Advice please for new PC

Heedtheadvice

At last I have been given managerial approval (she always knows best) to get a new PC. Perhaps those of you with up to date knowledge can advise on an off the shelf or components (or combination) as quite happy and able to build/upgrade.

Not into gaming but used for the following over and above general use browsing etc.
A small amount of software development (nothing too demanding such as VB/A etc)
low end CAD
Photo, audio and video editing and storage.

So, plenty of disk space, two/three optical drives (from experience found that some audio is a bit particular such as with the specialised audio disks and I need DVD Ram as well as +/- so that means a CDplayer/recoder/DVD writer). I have them all except need anew DVD writer

At least three hard drives capability (one used for backups and data storage currently) and one usb purely for backups so looking forward several years. Probably a solid state drive for op system etc. for speed.

Will be Microsoft but don't want win 10 from what I've seen/heard/read so 7 or 8.1 (64bit pro preferred)
Expect to need at least 8GB mem ( but might be better with 16 or at least the expansion capability)

Built in Graphics probably OK

Any good ideas for the hardware or comments on the above welcomed. :beer:

You will realise this is on MSE forum so budget is tight!! Would love to keep within £250 (at least initially). Quite happy to buy refurb or opened/returned package PC provided comes with guarantee but not second hand private sales.

...........................probably asking a lot :rotfl:but some of you seem brilliant at matching requirements to availability!

{edit: must add old machine XP 32 bit pro with lots of software I want to still use without having to purchase new!}

jshm2

Well.... a Zoostorm Stormforce Hurricane would tick all your boxes and more. But I don't think you need anything more than a standard Dell Inspiron with an i5 or A10 processor.

Get yourself a SYNOLOGY Diskstation DS215j for your storage needs and stick in a 8tb HDD if you like

Nobody is permitted to sell new Win 8/7 machines any more - only refurb. If you buy new then you buy win10 and look to downgrade by buying a separate licence.

Cisco001

Is 2nd hand ebay OK?

Heedtheadvice

mmmm, not that keen on buying 2nd hand off eBay. I am sure there will be plenty of good machines from honest sellers but I see it as a risk that is not worth taking.

Thanks for the machine info will take a look for those. More suggestions /if anything different/ would be most welcome.

I was not aware of the ban on selling win7/8 presumably a Microsoft thing?

lewishardwick

Looking at your requirements, I'd suggest minimum of an i5 processor.

Without a doubt, the best thing you can do is get a PC with an SSD (solid state disk) for the Operating System (256Gb or bigger would be best). SSHDs combine the two, but the SS part is usually quite small.

Then use traditional disk storage for normal data/backup.

If you buy a main brand (Lenovo, HP etc) do ensure you remove as much of the 'free' software as possible. Also be wary for 'free' trials of anti virus, office and other applications.

You may well find newer PCs may struggle to offer one, let alone two or three optical drives. You'll be looking at a custom build for that kind of thing.

Avoid PC World/Currys they'll just sell you whatever to get a sale and if you ask advice, they'll most likely recite what's on the info label.

http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/ are apparently pretty good, though I've never used them personally.

if you're feeling brave, building your own PC can be quite fun.

Fightsback

jshm2 wrote: »

Nobody is permitted to sell new Win 8/7 machines any more - only refurb. If you buy new then you buy win10 and look to downgrade by buying a separate licence.

Not entirely true, if you buy a machine with w10 pro then you can exercise free downgrade rights to W7 or W8.1

Cisco001

lewishardwick wrote: »

Looking at your requirements, I'd suggest minimum of an i5 processor.

that is what I though. But there is no way you can get new/ refurb i5 for £250.

The only way to keep in that £250 budget is get used 2nd/ 3rd gen i5 PC tower (say £150-200), add RAM (£30), stick a used GT 730 (£25) in.

lewishardwick

If he/she scratch builds, I have an i5 no longer in use.

esuhl

Can you upgrade the PC you already have? No point wasting money on new hard drives and optical drives (and maybe the PSU, case, etc.) if you already have what you need.

Heedtheadvice wrote: »

{edit: must add old machine XP 32 bit pro with lots of software I want to still use without having to purchase new!}

You'd have to check that the software is compatible with the newer version(s) of Windows. You'd also need to make sure you have the installer files.

Heedtheadvice

Well I did look for a Zoostorm as advised but cannot find any even close to the budget!!:rotfl:Perhaps you know of somewhere to get one Jshm?

I too had concluded SS drive was a good move possibly retrofitted at a later stage depending upon what else can be afforded initially.

My current PC was a self build so am prepared to go down that route, it just was not my preference but needs must eh?

I suppose that way I can upgrade CPU, M/board and ram with maybe need for a new PSU then in stages get ss drive new op system and keep till then old remaining hardware.
Need to check m/board PSU style for compatibility first of course.

Can anyone see any pitfalls with that approach (main concern might be windows????)......
.......and hardware recommendations would be most welcome.
Assuming I need a new PSU what could I get for say £200 leaving a bit to be added to for new op system and ss drive?
As you will guess a bit short of current info as last time I did this was getting on for 10 years ago.:eek::o

esuhl

Heedtheadvice wrote: »

I suppose that way I can upgrade CPU, M/board and ram with maybe need for a new PSU then in stages get ss drive new op system and keep till then old remaining hardware.
Need to check m/board PSU style for compatibility first of course.

Can anyone see any pitfalls with that approach (main concern might be windows????)......

OEM versions of Windows are tied to the motherboard. You'll be able to transfer the OS if you have a retail version, however.

Heedtheadvice wrote: »

.......and hardware recommendations would be most welcome.
Assuming I need a new PSU what could I get for say £200 leaving a bit to be added to for new op system and ss drive?
As you will guess a bit short of current info as last time I did this was getting on for 10 years ago.:eek::o

My component knowledge is also really out-of-date, but as a starting point, maybe have a look at the motherboard bundles that Novatech offer. Maybe pick one at the right price for you, then look up the specs and see if you can get something better/faster/cheaper elsewhere.

http://www.novatech.co.uk/motherboardbundles/

The CPU is probably going to affect performance the most, so maybe have a look at various CPU benchmarks to compare speed/performance:

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=cpu+OR+processor+benchmarks