New PC time - I solicit your suggestions

[vavavroom]

Here's the owners manual for that model. From a quick glance through it, there are 4 DIMM slots for memory so it will probably come with 4 sticks of 8gb RAM. It also has space in the case for 2 additional 3.5 inch drives as well as extra SATA ports to plug them into the motherboard. The bootable drive is a M2 format SSD so this PC can have 3 drives (1 M2 SSD and 2 conventional drives) plus 1 optical drive.

https://dl.dell.com/content/manual3...r-plus-7020-owner-s-manual.pdf?language=en-us

With the RAM they give a choice of 2x16 or 1x32. Not worried about RAM. I have RAM lying around.

Good job and thanks! I guess that's the one then. Don't worry, I will double-check.

 

[tmorris1]

Maybe because my PC is 7 years old? That's why it's going to be replaced.

You said you wanted those specific specs, but I assume you meant that is what you have and want to upgrade with similar or better specs?

 

[vavavroom]

You said you wanted those specific specs, but I assume you meant that is what you have and want to upgrade with similar or better specs?

Nope, I did list my minimum requirements which my current PC meets with the exception of W11 compatibility which is not yet an issue. My requirements have not changed. I prefer Wi-Fi 6 over my current Wi-Fi 5. I don't need a faster processor or more RAM. I'm not running a render farm.

 

[Pablo]

My requirements have not changed. I prefer Wi-Fi 6 over my current Wi-Fi 5. I don't need a faster processor or more RAM. I'm not running a render farm.

People are just thinking of your future

 

[vavavroom]

People are just thinking of your future

Must be a slow day.

 

[PandaBear]

one slot for an ejectable HDD would be nice but is not a requirement
one internal optical Blu-ray drive/burner (I don't like external optical drives)

You won't find that in 2024.

I would suggest just get a USB HDD and a USB optical drive if you insist. USB-C are pretty fast these days and enough for mechanical HDD and optical with no problem. Just plug it into a powered USB hub and all is well.

You can build whatever you want if you go to a custom build route, but you will be paying for the lack of economy of scale in labor and production volume.

Or, if you buy a retired file server and tolerate the high speed CPU fan (or replace it yourself with a quiet one).

BTW I won't do wifi 6e (mainly for the 6GHz band) unless there's speed problem in your home 5GHz band. Do you live in high density urban apartment with neighbor taking over all the 5GHz bands?

 

[ripcord]

Just an FYI, a desktop computer motherboard does not typically come with a soldered on WIFI card. They plug into standard slots and are easily replaceable/upgrade-able. There are two types you typically see in a desktop: PCI or M.2

https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Bluetooth-Tri-Band-5400Mbps-Network/dp/B09WQSNMCT/

https://www.amazon.com/WiFi-6E-PCIe-WiFi-Card-for-PC/dp/B0B4VH4G1C/

 

[vavavroom]

You won't find that in 2024.

The cats knock over the drives on the dock. I made my external drives inaccessible to those slinky pussies but available safe space is limited in my dungeon. Anyway, the Optiplex mentioned above accommodates internal HDDs and it comes with an optical drive.

I would suggest just get a USB HDD and a USB optical drive if you insist. USB-C are pretty fast these days and enough for mechanical HDD and optical with no problem. Just plug it into a powered USB hub and all is well.

I already have too many external drives and peripherals. I have better things to do than wipe and dust bothersome peripherals every day. Not a fan of USB hubs and cable salad either.

You can build whatever you want if you go to a custom build route, but you will be paying for the lack of economy of scale in labor and production volume.

Or, if you buy a retired file server and tolerate the high speed CPU fan (or replace it yourself with a quiet one).

I can't be bothered.

BTW I won't do wifi 6e (mainly for the 6GHz band) unless there's speed problem in your home 5GHz band. Do you live in high density urban apartment with neighbor taking over all the 5GHz bands?

I take my laptop out back and I like WPA3.

 

[Rand]

Nope, I did list my minimum requirements which my current PC meets with the exception of W11 compatibility which is not yet an issue. My requirements have not changed. I prefer Wi-Fi 6 over my current Wi-Fi 5. I don't need a faster processor or more RAM. I'm not running a render farm.

6 or 6e.. 2 different things
wifi 6 is 5ghz and 2.4ghz, wifi 6e is all that + 6ghz band.

I'd stay away from Intel. The 13/14th gen i9s have a design flaw that is causing them to degrade. It has something to do with a circuit design that's drawing too much electricity and overheating.

There is no way to correct this, no firmware update can fix the flaw from the die. Intel's response was also horrible and cast blame on motherboard manufacturers claiming they were improperly configured when in fact it was the chip all along. This behavior alone makes me want to stay away from Intel.

That is incorrect it is not just i9's
its almost all of them.

 

[vavavroom]

6 or 6e.. 2 different things
wifi 6 is 5ghz and 2.4ghz, wifi 6e is all that + 6ghz band.

6e is preferable, although 6 would be okay. The Optiplex I found comes with Wi-Fi 6e.

 

[vavavroom]

Just an FYI, a desktop computer motherboard does not typically come with a soldered on WIFI card. They plug into standard slots and are easily replaceable/upgrade-able. There are two types you typically see in a desktop: PCI or M.2

https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Bluetooth-Tri-Band-5400Mbps-Network/dp/B09WQSNMCT/

https://www.amazon.com/WiFi-6E-PCIe-WiFi-Card-for-PC/dp/B0B4VH4G1C/

Sure.

 

[Rand]

6e is preferable, although 6 would be okay. The Optiplex I found comes with Wi-Fi 6e.

is your router/WAP 6e?

 

[vavavroom]

is your router/WAP 6e?

Yes, I have the latest Gateway.

 

[vavavroom]

Showtime's over. I thank you all for your input

 

[PandaBear]

6e is preferable, although 6 would be okay. The Optiplex I found comes with Wi-Fi 6e.

6GHz has shorter range than 5GHz but faster (because it is not as crowded and they have a fresh start on a much wider channel). If you have an out back you likely won't have issue with just wifi 6 at 5GHz.

 

[goingplacesanddoingstuff]

I'd stay away from Intel. The 13/14th gen i9s have a design flaw that is causing them to degrade. It has something to do with a circuit design that's drawing too much electricity and overheating.

There is no way to correct this, no firmware update can fix the flaw from the die. Intel's response was also horrible and cast blame on motherboard manufacturers claiming they were improperly configured when in fact it was the chip all along. This behavior alone makes me want to stay away from Intel.

This. Intel is to be avoided for now. I’d go with a Ryzen 7700 or 7900. I think 64 gb of ram should be considered. It’s becoming more useful as windows and browsers bloat alongside multitasking.

 

[tmorris1]

Nope, I did list my minimum requirements which my current PC meets with the exception of W11 compatibility which is not yet an issue. My requirements have not changed. I prefer Wi-Fi 6 over my current Wi-Fi 5. I don't need a faster processor or more RAM. I'm not running a render farm.

The Optimplex that you listed has a faster processor, so maybe you can run a render farm. Windows 10 support ends next year.