Buy or Build?
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My ten year old PC is becoming a bit flaky, and wont support Windows 11; time to replace it. The last time I purchased a store-bought PC was in 1994, and it didn't work out real well. I've built all of them since, but I'm getting older and getting the configuration just right isn't quite as fun as it used to be. If I land the job I'm currently pursuing, Manager of Generation, with an Indian tribe on a vast reservation hosting multiple mixed-source micro-grids in diverse geographical locations spread across a million acres, I anticipate doing a lot of administrative stuff, along with a bunch of graphics-intensive AutoCAD things and computation-intense electrical system simulation functions. I know we have people here who do these sorts of things - what do you recommend? Buy or Build? If Buy, what should I buy?
Will Rogers never met me.
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My ten year old PC is becoming a bit flaky, and wont support Windows 11; time to replace it. The last time I purchased a store-bought PC was in 1994, and it didn't work out real well. I've built all of them since, but I'm getting older and getting the configuration just right isn't quite as fun as it used to be. If I land the job I'm currently pursuing, Manager of Generation, with an Indian tribe on a vast reservation hosting multiple mixed-source micro-grids in diverse geographical locations spread across a million acres, I anticipate doing a lot of administrative stuff, along with a bunch of graphics-intensive AutoCAD things and computation-intense electrical system simulation functions. I know we have people here who do these sorts of things - what do you recommend? Buy or Build? If Buy, what should I buy?
Will Rogers never met me.
If you want to save space and Full HD suffices, this all-in-one might be interesting: DELL Inspiron 7000 All-in-One Desktop, 27" FHD Touchscreen, 12th Gen Intel Core i7-1255U, GeForce MX550, 64GB RAM, 2TB SSD. Another option might be to purchase a PC with an AMD Ryzen 9 processor, it's integrated Radeon graphics are probably more than enough for AutoCad and you won't need to buy an expensive graphics card. I would also recommend a monitor with a higher resolution than Full HD.
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My ten year old PC is becoming a bit flaky, and wont support Windows 11; time to replace it. The last time I purchased a store-bought PC was in 1994, and it didn't work out real well. I've built all of them since, but I'm getting older and getting the configuration just right isn't quite as fun as it used to be. If I land the job I'm currently pursuing, Manager of Generation, with an Indian tribe on a vast reservation hosting multiple mixed-source micro-grids in diverse geographical locations spread across a million acres, I anticipate doing a lot of administrative stuff, along with a bunch of graphics-intensive AutoCAD things and computation-intense electrical system simulation functions. I know we have people here who do these sorts of things - what do you recommend? Buy or Build? If Buy, what should I buy?
Will Rogers never met me.
If you have access to Microcenter (or something similar), you can choose the parts and then have them build it for you. I decided to build my own *cough cough* gaming computer because I love to live dangerously. It's completely mismatched, over powered in some aspects, underpowered in others, but it's my computer and it's kinda fun. For work, I've always had my computers pre-build (dell) and shipped as per company specs.
CI/CD = Continuous Impediment/Continuous Despair
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My ten year old PC is becoming a bit flaky, and wont support Windows 11; time to replace it. The last time I purchased a store-bought PC was in 1994, and it didn't work out real well. I've built all of them since, but I'm getting older and getting the configuration just right isn't quite as fun as it used to be. If I land the job I'm currently pursuing, Manager of Generation, with an Indian tribe on a vast reservation hosting multiple mixed-source micro-grids in diverse geographical locations spread across a million acres, I anticipate doing a lot of administrative stuff, along with a bunch of graphics-intensive AutoCAD things and computation-intense electrical system simulation functions. I know we have people here who do these sorts of things - what do you recommend? Buy or Build? If Buy, what should I buy?
Will Rogers never met me.
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My ten year old PC is becoming a bit flaky, and wont support Windows 11; time to replace it. The last time I purchased a store-bought PC was in 1994, and it didn't work out real well. I've built all of them since, but I'm getting older and getting the configuration just right isn't quite as fun as it used to be. If I land the job I'm currently pursuing, Manager of Generation, with an Indian tribe on a vast reservation hosting multiple mixed-source micro-grids in diverse geographical locations spread across a million acres, I anticipate doing a lot of administrative stuff, along with a bunch of graphics-intensive AutoCAD things and computation-intense electrical system simulation functions. I know we have people here who do these sorts of things - what do you recommend? Buy or Build? If Buy, what should I buy?
Will Rogers never met me.
Roger, I'm 74 and just build a PC last year. Go to Custom PC Builder | Newegg[^]. They will match the pieces for you and it is easier to assemble as it used to be. Never to old my friend! Good luck on the new gig.
Give me coffee to change the things I can and wine for those I can not! PartsBin an Electronics Part Organizer - An updated version available! JaxCoder.com Latest Article: Simon Says, A Child's Game
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My ten year old PC is becoming a bit flaky, and wont support Windows 11; time to replace it. The last time I purchased a store-bought PC was in 1994, and it didn't work out real well. I've built all of them since, but I'm getting older and getting the configuration just right isn't quite as fun as it used to be. If I land the job I'm currently pursuing, Manager of Generation, with an Indian tribe on a vast reservation hosting multiple mixed-source micro-grids in diverse geographical locations spread across a million acres, I anticipate doing a lot of administrative stuff, along with a bunch of graphics-intensive AutoCAD things and computation-intense electrical system simulation functions. I know we have people here who do these sorts of things - what do you recommend? Buy or Build? If Buy, what should I buy?
Will Rogers never met me.
I would buy a Dell XPS. I have bought dozens of Dells over the years for myself, family members and a former employer. I have never been disappointed. I know the Dell XPS desktops are a bit expensive, but they are well worth the price. If you buy directly from Dell, you can configure your purchase on their website and they will build it to your specs. It works great!
Get me coffee and no one gets hurt!
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My ten year old PC is becoming a bit flaky, and wont support Windows 11; time to replace it. The last time I purchased a store-bought PC was in 1994, and it didn't work out real well. I've built all of them since, but I'm getting older and getting the configuration just right isn't quite as fun as it used to be. If I land the job I'm currently pursuing, Manager of Generation, with an Indian tribe on a vast reservation hosting multiple mixed-source micro-grids in diverse geographical locations spread across a million acres, I anticipate doing a lot of administrative stuff, along with a bunch of graphics-intensive AutoCAD things and computation-intense electrical system simulation functions. I know we have people here who do these sorts of things - what do you recommend? Buy or Build? If Buy, what should I buy?
Will Rogers never met me.
The age-old question... What do you value more, your time or your money? If it were me, I haven't used a desktop in a looooooong time. You can get gaming laptops now that are beefy enough to do most things. Ironically, I wouldn't use one for gaming, but for photoshop, CAD, etc. they do great. Just buy one and be done with it. Can't say which brand I'd recommend, but I can say don't get a Gigabyte Aero laptop. It's always been wonky for me and the vents make it so you can't close the lid while using it. If you used to build PCs for years back in the day and you want to go desktop, not much has changed. Really. Sure, instead of IDE or SATA drives you go NVMe, etc. these days. But, the basic principles are still the same, except for some reason everything comes with LED lights now. :laugh: If you've never really got into the building part then just buy one. But, as nerds, we all know you'll never get the exact bang for your buck or configuration you _really_ want with a prebuilt one. But, if you know you're about to get the job, then just buying one will free up some time to help prep for the job. Only person that can say which is most important or how much time you got is you man. Anywho, unless you're a gamer ironically, getting a gaming laptop is plenty powerful enough to do your work.
Jeremy Falcon
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My ten year old PC is becoming a bit flaky, and wont support Windows 11; time to replace it. The last time I purchased a store-bought PC was in 1994, and it didn't work out real well. I've built all of them since, but I'm getting older and getting the configuration just right isn't quite as fun as it used to be. If I land the job I'm currently pursuing, Manager of Generation, with an Indian tribe on a vast reservation hosting multiple mixed-source micro-grids in diverse geographical locations spread across a million acres, I anticipate doing a lot of administrative stuff, along with a bunch of graphics-intensive AutoCAD things and computation-intense electrical system simulation functions. I know we have people here who do these sorts of things - what do you recommend? Buy or Build? If Buy, what should I buy?
Will Rogers never met me.
[GamersNexus](https://www.youtube.com/@GamersNexus) has reviewed a lot of pre-built gaming PCs over the last few years. A lot of them have been either crippled with bloatware, or catastrophically bad cooling. IF you go with a GPUless system you'll probably be OK as long as you do a clean OS install. Otherwise I'd suggest finding something they reviewed that actually had non-screwed up cooling or being willing to do fan swaps or a full system transplant to a new case if needed.
Did you ever see history portrayed as an old man with a wise brow and pulseless heart, weighing all things in the balance of reason? Is not rather the genius of history like an eternal, imploring maiden, full of fire, with a burning heart and flaming soul, humanly warm and humanly beautiful? --Zachris Topelius
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My ten year old PC is becoming a bit flaky, and wont support Windows 11; time to replace it. The last time I purchased a store-bought PC was in 1994, and it didn't work out real well. I've built all of them since, but I'm getting older and getting the configuration just right isn't quite as fun as it used to be. If I land the job I'm currently pursuing, Manager of Generation, with an Indian tribe on a vast reservation hosting multiple mixed-source micro-grids in diverse geographical locations spread across a million acres, I anticipate doing a lot of administrative stuff, along with a bunch of graphics-intensive AutoCAD things and computation-intense electrical system simulation functions. I know we have people here who do these sorts of things - what do you recommend? Buy or Build? If Buy, what should I buy?
Will Rogers never met me.
Regardless of what you do or buy, if you were to do a clean install, and IF the machine has a NVMe system drive, you may run into an issue where the Windows 11 installer does not have drivers for NVMe drives. See here: The Lounge[^]
Get me coffee and no one gets hurt!
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My ten year old PC is becoming a bit flaky, and wont support Windows 11; time to replace it. The last time I purchased a store-bought PC was in 1994, and it didn't work out real well. I've built all of them since, but I'm getting older and getting the configuration just right isn't quite as fun as it used to be. If I land the job I'm currently pursuing, Manager of Generation, with an Indian tribe on a vast reservation hosting multiple mixed-source micro-grids in diverse geographical locations spread across a million acres, I anticipate doing a lot of administrative stuff, along with a bunch of graphics-intensive AutoCAD things and computation-intense electrical system simulation functions. I know we have people here who do these sorts of things - what do you recommend? Buy or Build? If Buy, what should I buy?
Will Rogers never met me.
I build my desktop PC's but, in your case, I'll second a laptop with a docking station. You may have to go onsite. Also, you will use it for a real work, so you need something robust. You sound like you're not looking forward to the hassle of building a new machine. So, as it was mentioned - Dell Inspiron is a good choice and even XPS if you want to treat yourself. And if you want a portable workstation then XPS-17(or another laptop with 17" screen).
Advertise here – minimum three posts per day are guaranteed.
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My ten year old PC is becoming a bit flaky, and wont support Windows 11; time to replace it. The last time I purchased a store-bought PC was in 1994, and it didn't work out real well. I've built all of them since, but I'm getting older and getting the configuration just right isn't quite as fun as it used to be. If I land the job I'm currently pursuing, Manager of Generation, with an Indian tribe on a vast reservation hosting multiple mixed-source micro-grids in diverse geographical locations spread across a million acres, I anticipate doing a lot of administrative stuff, along with a bunch of graphics-intensive AutoCAD things and computation-intense electrical system simulation functions. I know we have people here who do these sorts of things - what do you recommend? Buy or Build? If Buy, what should I buy?
Will Rogers never met me.
I hand built my system. It's a lot more difficult than it used to be. Check the specs on everything to make sure for example, that your ram clears your cpu cooler, and your coolers fit in your case, that kind of thing. Also power and heat. Systems are pushing thermal limits these days, so it's not uncommon to find even commercial PCs running on liquid now. Mine is an air cooled system - maybe the last air cooled desktop I'll own for the foreseeable future. I had to downgrade from my target CPU and I played it safe and got a 4080 instead of a 4090 GPU. I also dumped a ton of money on Noctua fans and slaved over my cooling situation until it was all as perfect as I could get it. I'm happy with the machine but I never want to do this again.
To err is human. Fortune favors the monsters.
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My ten year old PC is becoming a bit flaky, and wont support Windows 11; time to replace it. The last time I purchased a store-bought PC was in 1994, and it didn't work out real well. I've built all of them since, but I'm getting older and getting the configuration just right isn't quite as fun as it used to be. If I land the job I'm currently pursuing, Manager of Generation, with an Indian tribe on a vast reservation hosting multiple mixed-source micro-grids in diverse geographical locations spread across a million acres, I anticipate doing a lot of administrative stuff, along with a bunch of graphics-intensive AutoCAD things and computation-intense electrical system simulation functions. I know we have people here who do these sorts of things - what do you recommend? Buy or Build? If Buy, what should I buy?
Will Rogers never met me.
ThinkStation P360 Tiny Workstation [ISV Certifications | Think Workstations](https://www.thinkworkstations.com/isv-certifications/)
Caveat Emptor. "Progress doesn't come from early risers – progress is made by lazy men looking for easier ways to do things." Lazarus Long
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My ten year old PC is becoming a bit flaky, and wont support Windows 11; time to replace it. The last time I purchased a store-bought PC was in 1994, and it didn't work out real well. I've built all of them since, but I'm getting older and getting the configuration just right isn't quite as fun as it used to be. If I land the job I'm currently pursuing, Manager of Generation, with an Indian tribe on a vast reservation hosting multiple mixed-source micro-grids in diverse geographical locations spread across a million acres, I anticipate doing a lot of administrative stuff, along with a bunch of graphics-intensive AutoCAD things and computation-intense electrical system simulation functions. I know we have people here who do these sorts of things - what do you recommend? Buy or Build? If Buy, what should I buy?
Will Rogers never met me.
For "field work", I can't see using a desktop or standard laptop; I'd be for a "Toughbook" with all the obscure port options, etc. Extra monitor.
"Before entering on an understanding, I have meditated for a long time, and have foreseen what might happen. It is not genius which reveals to me suddenly, secretly, what I have to say or to do in a circumstance unexpected by other people; it is reflection, it is meditation." - Napoleon I
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My ten year old PC is becoming a bit flaky, and wont support Windows 11; time to replace it. The last time I purchased a store-bought PC was in 1994, and it didn't work out real well. I've built all of them since, but I'm getting older and getting the configuration just right isn't quite as fun as it used to be. If I land the job I'm currently pursuing, Manager of Generation, with an Indian tribe on a vast reservation hosting multiple mixed-source micro-grids in diverse geographical locations spread across a million acres, I anticipate doing a lot of administrative stuff, along with a bunch of graphics-intensive AutoCAD things and computation-intense electrical system simulation functions. I know we have people here who do these sorts of things - what do you recommend? Buy or Build? If Buy, what should I buy?
Will Rogers never met me.
Roger Wright wrote:
but I'm getting older and getting the configuration just right isn't quite as fun as it used to be.
Not to mention the time it will take.
Roger Wright wrote:
I anticipate doing a lot of administrative stuff, along with a bunch of graphics-intensive AutoCAD things and computation-intense electrical system simulation functions.
Plus presumably things like sensitive data management, back ups etc. You might want to also decide who is going to own the equipment. Presumably you will move on at some point and someone else will replace you but the work product will presumably still belong to them. So if it is their equipment it makes that part of it easier. If it is their equipment then they would also be paying maintenance. With a standard maintenance support using a standard build is going to be easier. Also easier to replace it if that is needed. Additionally that still leaves you the option to build your own personal PC. You do not necessarily need to 'build' it fully of course. Either custom design it fully or by something basic and perhaps upgrade a couple of things.
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ThinkStation P360 Tiny Workstation [ISV Certifications | Think Workstations](https://www.thinkworkstations.com/isv-certifications/)
Caveat Emptor. "Progress doesn't come from early risers – progress is made by lazy men looking for easier ways to do things." Lazarus Long
After HP, Lenovo is the second one I would not buy if I have another possibility. I have had several in my hands (some of them from family / relatives to repair / configure something) and I didn't like it. They might be good machines, but I am not comfortable with them.
M.D.V. ;) If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about? Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
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Roger Wright wrote:
but I'm getting older and getting the configuration just right isn't quite as fun as it used to be.
Not to mention the time it will take.
Roger Wright wrote:
I anticipate doing a lot of administrative stuff, along with a bunch of graphics-intensive AutoCAD things and computation-intense electrical system simulation functions.
Plus presumably things like sensitive data management, back ups etc. You might want to also decide who is going to own the equipment. Presumably you will move on at some point and someone else will replace you but the work product will presumably still belong to them. So if it is their equipment it makes that part of it easier. If it is their equipment then they would also be paying maintenance. With a standard maintenance support using a standard build is going to be easier. Also easier to replace it if that is needed. Additionally that still leaves you the option to build your own personal PC. You do not necessarily need to 'build' it fully of course. Either custom design it fully or by something basic and perhaps upgrade a couple of things.
jschell wrote:
If it is their equipment then they would also be paying maintenance. With a standard maintenance support using a standard build is going to be easier. Also easier to replace it if that is needed.
Good point. I have had several brands during the years and the best "gold" support in my experience was the one from DELL, sadly I am using HP due to company policy since 2015.
M.D.V. ;) If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about? Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
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My ten year old PC is becoming a bit flaky, and wont support Windows 11; time to replace it. The last time I purchased a store-bought PC was in 1994, and it didn't work out real well. I've built all of them since, but I'm getting older and getting the configuration just right isn't quite as fun as it used to be. If I land the job I'm currently pursuing, Manager of Generation, with an Indian tribe on a vast reservation hosting multiple mixed-source micro-grids in diverse geographical locations spread across a million acres, I anticipate doing a lot of administrative stuff, along with a bunch of graphics-intensive AutoCAD things and computation-intense electrical system simulation functions. I know we have people here who do these sorts of things - what do you recommend? Buy or Build? If Buy, what should I buy?
Will Rogers never met me.
You first need to decide whether you want a desktop machine or a laptop. If all your work will be done in one place then a desktop be OK but how likely is that really? I use a lot machines that are classified as "gaming laptops" and they work really well for me. I like 17-inch displays because the pixel density is better for old eyes like mine. The main things that makes them a "gaming laptop" are fast displays and a good GPU. The CPUs are usually pretty good in them also. After I broke my last laptop I bought a new one and it's a pretty good machine. It's an Aorus which is made by Gigabyte. At work we have dozens of MSI gaming laptops and they work really well for us. I would highly recommend both of those brands. You could always get a decent-sized monitor to use with it if you want a bigger display and LCD monitors are reasonably portable. With a mid to higher end laptop there is very, very little they can not do. I also do CUDA programming so I get them with Nvidia GPUs and they are quite capable. I have a 3080 GPU in my work and home laptops and it is very nice. 3D graphics are no problem at all for them. The last desktop machine I bought was pre-built because GPU prices were obscene when I got it. It was like I bought a GPU and they threw a computer in on the deal. I would probably not advocate for a desktop machine though because it really limits your mobility for no good reason that I can think of since laptops are so capable these days. Incidentally, with the nature of our work, we find the lighted keyboards to be really, really useful. I wouldn't want a machine without one now.
"They have a consciousness, they have a life, they have a soul! Damn you! Let the rabbits wear glasses! Save our brothers! Can I get an amen?"
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I've got a nice laptop, but I detest them. They're useful for connecting to relays in the field, though...
Will Rogers never met me.
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Roger, I'm 74 and just build a PC last year. Go to Custom PC Builder | Newegg[^]. They will match the pieces for you and it is easier to assemble as it used to be. Never to old my friend! Good luck on the new gig.
Give me coffee to change the things I can and wine for those I can not! PartsBin an Electronics Part Organizer - An updated version available! JaxCoder.com Latest Article: Simon Says, A Child's Game
Thanks for the suggestion, Mike! I buy all my components from them, but I've never tried the Builder. I'll check it out!
Will Rogers never met me.
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The age-old question... What do you value more, your time or your money? If it were me, I haven't used a desktop in a looooooong time. You can get gaming laptops now that are beefy enough to do most things. Ironically, I wouldn't use one for gaming, but for photoshop, CAD, etc. they do great. Just buy one and be done with it. Can't say which brand I'd recommend, but I can say don't get a Gigabyte Aero laptop. It's always been wonky for me and the vents make it so you can't close the lid while using it. If you used to build PCs for years back in the day and you want to go desktop, not much has changed. Really. Sure, instead of IDE or SATA drives you go NVMe, etc. these days. But, the basic principles are still the same, except for some reason everything comes with LED lights now. :laugh: If you've never really got into the building part then just buy one. But, as nerds, we all know you'll never get the exact bang for your buck or configuration you _really_ want with a prebuilt one. But, if you know you're about to get the job, then just buying one will free up some time to help prep for the job. Only person that can say which is most important or how much time you got is you man. Anywho, unless you're a gamer ironically, getting a gaming laptop is plenty powerful enough to do your work.
Jeremy Falcon
I get the point, Jeremy - I'm cramming and jamming to become an expert on microgrids with solar and diesel generation installed at a remote location. Time is rather precious right now.
Will Rogers never met me.
