Desktop Tower from DIY Computing. Thoughts, comments, advice?

Lml17 on 26/04/2015 - 14:55
Last edited 01/05/2015 - 16:44

I'm thinking of getting a new desktop. This one seems decent, but I'm not too savvy with computers and the current market so I'm not sure if this is a good deal or not. Any advice, on whether or not this is a good deal, or if you know of anything better, is welcome.

I've bought from this store a while ago, and they were quite good at the time (albeit 5 or so years ago).

http://www.diycomputers.com.au/product.asp?id=13746

Cons, that I can see:

  • No OS
  • No Wireless Network Card
  • Basic (vague) graphics card; although this isn't too important to me

Thanks!

EDIT (01/05/15): For anyone that cares; I ended up getting a computer from Dell's Outlet (thanks to Scrimshaw). Here are the specs:

DFO (NEW) OptiPlex 9020 Small Form Factor Intel Core i5-4590 Processor (Quad Core HT, 3.3GHz,
6MB, w/ HD Graphics 4600); 8GB (2x4GB) 1600MHz DDR3 Non-ECC; 500GB 3.5inch Serial ATA
(7,200 Rpm) Hard Drive; Windows 7 Professional, English, 64bit (includes Windows 8.1 Pro 64bit
License and Media); 8X Max Slimline DVD+/-RW; OptiPlex 9020 Small Form Factor Chassis w/ up to
85 Percent Efficient PSU (Bronze V2); Intel Integrated Graphics, Dell OptiPlex; Internal Dell Business
Audio Speaker; US English (QWERTY) Dell KB212-B QuietKey USB Keyboard Black; Dell MS111
USB Optical Mouse; 1 Year Warranty

It was $479 and listed as "AS NEW", so I assume it was pretty much brand new, and not refurbished.

Computing

Comments

  • WalterPPK on 26/04/2015 - 15:57
    +1

    At this price, it's not bad, but that's a lot of generic, not-specified gear for one computer. And the OS can be expensive, depending on what way you choose to go. It sounds like it runs the Intel onboard graphics, which isn't really up to gaming but is fine for everything else - and actually very good when it comes to handling video.

    A wifi card will set you back another $40ish.

  • scrimshaw on 26/04/2015 - 19:26
    +1

    Try MSY or ARC Computers. I'd highly recommend UMART as well, these guys are located in West Ryde.

    Also if you look on the Dell Outlet website
    http://www1.ap.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/product…

    There is a refurbed OptiPlex 3020 (small form factor) with Core i5, 4GB RAM, 128GB SSD, Intel Wireless AC with Bluetooth combo and Windows 8.1 for only $469.
    Keyboard and mouse included. That's almost 600~700 worth of stuff in this SKU.

    That's pretty damn good value if you don't mind that it doesn't have much room for expansion or video card upgrades, though it is quite easy to add-on more drives and more RAM.

    • ml17 on 26/04/2015 - 20:59

      Oh wow, that does look quite impressive. Any idea where I can find out more info about it? I want to find out how many (and what type of) USB ports it has. A quick google search brought me to this, http://www.dell.com/uk/business/p/optiplex-3020m-desktop/pd. Am I correct to assume the I/O ports for this would be the same as the one you linked?

      Also, thanks for the other recommendations, UMART looks good as well.

      • scrimshaw on 26/04/2015 - 21:03

        It's not lacking in ports… all the ports are mentioned on that page. Click Tech Specs tab.

        I/O Ports

        2 external USB 3.0 ports (rear) and 6 external USB 2.0 ports (2 front, 4 rear); 1 RJ-45; 1 VGA; 1 DisplayPort 1.2; 1 Mic-in & 1 Headphone out (front); 1 Mic-in/Line- in & 1 Line-out(rear)
        2 external USB 3.0 ports ( 1front ,1 rear) and 4 external USB 2.0 ports (1 front, 3 rear); 1 RJ-45; 1 VGA; 1 DisplayPort 1.2; 1 Mic-in (front, re-taskable to headphone); 1 GHS (front);

        Photo of front
        http://www.slashgear.com/dell-optiplex-9020-and-3020-micro-p…

        • ml17 on 26/04/2015 - 21:12

          Hahah, you misunderstood what I said, but yeah, looks to be the same. No HDMI out is a bit annoying. Is there a loss of picture quality, or any disadvantages of using VGA/D-Sub vs. HDMI?

          Thanks for the photo btw!

        • scrimshaw on 26/04/2015 - 21:13
          +1

          It has DisplayPort :) DisplayPort is better than HDMI. All high end monitors nowadays have DisplayPort.

          https://youtu.be/f38sotYHqtA

          You will need a DP to HDMI adapter, easily sourcable from any PC shop, if you do not have a monitor that does not have Displayport.

        • ml17 on 26/04/2015 - 21:37

          @scrimshaw: Oh nice, cheers for all the help!

  • Edsanwong on 11/05/2015 - 22:20

    OP, have you received it?

    Tell us about it?

    • ml17 on 11/05/2015 - 22:51

      Yeah, it came pretty quickly, in about 5 working days (within the time frame they stated).

      It works.

      Sorry, I don't know what exactly you want to know. Anything in particular you want to know? I'll be happy to answer it.

      (One thing though, the muppet helping me on dell's online chat application didn't really know the exact details/specifications of the computer- and I assume of any of the computers- only what was written on the site. So when I asked him whether or not it had a wireless network card, he replied that he didn't know, then he said that it did. But it didn't have one. In saying that, the computer is still well worth it, especially since network cards will set me back ~$50 max. And scrimshaw posted a cheap way to get wireless AC for less than $30.)

      • Edsanwong on 12/05/2015 - 10:35

        Thanks, I dont know what to ask haha.
        But overall you happy with the purchase right? I will keep an eye on the Dell outlet.

        • ml17 on 12/05/2015 - 15:14

          Yep, I was.

  • enforcer on 13/05/2015 - 12:21

    Sorry to hijack but I'm interested in getting a computer from here but I need a larger upright case as I have 3 internal hard drives to fit in.
    I know SFF/Micro Tower/MT are out but others say "Up to 90% efficient PSU Base 58.4cm" Is that one of those cases that lies flat on the desk?

    • scrimshaw on 13/05/2015 - 23:47

      If you want to fit three hard drives you'll need to get a computer that specifies that it has 3 bays to store 3.5" drives. The most reliable method of finding out how many drives a specific computer will support is to look up their spec sheet, or call Dell and ask their tech support. Many manufacturers do not follow the computer case naming standards but only loosely follow the guidelines — making it impossible to tell how many drive bays a computer will have by simply eyeballing it.

      If you are buying a whitebox PC, you can look up the details of the computer casing on their respective manufacterer site (e.g Coolermaster )

      Dell Optiplex 9020 series come in 3 sizes as listed on the spec sheet. If you look on the PDF it appears the max number of drives a MT (Mini Tower) will fit is 2x 3.5" drives internally. The small form factors will only fit one internally.

      You can also put 3.5" drives into a 5.25" bay using brackets, allowing you to store more drives in your computer than it was originally designed for.

      Up to 90% efficient PSU Base 58.4cm

      That doesn't tell me anything about what size that desktop is. For example, what is 58.4cm measurement supposed to represent — height, width, length?

      • enforcer on 14/05/2015 - 10:45

        Cheers, these specs papers will be the most useful. I noticed that 9020 you linked can only handle hard drives up to 1TB. Ouch

        That doesn't tell me anything about what size that desktop is. For example, what is 58.4cm measurement supposed to represent — height, width, length?

        Glad the confusion is shared. I haven't put a computer together for a while so I just thought it was fairly recent terminology.

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