Question Build or buy a Dell refurb Optiplex?

[bguzz]

Hi, would like any help on building an SFF mini tower. I'm looking to replace my docked Yoga 900 laptop (i7-6500) its a ok, but seems to always running at full tilt...want to get an SFF. My uses are primarily for work, video calls, some video streaming/editing...very light gaming.

Was looking at some ebay Dell Optiplex refurbs...either 7050 SFF's with an i7-7700 or 7040's with an i7-6700 all with SSD's. They will run me between $450 - 550.j

My other thought was to build a micro ITX...using a B450 mobo and Ryzen 3400G (so I don't have to invest in graphics card) with 16gb of 3200 ram and an m.2 SSD. I think I can build one for around $600 for an SFF. or would a Ryzen 3600 with a card be a better option (need a budget card though to keep the $$ low).

I know the build would be newer tech, but will I notice much of a difference in performance/longevity of tech with the AMD? or is it not apples to apples?

 

[Fanatical Meat]

I’ve bought a couple of refurb dell outlet machines and they’ve been fine. I’ve built three machines. Either way sounds like a good choice. Really comes down to time & effort vs satisfaction & being more future orinented.
Something you need to decide. Dell would likely be cheaper, home build would likely last longer & be more powerful.

 

[Arkaign]

Very light gaming? Hmm. Is there any way you could do a microATX instead of a ITX? You gain the ability to use normal PSUs and dramatically greater expansion options, along with generally way better pricing.

If not, then given your options I'd probably bite the bullet and go with a Ryzen build, but something where you still can fit a full height dGPU, that way if you move from a G CPU to a full hog Ryzen in the future you won't be limited to extremely short list of half height cards.

Another consideration is looking a Ryzen laptops. Sometimes the specials are so dang good that you can just get one, set it to not sleep with the lid closed, and boom : ultra small form factor unit while you're home, built in wireless AC and usually Bluetooth, and the bonus of being able to take it with you if you need to.

 

[Arkaign]

Acer Nitro 5 15" Gaming Laptop, AMD Ryzen 5 2500U Processor, AMD Radeon RX 560X Graphics, 8GB RAM, 1TB Hard Drive, AN515-42-R5ED - Walmart.com

Buy Acer Nitro 5 15" Gaming Laptop, AMD Ryzen 5 2500U Processor, AMD Radeon RX 560X Graphics, 8GB RAM, 1TB Hard Drive, AN515-42-R5ED at Walmart.com

www.walmart.com

Pretty nice deal 👍

Much much better than IGP, easy to add an m.2, good CPU. Smaller than ITX. Only a NUC class unit is more compact really.

 

[bguzz]

Thanks for the good input. Yeah, actually I can do a micro ATX. I'm looking at the Inwin CK709, which does micro ATX.

Do you think the Ryzen 3400G will give me better performance than a I7--6700 or I7-7700?

I kind of wanted the Ryzen 5 3600, but would have to get a graphics card (seems at least $50 for that?) I don't know if I'd really notice better performance with that? I could stretch for it, just didn't know if it was worth it.

Not really interested in a laptop, but thanks for the suggestion. I king of feel like the dell might be dated.

 

[Arkaign]

It's just a lot of money for a 4C/8T box with no ability to go higher on those used 6th and 7th gen Dells, along with not being able to run bigger GPUs later if you wanted.

The 3600 would indeed be a lot beefier, but you'd definitely have to find maybe a used GPU to get you by to start with. The 3600 has more cores and cache, which is going to only become more important.

Another option is the Ryzen 1600AF, which is actually a sort of rebadged Zen+ CPU. Combining that with a used GPU might be more economical and still offer better performance compared to a G APU.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Just a note, according to one of our members, that seems to work for a shop/reseller outside of the USA somewhere, the 3400G APU is in very short supply for some reason. He claimed that they wouldn't even be re-stocked, which honestly, would surprise me, but who knows.

Hopefully, the 4000-series APUs for desktop, with 8C will be available soon, they are coming soon to mobile, mobile gets first dibs for OEMs over DIY market, but hopefully, they will eventually show up.

3200G seems to still be available, that's a 4C/4T APU. The 3600 CPU would blow it away in performance though, but then you'd have to buy a dGPU to go with it. RX 570 is pretty cheap these days though, even new.