Which Desktop PC Should I Go for?

Ldurianhead on 20/01/2024 - 19:20
Last edited 20/01/2024 - 22:46

Fellow OZB-ers,

My current PC is about 8 years old now and is nearing the end of it's useful life. I'm looking to upgrade to a new one.

I primarily use the PC for some light gaming (e.g. Dota 2, or old AAA games that gets released for free on Epic Games / Steam), web browsing, and office work. As such, am looking for a budget PC below $1000. Feel free to tell me if it's not worth it. Size is not an issue.

I have come across 3 deals on OzBargain at the moment and am struggling to choose between the 4 or figure out if any of them are value?

Option 1 R5 5500, RTX 3060 12GB, 16GB RAM $699
Option 2 i5 12400F, RTX 3060 12GB, 16GB RAM, 500GB M.2 $799
Option 3 RTX 4060 8GB, R5 5500, 500GB M.2, 16GB RAM, 550W PSU $888
Option 4 ITX Gaming PC: Core i5-12400F, RX 7600 8GB, B660I, 16GB, 1TB: $799

Also separate point but does anyone have experience with the WiFi adapters add-on options in the above? Is the connection stable and reliable (i.e. consistent)?

Thanks in advance.

Poll Options expired

  • 5
    Option 4 ITX Gaming PC: Core i5-12400F, RX 7600 8GB, B660I, 1TB: $799
  • 6
    Option 2 i5 12400F, RTX 3060 12GB, 16GB RAM, 500GB M.2 $799
  • 7
    Option 1 R5 5500, RTX 3060 12GB, 16GB RAM $699
  • 18
    Option 3 RTX 4060 8GB, R5 5500, 500GB M.2, 16GB RAM, 550W PSU $888
Computing Computer Desktop Computer

Comments

  • Mungbeans on 20/01/2024 - 20:40
    +1

    Sorry can’t help but also interested in real workd difference between wifi on mobo and adapter

    • abs898 on 20/01/2024 - 22:00

      Makes no difference, if you have an empty pcie slot then it's easily upgradable eg wifi 7.
      If it's ok board, it's the same card hidden in the ports.
      So depends if you want a free slot or not

    • A-mak on 21/01/2024 - 19:09

      I have an ASUS TUF GAMING B650M-E WIFI and while I don't use the wifi I am using the onboard Mediatek Bluetooth to connect my phone and xbox one controller.

      Phone connects fine, but the xbox controller drops out unless you sit right in front of the pc. Having googled the issue it's pretty much "buy an official adapter, the onboard MediaTek is garbage".

      I would assume the actual wifi component would be the same as the same chipset on a wifi adapter, mine came with antenna cables etc.

  • billadm on 20/01/2024 - 20:57

    At that price point and also because you do light activity, I suggest a second hand computer, I believe you can get one for ~$600-700.
    All of these deals you see are very stretched to bare bone systems with the aim of using the cheapest parts.
    And since they are very stretched, then you have to upgrade with this and that to have a properly working system that will last another 7 years.
    Another alternative is going shops like for example MSY, tell them the parts you want and they will assemble for a little charge, or just buy one of their already assemble systems.
    But based on my experience, I would never buy a brand new already assembled computer because everything is stretched to the minimum.

    WiFi adapters add-on options

    I personally avoid these options because there is always some troubleshooting to do, performances are not always as stated, problems with drivers and upgradeability limitations.
    In fact, my MSI came with stellar WI-FI but I don't care since I rely on my Netgear setup.

    • durianhead on 20/01/2024 - 21:43
      +1

      Thanks for the input! Where would you go to buy second hand computer? Preferably somewhere where I am not going to get scammed.

      • abs898 on 20/01/2024 - 22:02
        -1

        I recommend second hand components compared to a full second hand. Mix and match. There are some good deals on nvmes and rams on Amazon. So put together a mix of new and old

      • billadm on 20/01/2024 - 22:33
        +1

        Preferably somewhere where I am not going to get scammed

        The places are either Gumtree or Marketplace but there scammers as well as honest deals too.
        Computer swap markets held every Saturdays and Sundays but prices are higher.

        To give you an idea on prices, I'm currently selling a system with a MSI GTX 1070 Gaming 8G, 500GB Samsung SSD, CoolerMaster case and PSU, i5 CPU, 16GB Corsair RAM, Liteon Blu-Ray writer, Windows 10 and full Office installed, ~$400.

        second hand components, put together a mix of new and old

        That is a very hard work, time consuming and it needs skills in finding the compatible parts at the right price in the right place.

        • aat92 on 20/01/2024 - 23:06

          what i5 cpu though he wants to upgrade

          • billadm on 20/01/2024 - 23:57

            @aat92:

            what i5 cpu

            He wants a budget computer for light gaming so i5 (or equivalent AMD) is perfectly fine unless you want to spend more.

        • aat92 on 20/01/2024 - 23:48

          you can use pcpartpicker.com

          put new and used parts you are thinking to use and the website checks compatibility for you

  • aat92 on 20/01/2024 - 22:03

    wifi usb adapters are bad. you would want one built in to motherboard if you going to use wifi

    this one isnt bad it has wifi on motherboard too so you dont need anymore adapters. zotac is good i had a zotac before. im still using 2666mhz ram 3200 is the best for ddr4.

    Intel Core i5 12400F | RTX 3060 12GB Gaming PC(techfast.com.au): $799 after 12400F-3060-JAN
    Intel Core i5 12400F CPU
    RTX 3060 12GB (primarily Zotac Twin Edge)
    Intel H610 Motherboard (brand/model may vary)
    16GB 3200MHz RAM (ADATA D35 RGB, upgrades available)
    500GB NVMe (Lexar currently on hand, upgrades available)
    550W PSU (brand/model may vary, upgrades available)
    Antec NX200M case

    option 3 gives you more bang for your buck though at $870? and specifies a cooler.but i forgot i5 intel dont run hot. no built in wifi though on motherboard

    you mentioned old games. old games mainly run on single thread. intel i5 12400f beats ryzen 5 5500 by '500 points' in single thread performance

    • durianhead on 20/01/2024 - 22:35

      I may be mistaken but it does not look like any of the above options come with wifi on mobo?

      Yeah so far I think I am leaning towards Option 2 or Option 3.

    • altomic on 21/01/2024 - 00:23

      Why are usb wifi adapters bad ?

      • aat92 on 21/01/2024 - 01:57

        i bought a cheap on off ebay and it was shockingly bad, couldnt load anything and it was right next to router/modem and computer said i was connected to the internet. just get a good one and make sure you can return it if its bad. i think if u can find one with an antenna sticking out of the usb device you probably have better luck.

        im a gamer and even wifi in general unnecessarily slows you down. you better off on ethernet if your serious about gaming

        • altomic on 21/01/2024 - 17:14

          oh, okay. you had a bad experience with a cheap crappy usb wifi device.

          i have usb wifi dongle - $6 from aliexpress. has antennas, over 356 mps from memory. works well.

          have a basic usb wifi (no antenna) with reported Up to 286Mbps waiting for pick up at the PO. - $3.50 delivered from aliexpress. going to test upon receiving. useful

          but yeah, in built wifi device is pretty decent or card via pci-e. both would be better than a usb wifi dongle.

          • aat92 on 26/01/2024 - 21:04

            @altomic: dam $6 mine was like $10. i just searched wireless N dongle. you can only go as fast as your internet unless you pay for 356mbp internet.

            if you had good experience dam i might have just bought some cheap Chinese knock off no brand 5 cents junk. he ended up not wanting me to return it he just gave me refund and I kept the junk.

            reply if you can how you going. did u buy a PC yet?

  • jattsta on 21/01/2024 - 09:01

    If you need to update your laptop aswell then i would suggest looking at gaming laptops so you ll kill 2 birds with 1 stone. Plus it'll be portable and take up less space. ASUS 16x OLED i9 with rtx 4050 are going for around $2200 as an example so it might be more cost effective. Otherwise if you dont want to go down that route, then build your own PC :)

  • payless69 on 21/01/2024 - 09:26

    If it is not a 7 or similar / better than good night.

  • aat92 on 30/01/2024 - 00:34

    i found pictures of my worst wifi adaptors ive ever used. i cant post them here. simplecom and edimax was the brand names. also they was mini wifi adaptors 1/4 the size of a normal USB. perhaps that was the red flag

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