Advice on specs for a Windows Desktop computer

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peejayw

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#324825 31-May-2026 09:58

I am wanting to purchase a second hand but reasonably new desktop computer running Windows.

My use case is as follows:

Video editing. Currently I only do 1080p but I would like to be able to handle 4k. Nothing over the top, just family videos.
Cad. I currently use Freecad
Photo editing. I use GIMP, again nothing too intensive.

I think I need to work out processor, memory and graphics specs?

Should I be looking at a "gaming computer" to handle the above uses?

I'm supposed to respect my elders, but it's getting harder and harder for me to find one now.

Jase2985

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#3498948 31-May-2026 11:19

Budget?

peejayw

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#3498949 31-May-2026 11:20

Up to $1500

I'm supposed to respect my elders, but it's getting harder and harder for me to find one now.

xpd

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#3498950 31-May-2026 11:21

I recently sold the following for $1800.

The video card was the most recent and expensive part of the build, but for your needs a 4/8GB video card would probably be fine, bringing costs down.

I'd stick with 32GB of RAM, its becoming more the "standard" these days, however RAM is not cheap atm, especially DDR5.

Overall, the question is, what is your budget.

CPU AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D
RAM 2x 16GB (32GB Total) G.Skill Ripjaws V DDR4-3200 CL16-18-18-38 1.35V (Less than year old)
Cooler NOCTUA NH-U12S Redux CPU Cooler
Motherboard ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. TUF GAMING B550M-E WIFI (AM4)
Video 16GB AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT (ASRock) (Less than year old)
Storage Samsung SSD 980 PRO 1TB
Case DEEPCOOL CC360 ARGB Tempered Glass mATX Mini Tower (Less than year old)
Power Supply EVGA 700 GD, 80+ GOLD 700W

XPD / Gavin

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#3498951 31-May-2026 11:22

peejayw:

Up to $1500

Something similar to my system with a lower end video card then would be fine.

XPD / Gavin

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peejayw

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#3498954 31-May-2026 11:25

OK, thanks for the info.

I'm supposed to respect my elders, but it's getting harder and harder for me to find one now.

Tinkerisk

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#3498991 31-May-2026 20:42

peejayw:

My use case is as follows:

Video editing. Currently I only do 1080p but I would like to be able to handle 4k. Nothing over the top, just family videos.
Cad. I currently use Freecad
Photo editing. I use GIMP, again nothing too intensive.

Kdenlive -> Linux
FreeCAD -> Linux
Gimp -> Linux

Why the hell are you still using Windows, when switching to Linux Mint would take just a few mouse clicks and cost you absolutely nothing? Plus, Linux doesn't hog your system resources or demand that you buy a new PC—especially right now, with RAM and NVMe prices being insanely high. Maybe pick up a decent used GPU, and you're all set. 🙂

And that nice Mr. Rufus will surely tell you how to get Windows 11 running even on old computers—but what’s the point anymore?

Qui nihil scit, omnia credere debet. - He who knows nothing must believe everything.
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I avoid Big Tech. They try hard to dictate technology and „culture“ across borders.
In effect we have everything to hide from someone, and no idea who „someone“ is.