Computers & Electronics

Need help: Buying a pre-build desktop

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  • Jan 12th, 2018 5:52 pm
Jr. Member
Oct 16, 2005
117 posts
79 upvotes

Need help: Buying a pre-build desktop

Look forward to see more advice for buying a new desktop. My current computer is running with Intel Core2Duo chipset and 4GB RAM on Windows 7 (upgraded from Vista few years ago). I think it's time for a new replacement. I found a Dell desktop which fits to my budget $850 and I want to know if it's worth the price. As you see, I am NO expert knowledge on computer technology and I do not play video game. I use my computer for video streaming while working on Microsoft Word / Excel for my work and sometimes editing video and photos for leisure.

With the 10% discount code (10%CAA899) and 5% MPP codes, the comes down to $855 + taxes.

Here is the link to the computer:
http://www.dell.com/en-ca/member/shop/d ... s_fsb_h15e

Specs:
Dell XPS 8930, Mainstream Chassis (460W)
8th Generation Intel® Core™ i7-8700 6-Core Processor (12M Cache, up to 4.6 GHz)
8GB, 2666MHz, DDR4
1TB 7200 rpm Hard Drive
Intel® HD Graphics
802.11ac + Bluetooth 4.2, Dual Band 2.4&5 GHz, 1x1
Tray Load DVD-RW Drive (Reads and Writes to DVD/CD)
Integrated 5.1 with WAVE MAXX Audio® Pro
Windows 10 Home 64bit English

Is it a good buy or better to choose the other 2 computers below?

1) Dell Inspiron Desktop - $855+tax (same price) - Intel® Core™ i7-7700; 8GB, 2400MHz, DDR4; 1TB HDD+ 128GB SSD; NVIDIA® GeForce™ GTX 1050 with 2GB GDDR5 graphics card
http://www.dell.com/en-ca/shop/desktops ... btsb_h405e

2) Dell Inspiron DT 5680 - $892+tax ($37 more) - Intel® Core™ i5 8400; 8GB, DDR4, 2400MHz; 1TB 7200RPM 6Gb/s; NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1060 with 3GB GDDR5 graphics card
http://www.dell.com/en-ca/shop/desktops ... btsb_s103e
2 replies
Deal Addict
User avatar
Dec 1, 2010
2565 posts
1642 upvotes
GTA
The option #1 Dell Inspiron Desktop - $855+tax (same price) - Intel® Core™ i7-7700; 8GB, 2400MHz, DDR4; 1TB HDD+ 128GB SSD; NVIDIA® GeForce™ GTX 1050 with 2GB GDDR5 graphics card is the better value if you get it at the exact same price, as the 1st one you posted.

You get 128GB SSD + 1TB HDD, so booting up and using applications will be very fast. Much faster then a conventional regular hard drive. When you open programs, install or browse the web, and do photo and video editing, you will notice how speedy it is. There is a big difference on SSD vs HDD when doing workloads like this. It is worth it 100% to have a SSD at this day and age.

Also, even though you don't game ... you mentioned you might do some photo and video editing. This one has dedicated graphics card GTX 1050 instead of the on-board intel graphics like the one you posted. This means if you ever wanted to stream very smooth 1080p or even 4k HD content you should be able to without a problem as it takes power from the GPU (graphics card) and doesn't strain the CPU. Even if you ever wanted to play a game you would have no problem. Also Intel HD graphics are no the best. This machine would last you longer then the 1st option as you're getting SSD and dedicated graphics card - so if price is the exact same it is a better investment.

Also it mentions that the SSD is 2.5", so if you ever find you like the speed and snappiness of SSD, you can always replace it with a bigger sized drive, 250GB, 500GB, just clone the old 128GB and replace. Giving longer life to the computer, and again a better investment for you in the long run.

The only thing is strange that they would include a slightly weaker wireless card in this model, over the cheaper one.
Dell Wireless 1707 Card 802.11bgn + Bluetooth 4.0 vs 802.11ac + Bluetooth 4.2, Dual Band 2.4&5 GHz, 1x1. But that's not a big deal if you don't have ultra high speed internet (250Mbps or more) or use wireless. That network card should be just fine and you can always replace it in the future if you need stronger signal, better range or more speed. But otherwise out of those 3, I like the i7 with the 1050 if you're going for pre-built. You will notice a huge improvement overall.
Jr. Member
Oct 16, 2005
117 posts
79 upvotes
Thank you heyyahblah for you thoughtful input. I ended up buying the i7 8700 without the dedicated graphic card. It's not that I am not taking your advice, but because the price was changed to regular price and I could only get the i7-8700 system for $855 as it was in my shopping cart. I guess I will have to be more patient of starting up the computer and running the application =)

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