Off-the-shelf PC

[Shrek]

One of the things you could is look for a nice APU based PC. Usually you can get those for a good price.

A lot of them seem to have RGB... not my thing; but I won't let that stop me getting one if good.

 

[nomdeplume]

Is a prebuilt: Yes

 

[Shrek]

The Mac mini is on my list of possibles.

 

[A Computer Guy]

One of the things you could is look for a nice APU based PC. Usually you can get those for a good price.

An Asus DeskMini is an interesting choice if you go down that path.
You can still swap out your CPU, Ram, and Storage if needed.
I recently created a owner club page for it.

 

[Bill_Bright]

A lot of them seem to have RGB... not my thing; but I won't let that stop me getting one if good.

I feel the same way. I don't like distractions and that is what RGB lighting is for me. I'd rather stay focused on what's happening on my monitors. But if something otherwise meets my needs and the added costs of the RGB feature is negligible, I would still get it too - if the RGB feature could be disabled without destroying any warranty.

The Mac mini is on my list of possibles.

If I was looking for a system that would support future upgrades several years down the road, a Mac of any size would not be on my list.

 

[Shrek]

If I was looking for a system that would support future upgrades several years down the road, a Mac of any size would not be on my list.

I have the same concern... you know me, just exploring every avenue.

 

[Dan.G]

A lot of them seem to have RGB... not my thing; but I won't let that stop me getting one if good.

I'd go for a workstation variant, like Dell XPS!
If money is not a "concern", of course.
I really fancy those XPS. Rock solid build quality, imho.
Dell XPS Desktop - Computer Desktops | Dell USA

 

[Shrek]

Any proprietory parts?

Power supply looks non standard

 

[Dan.G]

Any proprietory parts?

Power supply looks non standard

It's possible. But standard is 460 W (upgrade to 750W is just 50$), though I'm not sure it has extra connectors (like 8-pin PCIe).

 

[Shrek]

I'm still after standard parts, but otherwise it would have been a strong candidate.

 

[Deleted member 229121]

It's a Dell, so definitely will have some proprietary components. That's part of how they hit their margins.
With prebuilt and quality / non-propriety parts, you're going to have to pay the premium for brands which offer them.

The Mac mini is on my list of possibles.

 

[JrRacinFan]

I'm still after standard parts, but otherwise it would have been a strong candidate.

Those ABS desktop towers are looking more appealing eh?

 

[Shrek]

My Wife has a retina iMac and I hate how it is glued shut; when it started overheating, best I could do was blast out the vents. Mind you, that did fix the problem.

Those ABS desktop towers are looking more appealing eh?

Indeed.

 

[claes]

Ifixit.com will help you take apart that iMac

I’d look at gamersnexus reviews of pre-builts if you’re still considering that route. Knowing you, I wouldn’t, not only because you like tinkering, but because, as others have said, pre-builts always cut corners somewhere. The amount of time you’ll end up replacing mediocre parts will offset any time you saved by not doing the research yourself, or just asking the forum where you’ll get someone to post a link to pcpartpicker with solid components and all you have to do is buy them and assemble.

 

[Shrek]

Is a prebuilt: Yes

Just found out

If you want wheels for the Mac pro, that's $400 extra!
Buy Mac Pro Tower - Apple

Seperately it's $699
Apple Mac Pro Wheels Kit - Apple

I’d look at gamersnexus reviews of pre-builts if you’re still considering that route. Knowing you, I wouldn’t, not only because you like tinkering, but because, as others have said, pre-builts always cut corners somewhere. The amount of time you’ll end up replacing mediocre parts will offset any time you saved by not doing the research yourself, or just asking the forum where you’ll get someone to post a link to pcpartpicker with solid components and all you have to do is buy them and assemble.

You probably know better than me about me (seriously).

Ifixit.com will help you take apart that iMac

True, I like tinkering, but not when it isn't really necessary; anyhow, in this case, the iMac belongs to my Wife's employer and not me, so tinkering with it (beyond blasting the vents out) is not an option. However, I did bring one of those many Core 2 machines up to speed for her so that if the iMac fails she has a backup up and ready.


I wonder if there is a middle ground for me: buy

• Motherboard
• CPU
• 8GB RAM

and start it off using

• an old case
• an old power supply
• an old hard drive
• an old video card

now I am up and running and can take my time about figuring out a

• video card
• power supply
• solid state drive
• case
• fans

This would be much more my prefered style and means I can consider second hand parts.

 

[claes]

Just found out

If you want wheels for the Mac pro, that's $400 extra!
Buy Mac Pro Tower - Apple

Seperately it's $699
Apple Mac Pro Wheels Kit - Apple

FWIW you can get aftermarket wheels for a lot less, should you need them

OWC Rover Pro Wheels Kit for Mac Pro (2019 - Current) at MacSales.com

MP19RVPWHLS OWC Rover Pro Wheels Kit for Mac Pro (2019 - Current). A tool-less, patent-pending design for adding wheels to your Mac Pro in under two minutes.

eshop.macsales.com

I’d avoid the Mac Pro though. Intel support will be dropped eventually by Apple at which point you won’t be able to update MacOS or find drivers for Windows.

You probably know better than me about me (seriously).

Oh, stop

I wonder if there is a middle ground for me: buy

• mother boad with
• CPU and
• 8GB RAM

and start it off in

• an old case on
• an old power supply
• an old hard drive

now I am up and running and can take my time about figuring out a

• video card
• power supply
• solid state drive
• case

This would be much more my prefered style.

Of course lol, assuming you have a standard case rn you’re already set

 

[Shrek]

The Mac Pro is not on my radar, but feather name had fun teasing me

 

[nomdeplume]

Just found out

If you want wheels for the Mac pro, that's $400 extra!

Just to make sure we are totally on the same page here. From conception through to delivery there was not a single genuine element in that Mac Pro desktop post. Even inside corporate accounts they are priced as a luxury business item.

 

[eidairaman1]

Are you going to make a decision or continue going in circles Andy?

 

[Shrek]

Are you going to make a decision or continue going in circles Andy?

Good point, I should stop making trouble.

 

[eidairaman1]

Good point, I should stop making trouble.

Do the Scientific Selection Method

Spoiler

eenie meenie miney moe