I was recently gifted a sum of Money and I am looking to get a New Desktop Computer. I am looking for something that is less than $800.00. I don’t need any kind of special needs like Nvidia for Gaming. I’m just looking for something that is decent.
My needs are minimal really with maybe the Most consuming Thing being Video processing. Rather that is transcoding videos or ripping them. I currently have a Amd Ryzen 3 as my desktop I was thinking of going at least Ryzen 5 (Same as my Laptop). I have a dual monitor setup and would prefer the same. Two hdmi ports would be great. However I can convert from display port to Hdmi if needed. It would be nice if I could also add about 2 or three extra drives into it with expansion availability for NVME
I would build one however I really don’t have the room in my Trailer for such task. Its hard enough just making dinner sometimes So really just looking for already built.
If you are in the US, now is the time to buy, you should be able to get something pretty decent sometime in the next couple of months. I would keep an eye on the deals sites for something in your price range.
I would target 32GB of RAM in a standard desktop. Most CPUs should be fine, just make sure it isn’t actually a mobile processor soldered on the board. You could probably even find one with a low end GPU for under $800.
What about them I have 4 different mechanical drives one internal and the other three I swap between a dual bay cloning drive dock. I am looking to get a couple of NVME to start slowly replacing the Big 3.5 but that wont be for a while yet as both of those are over 4 Terrabytes.
My personal preference would be to build, but if you’re after off-the-shelf, there’s the Steam Machine which is rumoured will retail for about $800. It’s designed to run Arch, so you should be good there.
Something to note with HDMI when using an AMD GPU (integrated or discrete), is you will be limited in what spec the system can support. Simply put, DisplayPort is more capable. The Steam Machine provides an example:
Displays
DisplayPort 1.4
Up to 4K @ 240Hz or 8K@60Hz
Supports HDR, FreeSync, and daisy-chaining
HDMI 2.0
Up to 4K @ 120Hz
Supports HDR, FreeSync, and CEC
Dave2D reviewed it here:
The major caveat, is you probably won’t be able to add any of those existing drives you mentioned.
SATA and mini PCs are basically incompatible, you either want SATA connectors and an mATX motherboard type of PC, or you want a mini PC and connect external drives by USB/Thunderbolt, that’s the problem.
The 2.5 is the internal The desktop can take a 3.5 however its very loud. No matter which one of the three I choose its the same. I suspect its do to the low power supply I have in this thing.
So, this case would have 3x bays for 3.5" and 1x bay on top for 2.5", as an example for an mATX case (this particular case may not be available in the US, because of the very wise, wise wisdom to ban American consumers from buying Chinese brands, because Russians are buying metal boxes, cables, and fans from them, too. It’s only 33 euros in Germany, the cheapest mATX. The alternative docking stations with 4x bays cost 2x that much.)
I strongly suspect that mATX prebuild computers are way cheaper than mini PCs, let alone laptops.
I"m not being particular. Like I said I have most of my stuff set up externally at the moment and it has it’s pro’s and its con’s. My main issue is space. So the more I could through into the case the better.
I’m looking around and looking at systems that may fit the bill. Wont be pulling the trigger until at least next week any ways.
You can interpret the surcharge, how much Mr Trump and shipping companies need to ask on top of the German price, to make American offers cheap, again.
If you’re going to video-processing, I think 2 nvme’s are a good choice (1 IN, 1 OUT).
Most PC-boards today should support this. Look for TLC-Cells, not QLC or something.
Under heavy load, they need good cooling (they are very compact).
If you need some HDD, keep an eye on CMR, not SMR (it’s very slow and WD just had big problems here).
You should be aware, that most (all?) external USB-drives are SMR and quite slow…
So Far I’ve found a few that were ok this one seems to be more in line with what I am looking for minus the rgb stuff I don’t care much about that. It says Gaming PC but after the last few days I think they all say that just as a “Selling Point”.
So really just looking for already built.
