Hardware Question

tommieboy

tommieboy

Charter Member
Sorry in advance if this is not the correct forum to post this type of question. But I have been looking at upgrading my computer system again. Seems I'll be needing an entirely new tower unit. Are there any sites / manufacturers with pre-built tower units that one could recommend? I'm not looking for a bleeding edge computer. Not sure where my budget stands at this moment, but I plan on reusing my current 1080P monitor, keyboard and mouse.

My sig below is pretty much what I have now, and if could just upgrade it to Windows 11, I'd just do that and be done with it. But MS tells me my hardware is too old.

TIA

Tommy
 
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The only thing I can suggest is either Tiger Direct or Newegg. I'm considering a new tower in the next few months after an estate gets settled and I have full access to the account, but we have a store here called Intrex that will either sell you the parts, or, for a bit more, build it for you. That second option also includes a basic warranty, so that will be the route I take.
 
My current system was built by Newegg, it is their ABS line of computers. I would not waste my money on another pre-built system by Newegg, I had to replace the EVGA power supply as it burned out after three weeks and the cooling fans in the EVGA CLC cooler as they were very noisy and failed after a few weeks. The case also arrived with a dent in the top of it, even though it was very well packaged and there was no damage to the shipping box. No manuals or boxes from any of the components they used to built it and there have been numerous reports of open box returned items being used to build their computers. Your experience may be different, this was mine.
 
tommieboy said:
Sorry in advance if this is not the correct forum to post this type of question. But I have been looking at upgrading my computer system again. Seems I'll be needing an entirely new tower unit. Are there any sites / manufacturers with pre-built tower units that one could recommend? I'm not looking for a bleeding edge computer. Not sure where my budget stands at this moment, but I plan on reusing my current 1080P monitor, keyboard and mouse.

My sig below is pretty much what I have now, and if could just upgrade it to Windows 11, I'd just do that and be done with it. But MS tells me my hardware is too old.

TIA

Tommy
Click to expand...

As for Windows 11, I'm using that, and am very happy with it. Performance really is stellar compared to the same rig with Windows 10 on it.

Small piece of advice, you'll have to enable the TPM in the BIOS before installing windows 11 on it. Or have the manufacturer do it for you.

Cheers,

Priller
 
Just bought a new unit from Newegg, ABS system. i7 11700, EVGA 3060 Ti, 16 gig GSkill memory, with a 1 Tb nvme main drive, to which I installed another 500 gig SSD for my flight simulator install. Cost was $1500. Pretty resonable price and the performance is very good.
 
stansdds said:
My current system was built by Newegg, it is their ABS line of computers. I would not waste my money on another pre-built system by Newegg, I had to replace the EVGA power supply as it burned out after three weeks and the cooling fans in the EVGA CLC cooler as they were very noisy and failed after a few weeks. The case also arrived with a dent in the top of it, even though it was very well packaged and there was no damage to the shipping box. No manuals or boxes from any of the components they used to built it and there have been numerous reports of open box returned items being used to build their computers. Your experience may be different, this was mine.
Click to expand...

Was any of that covered under a warranty? Do they even offer one?

Tommy
 
tommieboy said:
Was any of that covered under a warranty? Do they even offer one?

Tommy
Click to expand...

It could be covered under warranty, but I could not afford the down time involved with packing it up and shipping it back for service. I was going to do another DIY build, but at the time, many of the components were in such short supply that a pre-built was the only way I could replace my old Windows XP computer.
 
Look into companies like Alienware that specialize on gamming computers. They generally have higher end components than the Dell, Best Buy prefabs. These are directed at a general consumer that just does internet research and light duty stuff.

This article from PCGamer might be a good starting point. If you are up to it, building your own is, in my opinion, still the best route. It is not that hard and YouTube will give you easy set by step directions.

The best gaming PCs in 2022 | PC Gamer
 
stansdds said:
It could be covered under warranty, but I could not afford the down time involved with packing it up and shipping it back for service. I was going to do another DIY build, but at the time, many of the components were in such short supply that a pre-built was the only way I could replace my old Windows XP computer.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply, very much appreciated.

Tommy
 
jmig said:
Look into companies like Alienware that specialize on gamming computers. They generally have higher end components than the Dell, Best Buy prefabs. These are directed at a general consumer that just does internet research and light duty stuff.

This article from PCGamer might be a good starting point. If you are up to it, building your own is, in my opinion, still the best route. It is not that hard and YouTube will give you easy set by step directions.

The best gaming PCs in 2022 | PC Gamer
Click to expand...


I checked with Alienware over a year ago and noted the many of their systems could no longer be shipped to California, and a bunch of other states. I think it was an energy code issue.

Thanks for that link to PCGamer!

Tommy
 
AMD vs Intel? Does it really matter?

Also, I just noticed that many of these computers have a compact liquid cooling system. Any insights on that?

Thanks,

Tommy
 
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AMD components are a lot cheaper than Intel/Nvidia components. Personally, I think that Intel and Nvidia are what is needed for MSFS, but tastes differ.

The AMD crowd will think that I'm a snob! ;)

Priller
 
Oooh, that's right. California has restrictions on computers based on energy consumption. By the way, it is my understanding that Alienware is owned by Dell, don't know if Alienware is worth the money these days. As for Intel, Nvidia, and AMD performance, I still think Intel and Nvidia have the advantage when it comes to flight simulators, at least those made by MicroSoft or based on MicroSoft's flight sims.
 
tommieboy said:
AMD vs Intel? Does it really matter?

Also, I just noticed that many of these computers have a compact liquid cooling system. Any insights on that?

Thanks,

Tommy
Click to expand...

I think, based on reading various forums, that Intel has a slight edge over AMD in flight simulation. AMD has the edge with most other types of games. Personally, I doubt you will notice a difference. many of these "edges" are FPS differences under controlled conditions. Just for the record, like Priller, I am in the Intel crowd.

I have used liquid cooling for my last two simulator computers. Today's systems produce a lot of heat. Many have auto over-clocking features that push the GHz. Air cooling struggles with removing the heat. I have never had an issue with the two liquid cooled systems I have built.
 
tommieboy said:
For those of you who build your own systems, how do you acquire and install the OS?

Tommy
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You can purchase Windows on either a CD or memory stick. If you have a Windows 10 CD from the past, you can also just purchase an activation key. Once Windows is installed it will update itself.

These can be purchased from a supplier like Newegg or Tiger Direct, or from Microsoft. Be careful of the internet "$30" deals. Often these are reused keys. I think for my last computer I bought Windows through Amazon.
 
stansdds said:
By the way, it is my understanding that Alienware is owned by Dell, don't know if Alienware is worth the money these days.
Click to expand...
As someone that did Dell warranty service for a short time, I can tell you that from a hardware standpoint, Alienware is a PITA to work on. If you have a local shop that knows what they're doing, take some time with them, tell them what you want, and see what they can do for you. Personally, I'd steer clear of all the pretty lights and such - just get a system that performs.
 
I've built my own system twice now (and then upgraded those several times), and it's actually pretty easy to DIY, since most of the components are basically "idiot-proofed", so it's basically impossible to install something upside down or backwards or in the wrong spot. Running/wrangling the power supply cables is probably the most annoying part, but a well designed case and some cable ties make that a lot easier.

If you're not sure what components work with what, there's several websites (I think Newegg has one) where you can select the parts you want, and the site will then tell you if you selected components that don't actually work together.

About the only "fiddly" bit is installing the CPU in the motherboard, since you can bend some pins (which makes the CPU useless) if you do it wrong and try to force it, but if you look at a couple of "how to" videos online and take your time, it's pretty straightforward.
 
jmig said:
You can purchase Windows on either a CD or memory stick. If you have a Windows 10 CD from the past, you can also just purchase an activation key. Once Windows is installed it will update itself.

These can be purchased from a supplier like Newegg or Tiger Direct, or from Microsoft. Be careful of the internet "$30" deals. Often these are reused keys. I think for my last computer I bought Windows through Amazon.
Click to expand...

OK.

I noticed that many computers no longer come with CD/DVD players. So, I guess a memory stick would negate the need for one.

Tommy
 
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