budget? I don't have high demands -- no video editing, not gaming -- so something basic will be fine. The current computer is ancient -- it's Intel Core i7-2600 CPU @ 3.40GHz, which google tells me dates to 2011. Has 8 gb RAM and two hard drives, no SSD. Costco has this Dell on sale -- worthwhile, or POS? https://www.costco.com/dell-inspiron...fa01d20a1cb827 Others at Costco: https://www.costco.com/computer-towe...2BProfessional

The first link for the Dell is an Intel 14th Gen CPU. I'd consider if you have not pulled the trigger to look at the AMD Ryzen 5 series or higher if budget allows you (series 5 Pro, 7, or 7 Pro)... Intel has had some issues and problems with their 13th and 14th generation CPU's. So based on that, either an older 12th generation or switch over to AMD CPU's. Even for basic needs the 12th Generation should be just fine (but not sure if any new systems unless they are open box or older stock are still out there or not.) Refurbished should be available with the prior generations- 10th Gen, 11th Gen and 12th Gen...

You say you want dual monitor support- so you have to determine a few things- first is does the system support 2 monitors, or will you have to add a video card with 2 monitor support? Also what type of monitor- usually these days the systems have either Displayport or HDMI ports. Many of the Dell Inspiron systems are just Home computers and have a single video port and not for dual monitors. Business class (so Dell Optiplex usually or Lenovo ThinkCentre also) are the business class and many of them have dual monitor support right out of the box. One Dell Inspiron in that one link clearly states: Number of DisplayPort Outputs - 1x DisplayPort

Are you going to be getting new monitors or using 2 existing monitors? If existing then you want to check to see if it has VGA (older blue connector), DVI (usually white or sometimes black), and or HDMI or Displayport connections. If they only have VGA, then you will need adapters to go from either the displayport or hdmi ports on the new computer to the older monitor plugs... There are hdmi to DVI and displayport to VGA as well as HDMI to VGA also adapters or cable converters...

Dell Refurbished maybe something to consider as there are some deals on returned from lease business class systems that should be just fine for your needs- 16 Gb of memory (or 8 Gb and get another chip of 8 or 16 Gb to add to the system yourself) and an SSD drive big enough for your storage needs (usually 256 Gb entry level, then 500 or 512 GB, and 1 TB for those that need to have plenty of storage for things like photos and videos...

[RShea]

The video on the Inspiron states: Number of DisplayPort Outputs - 1x DisplayPort and then 1 HDMI port- but it may not handle both active at the same time (it could but verify that and you will then need one of each ports on the monitors or else as I state adapters to VGA or older video connectors.

[Core Shot]

<p>
I grabbed a few refurbished Lenovo mini computers for $240 off amzn. Dual display. Windows 11. Cheap and reliable so far.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p>
and yeah for monitors there&#39;s no more vga. Too much sand. But you can get adaptors for dvi. The other one has to be hdmi.&nbsp;</p>

[El Chupacabra]

Thanks! This is really helpful. I'm going to keep looking for a new computer, just not as hurried as I thought I needed to be since the old one is functional now at least.

I'll look and see what my monitors' plugs are. I know there's a Y cable connecting the two to the video card, but not sure what type jack they use.

[MyNameIsAugustWest]

Microsoft is ending support and updates for Windows 10 pretty soon.


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[skaredshtles]

Im in the build it yourself camp. In fact, the guts of our desktop are almost 5yo at this point - probably time to refresh the internals and get a copy of whatever the new Windows version is...

[kamtron]

Honestly I agree that your current machine is fine for what you use it for. An SSD and maybe RAM upgrade will make it totally fresh. Windows is your main problem....

[Core Shot]

This whole windows upgrade limit is annoying. I’m going to hack the registry and try to get past the cock block. My work machine is fine. Quad core i7 plenty of ram and ssd storage. Fuck msft.

[RShea]

This whole windows upgrade limit is annoying. I&rsquo;m going to hack the registry and try to get past the cock block. My work machine is fine. Quad core i7 plenty of ram and ssd storage. Fuck msft.

There really does not need to have any registry hack- as the issues are in the upgrade in place, not the existing registry that you are talking about. See there are 2 major deal breakers for the upgrade- a supported CPU that is on the list of Microsoft approved CPU&#39;s (ie newer processors that are well documented) and the second is the TPM version (Trusted Platform Module) of 2.0. The TPM is a security issue- stopping some untrusted modification or hacking of the system boot process. TPM 1.x was deemed as not good enough. So if you want to REALLY run Windows 11 on older hardware, then you need to do basically 3 things. Backup your system or get another drive to put in the system, then plan on doing a FRESH installation of Windows 11 and not try and do the upgrade. But you have to basically do another step when you create the Windows installation image with a package called Rufus. It has an option to turn off the check and verification for CPU and TPM and just install the OS fresh.

[Core Shot]

Roofies. Yes. I came across that in my research. I guess it’s trusted open source somewhat verified code?

TPM.yep. That’s what cock blocked my work box. Have no problem with a fresh install. It’s often better. Thx.

[Snow Dog]

Windows 11 doesn't add anything. It does give you rounded corners on the windows if that matters. I disabled the upgrade on my main computer using Gibson Research InControl

[Core Shot]

The only thing I noticed on eleven is more bloat ware. And they moved the start button and made other shit harder to access. Was just trying to be proactive about the lack of security patches on a corporate setting next fall.

[highangle]

Hi folks, I don't ski and I'm not interested in learning anything new.

Recommend me a turnkey skis/binders/boots/poles/onsie/goggles/helmet solution that'll have me looking good at Breck.