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[GeekyDad]

Nothing fancy. I don't plan on doing much gaming with it, really. I just want something to replace my current PC, which is pretty old now (eight years, I think?). My current PC only has 4GB of RAM, and runs like...well, me -- an old man. Only wanna spend $250-300 (USD).

Help me please. I was looking at something like this:

Amazon.com: Dell Optiplex 990 Desktop Computer Package - Intel Quad Core i5 3.1-GHz, 16GB RAM, 2 TB, DVD-RW Drive, 20 Inch LCD Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse, WiFi, Bluetooth, Windows 10 (Renewed) : Electronics

Shop Amazon for Dell Optiplex 990 Desktop Computer Package - Intel Quad Core i5 3.1-GHz, 16GB RAM, 2 TB, DVD-RW Drive, 20 Inch LCD Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse, WiFi, Bluetooth, Windows 10 (Renewed) and find millions of items, delivered faster than ever.

www.amazon.com

I don't even need a new monitor or accessories, and I have a large plug-in hard-drive that still has ample space. Is this kind of a decent ballpark? Please make realistic recommendations. And no, thank you, though I enjoy my iPhone, I don't want to use one as a PC.

Thank you

 

[Artoris]

Here is one for your price range

3x Isa Slot Computer PC Intel Pentium Mmx Windows 98 Sound Lan Old Games | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 3x Isa Slot Computer PC Intel Pentium Mmx Windows 98 Sound Lan Old Games at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[butler980]

Question:

What generation is the processor? I5 what?

Answer:

It is an Intel Core i5-2500 CPU @ 3.30 GHz

that thing is older than your current computer.
you can find something better within your price range if its on sale

 

[ntropy]

 

[bender]

That Dell came out in 2011 so that's a no go.

 

[Kilau]

That listing is awful, conflicting model numbers and the reviews complain about getting different components.

If your budget is that low refurbished is probably your best bet but you might have better luck on eBay.

Check slickdeals and that price range, might get lucky, if nothing else the comments are typically brutal toward a product if it’s subpar.

 

[a multicultural team of v]

Here is one for your price range

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/323838161906?epid=14023709982&hash=item4b664233f2:g:px8AAOSwub1dCRF7

I want to buy a computer with specs like these and it pains me to see how much they cost these days. Really wish my family never got rid of our old computers...

 

[Artoris]

I want to buy a computer with specs like these and it pains me to see how much they cost these days. Really wish my family never got rid of our old computers...

Is it for nostalgia

 

[a multicultural team of v]

Is it for nostalgia

If nostalgia means playing games on the hardware they were designed for then I guess so? Though honestly I have so much console stuff to play a PC is very far down the list, especially since the translation scene is much bigger/relevant for consoles.

 

[Artoris]

My present pc has grown out of a computer which I bought before 2000 there have been so many changes that I am not sure if there is anything original part left

I use it to play any pre steam games

 

[BadBurger]

In that price range you're probably only looking at mini-PC's with a Celeron, stuff designed for industry or niche purposes, like a Beelink:

Amazon.com: Beelink Mini PC, Mini S12 Intel 12th Gen 4-Core N95(up to 3.4GHz), Mini Computer 16GB DDR4 RAM 500GB SSD, Desktop PC Dual HDMI 4K UHD/Gigabit Ethernet/Dual WiFi5/BT4.2/Linux PC(Ubuntu)/HTPC/White : Video Games

Buy Beelink Mini PC, Mini S12 Intel 12th Gen 4-Core N95(up to 3.4GHz), Mini Computer 16GB DDR4 RAM 500GB SSD, Desktop PC Dual HDMI 4K UHD/Gigabit Ethernet/Dual WiFi5/BT4.2/Linux PC(Ubuntu)/HTPC/White: Games - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

It ain't pretty (limitations like having a max 30Hz output), but it's cheap, and if all you're doing is web browsing, light work, and the like with very light multitasking, it's more than fine. Just don't expect it to be all that hot in several years.

Personally I'd just bite the bullet and spend $500 - $600 on a mini PC with modern components that will last for another eight or nine years.

 

[I collect VHS tapes]

www.slickdeals.net

 

[GeekyDad]

That listing is awful, conflicting model numbers and the reviews complain about getting different components.

If your budget is that low refurbished is probably your best bet but you might have better luck on eBay.

Check slickdeals and that price range, might get lucky, if nothing else the comments are typically brutal toward a product if it’s subpar.

What should I be looking for? I was hoping to have about 16 gigs of ram, so it doesn't get bottlenecked so quickly when surfing the web and such.

In that price range you're probably only looking at mini-PC's with a Celeron, stuff designed for industry or niche purposes, like a Beelink:

Amazon.com: Beelink Mini PC, Mini S12 Intel 12th Gen 4-Core N95(up to 3.4GHz), Mini Computer 16GB DDR4 RAM 500GB SSD, Desktop PC Dual HDMI 4K UHD/Gigabit Ethernet/Dual WiFi5/BT4.2/Linux PC(Ubuntu)/HTPC/White : Video Games

Buy Beelink Mini PC, Mini S12 Intel 12th Gen 4-Core N95(up to 3.4GHz), Mini Computer 16GB DDR4 RAM 500GB SSD, Desktop PC Dual HDMI 4K UHD/Gigabit Ethernet/Dual WiFi5/BT4.2/Linux PC(Ubuntu)/HTPC/White: Games - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

It ain't pretty (limitations like having a max 30Hz output), but it's cheap, and if all you're doing is web browsing, light work, and the like with very light multitasking, it's more than fine. Just don't expect it to be all that hot in several years.

Personally I'd just bite the bullet and spend $500 - $600 on a mini PC with modern components that will last for another eight or nine years.

Yeah, I'm starting to see that. Normally, I wouldn't be that frugal, but medical expenses in the last couple of years have been...breaking me. My wife got me a new Switch for Xmas, which I didn't ask for (plus two new games), but I couldn't say anything but "thank you" and smile. She goes overboard for the holidays. She does our finances, and says we're fine, but man, I don't like going crazy like that. I just want what I need.

So, in that price range, got anything(s) I should take a look at?

 

[I collect VHS tapes]

Here are the laptops specifically:

Laptop Deals, Sales & Discounts January 2025

Find laptop deals and sales to score a new computer. Get specials and offers from your favorite stores on all the top brands and models.

slickdeals.net

 

[ntropy]

are you near a MicroCenter? they have cpu + motherboard bundle deals

 

[GeekyDad]

are you near a MicroCenter? they have cpu + motherboard bundle deals

No, and honestly never heard of it.

 

[BadBurger]

What should I be looking for? I was hoping to have about 16 gigs of ram, so it doesn't get bottlenecked so quickly when surfing the web and such.

Yeah, I'm starting to see that. Normally, I wouldn't be that frugal, but medical expenses in the last couple of years have been...breaking me. My wife got me a new Switch for Xmas, which I didn't ask for (plus two new games), but I couldn't say anything but "thank you" and smile. She goes overboard for the holidays. She does our finances, and says we're fine, but man, I don't like going crazy like that. I just want what I need.

So, in that price range, got anything(s) I should take a look at?

No, but I'll keep an eye out for you

 

[Rickyiez]

Get a used S21 or S20 FE and use it as a PC with Samsung Dex

 

[GeekyDad]

No, but I'll keep an eye out for you

Many thanks.

Get a used S21 or S20 FE and use it as a PC with Samsung Dex

Will check out the video. Thank you.

 

[newtypepilot]

"Only wants to spend $250-350"

can't tell if serious

 

[BadBurger]

Many thanks.

Will check out the video. Thank you.

NP. Also that Beelink I posted earlier at $269 USD, just now went on sale for $228.65 USD on Amazon. That's dirt-ass cheap for the specs.

 

[GeekyDad]

NP. Also that Beelink I posted earlier at $269 USD, just now went on sale for $228.65 USD on Amazon. That's dirt-ass cheap for the specs.

Thing is, though, is it also only has 4 gigs of ram. Won't that kinda been a sideways move?

Under System Information, this is what it tells me my PC has:

HP: 100-210
Processor AMD A4-5000 APU with Radeon(TM) HD Graphics, 1500 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 4 Logical Processor(s)
Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 4.00 GB

As well other info, of course.

 

[BadBurger]

Thing is, though, is it also only has 4 gigs of ram. Won't that kinda been a sideways move?

Under System Information, this is what it tells me my PC has:

HP: 100-210
Processor AMD A4-5000 APU with Radeon(TM) HD Graphics, 1500 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 4 Logical Processor(s)
Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 4.00 GB

As well other info, of course.

The one I linked has 8GB of DDR4 RAM, not 4GB of RAM. So it should have double the memory, at a not-insignificant faster clock and slightly lower power usage.

 

[GeekyDad]

The one I linked has 8GB of DDR4 RAM, not 4GB of RAM. So it should have double the memory, at a not-insignificant faster clock and slightly lower power usage.

Ah, sorry. I read it wrong.

 

[ParaSeoul]

 

[ResilientBanana]

With what you want to spend, you should just put an SSD in your current laptop and call it a day. How much was the old laptop when purchased?

Also, HDD only last so long. I expect that your old drive might be on its last leg as well. Cloud storage is the answer.

Trust me, you want an SSD.

Refurbished: HP Desktop Computer EliteDesk 800 G3 Intel Core i5 6th Gen 6500T (2.50GHz) 8 GB 256 GB SSD Windows 10 Pro - Newegg.com

Buy Refurbished: HP Desktop Computer EliteDesk 800 G3 Intel Core i5 6th Gen 6500T (2.50GHz) 8 GB 256 GB SSD Intel HD Graphics 530 Windows 10 Pro with fast shipping and top-rated customer service. Once you know, you Newegg!

www.newegg.com

• Intel Core i5 6th Gen 6500T (2.50GHz)
• 8 GB
• 256 GB SSD
• Windows 10 Pro
• No Screen
• Intel HD Graphics 530
• $350

Refurbished: Dell Optiplex 7040 Micro Form Factor Desktop, Intel Quad Core i5 6500T 2.5Ghz, 8GB DDR4, 256GB NVMe SSD, Wi-Fi, HDMI, Windows 10 Pro - Newegg.com

Buy Refurbished: Dell Optiplex 7040 Micro Form Factor Desktop, Intel Quad Core i5 6500T 2.5Ghz, 8GB DDR4, 256GB NVMe SSD, Wi-Fi, HDMI, Windows 10 Pro with fast shipping and top-rated customer service. Once you know, you Newegg!

www.newegg.com

• Intel Core i5 6th Gen 6500T (2.50GHz)
• 8GB DDR4
• 256 GB SSD
• Windows 10 Pro
• No Screen
• Intel HD Graphics 530
• $301

Refurbished: HP Desktop Computer 800 G3 Intel Core i5 7th Gen 7500T (2.70GHz) 16 GB 256 GB SSD Windows 10 Pro 64-bit - Newegg.com

Buy Refurbished: HP Desktop Computer 800 G3 Intel Core i5 7th Gen 7500T (2.70GHz) 16 GB 256 GB SSD Intel HD Graphics 630 Windows 10 Pro 64-bit with fast shipping and top-rated customer service. Once you know, you Newegg!

www.newegg.com

• Intel Core i5 7th Gen 7500T (2.70GHz)
• 16 GB
• 256 GB SSD
• Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
• Intel HD Graphics 630
• $349

Refurbished: Dell Optiplex 3050 Tower Intel Core i5-7500 3.40GHz 16GB RAM 256GB SSD Windows 10 Pro - Newegg.com

Buy Refurbished: Dell Optiplex 3050 Tower Intel Core i5-7500 3.40GHz 16GB RAM 256GB SSD Windows 10 Pro with fast shipping and top-rated customer service. Once you know, you Newegg!

www.newegg.com

• Dell Optiplex 3050
• Tower Form Factor
• Intel Core i5-7500 3.40GHz
• 16GB RAM
• 256GB SSD
• ^Windows 10 Pro
• $337

Amazon.com: Lenovo ThinkCentre M900 Small Form Factor PC, Intel Quad Core i5-6500 up to 3.6GHz, 16G DDR4, 1T SSD, WiFi, BT 4.0, DVD, Windows 10 64-Multi-Language Support English/Spanish/French (Renewed) : Electronics

Amazon.com: Lenovo ThinkCentre M900 Small Form Factor PC, Intel Quad Core i5-6500 up to 3.6GHz, 16G DDR4, 1T SSD, WiFi, BT 4.0, DVD, Windows 10 64-Multi-Language Support English/Spanish/French (Renewed) : Electronics

www.amazon.com

• Lenovo ThinkCentre M900 Small Form Factor PC,
• Intel Quad Core i5-6500 up to 3.6GHz,
• 16G DDR4, 1T SSD,
• WiFi,
• BT 4.0,
• DVD,
• Windows 10

 

[Kilau]

What should I be looking for? I was hoping to have about 16 gigs of ram, so it doesn't get bottlenecked so quickly when surfing the web and such.

This is your current system?

HP 110-210 Desktop PC Product Specifications | HP® Customer Support

Looking for upgrade information? Trying to find the names of hardware components or software programs? This document contains the technical details for this product.

support.hp.com

Don’t stress too much over RAM, 8GB is what most systems you’re looking at will have. Just want to make sure you can upgrade because in laptops they often solder in half the RAM limiting your upgrade options. Even then, 8GB isn’t a deal breaking for a computer that’s not being used for intense games.

If the budget is strict just shop by price and check the reviews on any options or run it by us.

Almost anything you find will be a significant upgrade over that CPU and I echo the SSD recommendation.

 

[ResilientBanana]

This is your current system?

HP 110-210 Desktop PC Product Specifications | HP® Customer Support

Looking for upgrade information? Trying to find the names of hardware components or software programs? This document contains the technical details for this product.

support.hp.com

Don’t stress too much over RAM, 8GB is what most systems you’re looking at will have. Just want to make sure you can upgrade because in laptops they often solder in half the RAM limiting your upgrade options. Even then, 8GB isn’t a deal breaking for a computer that’s not being used for intense games.

If the budget is strict just shop by price and check the reviews on any options or run it by us.

Almost anything you find will be a significant upgrade over that CPU and I echo the SSD recommendation.

Those AMD APU's can be slow as hell, my dad bought a laptop for $250 and it could barely run Edge Browser without lagging.

 

[poppabk]

You are better off waiting until you can afford a little more. Maybe invest in an SSD for the time being. $400 - $500 will get you a decent-ish laptop with a huge bump in performance.
I picked up this guy recently on sale for $500 for example:
MSI Computer GF63 Thin 10SCXR-222 15.6" 8GB 256GB Intel Core i5-10300H X4 2.5GHz Win10, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08YRZ2LLJ/?tag=neogaf0e-20

 

[Kilau]

Those AMD APU's can be slow as hell, my dad bought a laptop for $250 and it could barely run Edge Browser without lagging.

Yeah it's got a 15W TDP, I couldn't deal with that either.

 

[eddie4]

Shop Dell Refurbished | Affordable Refurbished Laptops, PCs, More

Shop quality refurbished laptops, desktops, and more from Dell Refurbished. Great deals, shipping, and warranty options for top performance and value.

www.dellrefurbished.com

Dell OptiPlex 5040 SFF $449 - Dell OptiPlex 5040 Small Form Factor, 1x Intel Core i5 Quad (i5-6600) 3.30 GHz, 8 GB RAM, 500 GB HDD,
Use Coupon MLK2022DEAL for $201 with free shipping ends up being $269 + tax in applicable states.
You can swap out the HDD or add an SSD for ~$50

 

[Polelock]

Here is one for your price range

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/323838161906?epid=14023709982&hash=item4b664233f2:g:px8AAOSwub1dCRF7

Pretty sure this was the first PC I ever had. It ran Diablo and that was all I needed

 

[GeekyDad]

With what you want to spend, you should just put an SSD in your current laptop and call it a day. How much was the old laptop when purchased?

Also, HDD only last so long. I expect that your old drive might be on its last leg as well. Cloud storage is the answer.

Trust me, you want an SSD.

Refurbished: HP Desktop Computer EliteDesk 800 G3 Intel Core i5 6th Gen 6500T (2.50GHz) 8 GB 256 GB SSD Windows 10 Pro - Newegg.com

Buy Refurbished: HP Desktop Computer EliteDesk 800 G3 Intel Core i5 6th Gen 6500T (2.50GHz) 8 GB 256 GB SSD Intel HD Graphics 530 Windows 10 Pro with fast shipping and top-rated customer service. Once you know, you Newegg!

www.newegg.com

• Intel Core i5 6th Gen 6500T (2.50GHz)
• 8 GB
• 256 GB SSD
• Windows 10 Pro
• No Screen
• Intel HD Graphics 530
• $350

Refurbished: Dell Optiplex 7040 Micro Form Factor Desktop, Intel Quad Core i5 6500T 2.5Ghz, 8GB DDR4, 256GB NVMe SSD, Wi-Fi, HDMI, Windows 10 Pro - Newegg.com

Buy Refurbished: Dell Optiplex 7040 Micro Form Factor Desktop, Intel Quad Core i5 6500T 2.5Ghz, 8GB DDR4, 256GB NVMe SSD, Wi-Fi, HDMI, Windows 10 Pro with fast shipping and top-rated customer service. Once you know, you Newegg!

www.newegg.com

• Intel Core i5 6th Gen 6500T (2.50GHz)
• 8GB DDR4
• 256 GB SSD
• Windows 10 Pro
• No Screen
• Intel HD Graphics 530
• $301

Refurbished: HP Desktop Computer 800 G3 Intel Core i5 7th Gen 7500T (2.70GHz) 16 GB 256 GB SSD Windows 10 Pro 64-bit - Newegg.com

Buy Refurbished: HP Desktop Computer 800 G3 Intel Core i5 7th Gen 7500T (2.70GHz) 16 GB 256 GB SSD Intel HD Graphics 630 Windows 10 Pro 64-bit with fast shipping and top-rated customer service. Once you know, you Newegg!

www.newegg.com

• Intel Core i5 7th Gen 7500T (2.70GHz)
• 16 GB
• 256 GB SSD
• Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
• Intel HD Graphics 630
• $349

Refurbished: Dell Optiplex 3050 Tower Intel Core i5-7500 3.40GHz 16GB RAM 256GB SSD Windows 10 Pro - Newegg.com

Buy Refurbished: Dell Optiplex 3050 Tower Intel Core i5-7500 3.40GHz 16GB RAM 256GB SSD Windows 10 Pro with fast shipping and top-rated customer service. Once you know, you Newegg!

www.newegg.com

• Dell Optiplex 3050
• Tower Form Factor
• Intel Core i5-7500 3.40GHz
• 16GB RAM
• 256GB SSD
• ^Windows 10 Pro
• $337

Amazon.com: Lenovo ThinkCentre M900 Small Form Factor PC, Intel Quad Core i5-6500 up to 3.6GHz, 16G DDR4, 1T SSD, WiFi, BT 4.0, DVD, Windows 10 64-Multi-Language Support English/Spanish/French (Renewed) : Electronics

Amazon.com: Lenovo ThinkCentre M900 Small Form Factor PC, Intel Quad Core i5-6500 up to 3.6GHz, 16G DDR4, 1T SSD, WiFi, BT 4.0, DVD, Windows 10 64-Multi-Language Support English/Spanish/French (Renewed) : Electronics

www.amazon.com

• Lenovo ThinkCentre M900 Small Form Factor PC,
• Intel Quad Core i5-6500 up to 3.6GHz,
• 16G DDR4, 1T SSD,
• WiFi,
• BT 4.0,
• DVD,
• Windows 10

This is your current system?

HP 110-210 Desktop PC Product Specifications | HP® Customer Support

Looking for upgrade information? Trying to find the names of hardware components or software programs? This document contains the technical details for this product.

support.hp.com

Don’t stress too much over RAM, 8GB is what most systems you’re looking at will have. Just want to make sure you can upgrade because in laptops they often solder in half the RAM limiting your upgrade options. Even then, 8GB isn’t a deal breaking for a computer that’s not being used for intense games.

If the budget is strict just shop by price and check the reviews on any options or run it by us.

Almost anything you find will be a significant upgrade over that CPU and I echo the SSD recommendation.

I should have specified, sorry. It's a desktop. I have a laptop, though, and I never use it. I think we paid about $400 for my current desktop.

 

[ResilientBanana]

I should have specified, sorry. It's a desktop. I have a laptop, though, and I never use it. I think we paid about $400 for my current desktop.

All those options are desktops, if you're wondering. The one with the 7500 7th gen intel @ 3.4Ghz is great even though it has a smaller drive. The 7500T is more of the laptop equivalent.

 

[n0razi]

Someone is like 2 years late to buying a PC lol... the same specs that were $500 2 years ago is probably $1000 now lol

 

[DGrayson]

I think posters are exaggerating a bit. If you dont need a GPU and are happy with integrated graphics, I think PCs are still relatively good priced.

I assume you want prebuilt and you dont want to build it yourself?

 

[Amey]

Amazon - AMD Athlon 3000G, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, $320

 

[Tams]

Get a used S21 or S20 FE and use it as a PC with Samsung Dex

DeX is meh. It's better than all the other mobile OS alternatives, but when I switched back to Windows from using DeX, it was like weight fell off my shoulders. And I really did try to like it.

 

[Rickyiez]

DeX is meh. It's better than all the other mobile OS alternatives, but when I switched back to Windows from using DeX, it was like weight fell off my shoulders. And I really did try to like it.

Well its better than running Windows on low end processors like Celeron or entry-level AMD APU . At least with Android it's guaranteed to media consume smoothly .

 

[Tams]

Well its better than running Windows on low end processors like Celeron or entry-level AMD APU . At least with Android it's guaranteed to media consume smoothly .

I'd honestly rather use a Celeron (and that brand name is even muddier now, as recent Celerons aren't that bad).

It's just a better UX than the sandboxed apps (that allow next to no modification) and poorly adapted UI.

My Fold has 12GB of RAM. DeX would still limit open apps, not even open some apps on an external monitor, and sometimes even sleep them.

 

[GeekyDad]

Well, to be honest, though in my younger years I would have been into upgrading and expanding and all that, these days I just want a good, out-of-the-box computer that will run smoothly the basics: Youtube, Facebook, GAF (of course); you know, several tabs of Firefox without slowing down when I leave them open together for more than a couple of hours.