Question Mini PC vs ATX PC ?

[RickVS]

I am looking to replace my 2016 Xidax gaming rig with a new Windows 11-compatible PC. I don't game anymore so the latest GPU isn't important. In my rig I have a 1 Tb SSD, a 6 Tb HDD and a 4 Tb HDD with an older Intel i7 CPU with water cooling. I have 32 Gb of DDR4 RAM. Instead of spending another $2K+, I'm thinking of a mini PC like one of those listed here: https://www.lifewire.com/best-mini-pcs-11736355. Specifically, I'm looking at the i9 Beelink with a 1 Tb SSD and 32 Gb of DDR5 RAM for $579 or the one with a 2 Tb SSD and 64 Gb of DDR5 RAM for $729. I'm trying to keep costs down but do you think that doubling all of the specs for $150 might be worth it? I do like to future proof.

I would need to address my hard drives, so I'm thinking of something like the $100 Cenmate 4 bay external drive enclosure that would connect to the mini pc via USB A/C 3.0. Lastly, I would need additional USB ports so I would get a 4 port USB 3.2 hub.

My question is, would I be missing anything or is there something that I'm not considering moving away from the desktop form factor I've always used? I'd like to hear your thoughts.

Finally, what would be a realistic price to sell my Xidax rig for if I were to put Linux on it? It has an RTX 2060 Super GPU in it. Thanks.

 

[cruisetung]

It really depends on what you do. If all you do is internet browsing, I'm actually using GMKtec Pro M5 32GB 5700U mini pc that was about $320 when I bought it and I can run several VM at the same time without any problem

You can use old pc as a DIY NAS, Windows or Linux based (TrueNAS, OpenMediaVault. etc) if it doesn't use too much power.

Or sell your rig/hdd and replace them with external nvme

The GMKtec Pro M5 can take 2 internal nmve (it comes with 1)

==

My GMKtec has been upgraded but same price (oops it's better M5 Plus with triple display)

https://www.amazon.com/-/zh_TW/GMKtec-M5-Ryzen-2-5GbE-USB3-2/dp/B0CD7Y4C5Y?th=1

==

GMK 64GB mini pc. triple nvme, quad display
https://www.amazon.com/GMKtec-Workstation-13900HK-Computer-Business/dp/B0DWSD7CC9?th=1

 

[LordVile]

What are you actually using it for?

If you’re not using it for gaming do you really need all that storage?

 

[RickVS]

What are you actually using it for?

If you’re not using it for gaming do you really need all that storage?

I have a large media collection which takes up a lot of space. I mostly just use the computer for general business productivity. Nothing particularly demanding. Office, email, web surfing.

 

[SkyNetRising]

I mostly just use the computer for general business productivity.
Nothing particularly demanding. Office, email, web surfing.

And how is your current system not doing the job?
Honestly - it seems like a perfectly capable pc.
Changing it just for windows 11 support seems silly.

 

[RickVS]

And how is your current system not doing the job?
Honestly - it seems like a perfectly capable pc.
Changing it just for windows 11 support seems silly.

I just don't want to be without security updates. I'm eligible until Oct 26 however it's only a matter of time when I'll have to bite the bullet so I'm thinking of just pulling the Band-Aid off.

 

[cruisetung]

Bypass Win11 requirement check

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQDBxikmg2c

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXFVR4LuQSA

 

[USAFRet]

I just don't want to be without security updates. I'm eligible until Oct 26 however it's only a matter of time when I'll have to bite the bullet so I'm thinking of just pulling the Band-Aid off.

https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing...those-who-dont-want-to-upgrade-to-windows-11/

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us...-program-33e17de9-36b3-43bb-874d-6c53d2e4bf42

 

[RickVS]

https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing...those-who-dont-want-to-upgrade-to-windows-11/

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us...-program-33e17de9-36b3-43bb-874d-6c53d2e4bf42

Yes, that's why I say until Oct 26. I get another year by redeeming MSFT points.

 

[RickVS]

Bypass Win11 requirement check

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQDBxikmg2c

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXFVR4LuQSA

I tried another YouTube hack that involved a command line instruction having to do with a server, and although I typed in the parameters exactly however it still wouldn't work. One of these hacks involves changes to my registry. As you can see below there is a lot of red. If the registry hack also fails is my registry screwed? Would either of these hacks really work considering all the red? Thanks.

 

[cruisetung]

You need to convert MBR to GPT disk and BIOS setting change to UEFI first then boot method and disk partition type check should pass. the rest will pass using the methods posted earlier

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiPi4kYpUF8

 

[RickVS]

You need to convert MBR to GPT disk and BIOS setting change to UEFI first then boot method and disk partition type check should pass. the rest will pass using the methods posted earlier

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiPi4kYpUF8

Am I correct that I can't switch to GPT without addressing UEFI first? Also, I looked at the video. To determine if his drive is MBR he goes into disk management, chooses properties of the drive and looks at the volume tab. I tried this and my properties don't offer volume as an option. Just Security | Previous Versions | Quota | General | Tools | Hardware | Sharing. What gives? Lastly, if in a year I want to reinstall Win11 will I be able to do that through a regular install or am I going to have to use install hacks to do it every time I want to reinstall in the future? Thanks.

 

[SkyNetRising]

Am I correct that I can't switch to GPT without addressing UEFI first?

No, wrong.
First - convert to GPT.
Then - switch to UEFI boot.

To determine if his drive is MBR he goes into disk management, chooses properties of the drive and looks at the volume tab.
I tried this and my properties don't offer volume as an option. Just Security | Previous Versions | Quota | General | Tools | Hardware | Sharing.
What gives?

You didn't check properties of the drive. You checked properties of a volume/partition.
Right-click on left section in Disk Management window, where "Disk #"is written.

Lastly, if in a year I want to reinstall Win11 will I be able to do that through a regular install or am I going to have to use install hacks to do it every time I want to reinstall in the future?

On unsupported hardware you'll have to use some kind of workaround.

 

[logainofhades]

Assuming your i7 is 6th or 7th gen, as you have ddr4, and are claiming not win 11 compatible here. Easy thing to do is replace motherboard and CPU with either AM4 or go with a 12th gen Intel, and ddr4 motherboard.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5800XT 3.8 GHz 8-Core Processor ($141.00 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($34.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte B550 AORUS ELITE AX V2 ATX AM4 Motherboard ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $325.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-07-28 15:17 EDT-0400

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i5-12600K 3.7 GHz 10-Core Processor ($147.49 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($34.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI PRO B760-P WIFI DDR4 ATX LGA1700 Motherboard ($159.95 @ B&H)
Total: $342.34
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-07-28 15:25 EDT-0400

 

[RickVS]

I decided to reinstall Win10 from scratch which then enabled me to convert from MBR to GPT which also fixed the EUFI and Secure Boot issues which then enabled me to use the server hack above to upgrade to Win11. Thanks everyone for your help.