Bikerboygreen

iTrader: (3)

I need to replace a Dell desktop that is older than I care to admit. Thinking of getting another Dell - an Inspiron 3847. The machine will be used for usual home PC duties (not gaming). The PC comes with an intel i5 processor, 8GB of memory, 1TB hard drive and a NVDIA GeForce GT705 video card. Dell are offering it for £399.

Does this sound like a reasonable machine/price?

Any advice appreciated!

Littleted

Will be fine, however if you want a little more speed see if u can get an SSD drive, the boot times and everything gets very impressive, and personally I think it's one of the better investments when spending a new machine...

Tidgy

as above, well worth SSD but other than than for geneal computer use will do you fine, would take windows 7 option if you can though. windows 8 sucks

Animal Mother

Try this place. Good machines at low cost:

http://www.europc.co.uk/

JayUK91

Ignore this, Windows 8 is perfectly fine.

But yes, that computer sounds spot on for what you need.

Bikerboygreen

iTrader: (3)

Thanks guys. I think I will order the Dell.

Tidgy

very much opinion that one, as is me hating it lol

p.s. i can see win 8 support being pulled before 7 the way things are going

JackClark

Windows 8 is terrible, but that doesn't mean you should go back to an old version. Once you get over how awful some aspects are, and you will get over it, you will be using a much better operating system.

Tidgy

whats the current win 8 uptake over 7? 25% or summit silly low like that?


win8 is gonna be a vista with lots of folks skipping it.

jura11

iTrader: (7)

Build own one and take at least MX100 256GB SSD,they're cheap and very reliable
Windows 8,really I wouldn't upgrade,when Windows X is around the corner and 7 is still awesome

Thanks,Jura

Brun

Ignore this too - long live XP

andy97

iTrader: (1)

I run XP still on my second drive. Trusty Tahr is the future

Tidgy

shame it has no security dev happening any more, gonna be leaking data like the titanic soon

Beef

It's a little over-CPU'd in my opinion for a light-duty home PC. I would personally consider dropping down to an i3 (or even Pentium G) if it freed up budget to get an SSD instead.

Bikerboygreen

iTrader: (3)

Is the SSD drive something I can install myself?

Beef

Depending on your personal aptitude and familiarity with computers, yes.

The trickiest part of the process would be getting the operating system transferred to the new drive; if the original drive allows you to create recovery DVDs I would create them, use the recovery discs to 'recover' onto the new hard drive, and keep the original drive in a cupboard in case of warranty issues.

Some SSDs come with software to help this process, but nonetheless it would be good practice to create the recovery discs at the first opportunity anyway.

jura11

iTrader: (7)

Yes very easy to do this

On PC is very easy to do this,I would recommend to use Clonezilla,have used this to transfer my HDD to SSD and SSD is working like a charm and without the issue

Please have look on this guide

http://www.howtogeek.com/97242/how-t...d-state-drive/

And for SSD I would go with MX100 SSD or if budget allow SanDisk get my vote

Thanks,Jura

Bikerboygreen

iTrader: (3)

That's really helpful - thank you. Definitely going to get a MX 100.

XDevil666

i still havent jumped on the SSD bang wagon yet, would you guys say its reliable yet to use as a primary drive? or is everyone still just using them as OS Drives?

jura11

iTrader: (7)

Hi there

New SSD are pretty reliable,in last couple of months my two normal HDD failed(not SSD),one new which has been RMA and second has developed high relocation error

I've right now 2 SSD,one is for OS and programs which I'm using and second one is used as for my projects like textures,models etc for 3DS MAX,MAYA,C4D etc.

New SSD are pretty reliable and I would recommend to switch if you didn't switch

Thanks,Jura

Rob_Impreza99

iTrader: (3)

An SSD has no moving parts compared to a normal hard drive so their are less things that can go wrong, their won't be mechanical drives eventually, they'll go into the same bin as VHS and Betamax recorders.

Tidgy

3 years and faultless so far.

No doubt early ones were a concern, but the more recent ones are fine mate, def worth the upgrade taking into account cost/performance/reliability etc etc

Mines set up to run windows from the ssd then a spinny hard drive for storage/games/movies etc

Littleted

i have them in most of my desktops and laptops, faultless, and the best upgrade to speed u can ask for...

Windows 8 is fine, im in agreement howevere that the tile crap is indeed crap, i use 8.1 currently and always religously use this

http://www.classicshell.net/

just makes it like win7, thats whay windos 10 is kinda like windows 7 with some tiles but not from first boot

Bikerboygreen

iTrader: (3)

New Dell PC has arrived - very impressed so far. I have now decided that I am going to update the monitor as well. Looking at the ASUS VS239HV 23" Full HD LED IPS Monitor which is £108 at ccl. Again, grateful for any advice?

JayUK91

I've always been a fan of the LG IPS screens, got one 23" and two 24" that are excellent value for money. That ASUS looks fine though.

Bikerboygreen

iTrader: (3)

Cheers mate.

Bikerboygreen

iTrader: (3)

Got the Asus - really impressed.