iMac replacement, primarily for graphic design use

[Spyros_72]

My 2008 iMac's GPU card has finally given up the ghost and having seen the playing field level out in the last 11 years, I have opted to replace with a PC.

SOME THINGS OF NOTE:

• Budget will max out at £1000, similar price to replacement iMac
• 
  
• I will be using Adobe (or similar) programs for print and web design that require decent processing speeds. It's extremely unlikely that this build will ever be used for gaming.
• 
  
• The issue that did for my iMac GPU was arguably caused by ventilation/cooling issues, so that's a fairly important factor
• 
  
• Because of the data retrieval needed from iMac, I would like an external HD that is easily cross-platform enabled, if possible
• 
  
• I would also (if possible) like to be able to run partner's laptop using the PC monitor/keyboard/mouse wirelessly. This seems to be a case of having both laptop OS and monitor Miracast-enabled?
• 
  
• I've tried to do as much homework as I can before dropping this on the forum. I do accept that my knowledge is really only just superior to the average labrador's, so happy to be guided/contradicted/lampooned etc.

Thanks in advance,
Spyros



Case
PCS SR-620C MID TOWER CASE

Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™ i3 Quad Core Processor i3-9350K (4.00GHz) 8MB Cache

Motherboard
ASUS® PRIME Z390-P: ATX, LGA1151, USB 3.1, SATA 6GBs

Memory (RAM)
8GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 2400MHz (2 x 4GB)

Graphics Card
2GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GT 1030

1st Storage Drive
240GB ADATA SU630 2.5" SSD, SATA 6 Gb (520MB/R, 450MB/W)

DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
NOT REQUIRED

External Hard Drive
2TB Seagate Backup Plus Slim External HDD, USB 3.0, Black

Memory Card Reader
USB 3.0 EXTERNAL SD/MICRO SD CARD READER

Power Supply
CORSAIR 350W VS SERIES™ VS-350 POWER SUPPLY

Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)

Processor Cooling
Noctua NH-U14S Ultra Quiet Performance CPU Cooler

Thermal Paste
COOLER MASTER MASTERGEL MAKER THERMAL COMPOUND

Fan Controller
NZXT GRID+ V3 Fan Controller with up to 5 Fitted Case Fans

Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)

Wireless/Wired Networking
WIRELESS 802.11N 300Mbps/2.4GHz PCI-E CARD

USB/Thunderbolt Options
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS

Operating System
Genuine Windows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence

Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language

Windows Recovery Media
Windows 10 Multi-Language Recovery Image - Unlimited Downloads from Online Account

Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft® Office® 365 (Operating System Required)

Anti-Virus
BullGuard™ Internet Security - Free 90 Day License inc. Gamer Mode

Browser
Microsoft® Edge (Windows 10 Only)

Monitor
Samsung LS24E45KBS/EN 24" Monitor

Keyboard & Mouse
LOGITECH® MK540 WIRELESS KEYBOARD & MOUSE COMBO

Speakers
Creative GigaWorks T40 Series II 2.0 High End Speakers

Warranty
3 Year Standard Warranty (1 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)

Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)

Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 10 to 12 working days

Welcome Book
PCSpecialist Welcome Book - United Kingdom & Republic of Ireland

 

[Spyros_72]

Bumping this, for reasons of desperation.

 

[Oussebon]

Too many topics, too little time, sadly. That said, I remember writing a really long reply to this and have no idea where it went...

The CPU is bad value. It's 4 cores, 4 threads only, but inflated in price due to modest frequency bumps and an unlocked multiplier.

Expensive motherboard whose features you aren't using (it's the cheapest in that configurator, but is really intended for higher end parts than those you've chosen)

Small amount of slow RAM

Weak graphics card

Wildly excessive spending on cooling. If your old system cooked itself it will be because of bad airflow by design, and/or because it wasn't dusted (or because it developed a fault).

Getting a case with decent airflow, appropriate to the hardware, and ensuring the CPU cooler itself is adequate ids all you need to do. And obviously dust the insides of the thing once in a while. Instead of buying a cheap case and trying to improve the cooling, get a better case with decent cooling from the off.

I put your core spec into the configurator and it was a bit over £750.
Plus £75 for the 2TB external HDD
£121 for the monitor
I'm assuming there's a little flexibility in the budget

Drop the external HDD. You can share your drives over the network and copy files over. Or transfer via cloud storage.

Instead:

Case
FRACTAL FOCUS G BLACK GAMING CASE (Window)
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 5 3600 Six Core CPU (3.6GHz-4.2GHz/36MB CACHE/AM4)

Get 3 Months of XBOX Game Pass for PC w/ select AMD Ryzen CPUs
Motherboard
ASUS® PRIME B450-PLUS (DDR4, USB 3.1, 6Gb/s) - RGB Ready!
Memory (RAM)
16GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 3000MHz (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
4GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1650 - HDMI
1st Storage Drive
NOT REQUIRED
1st M.2 SSD Drive
512GB ADATA SX6000 Pro PCIe M.2 2280 (2100 MB/R, 1500 MB/W)
DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
NOT REQUIRED
Power Supply
CORSAIR 550W VS SERIES™ VS-550 POWER SUPPLY
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
CoolerMaster MasterLiquid Lite 240 High Performance Liquid Cooler
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Wireless/Wired Networking
10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT (Wi-Fi NOT INCLUDED)
USB/Thunderbolt Options
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Operating System
Genuine Windows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
Windows 10 Multi-Language Recovery Image - Unlimited Downloads from Online Account
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft® Office® 365 (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
BullGuard™ Internet Security - Free 90 Day License inc. Gamer Mode
Browser
Microsoft® Edge (Windows 10 Only)
Monitor
AOC I2490VXQ/BT 23.8" IPS Monitor - 1920 x 1080
Warranty
3 Year Standard Warranty (1 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 8 to 10 working days
Price: £989.00 including VAT and Delivery

Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/amd-am4-gen3-pc/aDRpBGwyM0/

This is about £40 more than your spec + monitor + external HDD.

Vastly better CPU
More, faster RAM
Motherboard with similar features
Much better graphics card, far faster and with more VRAM
SSD that's much, much faster and twice the size
Case with more preinstalled fans and good airflow. Way more than adequate CPU cooler.
Monitor with an IPS panel (if you are a graphic designer, you will want an IPS panel)
Larger PSU to allow for upgrades

If you wanted to optimise for quiet, Fractal Define S case, Noctua Cooler and TXm (or ideally RMx) PSU.

You can save a few quid sourcing a monitor from another store of course, maybe there's a similar thing (1080p 24", IPS) for £100-120. Or maybe one for a similar price that is also height adjustable.

 

[Oussebon]

I would also (if possible) like to be able to run partner's laptop using the PC monitor/keyboard/mouse wirelessly. This seems to be a case of having both laptop OS and monitor Miracast-enabled?

Someone else may know more, but here's what I've got as suggestions.

You would need a dongle to add to the monitor for chromecast / miracast.

A keyboard and mouse need to be plugged into the device that's using them.

You could get a docking station, connect the monitor, network cable, mouse, and keyboard to it. Then plug the docking station into the laptop or PC, depending . But I wouldn't.

You could use a KVM (keyboard video mouse) switcher.

Or more commonly available just a USB switcher. It's a box you plug the KB + M into, and connect the PC and laptop to the box. You press a button on the box and it switches which of the computers is using the devices. The keyboard and mouse have a wireless receiver, which would be plugged into the box e.g.

UGREEN USB 3.0 Switch, 2 In 4 Output USB 3.0 Sharing: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

Free delivery and returns on eligible orders. Buy UGREEN USB 3.0 Switch, 2 In 4 Output USB 3.0 Sharing Switcher Box KM Switch Hub for Mouse, Keyboard, Scanner, Printer with 2 Pcs of 1.5M USB 3.0 A to A Cable at Amazon UK.

www.amazon.co.uk

For using the monitor, most monitors have multiple video inputs. So you could have the monitor plugged permanently into the PC, and another lead plugged into the monitor you can connect to the laptop when it's available. Or use casting if you buy a dongle, and the laptop supports it.

So not including the power cables that could look something like:

Personally I'd just tolerate 1 more cable and have a spare cable plugged into the monitor I could connect to the laptop instead of spending cash on a dongle.

 

[Spyros_72]

Thanks very much, Oussebon - that all makes a lot of sense.

Keeping things basic appeals to my simple brain, so I think the multiple input monitor + USB switcher option is the way I will go.

 

[Spyros_72]

Bumped thread from October, but my Christmas bonus has just come in!

Can anybody recommend a similar case to the non-available Fractal Focus G before I sign this off?

 

[Oussebon]

The COOLERMASTER MASTERBOX K500 is a decent budget (ish) case. £64

If you'd be happy spending a smidge more, the Fractal Define R6 is an excellent case, and also quite minimalist-looking as well as being pretty quiet. £107

Sadly PCS's £50 range is a little thin compared to previous options they've had - perhaps the will have refreshed options in the new year.

Edit: Actually the CORSAIR CARBIDE SERIES™ 275Q QUIET CASE is okay for the kind of hardware you're likely to put in it. £55.

You could consider the TX550m PSU as it's better quality, more efficient and quieter than the VS series.