New PC advice?

[rcx132]

Are there any PC builders here who can help me with a new PC?

I have an very old PC, it's over ten years old. It was built as a CAD machine. 32gb DDR3. i7-2600 3.4ghz. It's served me well aside from the hardware RAID which seems to kill discs quite frequently. However it doesn't support Win 11 and certain software refuses to install saying the machine is not up to spec.

This morning the PC failed . I'm not sure I want to fix it.

The only intensive software I run now is Solidworks 2018. Despite everyone telling me CAD needs £1000+ computers I've found this to be completely untrue. I have a 8 year old £250 PC in my workshop that I use for watching YouTube and it runs Solidworks just fine.

I'm not sure I can be bothered with the RAID any more, it seems to cause more issues than it fixes.

The only reason that I'd want to spend decent money on a replacement is to ensure long life and because I may use it for work in the future as I'm a remote work contractor.

Does anyone have recommendations on brands, where to buy, how much to spend? I'm hoping £600.

 

[skotl]

Definitely look at Scan UK - well priced and a large range of options. I’ve bought a few built systems and tons of components from them over the years.

UK's best Custom PCs & Laptops | Scan - 3XS

Custom desktop PCs, laptops, gaming PCs and workstations built by award winning computer manufacturer in the UK

www.scan.co.uk

 

[gaz1]

ive refused to install windows 11 as i dont like either windows 10 or 11

ive used them just dont like there view

but if your interested in keeping your older machine there is options

Windows 11 :(

This is Microsoft"s way of letting you know why you should stick to an officially eligible PC on its latest version of Windows, and the company"s official stance is that you get a new PC if yours is too old. Recently, the company also clarified its current position regarding the system...

www.mig-welding.co.uk

 

[gaz1]

I have an very old PC, it's over ten years old. It was built as a CAD machine. 32gb DDR3. i7-2600 3.4ghz. It's served me well aside from the hardware RAID which seems to kill discs quite frequently. However it doesn't support Win 11 and certain software refuses to install saying the machine is not up to spec.

The only intensive software I run now is Solidworks 2018. Despite everyone telling me CAD needs £1000+ computers I've found this to be completely untrue. I have a 8 year old £250 PC in my workshop that I use for watching YouTube and it runs Solidworks just fine.

personally id keep the machine for just cad works and thats it whilst id look into an online pc

but using the other software i get to still use the older machines instead even a 50-100.00 pc just for net use is worth it even if you install another software onto it just to view online

 

[Mark 5]

Hi,

I'm not a programer but I have built several PCs my most recent being a couple of months ago to enable installing Win11.

When you ask such a question you can open yourself up to a whole world of opinions, most good but many OTT.

First thing, it is possible to fool your existing PC into accepting Win 11, this includes laptops.

MS in their wisdom have, rightly or wrongly, decided only modern PCs/LTs can install Win 11, this policy imo is blasting themselves, double barrel like in both feet, talk about self inflicted.

Plenty of older PCs 8-10 years old that could accept the new OS if they changed track.

Depending on where you read and what, MS have either acquiesced, about to or won't on the subject.

If you feel your PC is ancient and time for a rebuild, it is very possible to use your existing PC case, HDs/SSDs and possibly other bits and bobs, believe me this does save money.

Regardless of brand of MB, reliability is the key, and many that build their own have their favorites, I try not to buy into brands, reliability is more important.

You will need to ascertain what size is existing MB or a size you wish to fit be that ATX, M-ATX, ( smaller version of ATX ) or Mini ATX, ( even smaller ), there are several other flavours but IMO for most, PCs ATX or M-ATX is fine.

IMO at the moment you can't go to far wrong with a ASUS TUF MB, others will feel differently.

Buy a MB that will give you as many external/internal connections as possible for your bucks, there are a few must haves, you shouldn't ignore cheaper modern boards leave off, this includes making sure you have the right monitor connection to your new MB, be it DVI, VGA HDMI and so on, ( there are adaptors available if you F-up so no big deal ).

Next, CPU, that will either be INTEL or AMD.

You need to match the MB with the CPU, not always easy, it should be but CPU numbers and letters can be confusing, the best PC builders can trip up, research ask questions.

Any CPU you purchase will come with a bog standard CPU fan which for most home/office builds is fine.

DDR 4 or DDR 5 is the main choice for RAM, ( DDR 3 would do but most new MBs can't use it ), again match RAM to your new MB and own use requirements, 16GB is the usual accepted minimum.

Fitting existing SSDs, HD to run with new MBs, you may need to convert them, ( that's convert NOT clone ) from MPR to GBT, it's a pain in the arrrse and can be daunting but easy enough to do, only needs to be done once for each HD/SSD but there is a proper order and methods and a couple of decent free download programs to help you achieve it.

This post is getting long so will end on this.

For around £250 an old PC can be updated to one that will keep going for another 10 years, bang up to date on spec' running Win 11 or 12-13 if that happens.

You don't have to spend anything on a old PC, use a Linux Distro', it can do everything Win can do and better some will say.

Match your use and needs to your MB, for example, if you don't play games or not likely to you really don't need a seperate Graphics Card, get a MB that incorporates one internally, same for sound, most can play non intensive games or give decent sound in any case.

EDIT and don't forget to back up before doing anything.

 

[rcx132]

Hi,

I'm not a programer but I have built several PCs my most recent being a couple of months to enable installing Win11.

When you ask such a question you can open yourself up to a whole world of opinions, most good but many OTT.

First thing, it is possible to fool your existing PC into accepting Win 11, this includes laptops.

MS in their wisdom have, rightly or wrongly, decided only modern PCs/LTs can install Win 11, this policy imo is blasting themselves, double barrel like in both feet, talk about self inflicted.

Plenty of older PCs 8-10 years old that could accept the new OS if they changed track.

Depending on where you read and what, MS have either acquiesced, about to or won't on the subject.

If you feel your PC is ancient and time for a rebuild, it is very possible to use your existing PC case, HDs/SSDs and possibly other bits and bobs, believe me this does save money.

Regardless of brand of MB, reliability is the key, and many that build their own have their favorites, I try not to buy into brands, reliability is more important.

You will need to ascertain what size is existing MB or a size you wish to fit be that ATX, M-ATX, ( smaller version of ATX ) or Mini ATX, ( even smaller ), there are several other flavours but IMO for most, PCs ATX or M-ATX is fine.

IMO at the moment you can't go to far wrong with a ASUS TUF MB, others will feel differently.

Buy a MB that will give you as many external/internal connections as possible for your bucks, there are a few must haves, you shouldn't ignore cheaper modern boards leave off, this includes making sure you have the right monitor connection to your new MB, be it DVI, VGA HDMI and so on, ( there are adaptors available if you F-up so no big deal ).

Next, CPU, that will either be INTEL or AMD.

You need to match the MB with the CPU, not always easy, it should be but CPU numbers and letters can be confusing, the best PC builders can trip up, research ask questions.

Any CPU you purchase will come with a bog standard CPU fan which for most home/office builds is fine.

DDR 4 or DDR 5 is the main choice for RAM, ( DDR 3 would do but most new MBs can't use it ), again match RAM to your new MB and own use requirements, 16GB is the usual accepted minimum.

Fitting existing SSDs, HD to run with new MBs, you may need to convert them, ( that's convert NOT clone ) from MPR to GBT, it's a pain in the arrrse and can be daunting but easy enough to do, only needs to be done once for each HD/SSD but there is a proper order and methods and a couple of decent free download programs to help you achieve it.

This post is getting long so will end on this.

For around £250 an old PC can be updated to one that will keep going for another 10 years and bang up to date running Win 11 or 12-13 if that happens.

You don't have to spend anything on a old PC, use a Linux Distro', it can do everything Win can do and better some will say.

Match your use and needs to your MB, for example, if you don't play games or not likely to you really don't need a seperate Graphics Card, get a MB that incorporates one internally, same for sound, most can play non intensive games or give decent sound in any case.

You're right, I could fit a new motherboard in the existing PC, I get to keep the quality case, disks, graphics card, power supply. I'd need to change the mother board, CPU and RAM and that's it ? Is there anything else that would hold me back ?

I do have Linux running on a virtual PC in Amazon cloud, which I use for remote access. Linux can be fine for a lot of people, but it wont run Solidworks and some other software that I use.

@gaz1 I really dont mind Windows 10, I got used to it and it's been fine.

 

[Mark 5]

You're right, I could fit a new motherboard in the existing PC, I get to keep the quality case, disks, graphics card, power supply. I'd need to change the mother board, CPU and RAM and that's it ? Is there anything else that would hold me back ?

I do have Linux running on a virtual PC in Amazon cloud, which I use for remote access. Linux can be fine for a lot of people, but it wont run Solidworks and some other software that I use.

@gaz1 I really dont mind Windows 10, I got used to it and it's been fine.

In my case a bit of updating inexperience, things had moved a pace since I had last built one so needed to catch up, that and lacking a few internal cable connections for a few days but that was it, Ali and Amazon were my friends in that respect.

I did have to modify my existing PC case, when I went to mount new MB I found the mounting studs turning in their holes, that took 20 minutes of creative thinking to resolve the issue but a simple fix. I also adapted front of PC case to accept more front USB3 and C ports.

Depending on age of PSU you may need an adapter or adapt to connect to MB.

So new MB, CPU and Ram and your good to go.

EDIT I rebuilt to install Win 11 but still using Win 10 cos' I like it.

 

[J1nx]

For a new PC around your budget this is a pretty fair deal… https://www.palicomp.co.uk/genius-intel-550-gen3

I’ve used Palicomp without issue previously, no other affiliations.

I would also consider a 2nd hand workstation, something like this… https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/28590585...eWxf2rbSAK&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

That one above is a very quick search and a random result, tailor it to suit, these machines can make a great buy if you don’t need a powerful GPU, they are generally reliable and efficient.

 

[gaz1]

You're right, I could fit a new motherboard in the existing PC, I get to keep the quality case, disks, graphics card, power supply. I'd need to change the mother board, CPU and RAM and that's it ? Is there anything else that would hold me back ?

I do have Linux running on a virtual PC in Amazon cloud, which I use for remote access. Linux can be fine for a lot of people, but it wont run Solidworks and some other software that I use.

@gaz1 I really dont mind Windows 10, I got used to it and it's been fine.

just to be clear here what you take out can be refitted back into another case and still be used

you dont need windows 10-11 just for the internet other operating systems can be used instead even on the older systems hell ive used live cds/dvds and live usbs and still being able to view the internet upon them being used

as goes for soild works use what you have already if its working fine and not a problem if you wanted too you could upgrade your cpu for something better but check cpu status on what you can upgrade too

as goes for windows 11 microsoft may change the goalposts yet, for what can be excepted just to install windows 11 onto pcs as many people wont want to fund for a new rebuild that includes business as well

pc parts are still expensive due to covid still going around even if you waited one more year those prices will have come way down

those gcards are a true ripoff joke has been for the last 4 years hell a gcard in middle of covid was worth more than a new card bought before covid


for all thats been said a 50-100.00 pc with base unit a flat screen mouse and keyboard will be more than enough with a distro installed upon it for web browsing ( youtube and browsing the internet )

whilst the original pc is used for solid works

and in another year you could go out and buy the parts that are out now for alot less

 

[rcx132]

I hesitated with a new PC. Half the money is for the case, PSU, quality cooler etc, none of those things were as good on a £600 to what I have, and I'd still have to spend most of a day installing all my software and getting rid of bloatware.
I wasted 6 hours trying to get Win 10 to reinstall before giving up and trying Windows 11. Windows 11 installed no probs (bypassed hardware checks).
I got rid of the RAID and instead will rely on regular images, Google Drive, and a second hard drive.