Now getting confused about which desktop pc!

Carlo

Carlo

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Carl
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I've needed a desktop for a while now, and over the last few weeks have been looking at either a 2nd hand 21.5" IMac , buying a built to spec desktop, or buying a basic desktop and upgrading it, all for around £500.
Every time I browse the web I change my mind which is the best option!!
I think the build to spec option looks least likely now, as it always ends up way over budget!
iMacs seem aplenty on ebay, but theres always a risk in buying that way!
Then tonight i stumbled on this;

http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/leno...ce=ldadwords&gclid=CMv2lcWCnM4CFcWdGwod4-AHMA

with this I can upgrade the RAM to 16GB for around £50-£70, and add(or replace? not sure how/if it could run with both the SATA and SSD!) a 480GB SSD for £130
Would the graphics card on this desktop be up to the job? for PS and LR, it'd be used for editing, and is it a hard job physically changing these components?

PS,I have an OK monitor (Dell, 22")

Thanks for any help
 
What resolution is your Dell monitor? It would do the job, I just find it a risky and compromised strategy to get a bluechip company machine with an idea to upgrade it. You have no idea of the motherboard that is in the machine for starters, nor the capabilities of the case. Not even what graphics card, if any at all, you can install. And it says max memory is 8GB.

Surely you can build yourself for that kind of money.
 
The lenovo doesnt specify a standalone graphics card that i can see so at a guess it will be the onboard graphics of the intel chip.

For PS and LR you should be fine with onboard graphics but as Dejongi notes above thw whole desktop could be quite limiting and your RAM head limit is 8GB so no point in spending £50-70 on more RAM.

I would take your potential £318 for the machine, the £130 for the SSD and the £50-70 for the RAM (so approx £500) and bet something custom built with more headroom in in its future upgradeability.

If you were comfortable building yourself you should be able to get a decent performing rig out of that budget. Not top end performance but better than the lenovo.
 
Just to give you an idea of what you could build; quad core i5, 16GB ram, 480SSD, gold rated psu etc. Naturally if it was you, you would make your own choices...

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor (£158.51 @ More Computers)
CPU Cooler: ARCTIC Alpine 11 Pro Rev. 2 36.7 CFM Fluid Dynamic Bearing CPU Cooler (£7.99 @ Amazon UK)
Motherboard: ASRock H81M-DGS R2.0 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard (£37.79 @ CCL Computers)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (£53.99 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: PNY CS1311 480GB 2.5" Solid State Drive (£97.99 @ Amazon UK)
Case: Corsair Carbide Series 88R MicroATX Mid Tower Case (£38.99 @ Amazon UK)
Power Supply: Corsair CSM 450W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply (£51.57 @ Amazon UK)
Total: £446.83
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-07-31 08:37 BST+0100

Just to give you an idea of what is possible.
 
well, been so busy since I posted the thread, but having read all the advice and options I decided to go for a 2nd hand iMac, that will hopefully last a couple of years, by which time I'll have funds for either a build to spec pc, or if i get on well with the mac (first time user!!) may go for a new one.
Managed to get a 2011, 21.5" imac with 16GB RAM, 2.7Ghz, 1TB HD with i5 processor for under £400. Hopefully get it up and running tonight (still in box due to being so busy!). I do have a question though regarding the OS, it comes with Mountain Lion, but after reading loads on apple forums about some of the newer versions being 'pants', wondered whether to upgrade this or not???
What is certain, as I've never used Apple before (except an iphone 4s), I'll be back on here asking plenty more questions!!!!
Thanks all for the advice :)(y)
 
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I too have been deliberating for what seems like months with the same dilemma. I have a 21.5" iMac i5 4gb ram and 500gb hard drive. I have just purchased today 16gb of Ram and a 2tb Solid state hybrid drive. I will try this spec which should be quick enough for my needs, if not I will build my own.
 
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