Hello guys
Wondering if you can help me with a buy vs build decision.
There are times when there are deals for machines with the newest core i7 and gtx 980 graphics that run for under $1100 - recent new HP SE desktops deals come to mind. And if I try to build or pick parts I end up maxing out everything with no restraint whatsoever with totals crossing $3,500..
So please look at my use case below and do guide my thinking so we can do this methodically and to the best speed / cost ratio.
Your help is much appreciated!! This question has been troubling me for a year!
Thanks!!
PC Use case
---------------
Speed is the primary directive - only have a very limited time when I do certain tasks and need those done fast.
Speed is more important than cost but would not spend over $3,000 if possible.
Tasks / Needs
----------------
-- support at least 2 4K or UHD monitors, planning to get those soon
-- need separate SSD drive for OS (windows 10)
-- need separate fast drives (1 synced to google drive and 1 synced to onedrive).. May need to sync these drives once in a while and updates should happen in a few seconds.. Ideally 2 1TB hard drives I'm thinking will solve this.
-- no gaming required
-- regularly have 15 - 20 browser tabs and 4-5 separate browser sessions open
-- occasionally reformat PC to get rid of accumulated junk. Need this to be smooth.
-- need cd drive for some old scanner software
-- need windows pro for bit locker
-- backup photos and all from iPhone to computer should be fast
-- may get into some video editing but not crazy .. Just making short clips from what's taken on iPhone (soccer games or swimming or birthdays)
-- may need to spin up a Linux vm to run Drupal
-- if pc lasts 2-3 years without getting slow or stale that will be great or wife will chew my ears, but not last too much more than that
-- good looking case and liquid cooling would give nerdy satisfaction
-----------------
Should I buy or build? If build, do I need to get a $500 motherboard and a $700 video card to get the performance I want? I've bought Dells and HPs with 32 gigs of ram in the past couple years but am not satisfied - some have come with the OS installed on the spinning drive and not the SSD or some have had so much annoying bloatware but no original OS disk for reinstall..
Please help and guide me!
Thanks so much!!
Wondering if you can help me with a buy vs build decision.
There are times when there are deals for machines with the newest core i7 and gtx 980 graphics that run for under $1100 - recent new HP SE desktops deals come to mind. And if I try to build or pick parts I end up maxing out everything with no restraint whatsoever with totals crossing $3,500..
So please look at my use case below and do guide my thinking so we can do this methodically and to the best speed / cost ratio.
Your help is much appreciated!! This question has been troubling me for a year!
Thanks!!
PC Use case
---------------
Speed is the primary directive - only have a very limited time when I do certain tasks and need those done fast.
Speed is more important than cost but would not spend over $3,000 if possible.
Tasks / Needs
----------------
-- support at least 2 4K or UHD monitors, planning to get those soon
-- need separate SSD drive for OS (windows 10)
-- need separate fast drives (1 synced to google drive and 1 synced to onedrive).. May need to sync these drives once in a while and updates should happen in a few seconds.. Ideally 2 1TB hard drives I'm thinking will solve this.
-- no gaming required
-- regularly have 15 - 20 browser tabs and 4-5 separate browser sessions open
-- occasionally reformat PC to get rid of accumulated junk. Need this to be smooth.
-- need cd drive for some old scanner software
-- need windows pro for bit locker
-- backup photos and all from iPhone to computer should be fast
-- may get into some video editing but not crazy .. Just making short clips from what's taken on iPhone (soccer games or swimming or birthdays)
-- may need to spin up a Linux vm to run Drupal
-- if pc lasts 2-3 years without getting slow or stale that will be great or wife will chew my ears, but not last too much more than that
-- good looking case and liquid cooling would give nerdy satisfaction
-----------------
Should I buy or build? If build, do I need to get a $500 motherboard and a $700 video card to get the performance I want? I've bought Dells and HPs with 32 gigs of ram in the past couple years but am not satisfied - some have come with the OS installed on the spinning drive and not the SSD or some have had so much annoying bloatware but no original OS disk for reinstall..
Please help and guide me!
Thanks so much!!
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