[SOLVED] Help Choosing New PC

[mkmossop]

So I think I want a slight upgrade from my new PC. I'm starting to use my computer with some new audio equipment I got and it's a little slow. I have intel i3 which I know is pretty low. On top of that 2 out of 3 USB ports aren't working now and I'm not sure if it's a software issue or a hardware issue.

Anyway, I'd like to get a large SSD... like 4 TB. However anything close to that on a new PC costs way more than I wanna spend.

So I'm assuming getting a cheaper PC and then a separate SSD would be best.

Wondering if someone could recommend something that's a slight upgrade from my current set up, where I could then install my own SSD. Ideally would be looking for something less than $500. A 4 TB SSD alone would be $600 CAD.

Would either of these four be worth it for example? Or are they complete garbage? I have no clue how to compare PC stats.

https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/produc...-8gb-ram-windows-10-english-open-box/14542654

https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/produc...00gb-hdd-4gb-ram-windows-10-open-box/14542672

https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/produc...8gb-ssd-win10-home-black-refurbished/15001209

https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/produc...8gb-ssd-win10-home-black-refurbished/15001209

Then there are a couple of pricier ones, which I assume would be worth it based on their original prices.

https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/produc...-1035g1-256gb-ssd-8gb-ram-windows-10/13992163

https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/produc...ws-10-pro-64-bit-refurbished-grade-a/15088173

My current PC stats are attached in a pic. Other than using some audio equipment with my PC I mostly just use it for browsing online, and using Office and Excel, etc. No gaming or anything too intensive.

Thanks for any help!

 

[jeremyj_83]

The only laptop that you listed there that would be an improvement over your current system is the HP with the i5-1031G1. All the other systems are garbage.

 

[mkmossop]

Oh great thanks! Had no idea.

Would it be a significant improvement? Or just very minimal?

Also I assume it will be possible to install my own ssd right? It seems like they're making it harder and harder to install your own stuff. I had quite a bit of trouble undoing my current pc to where I was able to access the hard drive.

Also I assume you mean i5-1035G1 and not i5-1031G1? This one:

https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/produc...-1035g1-256gb-ssd-8gb-ram-windows-10/13992163

 

[jeremyj_83]

Oh great thanks! Had no idea.

Would it be a significant improvement? Or just very minimal?

Also I assume it will be possible to install my own ssd right? It seems like they're making it harder and harder to install your own stuff. I had quite a bit of trouble undoing my current pc to where I was able to access the hard drive.

Also I assume you mean i5-1035G1 and not i5-1031G1? This one:

https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/produc...-1035g1-256gb-ssd-8gb-ram-windows-10/13992163

Correct I mean the i5-1035G1. The CPU performance will be better overall due to a higher boost clock and more cores. I'm not sure if you would be able to put in your own SSD as it doesn't say what type of SSD it is. Not to mention it is getting harder and harder to upgrade components on laptops now of days. Also while the CPU performance will be better, the screen on that laptop is junk. In the grand scheme of things you would be able to do a better job with a desktop if you have a monitor and keyboard already.
PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3400G 3.7 GHz Quad-Core Processor ($259.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Motherboard: MSI B450M PRO-VDH MAX Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($89.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Memory: Team T-FORCE VULCAN Z 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory ($77.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Western Digital Blue SN550 500 GB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($69.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Samsung 870 QVO 4 TB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($549.99 @ Best Buy Canada)
Case: Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($56.25 @ Vuugo)
Power Supply: SeaSonic FOCUS Gold 550 W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-modular ATX Power Supply ($98.99 @ PC-Canada)
Total: $1203.19
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2020-12-02 22:33 EST-0500
You would get the advantage of more cores and higher clock speeds that your current system. On top of that you have an easily upgradeable system.

 

[mkmossop]

Ok great thanks so much for your help!