New PC - your thoughts needed

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scamander

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Hi All,

I'm buying a PC for my parents to replace the gas-operated one they've been using for the past 5 years. They don't need anything too fancy, mainly to help with my mum's business and basic browsing emails etc. I did suggest a desktop - but they insist on a PC.

I've linked one PC here, it's from a shop nearish to them. They have other options here but I wondered what the thoughts were as to the first option. I don't need a graphics card as they don't game, so I presume the setup will be able to handle facebook/emails etc etc.

Obviously I don't want them to buy something which isn't up to scratch. Their needs are quite basic, but I still would like them to have something which will be good for a few years.

Anyway - opinions welcome!
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Gladiator X8320-HD Piledriver Eight-Core
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
CPU
AMD FX-8320 3.50GHz (4.00GHz Turbo) Socket AM3+ 8-Core Proce
Motherboard
GIGABYTE GA-78LMT-USB3 AMD 760G (Socket AM3+) Micro-ATX Mot
Memory
16GB Corsair (2x8192) 1333MHz DDR3 Dual-Channel Memory (32GB
Graphics Card(s)
Radeon HD 7850 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express
Monitor(s) Displays
AOC 936swa
Hard Drives
2TB (7200rpm) SATA 3GB/s (SATA II) Hard Drive
seagate ST2000DMOO1-9YN164
PSU
600W Corsair Builder Series 600CX 80PLUS Bronze Power Supply
The first one you linked would be fine. 279 pounds. G3240 processor.

Dell is as good as any manufacturer, better than most. I have no idea about your local dealer. And I don't know if that is a bargain in your location. But it's a reasonably powerful PC from a decent manufacturer.

My only qualms would be the operating system. Looks like it's Windows 8 rather than 8.1.

Your parents might be more comfortable with Windows 7, but it may be hard to find. 8.1 is supposed to be more user-friendly than 8, but I've never looked at 8.1. I wasn't amused with 8.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Ignatz Special; 4 speed manual gearbox; factory air conditioning; one of one
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium SP1, 64-bit
CPU
Intel Skylake i5-6600K, not overclocked
Motherboard
AsRock Z170M Extreme 4, micro ATX
Memory
8 GB HyperX DDR4-2666 (2 x 4 GB)
Graphics Card(s)
none; graphics are integrated on CPU
Sound Card
onboard: Realtek ALC1150; external: USB Behringer UF0-202
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell S2340M 23 inch IPS
Screen Resolution
1600 x 900
Hard Drives
System: Crucial MX100 series SSD, 128 GB;
Data: Samsung Spinpoint 103SJ, 1 TB;
Backup: WD Caviar Green WD30EZRX-00D8PB0, 3 TB
PSU
Rosewill SilentNight 500 watt fanless, semi-modular
Case
Antec Solo II
Cooling
Noctua NH-U12S; Noctua F12 intake, Noctua S12A exhaust
Keyboard
Microsoft 200 6JH-00001 USB
Mouse
Dell or Microsoft optical wired; USB
Antivirus
Microsoft Security Essentials and Malwarebytes Premium
Browser
Pale Moon
Other Info
All fans PWM; speeds at idle: CPU circa 500 rpm; intake circa 600 rpm; exhaust circa 600 rpm; CPU temps 27 idle and 47 C load in a warm room (27 C/81 F) when running Intel Extreme Tuning Utility stress test.
cheers - I was thinking of asking for Windows 7, I'd also ask for Office which might alter the price a bit.

I just wanted to check that it was a decent machine. You've reassured me!
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Gladiator X8320-HD Piledriver Eight-Core
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
CPU
AMD FX-8320 3.50GHz (4.00GHz Turbo) Socket AM3+ 8-Core Proce
Motherboard
GIGABYTE GA-78LMT-USB3 AMD 760G (Socket AM3+) Micro-ATX Mot
Memory
16GB Corsair (2x8192) 1333MHz DDR3 Dual-Channel Memory (32GB
Graphics Card(s)
Radeon HD 7850 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express
Monitor(s) Displays
AOC 936swa
Hard Drives
2TB (7200rpm) SATA 3GB/s (SATA II) Hard Drive
seagate ST2000DMOO1-9YN164
PSU
600W Corsair Builder Series 600CX 80PLUS Bronze Power Supply
scamander said:
Hi All,

I'm buying a PC for my parents to replace the gas-operated one they've been using for the past 5 years.
Click to expand...

Just so that you get the right advice, are we talking Natural Gas or Gasoline? :D
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom Build
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium 32-Bit - Build 7600 SP1
CPU
Intel Core i3-2120 3.30Ghz
Motherboard
Asus P8Z68-V LX Intel Z68 Socket H2 ATX
Memory
Kingston 4 GB DDR3 1333 mhz
Graphics Card(s)
AMD Radeon HD6670
Sound Card
Sound Blaster Audigy SE 24-Bit
Monitor(s) Displays
Asus VE228
Screen Resolution
1440 X 900
Hard Drives
OCZ Vertex 3 120 GB Sata 3 SSD ==
Kingston SH103/S3 120 G Hyper X 120 GB SSD ==
Western Digital 500 GB Caviar Green 7200 RPM ==
PSU
Corsair CX600M == 600 Watt
Case
NZXT Apollo - Silver with Clear Side Panel
Cooling
Three 120 mm Fans
Keyboard
Microsoft Natural 4000
Mouse
Microsoft Custom Optical 3000
Internet Speed
AT&T Fiber Optic Wireless Network
Antivirus
Microsoft Security Essentials
Browser
Chrome
Other Info
120 mm Blue LED Fan -- Three Blue LED Lazer Light Sticks
bigmck said:
scamander said:
Hi All,

I'm buying a PC for my parents to replace the gas-operated one they've been using for the past 5 years.
Click to expand...

Just so that you get the right advice, are we talking Natural Gas or Gasoline? :D
Click to expand...

....and Leaded or Ethyl? :o

Does look like a decent basic machine though. Don't know much about Dell's customer service and the upgrade to Windows 10 is close too. Might either want to wait a few months or see about free upgrade(s) if you buy now. 10 looks like it could be a keeper.
 

My Computer

Computer type
Laptop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
MSI GE72VR Apache Pro-416
OS
Windows 10x64 Build 1709
CPU
Intel i7 7700HQ Kaby Lake
Motherboard
Micro-Star Intl. MS-179B (U3C1)
Memory
16 GB DDR4 @2400
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia Geforce GTX 1060
Screen Resolution
1920x1080 120Hz
Hard Drives
256 GB Nvme M.2 SSD

1TB HDD@7200
Cooling
Cooler Blast 4
Keyboard
Steel Series
Antivirus
Bit Defender Free
Browser
Edge
I'm not too keen on Dells. Their quality dropped off years ago and they're no longer on my list of eligible vendors.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Dell
OS
Windows 10 x64
CPU
i7-7700K
Memory
16 GB 2400 MHz
Graphics Card(s)
GTX 1060
Sound Card
Integrated, plus external Presonus Audiobox USB
Monitor(s) Displays
2x AOC 27"
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
512 GB M.2 SSD
2 TB 7200 RPM disk
Internet Speed
110 Mbps
Browser
Firefox
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