This is the computer I want

hdmi said:

The Optiplex 7010 he linked has a 1TB SSD whereas both the Vostro 3030 and the Optiplex 7020 you linked only have a 512GB SSD so that helps to explain the $60 price difference. Also, the Vostro 3080 doesn't have a DVD drive.

@357mag
The Intel Core i5-12400 is a bit of a slowpoke by today's standards IMO. If you can stretch your budget by $110 you can get an Optiplex 7020 with a faster CPU [that has an 80 percent higher PassMark CPU Mark score]. It's this:

Amazon.com

https://www.newegg.com/p/1VK-0001-6MCE9

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Yeah but it comes with a USB type C port which I don't think I will be using. I would rather have 8 Type A ports. But I may have to compromise somewhere. I have already realized there is no perfect computer. You got to make a compromise somewhere.

Two things when needing more ports, one is a Self-powered USB 3 Hub and the other is an Add-in USB 3 PCIe card providing up to 4 additional ports on the back which may also have it's own power cable. I use a 4-port Hub with it's own power plus switches on each port for individual control without having to unplug. Designs of the OEM cases in the last several years have precluded having bays in the front for additional ports but possible with DIY custom computers.

I've had quite a few Dell computers over the years. I always order directly from Dell. That way I can configure my computer exactly the way I want.

Some devices do not work well with USB Hubs. I have already found that out.

I used PCIe USB 3 boards for my recent builds to expand the USB ports. I'm also not a fan of USB hubs, too many things have issues with them.

For how I use my computer, I have no use for a USB Hub.

TraderGary said:

For how I use my computer, I have no use for a USB Hub.

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I seem to recall you saying that you've been using nothing but laptops for years, so I'm not sure what you configure on those computers...

I've not had too many problems with a USB device working off a hub. Only rarely have I found a microphone or something that had a lag on the USB hub, and in those cases that's often resolved by
1). Buying a high quality name brand powered USB hub
2). Just plugging the problematic device into an onboard USB port on the computer rather than the hub.

gunrunnerjohn said:

I seem to recall you saying that you've been using nothing but laptops for years, so I'm not sure what you configure on those computers...

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If you click on "My Computer" I list the specs and software I use.

Nothing complicated, really, I retired early and like to be mobile. I buy a high end laptop and have it configured the way I want. For me that's how I configure my computer.

357mag said:

Yeah but it comes with a USB type C port which I don't think I will be using. I would rather have 8 Type A ports. But I may have to compromise somewhere. I have already realized there is no perfect computer. You got to make a compromise somewhere.

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I don't like USB Type C male to USB Type A female adapters because they worsen the risk of breaking the port on the computer when the cable gets pulled to the side accidentally or something bumps against the cable's Type A male connector. However, a short adapter cable lets you avoid this added risk:

As for externally powered USB hubs, I highly recommend this one. I have the European version of this one. I also have this one plugged into that one, but that's just because I only use them with my System Two, which doesn't have a built-in Ethernet port. My external HDDs run fine when they are hooked up through the 16 port hub. I have my Eastern Electric DAC hooked up directly to the laptop's USB 2.0 port.

My only "problem" is that my Logitech G402 Hyperion Fury can't wake the laptop from sleep if it's not plugged directly into the laptop, but it is a known limitation of the G402, and it is documented by Logitech. Then again, thanks to the 16 port hub it doesn't really matter anyway. This hub has a 100W power supply. (The laptop's power supply is only 90W. lol)

abactuon said:

PCIe 3.0 ?

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I have absolutely no idea. lol

abactuon said:

For integrated graphics, DDR5 is preferred.

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Yes, the Optiplex 7010 that he linked has 32GB DDR4 @3200MHz (and a Core i5-12400) whereas the Optiplex 7020 that I linked has 32GB DDR5 @4800MHz (and a Core i7-12700K). The latter was $839.99 on Amazon at the time when I posted the link, but right now it is only $809.99. Even so, it is still $80 more expensive than the former. That's $1 per percent PassMark Multithreaded CPU Mark score, and DDR5 RAM to make up for the USB port.