Looking at this for replacement PC....what do you guys think?

[flipper35]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

Realistically the CPU is less critical.

For rendering it's all about the GPU these days.

For some untis, the GPU is on the CPU.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

I had no idea there was such a thing as a mini PC.

Thanks, Baz. These are perfect for additional offices we are adding.

I have got to get out more.

I didn't know they existed either so don't feel bad, Paul.

Additionally it should be noted the unit referenced in my OP is "REFURBISHED" - which means you get something that is almost like brand new but a lot less expensive....maybe like 30-40% less!

In computer terms that translates into more horsepower for less dollars.

[Baz]

More info on NUC (Next Unit of Computing) for those interested.....

LINK

[Baz]

Well, I pressed the button......expected shipping date is March 20th and estimated standard shipping in 5-7 days.

Thanks again for the input!

[1990C4S]

Gen 8 is being released on March 21st.

Your machine is obsolete.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by john rogers

When I was teaching intro to computer classes (fully retired now) I used the analogy of a race car I.E. power, power POWER! Today I would recommend an Intel I-7 CPU, 16 GB or more RAM or as much as the mother board can handle, fastest video card with 4GB RAM and CPU on it and HDMI outlets (2) and a SSD hard drive for the boot OS and two 4TB drives to save/backup things on. For a monitor a 48 inch Vizio flat screen TV from Walmart for $250 or so. Use an external DVD player in an adapter that can also hold an 8GB drive if needed for backups. Run in 64 bit mode and streaming videos will be a breeze and with the large screen you can watch them and work with any office type applications with no slowness. It will last for 3 to 4 years I would guess.

You are describing my drafting machine, I built 3 years ago. 4th Gen i7, unlocked clock, SSD drive for boot and internal standard drives for backup. I ran CPUmark on the machine recently, and it scores in the upper 97th percentile, still. The graphics card could use upgrading, but the CPU is still a contender.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

Gen 8 is being released on March 21st.

Your machine is obsolete.

Green font so I know you are kidding.

But seriously....just because the technology came out in 2013 - that doesn't mean my machine is that old.

BTW...my current machine was purchased in 2008 - and has Vista - so this will be quite an upgrade for me!

It's all relative!

[red-beard]

This is what I built for my dad:

Intel NUC Kit NUC6i3SYH- Mini PC - $263.00
WD Blue M.2 250GB - $81.99
Kingston Hyper-X DD4R 2133 8GB) - $70.99
2TB BarraCuda 2.5 Inch internal drive - $91.84
USB 3.0 External DVD-RW - $21.99
Windows 10 Pro 64bit - $90.72

Total = $620.53

[id10t]

specs wise it is fine - load it up on ram and forget about it.

However, I'm an edge case - I like using RAID for my /home directory (user files) so I always need a full size case with 4+ full size drive bays.

[Tervuren]

Originally Posted by john rogers

When I was teaching intro to computer classes (fully retired now) I used the analogy of a race car I.E. power, power POWER!

Sigh...its an endless wish for me.

[Bill Douglas]

Looks good. Lots of fun.

Yep, got to have the eternal dvd, and make sure you can boot from it so you can do system restores. And do full system backups to a usb removable drive.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

Looks good. Lots of fun.

Yep, got to have the eternal dvd, and make sure you can boot from it so you can do system restores. And do full system backups to a usb removable drive.

I create the system repair and restore media onto USB drives. Makes it a lit easier!

[John Rogers]

Sounds like it will be a pretty darn good machine. I would recommend getting a 40 inch or so smart TV as it will allow you to do many things at the same time and it makes work much better. You can add a Haupauge TV stick and watch over the air HDTV (comes with a great antenna) and do as I do, put the TV window down in a corner and work away!

[Baz]

OK....so I procrastinated in getting my NUC set up. Busy with other stuff and my old PC was still operational.

That all changed last week when my old PC wouldn't boot. So I went to my laptop temporarily until I could get said NUC set up. Which I have just finished doing...hence the post.

I ended up having to get a new monitor cable that connected to the digital connector on my Dell monitor and then on the other end was a mini-HDMI, which was what the NUC required.

Also splurged for a new wireless keyboard/mouse.

I also ended up buying a 'clamshell' for the hard drive from my old PC and was able to extract the content and it's now in an external 2TB HD.

The only thing left is getting my email set up. I just set up 2 accounts and getting a message "still working on it". Hopefully that will get done soon.

This Windows 10 is a bit different than the old Vista I had. Going to take some time to figure it all out...

I have to work on my software stuff too. I have some old MS Office discs complete with registration keys somewhere in my stuff I need to find.

This NUC has no disc drive so I also bought an external disc drive to use.

And I still have to set up wireless printer.

No wonder I procrastinated.....when it comes to computers, half of me enjoys learning new things and the other half gets mentally fatigued trying to figure it all out!

If I get stuck on something I may need some help....

Tallyho.....

[ledhedsymbols]

6th Gen i5 processor is plenty of HP for most people. As mentioned, even a middle of the road GPU will be a better use of your money. I've stopped building my own PCs for the most part. These days I find a good buy on a system with the CPU I like and then replace the power supply and add GPUs etc. It is mostly used as a general home PC, some streaming and gaming. I'm not obsessed over frame-rates and "ultra" graphics settings.

The differences between the 6th and 7th generation Intel processors are mostly geek bragging rights. Not much different real world performance IMO.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by John Rogers

When I was teaching intro to computer classes (fully retired now) I used the analogy of a race car I.E. power, power POWER! Today I would recommend an Intel I-7 CPU, 16 GB or more RAM or as much as the mother board can handle, fastest video card with 4GB RAM and CPU on it and HDMI outlets (2) and a SSD hard drive for the boot OS and two 4TB drives to save/backup things on. For a monitor a 48 inch Vizio flat screen TV from Walmart for $250 or so. Use an external DVD player in an adapter that can also hold an 8GB drive if needed for backups. Run in 64 bit mode and streaming videos will be a breeze and with the large screen you can watch them and work with any office type applications with no slowness. It will last for 3 to 4 years I would guess.

That's way, WAY overkill for 95% of the people out there. Most folks could probably get by on something like an iPad. If I went to buy a PC right now, it would probably be somewhat similar to what you've described. I suspect it would last me 4-8 years and still probably be more than I need.

I do work with large image files from my DSLR, use photoshop, and transcode and/or rip video for streaming. I also run VMWare for additional operating systems. Would a more powerful system do some of the stuff that I need faster than the system that I have? Probably, but I try to balance cost vs performance. I don't need an 800hp Lamborghini to get to work every day.

[id10t]

Originally Posted by masraum

That's way, WAY overkill for 95% of the people out there. Most folks could probably get by on something like an iPad. If I went to buy a PC right now, it would probably be somewhat similar to what you've described. I suspect it would last me 4-8 years and still probably be more than I need.

I do work with large image files from my DSLR, use photoshop, and transcode and/or rip video for streaming. I also run VMWare for additional operating systems. Would a more powerful system do some of the stuff that I need faster than the system that I have? Probably, but I try to balance cost vs performance. I don't need an 800hp Lamborghini to get to work every day.

At work (college) for both employees and labs, we buy whatever we can get from Dell for $900-1100. We buy with 5 year next day on site warranties, and forget about them, lately we've been getting all-in-one units (Mac design ripoff basically) and while they are nice, they aren't my cup of tea - again, back to multiple drives for my /home.

[dad911]

FWIW I only buy laptops now. Don't need high horsepower, and I add external monitor. Laptop built in battery has saved my butt a few times with power failures/saved work.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by flipper35

For some untis, the GPU is on the CPU.

irrelevant

they still crunch data differently

if not then you dont have a gpu rather you have a cpu emulating a gpu

not the same thing

[masraum]

Originally Posted by id10t

At work (college) for both employees and labs, we buy whatever we can get from Dell for $900-1100. We buy with 5 year next day on site warranties, and forget about them, lately we've been getting all-in-one units (Mac design ripoff basically) and while they are nice, they aren't my cup of tea - again, back to multiple drives for my /home.

I've had a few cheap Dell small towers, both for myself and for my mom. I think I normally get something for $300-500 from outlet.dell.com. I've always had good luck.

My current PC is an all-in-one HP. I ordered it new so I could pick the options I wanted and upgrade a little. It has worked really well. I did upgrade the RAM, but not really because I felt down on RAM, but because I had a specific VMWare instance that I wanted to run that required more RAM. I think this thing is 5-8 years old. It's got an Intel i5-2400 @3.2GHz, 16GB & 1.5TB. I'd like a MAC all in one, but this thing just won't die or slow down. It's powered on 24x7x365.