Computer suggestions

JimW · 2017-10-21 23:04

mini tower 380. Haven't checked the installed memory as yet. still have to explore some and learn about it. (What is a SFF?) And what is an eSATA port? (I haven't paid a lot of attention for several years!)

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crosscourt · 2017-10-21 23:08

SFF means small form factor and is a more compact size very nice for average users and as a HTPC. It still has two memory slots, a 16x pcie slot and a pci slot if needed and uses a standard 3.5 inch hard drive with a slimline dvd drive.

ESATA is an external SATA port you can use for external drives that gives you similar speed to the internal SATA connection used for the internal hard drive.
It doesnt provide power though just a signal.

Id run at least 4gb of ram(8gb ram max supported) with your new system as it really helps that system perform well.

Heres the tech guide on your system, www.dell.com/downloads/global/products/optix/en/optiplex-380-tech-guide.pdf
Socket 775 core 2 duo cpus are really cheap($10-15 on Ebay) and you could run a E8400/8500(3ghz+) on your system depending on what bios you have now.

The system I ordered which should be here on Monday, Dell Optiplex 7010 USFF(ultra small form factor) is really small and uses a laptop 2.5 inch hard drive and a slimline dvd drive. Perfect for limited desktop space, can be mounted behind a monitor or used as a HTPC.

Ive been doing Dell support work on and off for years and have always enjoyed their products, particularly since the core 2 duo cpus were released.

Last edited by crosscourt (2017-10-21 23:29)

JimW · 2017-10-22 02:33

Thanks for the tech guide - I've got it downloaded now!

Going into control panel -> information, I found that it has 2 E7500 cpu's running at 2.93 Ghz with 4 gig of memory. So, I kinda feel I got a decent computer here.
Thanks for all of your help!

crosscourt · 2017-10-22 02:36

The E7500 is a dual core cpu so its showing you both cores at 2.93ghz and 4gb of ram is good.

Looks like a great system and can be upgraded.

Dai_trying · 2017-10-22 15:31

I am using my Optiplex 380 now, I find it handles pretty much everything I need to do without any issues. I'm pretty sure it will serve you well.

crosscourt · 2017-10-22 17:00

Didnt realize you had a Optiplex 380 Dai. It is a nice system, particularly the mini tower. I enjoyed my 780 sffs which will probably end up being donated to a senior. What processor do you have with yours Dai?

I think the Optiplex series is an excellent choice for people given they are cheap to buy right now and offer exceptional performance and stability.

Dai_trying · 2017-10-22 17:27

I got the E7500, Same as Jims, I've had it a while now and it is a pleasure to use, I only paid £40 for it, that's around $50 and was around 2 years ago (ish).

crosscourt · 2017-10-22 19:12

The 780s I got were around $30 each and most of that generation are $50 or less. I paid more for my 7010 MT as it had more ram, larger drive and much better cpu but was still only $110.

Just picked up the 7010 USFF for $58 as a project.

crosscourt · 2017-10-23 23:18

Just installed Scorpion 2.4 onto the 7010 usff which is a very small system, very impressive given the great access you still have to all the hardware. Upped the ram to 8gb from 2gb otherwise the Pentium 3.2ghz cpu is plenty for this system and runs cooler than the i5.

Very quick install with no issues and performance is exceptional. Resource usage is between 245-275mbs at GUI, which is impressive.

Typing on it now and will report back once Ive used it a bit more.

crosscourt · 2017-10-24 00:49

The 7010 usff is 9.25 inches x 9.25 x 2.5, thats small. Uses a large heatpipe style cpu cooler, slim dvd drive and laptop hard drive with another fan in the front of the system. Power supply is internal which surprised me as many use external psus to save case space. Very quiet excellent performance and much quicker than the optiplex 780 sff systems I had with the E8500 cpu. Would make a great HTPC but plenty of power for everyday use.

Last edited by crosscourt (2017-10-24 22:00)

Dai_trying · 2017-10-24 15:59

Those measurements only give a 19% area saving on my optiplex, although it's just over half the area of my Fujitsu box.

crosscourt · 2017-10-24 18:55

Sorry I had a typo as its 9.25x9.25x2.5 inches. Its the size of a typical college textbook.

Last edited by crosscourt (2017-10-24 22:00)

Dai_trying · 2017-10-24 19:26

That makes more sense now it is a lot smaller.

crosscourt · 2017-10-24 22:01

I mismeasured its only 2.5inches deep.

tlmiller76 · 2017-10-24 22:57

yeah, the USFF's are what we use at work. I really like them overall, can easilyi hide them in a corner so they're not taking up a ton of room.

crosscourt · 2017-10-24 23:58

Ive seen them but never used them but used to be a Shuttle user, so never excpected the Dell USFF was this small. Nice design and easy to replace or upgrade parts. Running very cool with the Pentium 3.2ghz at 35c while typing this. Ive also got the SFF version which has two pcie slots in in it.

crosscourt · 2017-10-27 02:47

Just picked up another 7010 usff to use as a HTPC in my living room which should be a fun project. Love this little machine even though it will never replace my gaming rig.

tlmiller76 · 2017-11-09 03:57

So just was perusing ebay, and happened across an Acer Aspire 1-14. 14" 1080P N3450 (Apollo Trail quad core) w/ 4 GB ram and 32 GB eMMC. For $140 shipped. So my new q4OS test machine will be shipping to me shortly...

crosscourt · 2017-11-09 20:56

Thats a good deal and will serve you well.

crosscourt · 2017-11-17 03:03

Picked up another Dell 7010 optiplex usff for cheap with pentium g2130, 6gb of ram and 250gb hard drive. Im now using two of these as HTPCs, one as my desktop system and another as a test system, along with the 7010 SFF. My desktop 7010 I use for gaming and run both Win7 and Q4OS on this system.

Love these usff systems.

crosscourt · 2017-11-19 06:48

I found it interesting that more people appear to be buying laptops and planning purchases for over the holidays versus Smartphones and tablets. This from a market survey I saw recently posted on a major tech site. Ill have to find the link. Maybe pcs arent dead just yet.

Found it, https://betanews.com/2017/11/18/pc-deat … iday-2017/

Last edited by crosscourt (2017-11-19 06:52)

tlmiller76 · 2017-11-19 07:31

I think PART of it is the law of diminishing returns for smartphones/tablets. If you have a 1-2 year old smartphone/tablet, do you REALLY gain anything feature-wise buying new other than warranty? But with the decline of purchasing pc's in recent years, a lot of machines are probably hitting 3-4 years old, and if they were low/lower mid range when they were bought, they're going to be starting to get REALLY slow to use, especially if you've never reloaded Windows with it's SxS and registry bloat.

Last edited by tlmiller76 (2017-11-19 07:31)

crosscourt · 2017-11-19 17:54

Agree as I thought this looked to be part of a cycle of replacement and prices for good laptops are lower than many smartphones.

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