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[Giallo Corsa]

Hello, boys.

My cousin's PC gave up the other day, so he needs a new one.

Nothing demanding, just the usual stuff: email, web browsing, Excel, PDFs, Office, and general day-to-day use.

What would you recommend in terms of:

• CPU (AMD or Intel?)
• RAM (capacity and DDR4 or DDR5?)
• Motherboard?

He'll be buying the components through a guy he knows, so I'm looking for suggestions on what hardware to put together.

He'll also need a monitor.

I was thinking that a budget of around €1,000 should be more than enough for this kind of PC, including the monitor. Does that sound about right?


Thanks in advance, boys.

 

[winjer]

If it's only for office use, have you considered a mini PC?
For example:

GMKtec NucBox M6 Ultra for around 500$

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS
Graphics: AMD Radeon 760M
RAM: Up to 32GB DDR5 (expandable to 128GB)
Storage: 1TB (expandable to 8TB)
Connectivity: 3x USB 3.1, 1x USB4, 1x USB 2.0, 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort, 1x 3.5mm audio jack, 2x 2.5G ethernet ports
Barebones model available: Yes
Dimensions: 5.07 x 5 x 1.88in / 12.88 x 12.7 x 4.78cm

 

[phant0m]

Should be in non-gaming forum.

Anyway, if it's truly just for office/web stuff I would not build a PC. It's not worth it. Just get a prebuilt mini PC (Lenovo ThinkCentre, Dell OptiPlex, HP EliteDesk). You can save a bunch by buying refurbs direct from mfr too. Don't get anything less than 16 GB of RAM and 512 SSD.

That said if he's a hobbyist then go for it but you're not going to save any money and you'll be responsible for all your own support.

Also DDR4 is fine and you can get a setup really cheap if you looks for units a generation or two old on eBay

 

[asdasdasdbb]

MBP

 

[Lillie]

just tell him to buy a macbook neo

 

[Cakeboxer]

Any old office pc (SFF or Mini) for <100 bucks with an i5 or Ryzen, Win 11 compatability and an SSD will do just fine. Hp and Lenovo are good choices.

 

[RoboFu]

Mini pc

 

[RaZoR No1]

Just buy any used laptop with an Intel 8000 series or newer used. (Win 11 support)
Here we have a lot of good refurbished / used business Notebooks from big companies which are still more than enough for any kind of office use.
Retail price when new were always around 1000€+. (so no cheap plastics etc.)
Nice build quality, alot of options and pretty cheap.

Used prices are around 200-400€ (depending the age and specs etc.)


Just make sure it has at least 16GB RAM or is upgradable (SSDs should be always upgradable)

 

[OLED_Gamer]

What about a laptop connected to a monitor? Can find some decent cheap ones for around $800 CAD that is plenty for the use case. Great thing is that you can put them away after.

As for monitors- You can get some nice 4k monitors for cheapish. Dell has a 27" for $299 CAD (Dell S2725QS) that is highly rated for productivity work.

 

[Giallo Corsa]

Guys, thanks a lot for all the input, I really appreciate it.

A couple of questions, though:

1) How do these mini PCs fare in terms of cooling? Are they okay being left on for 8-9 hours a day, every day, or do the higher temperatures end up shortening the lifespan of the components?

2) How repairable are they? If something goes wrong, can they actually be fixed, or is it a case of throwing the whole thing away and buying a new one?
This PC will be running for at least eight hours a day, so reliability is pretty important.

3) I had a quick look online, but I know fuck all about mini PCs. Are there any specific brands or newer models I should be looking at?

Most of the ones phant0m mentioned are either €800+ over here or have already been discontinued.

I'll take your word for it regarding mini PCs - if you could recommend a few current models that offer good value and reliability, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks again, boys!

 

[SScorpio]

Mini PCs are nice, but if your cousin isn't gaming. I high recommend looking at newer used 1 liter office PCs. They are a little larger than mini PC. But have better cooling and are built better. Businesses buy them on contracts and rotate them out every 2-3 years. Get something with Intel 12000 series or newer, or Ryzen 5000 series or newer. You'll want at least 16GB of RAM.

The other route would be a laptop.


Something like this. Dell, HP, and Lenovo all make them.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G6HPGWDP

 

[winjer]

Is the PC going to be used a lot for code compiling?
Then it's better to get something with a more powerful CPU.

 

[poppabk]

As people suggested a tower doesn't make much sense for office use, a mini-PC or laptop would be fine. As for monitors I would recommend 2x 1080 or 1440 monitors over a single 4k monitor, the extra horizontal space is worth more than the resolution.

 

[SScorpio]

Guys, thanks a lot for all the input, I really appreciate it.

A couple of questions, though:

1) How do these mini PCs fare in terms of cooling? Are they okay being left on for 8-9 hours a day, every day, or do the higher temperatures end up shortening the lifespan of the components?

2) How repairable are they? If something goes wrong, can they actually be fixed, or is it a case of throwing the whole thing away and buying a new one?
This PC will be running for at least eight hours a day, so reliability is pretty important.

3) I had a quick look online, but I know fuck all about mini PCs. Are there any specific brands or newer models I should be looking at?

Most of the ones phant0m mentioned are either €800+ over here or have already been discontinued.

I'll take your word for it regarding mini PCs - if you could recommend a few current models that offer good value and reliability, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks again, boys!

1) I use a regular mini PC as my daily driver. When I work from home it can be on for 12-16 hours. I also use one as a server and it runs 24/7 for going on three years. The 1 liter PCs are even better than those.

2) Mini PCs like laptops you are tossing unless the issue with memory, storage, or the power supply. 1 Liter PCs use fans that are more common, and will have a CPU socket. They are made to be serviced.

3) Dell Optiplex Micro, HP ProDesk, Lenovo ThinkCentre. Buy used not new, you'll get much more for your money.

 

[diffusionx]

Literally any PC made in the past decade is fine for office work. Just go to Best Buy and buy one.

But I would say a laptop is superior, just for flexibility. Or better yet a Mac just because the usability is far superior to windows these days for computing tasks, but that comes at a higher price.

 

[Giallo Corsa]

Is the PC going to be used a lot for code compiling?
Then it's better to get something with a more powerful CPU.

No coding Winj, just the usual office stuff like word. Excel, PDFs, emails

Between this :

1) GMKtec Mini PC Dual 2.5G Nic G11 AMD Ryzen Embedded R2514 (Exceeds 4300U/3500U/N150),16GB DDR4 (Dual Channel), PCIe 3.0 M.2 512GB SSD, Triple Screen Mini Computer/2*USB3.2 10Gbps/WiFi 6E/BT5.6E32 UK https://amzn.eu/d/08tVFomB

and this :

2) GMKtec Gaming Mini PC K8 Plus AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS (8C/16T, Up to 5.1GHz) 16GB RAM DDR5 512GB SSD, Oculink Desktop Computer/Dual NIC 2.5G/WIFI 6E/BT5.2/HDMI 2.1/USB4/USB3.22+USB2.0 https://amzn.eu/d/0fUp91K0

which would be the better option ?

 

[Reizo Ryuu]

for office use almost anything will work; heck a cheap laptop is probably the best option

 

[phant0m]

Guys, thanks a lot for all the input, I really appreciate it.

A couple of questions, though:

1) How do these mini PCs fare in terms of cooling? Are they okay being left on for 8-9 hours a day, every day, or do the higher temperatures end up shortening the lifespan of the components?

2) How repairable are they? If something goes wrong, can they actually be fixed, or is it a case of throwing the whole thing away and buying a new one?
This PC will be running for at least eight hours a day, so reliability is pretty important.

3) I had a quick look online, but I know fuck all about mini PCs. Are there any specific brands or newer models I should be looking at?

Most of the ones phant0m mentioned are either €800+ over here or have already been discontinued.

I'll take your word for it regarding mini PCs - if you could recommend a few current models that offer good value and reliability, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks again, boys!

These business mini PCs are designed to be on in an office for 8+ hours a day, 5 days a week.

Anywho, being in EU probably changes the game a little. I'm unfamiliar with the market there. But go on eBay and search 'Dell Optiplex 10th gen' and look for stuff like this

If you're really not into buying on eBay, search for "ASUS NUC" on Amazon or local PC parts seller. They are well made and solid deals

 

[phant0m]

No coding Winj, just the usual office stuff like word. Excel, PDFs, emails

Between this :

1) GMKtec Mini PC Dual 2.5G Nic G11 AMD Ryzen Embedded R2514 (Exceeds 4300U/3500U/N150),16GB DDR4 (Dual Channel), PCIe 3.0 M.2 512GB SSD, Triple Screen Mini Computer/2*USB3.2 10Gbps/WiFi 6E/BT5.6E32 UK https://amzn.eu/d/08tVFomB

and this :

2) GMKtec Gaming Mini PC K8 Plus AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS (8C/16T, Up to 5.1GHz) 16GB RAM DDR5 512GB SSD, Oculink Desktop Computer/Dual NIC 2.5G/WIFI 6E/BT5.2/HDMI 2.1/USB4/USB3.22+USB2.0 https://amzn.eu/d/0fUp91K0

which would be the better option ?

of these 2 options the second is vastly superior

 

[winjer]

No coding Winj, just the usual office stuff like word. Excel, PDFs, emails

Between this :

1) GMKtec Mini PC Dual 2.5G Nic G11 AMD Ryzen Embedded R2514 (Exceeds 4300U/3500U/N150),16GB DDR4 (Dual Channel), PCIe 3.0 M.2 512GB SSD, Triple Screen Mini Computer/2*USB3.2 10Gbps/WiFi 6E/BT5.6E32 UK https://amzn.eu/d/08tVFomB

and this :

2) GMKtec Gaming Mini PC K8 Plus AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS (8C/16T, Up to 5.1GHz) 16GB RAM DDR5 512GB SSD, Oculink Desktop Computer/Dual NIC 2.5G/WIFI 6E/BT5.2/HDMI 2.1/USB4/USB3.22+USB2.0 https://amzn.eu/d/0fUp91K0

which would be the better option ?

GMKtec K8 Plus (Ryzen 7 8845HS) is the better one, by far.

 

[flying_sq]

I bought mini HPs for my friend's accounting firm, these PCs are designed to basically run 24/7 very quiet and fast. Something like this will probably last him forever. https://www.hp.com/us-en/shop/pdp/hp-pro-mini-400-g9-desktop-pc-p-aj5a1ua-aba-1 What is cool, Lenovo mini PCs are designed to be plugged into the back of a Lenovo Monitor.

 

[bitbydeath]

Mac Mini offers the best value for money.

 

[th4tguy]

If it's just for work, get a laptop.
You can connect to a monitor via usb c for both power and video/audio to give it a desktop experience but then have the flexibility to take your work to a different location if needed.
As others have already said, a MBP is a good option.

 

[StereoVsn]

MacBook Air, preferably on sale. That way he doesn't have to deal with Windows BS and of course it would be super portable.

 

[Zacfoldor]

Ran passively cooled early NUCs in office for years and swapped back to dell refurbs.

NUCs freeze a lot and when they break they really break.

YMMV.

 

[poppabk]

MacBook Air, preferably on sale. That way he doesn't have to deal with Windows BS and of course it would be super portable.

And starts at $1300 without a monitor.

 

[StereoVsn]

And starts at $1300 without a monitor.

BestBuy or Microcenter usually have them on sale. And as far as monitor goes…it has one built in?

Not sure about UK sales or prices though.

 

[poppabk]

BestBuy or Microcenter usually have them on sale. And as far as monitor goes…it has one built in?

No-one in their right mind would want to use a 13 inch screen for their primary display for day in day out office work. Even on sale you are looking well north of his $1k budget.