New PC time - I solicit your suggestions

[vavavroom]

I'm not in a hurry but trying to be prepared. Here is what I want:

full-size tower, no compact form factor, please
i5-7500 CPU @ 3.40GHz or better
512 GB SSD
32 GB RAM
2TB HDD
a slot for a second internal HDD would be nice
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)
wifi 6E
At least 4 front-mounted USB slots and 4 rear-mounted USB slots
SD card reader slot
W11 Pro

No requirements for gaming. I currently have a full-size Optiplex Tower. I am not brand loyal. I'd be okay with a Lenovo or whatever.

I have not really done much research but I noticed that with Dell wifi and an inbuilt optical drive are mutually exclusive. That seems preposterous to me, especially in a full-size tower. I know some of you are really into computers and I'm merely a user. Please make some suggestions.

 

[Rand]

I would get at least 12th gen intel or amd 5xxx series.

2TB hdd? Might as well just use a 2TB boot ssd. and no hdd.

Why the requirement for full size?
8 usb? all usb 3 or a mix of 2 and 3 ok?

SD card reader slot? 10$ usb device.
Wifi 6e? is this going to be in the same room as the router? Run an ethernet cable.. otherwise 6e is basically useless in the house except for phones and such in the same room as the router or wireless AP.

This reads like a spec list for a spaceshuttle with random parts from the boeing starliner, and an apollo.

With that odd mismatch of very low and some strict requirements you might need to custom build.

 

[tmorris1]

The i5-7500 CPU is 7+ years old?

 

[ripcord]

Yeah, what Rand said. Your specs match my 6 yo desktop.

 

[JavierH19]

Can you even buy anything with a blue ray burner and quick swap hard drive? I think most cases aren't compatible with that and removable hard drives anymore.

 

[JohnnyG]

^ This, and try to go with M2.0 or something,. I built mine about 5 years ago for @$350.00.
HDD can be attached via USB if you need old files from one.

Just use your old case and burner, swap MB and go.

 

[vavavroom]

Yeah, what Rand said. Your specs match my 6 yo desktop.

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

 

[TheOilWizard]

The I5-12400 seems to be good value right now.

I would just go 2TB NVME flash and be done with it. If you need additional storage later, you can add when ready (make sure motherboard has 2x nvme, or you can go sata for the second drive)

32GB ram (16X2) or 64GB (32x2) for dual channel. If motherboard has 4 dimm slots, you can double the memory down the road if needed.

 

[Pablo]

Get 2-3 SSDs use one as a backup
64 Gb ram. Just better for graphics and everything else

 

[vavavroom]

I would get at least 12th gen intel or amd 5xxx series.

2TB hdd? Might as well just use a 2TB boot ssd. and no hdd.

No. I don't use an SSD for data file storage other than programs.

Why the requirement for full size?

Because of physical space for add-ons and because I don't have to save space.

8 usb? all usb 3 or a mix of 2 and 3 ok?

At least four of them should be USB 3.

SD card reader slot? 10$ usb device.

I already have too many peripherals.

Wifi 6e? is this going to be in the same room as the router?

No. Also have to connect to other devices around the house.

Run an ethernet cable.. otherwise 6e is basically useless in the house except for phones and such in the same room as the router or wireless AP.

This reads like a spec list for a spaceshuttle with random parts from the boeing starliner, and an apollo.

My needs and wants are what they are.

With that odd mismatch of very low and some strict requirements you might need to custom build.

Sure.

 

[vavavroom]

The I5-12400 seems to be good value right now.

I would just go 2TB NVME and be done with it. If you need additional storage later, you can add when ready (make sure motherboard has 2x nvme, or you can go sata for the second drive)

32GB ram in a 16x2 config for dual channel.

The processor is not much of a concern. it's more about finding a device that allows me to combine the features I want.

 

[vavavroom]

Get 2-3 SSDs use one as a backup
64 Gb ram. Just better for graphics and everything else

No. Backups are on HDDs and optical discs. I don't need 64GB RAM.

 

[vavavroom]

Can you even buy anything with a blue ray burner and quick swap hard drive? I think most cases aren't compatible with that and removable hard drives anymore.

I think Lenovo still has that option. I do have a dock but I don't like clutter.

 

[vavavroom]

^ This, and try to go with M2.0 or something,. I built mine about 5 years ago for @$350.00.

That's what I have had in mine for 5 years.

HDD can be attached via USB if you need old files from one.

Yes, I have 4 external HDDs in addition to one internal data drive. And that's the setup I prefer.

Just use your old case and burner, swap MB and go.

I have been using an external BR drive/burner. The internal drive is only a DVD drive/burner.
The CPU is not compatible with W11 without jumping through hoops which I am not willing to do.
I replace my PCs after 6-8 years.

 

[TheOilWizard]

I think Lenovo still has that option. I do have a dock but I don't like clutter.

Yeah, hardware wise Lenovo seems to be good value. But I just haven't gotten over the Lenovo rootkit controversy that took place circa 2015. I know it's time to move on, but sometimes stuff like that sticks around in your mind. Haven't purchased a Lenovo since.

 

[vavavroom]

Yeah, hardware wise Lenovo seems to be good value. But I just haven't gotten over the Lenovo rootkit controversy that took place circa 2015. I know it's time to move on, but sometimes stuff like that sticks around in your mind. Haven't purchased a Lenovo since.

I have never had a Lenovo. All my desktop PCs have been Dell and generally I have been happy with them. There seem to be fewer customization options than there used to be.

 

[ripcord]

I've always just assembled my own machines from parts (at least subsequent to my 400mhz Intel Win95/NT4 machine). Once you've built the first one, you can just upgrade in stages as you like. Using non-proprietary cases and off the shelf parts allows you to build things however you like them without compromise.

 

[Rand]

I've always just assembled my own machines from parts (at least subsequent to my 400mhz Intel Win95/NT4 machine). Once you've built the first one, you can just upgrade in stages as you like. Using non-proprietary cases and off the shelf parts allows you to build things however you like them without compromise.

yes good luck even finding a full tower case non-custom build. .. maybe a mid tower but those are getting slim too.
then getting an integrated memory card reader and 8 USB etc.. seems like assembling or buying custom is about the only feasible way.

I know microcenter will build one for you.. but they are not everywhere.

 

[vavavroom]

I've always just assembled my own machines from parts (at least subsequent to my 400mhz Intel Win95/NT4 machine). Once you've built the first one, you can just upgrade in stages as you like. Using non-proprietary cases and off the shelf parts allows you to build things however you like them without compromise.

I'm very bad at building things. I got 11 thumbs.

 

[Pablo]

I'm very bad at building things. I got 11 thumbs.

Yeah right

Just go to a gamer pc place get a fully loaded