New win 11 build

esebm · Aug 23, 2022

Hi, I'm planning to build a new budget AMD-based PC that can run Win 11. Just for light office work, no gaming at all. There are too many MOBO/CPU combinations out there to make my head spin. I'm wondering if I could solicit some advice from the experts?
Thanks,
Ed

Berton · Aug 23, 2022

When I built my Desktops I first determined the motherboard as to features on it and which CPU it supported. Most boards of the last couple of years should support the requirements of Win11. Then I'd find any other devices I require. Since most boards will have adapters for networking, video and sound build it there may not be a need for additional add-ins. The style of the ATX board will determine the size of the case, I'd stay away from USFF/MicroSmallFormFactor case, doesn't have much room for later changes. A mid-size would be good.

I haven't built my own computers in several years as I find the component prices can add up to more than what an OEM machine costs, particularly with the prevalence of sales on-line such as NewEgg, TigerDirect, etc. OEMs get volume pricing. Even the OEMs have good online sales, my Oct. Notebook with Win10 Pro Upgraded to Win11 and my April Desktop with Win10 Pro Upgraded to Win11 totaled just 1200USD. Also to consider is the warranty and support, best to have to deal with one company because of "cause and effect" of electronics where one part can cause failure of a different part.

Ghot · Aug 23, 2022

You can select the country at top right.

Part List - AMD Ryzen 5 5600G, Cooler Master MasterBox MB600L V2 ATX Mid Tower - PCPartPicker

Part List - AMD Ryzen 5 5600G, Cooler Master MasterBox MB600L V2 ATX Mid Tower

pcpartpicker.com

bobkn · Aug 23, 2022

Ghot said:
You can select the country at top right.

Part List - AMD Ryzen 5 5600G, Cooler Master MasterBox MB600L V2 ATX Mid Tower - PCPartPicker

Part List - AMD Ryzen 5 5600G, Cooler Master MasterBox MB600L V2 ATX Mid Tower

pcpartpicker.com

Looks nice.

The only thing I'd question is the SSD. 500GB NVME M.2 drives are available at the same price or less than the 2.5" SATA drive, and would outperform it. (Mostly in benchmarks, I admit.) NewEgg The motherboard takes M.2 drives, and even supports PCI-E 4.0 ones, given the right generation of CPU. (Not the 5600G, though.)

CountMike · Aug 24, 2022

First thing is to determine usage and what's intended for, then budget.
It would also be good to tell us what you have now, how satisfied with it and reason for upgrade.

Ghot · Aug 24, 2022

bobkn said:
Looks nice.

The only thing I'd question is the SSD. 500GB NVME M.2 drives are available at the same price or less than the 2.5" SATA drive, and would outperform it. (Mostly in benchmarks, I admit.) NewEgg The motherboard takes M.2 drives, and even supports PCI-E 4.0 ones, given the right generation of CPU. (Not the 5600G, though.)

Same build with M.2 SSD

PC Builder - AMD Ryzen 5 5600G, Cooler Master MasterBox MB600L V2 ATX Mid Tower - PCPartPicker

PC Builder - AMD Ryzen 5 5600G, Cooler Master MasterBox MB600L V2 ATX Mid Tower

pcpartpicker.com

esebm · Aug 24, 2022

Guys, thanks for the overwhelming responses, very much appreciated.
I currently own a 12 y old HP which runs more or less fine with win 10 but it needs about 5 min to boot so I can actually use it. Of course, it wouldn't run on win 11. Hence my plan for updating.

bobkn · Aug 24, 2022

If it takes that

esebm said:
Guys, thanks for the overwhelming responses, very much appreciated.
I currently own a 12 y old HP which runs more or less fine with win 10 but it needs about 5 min to boot so I can actually use it. Of course, it wouldn't run on win 11. Hence my plan for updating.

If it takes that long to boot, I imagine that something is wrong.

The obvious solution would be to blow away the OS and do a clean install, but restoring programs can be tedious.

But it would be an option other than a new build, if the old HP isn't a complete slug.

Win 10 is supposed to be fully supported until October 2025.

glasskuter · Aug 24, 2022

In the past I have purchased many off-lease business class computers from a well known online auction site which I would rebuild & resell. I got away from it some time ago because of health problems. About a month ago I was bored and browsing the site and came across one of my old sellers who had 5 small form factor Optiplexes with 8th generation i5 processors, 8gb ram, 256 gb m.2 and 500 gb hdd. He was letting them go for a song with free shipping. I grabbed them up, installed 11 on them and had them sold in 2 days, more than doubling my money.

So if you want a really budget computer, you might consider used. They're out there if you spend a little time searching. You can pretty well tell from the models he's selling and his feedback if a seller deals in off-lease stuff.

bobkn · Aug 24, 2022

glasskuter said:
In the past I have purchased many off-lease business class computers from a well known online auction site which I would rebuild & resell. I got away from it some time ago because of health problems. About a month ago I was bored and browsing the site and came across one of my old sellers who had 5 small form factor Optiplexes with 8th generation i5 processors, 8gb ram, 256 gb m.2 and 500 gb hdd. He was letting them go for a song with free shipping. I grabbed them up, installed 11 on them and had them sold in 2 days, more than doubling my money.

So if you want a really budget computer, you might consider used. They're out there if you spend a little time searching. You can pretty well tell from the models he's selling and his feedback if a seller deals in off-lease stuff.

Sounds like a good idea.

I've been out of the work force for 6 years, but my most recent employers used Dell machines on 3 year leases.

Did the Dell Optiplexes offer the full set of BIOS settings needed for a supported Win 11 installation? Not that major a consideration, but it would be agreeable.

glasskuter · Aug 24, 2022

bobkn said:
Did the Dell Optiplexes offer the full set of BIOS settings needed for a supported Win 11 installation

Yes. I made sure the cpu was on MS list of supported cpus and pulled up the Dell specifications sheet from the model number before buying. There are a lot of systems out there that already have 11 installed so it's important to check the specs to know it's compatible hardware.

When I was buying all the time, I never bought any consumer grade stuff, just business. In all the years I did it, I got one bad one which the seller made good immediately. Now, with the site offering money back guarantee it's even better. The key is to read the description carefully and check the seller feedback.

esebm · Aug 24, 2022

I did some searching and found quite a bunch of those companies but didn't find any win 11 PCs. Must have checked the wrong companies.

CountMike · Aug 24, 2022

Just check for processors in them. Intel, gen 8 and up, AMD Ryzen 2000 and up

esebm · Aug 24, 2022

OK, thanks.

Bree · Aug 24, 2022

esebm said:
OK, thanks.

I have these two pages bookmarked for when I'm looking to buy another used machine....

Windows 11 supported AMD processors
Windows 11 supported Intel processors

esebm · Aug 24, 2022

Guys, what do you think about the attached? Comes with win 11.

Bree · Aug 24, 2022

esebm said:
Guys, what do you think about the attached? Comes with win 11.

This one?

Dell i7 Desktop Computer PC | up to 32GB RAM, 3TB SSD | Windows 10 or 11 | WiFi | eBay

Customize your PC using the options above! Dell Desktop Computer PC - Fast Intel Core i7 Quad Core - up to 32 GB RAM - up to 3TB HDD or SSD - Wireless WiFi - Bluetooth - HDMI - Windows 10 Pro 64 bit.

www.ebay.com

Well it shouldn't come with Windows 11, not according to Microsoft. Scroll down to its 'Item Specifics'. There you'll find this....

That is NOT a supported device, it has to be 8th gen or later.

bobkn · Aug 24, 2022

To concur with "Bree": The Optiplex 7020 is listed as having an Intel Q87 chipset. (Launched in 2013.) That seems to only support 4th generation Intel CPUs, and can't be upgraded to one (Gen 8 or later) that officially supports Win 11.

The seller could conceivably install Windows 11 on it, but it won't be officially blessed by Microsoft. Some MS employees have hinted that future OS updates for such installs may be blocked in the future, although it hasn't happened yet.

Buyer beware.

esebm · Aug 24, 2022

Thanks guys, that's exactly why I started this post to begin with, to get the professional's insight!
I'm wondering if I can find a "genuine" win 11 refurbished under $500.

Porthos · Aug 24, 2022

esebm said:
I'm wondering if I can find a "genuine" win 11 refurbished under $500.

Dell OptiPlex 5060 SFF Desktop i5-8500 Hex-Core 3.00GHz 8GB 256GB SSD Win 10 Pro 1 Yr Wty

Buy a refurbished Dell OptiPlex 5060 SFF Desktop certified as good as new at Revive IT. All refurbished computer purchases come with a free 12-month warranty, free shipping, and free returns.

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