[SOLVED] Desktop pc recommendations

Solution
How do I update the BIOS? I never updated the BIOS before.
That is motherboard specific, but if it is necessary (does not come with updated BIOS):
ASRock BIOS/UEFI Update Instructions

How do I know if this mobo support booting from a m.2 SSD?
ASRock H310CM HDV/M.2 - Motherboard Manual
Can't think of any reason why you wouldn't be able to, but I didn't find anything in the motherboard manual.

Between, this system, Dell, and PowerSpec, which would you choose?
I'll always go with the custom build. If something goes wrong, I have to deal with it, but at least I'm not waiting two to twelve weeks for some company to get around to it.

-Wolf sends

Wolfshadw

Titan
Moderator
Pre-built systems can have proprietary parts that make it difficult to upgrade. A custom motherboard make life hell for upgrading. Whether or not the PC you linked is limited in that way is an unknown. This is why I always recommend building yourself.

The good news is that the fine folks at MicroCenter can probably alleviate any fears you may have. They could probably let you know exactly what's inside the PC and what would need to be changed if an upgrade is desired.

-Wolf sends
 

gta1216

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I don't mind building a pc for my friend, but it's been over 15 years since I last built one. I doubt I remember much anymore. Plus, parts are so expensive now as compared to getting a pre-build one.

I'm also thinking about getting a new pc myself, and trying to find something in this price range as well.
 

Wolfshadw

Titan
Moderator
When it comes to the lower-cost end of the PC realm, often times, you cannot get the same performance as a pre-built system at the same price level. That's the trade off. Lower Cost vs Unknown Components and Lack of Customization/Upgrades.

-Wolf sends
 

gta1216

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What's better? PowerSpec I mentioned in the earlier post or Dell Inspiron 3671? Dell is $520, so the price is very similar.


Dell Inspiron 3671
9th Gen Intel® Core™ i5 9400 (6-Core, 9MB Cache, up to 4.1GHz with Intel® Turbo Boost Technology)
Windows 10 Home 64bit English
Intel UHD Graphics 630 with shared graphics memory
8GB DDR4 at 2666MHz
512GB M.2 PCIe NVMe Solid State Drive
No Optical Drive
802.11bgn + Bluetooth 4.0, 1x1
 

gta1216

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I know the Dell only have 8gb of ram, which I can upgrade later.

I'm wondering if there's any available internal bays and expansion slots on the Dell.

Also, are the specs on the Dell ok (besides the RAM)? How's Dell? I've never had one, but some people used to say they're so-so.
 
Last edited:

larsv8

Distinguished
For the build your own option, how about something like this:

PCPartPicker Part List: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/2zW4b8

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3400G 3.7 GHz Quad-Core Processor ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte B450M DS3H Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($72.99 @ Best Buy)
Memory: G.Skill Aegis 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 CL16 Memory ($55.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Intel 660p Series 512 GB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($74.00 @ B&H)
Case: Phanteks Eclipse P300 ATX Mid Tower Case ($54.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX (2017) 450 W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($69.93 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($108.78 @ Other World Computing)
Total: $586.66
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2020-07-07 20:57 EDT-0400


You can bundle the CPU / mobo at microcenter and save about 20 bucks. And there are a couple of legit ways to get Windows for free, to save another $110.
 

gta1216

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I was trying out the pc builder on newegg.com and came up with the below system. I hope their website is setup to only display compatible components. As I said, it's been 15 years since I've last built a pc so everything is very foreign to me now.

I chose a 256gb SSD since I do not like to store data in the same drive as my OS. So this drive is for the OS, drivers, software only. I prefer to have a separate drive (probably a 2.5" SSD) or external drive for data.

At this time, I think 16gb RAM is sufficient. This pc will be primarily fir everyday use. I may want to use it for editing video on a very very rare occasion since we still have some home videos of our travel and stuff that's not digital.

The total for this system is similar to the Dell Inspiron or PowerSpec.
  • Fractal Design Core 1000 Black Micro ATX Mini Tower Computer Case $39.99
  • hec HEC-450TC-3WX 450W ATX12V v2.2 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply $39.99
  • ASRock H310CM-HDV/M.2 LGA 1151 (300 Series) Intel H310 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.1 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard $61.99
  • Intel Core i5-9400 Coffee Lake 6-Core 2.9 GHz (4.1 GHz Turbo) LGA 1151 (300 Series) 65W BX80684I59400 Desktop Processor $168.99
  • G.SKILL Aegis 16GB (2 x 8GB) 288-Pin DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 2666 (PC4 21300) Desktop Memory Model F4-2666C19D-16GIS $55.99
  • Patriot P300 M.2 2280 256GB PCIe Gen3 x4, NVMe1.3 Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) P300P256GM28US $36.99
  • Windows 10 Home - 64-bit - OEM $109.99
 

gta1216

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Oct 16, 2019
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How do I update the BIOS? I never updated the BIOS before.

How do I know if this mobo support booting from a m.2 SSD?

Between, this system, Dell, and PowerSpec, which would you choose?
 

Wolfshadw

Titan
Moderator
How do I update the BIOS? I never updated the BIOS before.
That is motherboard specific, but if it is necessary (does not come with updated BIOS):
ASRock BIOS/UEFI Update Instructions

How do I know if this mobo support booting from a m.2 SSD?
ASRock H310CM HDV/M.2 - Motherboard Manual
Can't think of any reason why you wouldn't be able to, but I didn't find anything in the motherboard manual.

Between, this system, Dell, and PowerSpec, which would you choose?
I'll always go with the custom build. If something goes wrong, I have to deal with it, but at least I'm not waiting two to twelve weeks for some company to get around to it.

-Wolf sends
 
Solution