Question I need some help for a neighbor

[BoomerD]

Elderly guy…in his 70s. Wants a PC that will handle photoshop easily. All I really know is that he has a monitor…no idea on the resolution, but presumably 1080. I DO NOT want to build one for him….not interested in being his tech support for life. Sadly, his budget is around $700.
He’s looking at an Acer at NewEgg. I5-13400F, 3050 graphics, 16GB DDR5 RAM, 1TB SSD.

https://www.newegg.com/acer-po3-650-ub91-predator-orion-3000/p/N82E16883101905?item=N82E16883101905&source=region&nm_mc=knc-googleadwords-pc&cm_mmc=knc-googleadwords-pc-_-pla-_-gaming+desktop-_-N82E16883101905&utm_source=google&utm_medium=paid+shopping&utm_campaign=knc-googleadwords-pc-_-pla-_-gaming+desktop-_-N82E16883101905&id0=Google&id1=19474477371&id2=144569632923&id3=&id4=&id5=pla-2266195133438&id6=&id7=9033542&id8=&id9=g&id10=c&id11=&id12=Cj0KCQiAtOmsBhCnARIsAGPa5yblEg0lz-0-B5lgjlmUAN8vdu4G3g4rkfckW__Bogwfvkb25xD1CREaAkHeEALw_wcB&id13=&id14=Y&id15=&id16=643823399650&id17=&id18=&id19=&id20=&id21=pla&id22=8438988&id23=online&id24=N82E16883101905&id25=US&id26=2266195133438&id27=Y&id28=&id29=&id30=5580973562101563105&id31=en&id32=&id33=&id34=&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAtOmsBhCnARIsAGPa5yblEg0lz-0-B5lgjlmUAN8vdu4G3g4rkfckW__Bogwfvkb25xD1CREaAkHeEALw_wcB

other than the graphics, it doesn’t look terrible for the price. Only a 500w power supply, so if he decides to upgrade his graphics, he’ll most likely need to upgrade the PSU as well.

 

[manly]

That will be fine for Photoshop, although a modern CPU with iGPU probably works also.

Unfortunately your friend just missed out on Black Friday deals. MSI in particular was dumping some parts inventory:

MSI Codex R Desktop: i5-13400F, RTX 4060 8GB, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD $699 + Free Shipping

Walmart has MSI Codex R Gaming Desktop (Codex R 13NUC5-080US) on sale for $699. Shipping is free. Thanks to Community Member wacked for sharing this deal. Specs: MSI MAG FORGE Computer CaseW ...

slickdeals.net

If he doesn’t need something soon, a better deal than that Acer will surely return.

 

[BoomerD]

Yep. Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and holiday deals would have offered him lots of decent options…and I told him so a couple of times.

 

[BoomerD]

Found this one on woot:

MSI AEGIS ZS 5DS-263US (R7, RX 6700XT)

MSI AEGIS ZS 5DS-263US (R7, RX 6700XT)

computers.woot.com

I don’t know much about AMD, but IIRC, the 5800X is quite a bit faster than the i5-13400f…and the AMD 6700XT is faster than the 3050.

 

[manly]

Found this one on woot:

MSI AEGIS ZS 5DS-263US (R7, RX 6700XT)

MSI AEGIS ZS 5DS-263US (R7, RX 6700XT)

computers.woot.com

I don’t know much about AMD, but IIRC, the 5800X is quite a bit faster than the i5-13400f…and the AMD 6700XT is faster than the 3050.

Does your friend want to spend 14% more though? Is $800+tax way over his budget?

I think those CPUs are almost a wash for productivity workloads; Intel's Raptor Lake is probably more power hungry. The RX 6700 XT is a much better GPU, but that probably doesn't matter for Photoshop.

The MSI refurbished system has just a 6 months warranty.

 

[BoomerD]

Does your friend want to spend 14% more though? Is $800+tax way over his budget?

I think those CPUs are almost a wash for productivity workloads; Intel's Raptor Lake is probably more power hungry. The RX 6700 XT is a much better GPU, but that probably doesn't matter for Photoshop.

The MSI refurbished system has just a 6 months warranty.

Yes on the warranty, but since Woot is an Amazon company, he COULD purchase a 2 year extended warranty fairly cheaply. However, he told me he thought the system from Woot might be more than he needs...so...We'll see.

 

[mikeymikec]

@BoomerD if you're helping him spec it, what makes you think you won't be his tech support for life?

 

[BoomerD]

@BoomerD if you're helping him spec it, what makes you think you won't be his tech support for life?

🤬 the thought had occurred to me…but, since he’s buying pre-built…I’m not responsible…he can take it up with the manufacturer. (we’re neighbors, not friends.)

 

[manly]

Yes on the warranty, but since Woot is an Amazon company, he COULD purchase a 2 year extended warranty fairly cheaply. However, he told me he thought the system from Woot might be more than he needs...so...We'll see.

I'll buy refurbished if it makes sense; but if you have to spend more just to warranty it, then it doesn't seem like a great deal anymore. Generally speaking, service plans (aka extended warranties) are never cheap because they are priced to make a profit for both the insurer and the seller (retailer). Actually it's really two separate entities: the warranty servicer and usually an actual insurance company that underwrites the policy. The more hands are in the cookie jar, the more it's costing the consumer. With rare exception, I simply don't buy service plans.

I'm a strong advocate of the free extended warranty offered on some credit cards. For example, your neighbor could buy the refurbished MSI and get an extra year of coverage from his credit card company. IF he charges it to a card with that benefit.

You and I would prefer the $800 MSI system over the Acer, but if that's well over his stated budget, then just wait for a better deal.

EDIT:
Better deal arrives! Read comments, looks like you're actually getting an AM5 system.

Zotac MEK HERO G3 A7646 Desktop: Ryzen 5 5600G, 16GB DDR5, 1TB HDD, RTX 4060 $713.40 + Free S&H w/ Amazon Prime

Woot! has Zotac MEK HERO G3 A7646 Desktop - Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse Bundle on sale for $713.40. Shipping is free for Amazon Prime Members (must login with your Amazon account and selec ...

slickdeals.net

 

[BoomerD]

I'll buy refurbished if it makes sense; but if you have to spend more just to warranty it, then it doesn't seem like a great deal anymore. Generally speaking, service plans (aka extended warranties) are never cheap because they are priced to make a profit for both the insurer and the seller (retailer). Actually it's really two separate entities: the warranty servicer and usually an actual insurance company that underwrites the policy. The more hands are in the cookie jar, the more it's costing the consumer. With rare exception, I simply don't buy service plans.

I'm a strong advocate of the free extended warranty offered on some credit cards. For example, your neighbor could buy the refurbished MSI and get an extra year of coverage from his credit card company. IF he charges it to a card with that benefit.

You and I would prefer the $800 MSI system over the Acer, but if that's well over his stated budget, then just wait for a better deal.

EDIT:
Better deal arrives! Read comments, looks like you're actually getting an AM5 system.

Zotac MEK HERO G3 A7646 Desktop: Ryzen 5 5600G, 16GB DDR5, 1TB HDD, RTX 4060 $713.40 + Free S&H w/ Amazon Prime

Woot! has Zotac MEK HERO G3 A7646 Desktop - Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse Bundle on sale for $713.40. Shipping is free for Amazon Prime Members (must login with your Amazon account and selec ...

slickdeals.net

Sold out.

 

[BoomerD]

So…he’s been trying to buy the MSI @Woot…but the system won’t let him log in. Not sure what’s wrong…it let me log right in.

 

[manly]

Sold out.

Sorry, great deals don't last long. But rest assured something else will come along during the month.

 

[BoomerD]

Sorry, great deals don't last long. But rest assured something else will come along during the month.

They always do.

 

[BoomerD]

It sounds like he ordered one of these:

Amazon.com

Not what I would have ordered...but it's his money, and it SHOULD do fine for his needs.

 

[VirtualLarry]

It sounds like he ordered one of these:

Amazon.com
Not what I would have ordered...but it's his money, and it SHOULD do fine for his needs.

He could do a lot worse.

 

[sdifox]

https://www.amazon.com/Beelink-7840HS-Computer-Desktop-Display/dp/B0CH7XHM7M/ref=mp_s_a_1_6_sspa?crid=4K2V06DZFGGY&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.wgyaT1b4drimoZdDbPPlctrnh6L2qLsK_OEMrYcN7FnwNpigl35P8Wwcp7WkquC_NbZN2TbJGuxxp3d109LuSw.3sYwadygB1KxP0_0Vmi_ndeZ_uRxl3WexKDtRywKs78&dib_tag=se&keywords=beelink&qid=1704921993&sprefix=beelink%2Caps%2C122&sr=8-6-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfbXRm&psc=1

 

[manly]

It sounds like he ordered one of these:

Amazon.com

Not what I would have ordered...but it's his money, and it SHOULD do fine for his needs.

Fine for his needs, but $800 for i5-11400F and GTX 1660 Ti is gross. Also 3rd party fulfillment, not FBA.
I wouldn't want to help someone who has so much trouble following advice LOL.

 

[BoomerD]

I kind of don’t blame him for being nervous about ordering a PC from woot. Their customer service is nearly non-existent…and there was no info about who did the “refurbishing” on the units they have for sale.

 

[manly]

SSD, PSU are a bit limited but still a better deal than he ordered:

Lenovo Legion T5 Gaming Desktop: Ryzen 5 5600G, RTX 3060, 16GB DDR4, 512GB PCIe SSD $670 + Free Shipping

Newegg has Lenovo Legion T5 Gaming Desktop (90RB002QUS) for $669.99. Shipping is free. Thanks to Community Member Suryasis for finding this deal. Specs:Ryzen 5 5600G 6C/12T 3.9 GHz (4.4 GHz ...

slickdeals.net

 

[BoomerD]

SSD, PSU are a bit limited but still a better deal than he ordered:

Lenovo Legion T5 Gaming Desktop: Ryzen 5 5600G, RTX 3060, 16GB DDR4, 512GB PCIe SSD $670 + Free Shipping

Newegg has Lenovo Legion T5 Gaming Desktop (90RB002QUS) for $669.99. Shipping is free. Thanks to Community Member Suryasis for finding this deal. Specs:Ryzen 5 5600G 6C/12T 3.9 GHz (4.4 GHz ...

slickdeals.net

Lots of "better" deals will pop up now that he's made his purchase and has it up and running.
All I can do is give advice...if he opts to go a different way, that's on him. (and I don't think he got a BAD PC, but I think there were better deals to be had.