HELP! Low Budget PC Shopping

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clueless23

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Nov 25, 2017
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Hello as my name states, I am clueless about everything computers. I wanted to get my bf a simple pc for christmas since he has been playing on his macbook pro. The games he plays are DOTA 2 and Overwatch with the occassional Runescape. Now I know the minimums specs required for these games and I have been trying to work off of them. I was just wondering which would be the better option.

I am currently sitting with this PC.
DELL Vostro 470 I believe.

CPU
Intel Core i5 (3rd Gen) 3450 / 3.1 GHz

Max Turbo Speed
3.5 GHz

Number of Cores
Quad-Core

64-bit Computing


RAM
Installed Size
4 GB / 32 GB (max)

Technology
DDR3 SDRAM - non-ECC

Memory Speed
1600 MHz

Memory Specification Compliance
PC3-1280

GRAPHICS CARD:
Geforce 9400GT

When I got it off the guy you could play DOTA 2 on low settings. It also came with windows 7 upgradeable to windows 10.

But i saw this one today and I don't know if it would be better. Even though after all the reading up, I did concluded that the sff designs are pretty much useless for gaming especially if you wanted to upgrade.

DELL 9020 Small Form Factor Corporate Dekstop PC.

CPU
i7 4770 (8 processors) at 3.4Ghz
Windows 10 Pro 64 Bit
5400RPM 500GB SSHD (Solid State Hybrid Drive) with 8GB Flash

RAM
16Gb Ram consisting of 2x 8GB 1600MHz DDR3 with 2 spare slots.

GRAPHICS
Crisp 1GB AMD RAdeon HD 8490 Graphics card

If anyone can help me i would really appreciate it. Thank youuuuu

PS please don't tell me to build. I was going to get someone to build a $300 minimal rig but I just can't fork out the money. I just want to get him a setup better than his macbook pro to be honest.
 
Solution
clutchc
The Dell 9020 will make a decent gamer with some modifications. But not the SFF. Has to be the mini tower. You'll need a new PSU and an adapter for it. (The 9020 uses an oddball 8 pin motherboard connector). Next, you'll want a 'real' gfx card... something like a GTX 1060 6GB or RX 580 4GB/8GB.

Lately, I've been buying refurbs for rebuild/resale from here. Unfortunately, they are nearly out of the high end ones now. Just bought one similar to the specs you stated. Added a 500W PSU and a GTX 1060 6GB. Maxes out settings in every game I've tested at 1080p/60Hz 60 fps.
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clutchc

clutchc

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The Dell 9020 will make a decent gamer with some modifications. But not the SFF. Has to be the mini tower. You'll need a new PSU and an adapter for it. (The 9020 uses an oddball 8 pin motherboard connector). Next, you'll want a 'real' gfx card... something like a GTX 1060 6GB or RX 580 4GB/8GB.

Lately, I've been buying refurbs for rebuild/resale from here. Unfortunately, they are nearly out of the high end ones now. Just bought one similar to the specs you stated. Added a 500W PSU and a GTX 1060 6GB. Maxes out settings in every game I've tested at 1080p/60Hz 60 fps.
 
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Bob125484

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Jun 13, 2015
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Clutchc,
I look up on internet and see HD 8490 is a low profile card. Do you think low profile GTX1050 or GTX1050Ti will work for her Dell 9020. I know power usage is another concern. i7 4770 use 84W max and I believe 1050 or 1050Ti use 75W max thru PCIe connection. If Dell Power supply is 250W then it should work.
https://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&IsNodeId=1&N=100007709 601275822 600038363
 
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clutchc

clutchc

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Yes, if the PSU is adequate. About the best you'll do with a SFF Dell. And then, only if you accept the risk. My Optiplex 790 SFF had a 240W (17A/+12V) PSU, and it handled my Zotac GTX 1050 Ti fine.
 
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clueless23

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Nov 25, 2017
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Ok, Thank you heaps guys for the responses. I will see what I can do.
Would it be plausible to take the parts out of the sff Dell and put it in a different tower eventually or it would it be fairly pointless?

Thanks
 
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clueless23

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Nov 25, 2017
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Also would the first option be a complete dud?
It could play dota 2 on low settings and I thought that if you could just change the graphics card and possibly add more ram through progressive upgrades, it should be able to handle playing more advanced games and also play dota on a higher setting.

I just thought it would be better than the macbook (it is a 2011 model macbook pro)
 
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clutchc

clutchc

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Trying to put a Dell SFF motherboard in a retail case is almost impossible due to the proprietary connections Dell uses and their odd-ball design.
The SFF 9020 you are considering above would be OK-ish with the addition of a better gfx card. I presume he games at 1080p and not some very low resolution monitor. The Dell SFF above can easily handle a GTX 750 Ti gfx card with its tiny PSU. Low-profile, of course. And if you want to chance it, even a L-P GTX 1050 Ti. I had a 1050 Ti L-P in my Optiplex 790 SFF with the same small PSU. Ran great with no issues. Dell always seems to under rate their PSUs. They can handle more than the rated specs would indicate.
 
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clutchc

clutchc

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Well... let's just say not what would be considered a 1st choice if it is mainly for gaming. Can you find something in a mini tower design for the same money? And if you feel you want to share it, what is your budget?
 
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clueless23

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Nov 25, 2017
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I haven't been able to find anything else for the same price and barely anything has been sold lately. I had a budget which I blew on that pc and I have been selling things just to try and make cut if something better came along. But i don't know. I had someone offer to build a low end pc for $300 but that was too much for me.
 
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clutchc

clutchc

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Wait. You already have the DELL Vostro 470? And it is the SFF, right?
 
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