Desktop PC advice

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simon14

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#306589 6-Aug-2023 00:48

Hi there,
Just in the market for a Desktop PC - mainly to store a few TB of family videos and photos, word/excel work, streaming, basic games and something that will last a while and could potentially be upgraded later on.

I'm looking at this one from PB tech, it's from the pb tech family range.

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/WKSPB43718/PB-Family-Series-43718-Intel-13th-Gen-Desktop-PC-I

/>Before I buy, am just after skem advice - is this a decent price for what you get? Anything I should look out for? Can't seem to tell what sort of motherboard it has?

Cheers,

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262 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3112195 6-Aug-2023 08:35

What do you mean by basic gaming? That machine doesn't have a GPU so anything more than browser based games or the built in windows card games are likely to be challenging. If you were to latter add a GPU the fairly small Powersupply would probably limit your options substantially to low powered cards as the CPU is rated to use up to 230W. I guess could still probably get away with a 4060 series graphics card or similar which should be enough for okay gaming.

For video storage I think you would probably want more disk space than 2TB. If the videos are important then you'll either want to set windows to back them up to a second hdd, or an external hdd to back the data up to. If 2TB really is enough data space for you then potentially adding a 2TB 2.5" SSD to the system and using that as the primary data drive with windows automatically backing it up to the HDD, or an online cloud storage would be worth doing.

Also from the photo it appears to be using only a single stick of RAM, it would really be worth adding a second 16GB stick at the same time you buy it, otherwise you'll be substantially limiting the performance of what appears to be a decently powerful CPU and any GPU you later added.

One last comment is the motherboard doesn't seem to have any USB C slots, while not a massive issue in it's self given everything is moving that way it's a bit of an issue for future proofing, lots of MB's tend to offer a USB-C slot now.

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Qazzy03

230 posts

Master Geek

#3112199 6-Aug-2023 08:47

Honest feedback?

As it has no GPU, I wouldn't recommend any gaming.

Intergrated grpahics have come a long way but I think there are other options out there for you.

Also the CPU has loads more horse power than what you have said your requirements are.

If i was going to start suggestions for I would say buy an HDD and install it in something like the links below.

*(note, when choosing your option, you need to think about how many HDD or SDD you want as, cases may only have limited drive bays. Drive bays may be the most important thing to you as you said you wanted serveral TB's of data. Not sure if that is one or two TB or something like 6-8TB)

Computer lounge has some good options, havent gone over your $1699 but you would need to price in an HDD.

https://www.computerlounge.co.nz/shop/systems/ready-to-ship-pc/gaming-pc/atlas-rtx-3060-ryzen-5-5500-gaming-pc

https://www.computerlounge.co.nz/shop/systems/ready-to-ship-pc/gaming-pc/titan-rtx-3060-ti-ryzen-3-4100-gaming-pc

https://www.computerlounge.co.nz/shop/systems/ready-to-ship-pc/gaming-pc/sabertooth-rtx-3060-core-i5-10400f-gaming-pc

if you want to spend a $100 more, you can get Starfeild for free $129.95 on steam.

https://www.computerlounge.co.nz/shop/systems/ready-to-ship-pc/gaming-pc/pathfinder-rtx-3060-ryzen-5-7600x-gaming-pc

https://www.computerlounge.co.nz/shop/systems/ready-to-ship-pc/gaming-pc/carnage-rtx-3060-ti-core-i5-12600k-gaming-pc

if you want to stick with PbTech then i would say your options are:

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/WKSGGPC10316/GGPC-RX-7600-Gaming-PC-Intel-Core-i5-12400F-6-Core

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/WKSGGPC50142/GGPC-RX-7600-Gaming-PC-Intel-Core-i5-12400F-6-Core

You also say can be upgraded later on?

What do you mean by that?

Do you want a power supply high enough that you would not need to replace for a new GPU?

Do you want to put a more powerful CPU into the motherboard?

Do you want to be able to install more HDDs/SSD, if so what number?

Do you want something that is current generation CPU/motherboard and you can put future CPU?

You need to be more specific on what you want your computer to do, esp since you are looking at pre-builts.

You are at the mercy of the PC cases and parts they pick.

xpd

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#3112226 6-Aug-2023 10:01

I just spent around $1200 on upgrading (already had decent case, video card), got the following :

So if you want something thats going to "last", best to spend a few $$ now, or you'll end up in the never ending loop trap of "ill just buy the minimum for now and upgrade overtime" - by time you want to upgrade, something newer and better has come out.

Storage wise, spinning disks are still best bang for buck. Get a SSD as boot/install drive, and a couple of 4TB (min) spinning disks. My home server has this disk setup.

ANY form of gaming is best with a dedicated video card, onboard has improved a LOT over the years, but even a basic 1050Ti + will do a better job for 1080P.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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simon14

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#3112277 6-Aug-2023 10:26

Hi all, thanks so much for your replies and recommendations.

Apologies, to clarify, i mostly need this PC for backup of home videos and photos and basic word/excel. WHen i said light gaming, i really meant light... as in maybe the odd browser game. I have a ps5 and am not a PC gamer.

So really needing something with a lot of storage space but not sluggish... i've had slow PC's int he past that take 30 seconds to open the web browser and just want something quick this time around.

Also already use One Drive for backup of fam photos and videos, but approaching the 2tb limit.

simon14

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#3112278 6-Aug-2023 10:29

What about potentially this? off lease. Could i add more hard drive storage to this? It's a mini pc.

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/EXWKSHP800511/HP-Elitedesk-800-G5-DM-A-Grade-Off-Lease-Intel-Cor

Qazzy03

230 posts

Master Geek

#3112340 6-Aug-2023 11:35

simon14:

What about potentially this? off lease. Could i add more hard drive storage to this? It's a mini pc.

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/EXWKSHP800511/HP-Elitedesk-800-G5-DM-A-Grade-Off-Lease-Intel-Cor

Sorry, you wouldn't be able to put a HDD in that.

An intergrated graphics CPU would suit your needs.

Would you be okay building a computer yourself?

As it would be easier for us to suggest a list of possible parts that would fit what you want, rather than a prebuilt system.

However if that is not something you want to do, that is okay, a pre-built system can still work but will not be as cheap or tailored.

It is very easy to have a fast system these days, like PC's have come a long way over the years.

Even current low end CPU's will be faster than you need.

I would say bare minimum 16GB of Ram, 32 if you want to have loads of internet browsing tabs and programmes running at the same time.

I would say any SSD for windows or another O/S would be fast enough for your needs.

So two questions:

1) Do you want to buy a pre-built system and install your own HDD's? or Would you be okay building your PC?

2) how many physical Hard Drive's do you want? / How much TB space do you want?

Possible suggestion based on what you have said so far.

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/WKSPB14512/PB-14512-Intel-13th-Gen-Upgrade-Box-Intel-Core-i5

This a current gen CPU that is so much better than mine, comes with basic 16gb (unsure if it is 1 stick or 2) and SSD.

Motherboard has slots for 2 x ram sticks.

Does not have WIFI

But does have 2 x m.2 SSD slots if you want fast drives.

4 x Sata SSD/HDD connections.

1 x USB C - which is handy

The case has x 2 regular HDD bays and up to 4 x 2.5 SSD bays.

PBTech also say "We can add any part to a PC for a small fee as long as we don't need to remove an existing part for it to fit, for example adding more RAM, an extra hard drive, installing a Windows OS, or adding a graphics card to a PC without one " - good option if you don't want to build or not confident in doing it yourself.

Downside no Windows pre-installed with price..... however you can find windows 10 online at cheap prices.... "grey market sites"

EDITS Because i can't spell to save my life & added suggested pre-built.

xpd

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#3112360 6-Aug-2023 12:05

Pyronical recommends PC builds

The low end build, remove the video card, and use the $$ for extra storage.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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Support Kiwi music! The People Black Smoke Trigger Like A Storm Devilskin

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Stu1

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#3112378 6-Aug-2023 12:49

xpd:
Pyronical recommends PC builds

The low end build, remove the video card, and use the $$ for extra storage.

Out of curiosity , why do they not suggest new DDR5 or AM5 options?

cddt

659 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3112401 6-Aug-2023 14:55

Stu1:

Out of curiosity , why do they not suggest new DDR5 or AM5 options?

He does, at higher price tiers.

At the lower tiers, given the premium on AM5/DDR5 products, it's better to put those additional dollars into your GPU if you are gaming.

simon14

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#3112410 6-Aug-2023 15:28

Qazzy03:

simon14:

What about potentially this? off lease. Could i add more hard drive storage to this? It's a mini pc.

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/EXWKSHP800511/HP-Elitedesk-800-G5-DM-A-Grade-Off-Lease-Intel-Cor

Sorry, you wouldn't be able to put a HDD in that.

An intergrated graphics CPU would suit your needs.

Would you be okay building a computer yourself?

As it would be easier for us to suggest a list of possible parts that would fit what you want, rather than a prebuilt system.

However if that is not something you want to do, that is okay, a pre-built system can still work but will not be as cheap or tailored.

It is very easy to have a fast system these days, like PC's have come a long way over the years.

Even current low end CPU's will be faster than you need.

I would say bare minimum 16GB of Ram, 32 if you want to have loads of internet browsing tabs and programmes running at the same time.

I would say any SSD for windows or another O/S would be fast enough for your needs.

So two questions:

1) Do you want to buy a pre-built system and install your own HDD's? or Would you be okay building your PC?

2) how many physical Hard Drive's do you want? / How much TB space do you want?

Possible suggestion based on what you have said so far.

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/WKSPB14512/PB-14512-Intel-13th-Gen-Upgrade-Box-Intel-Core-i5

This a current gen CPU that is so much better than mine, comes with basic 16gb (unsure if it is 1 stick or 2) and SSD.

Motherboard has slots for 2 x ram sticks.

Does not have WIFI

But does have 2 x m.2 SSD slots if you want fast drives.

4 x Sata SSD/HDD connections.

1 x USB C - which is handy

The case has x 2 regular HDD bays and up to 4 x 2.5 SSD bays.

PBTech also say "We can add any part to a PC for a small fee as long as we don't need to remove an existing part for it to fit, for example adding more RAM, an extra hard drive, installing a Windows OS, or adding a graphics card to a PC without one " - good option if you don't want to build or not confident in doing it yourself.

Downside no Windows pre-installed with price..... however you can find windows 10 online at cheap prices.... "grey market sites"

EDITS Because i can't spell to save my life & added suggested pre-built.

Thanks so much for your detailed reply.

I don't think im smart enough to build my own so will be need pre-built.

In terms of hard drives, i'm thinking 1tb SSD and then another 2 to 4TB HDD. I can always get extenral drives to store data too though.

Basically just want something quick and zappy... for basic PC tasks but to store a lot of data (have about 15 years of family videos/photos now and keeps growing - storing them all for wider fam)

Stu1

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#3112413 6-Aug-2023 15:35

cddt:
Stu1:

Out of curiosity , why do they not suggest new DDR5 or AM5 options?

He does, at higher price tiers.

At the lower tiers, given the premium on AM5/DDR5 products, it's better to put those additional dollars into your GPU if you are gaming.

Apologies missed read it :)

shrub

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#3112415 6-Aug-2023 15:37

Personally I would not recommend using a desktop PC for long term storage. A dedicated NAS is better suited to that job.
Do you have any backup plans?

If your just wanting a good windows web browser and office PC then pretty much anything these days will be fine.

xpd

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#3112416 6-Aug-2023 15:52

I think best move here, is let us know your budget, and maybe come up with something that covers daily use, along with a backup solution.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

LinkTree - kiwiblast.co.nz - Lego and more

Support Kiwi music! The People Black Smoke Trigger Like A Storm Devilskin

NZ GEEKS Discord______________________________

simon14

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#3112418 6-Aug-2023 15:59

Wait a sec, what is this NAS thing you speak of? That might be what i actually need - a NAS with a basic computer... i will research NAS, but any suggestions, would be FAB

nzkc

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#3112419 6-Aug-2023 16:30

shrub: Do you have any backup plans?

This!

If you're storing family photos please ensure you have some offsite backup plan. I personally use Backblaze and recommend it highly!

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