No OEM since 1994 -- getting ready to take the plunge . .

BonzaiDuck

Lifer
Jun 30, 2004
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I have too much on my plate right now as a 75+ year-old senior. I've built all of my systems since 1994, excluding the LG Gram laptop I bought two years ago. I've got eldercare responsibilities (Moms is 98), and I want to scale back on my collection of aging hardware -- suddenly, there aren't three users in the house, and no longer two users since my brother died last year. Just me. And then, last week, my Win 2012 server died -- or at least the boot disk died -- and I'm going through the chore of restoring my files. I'm thinking to replace the server with a Synology NAS.

Meanwhile, my two "best" workstation/desktop PCs are too old for Windows 11. I had reluctantly begun to think of building a new 12- or 13-gen Intel system over the last six months.

Now, I'm beginning to think that I might just buy an OEM. My problem with that, however, is straightforward: I've never got what I "want" with an OEM, but when I build my own, I plan for the afterthoughts and expansions.

Anyway, here's one of the models I'm looking at: Acer Predator Orion 7000 P07-640-UR11

What I like: comes with 32 GB DDR5 upgradeable to 64. Uses 12700K -- a processor candidate for a DIY-built system. Graphics isn't Radeon, but I've always bought nVidia as a habit, and this is upper tier, I think. Boot drive is a current-gen 1TB NVME.

What I don't like: Watercooling, with limited radiator size. (Possibly . . . ) only two RAM slots? Possibly limited number of PCIE >= x4 expansion -- if any? Windows 11 HOME -- will want to upgrade to PRO.

The price tag doesn't phase me. I usually end up dropping about 2 Grand into the systems I build, anyway.

I can afford it now -- I can afford it later. But what do you think? Can you think of better alternatives? I prefer to stick with Intel processors and chipsets, no matter what.
 

DAPUNISHER

Super Moderator CPU Forum Mod and Elite Member
Super Moderator
Aug 22, 2001
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What happened? Did you buy the Acer?

If you are still shopping look at S.I. systems like CyberPower PC or Newegg's ABS. They use off the shelf parts.
 

BonzaiDuck

Lifer
Jun 30, 2004
15,879
1,549
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What happened? Did you buy the Acer?

If you are still shopping look at S.I. systems like CyberPower PC or Newegg's ABS. They use off the shelf parts.
I'm sorry I haven't replied to your response since last year. My old Moms died last October, and any thoughts of either building or buying a new PC have been suspended.

Now, I'm looking at "business" models such as the Dell Optiplex 3000 with an i5-12500 or an Optiplex Optiplex 7020 7000 SFF Intel i5-14500.

I've looked again at building an i7/i9 system -- possibly Alder Lake -- but cooling is a hassle. I'd prefer air-cooling. I don't game much anymore, so I can see re-orienting myself to "business" performance.

MY BIGGEST CONCERN ABOUT BUYING AN OEM:

HOW UPGRADEABLE ARE THEY? Is their room for additional NVME drives? Will the PSU handle low-power upgrades such as additional NVME storage? Is it not too difficult to pop open the case of these units to just inspect them or make these minor upgrades?

The price is right for these SFF boxes -- chump change compared to my DIY performance building efforts.
 

BonzaiDuck

Lifer
Jun 30, 2004
15,879
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Thanks to igor and BoomerD. Since I posted in this thread today, I've done some poking around.

First of all, I've discovered that Alienware is subsidiary of Dell. I may be able to find what I want among the offerings. Also looking at Alienware Aurora R16. It may be possible through careful selection to get what I'd want with DIY build options.

I"m going to take my time on this, but I can see there are plenty of options for ready-made OEM units.
 

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
64,100
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Thanks to igor and BoomerD. Since I posted in this thread today, I've done some poking around.

First of all, I've discovered that Alienware is subsidiary of Dell. I may be able to find what I want among the offerings. Also looking at Alienware Aurora R16. It may be possible through careful selection to get what I'd want with DIY build options.

I"m going to take my time on this, but I can see there are plenty of options for ready-made OEM units.
Keep in mind that being a Dell product nowadays, the Alienware MIGHT have upgrade issues...or even proprietary hardware. They are NOT the company they once were.
I bought an IBuyPower pre-built from Costco in 2019...for much the same reason you are considering it. I was just tired of the PITA of researching every component, then the disassembly of a case and assembly of all components...and reassembling case parts...then HOPING everything works right.
I did a build in Jan. 2023 because I just wasn't happy with the IBP rig. Their OEM AIO liquid cooler failed just after the factory warranty expired...requiring me to ship the entire thing to Costco's repair service...where they proceeded to wipe my HDD and SDD, reinstall windows, and broke the USB connection socket on the board. Never again.
I built with the parts in my signature. I already had the Corsair RAM, the Seasonic 750w PSU, 2 of the 3 NVMe drives, and the EVGA graphics card...reducing my build cost by a LOT. I think I spent about $1000 to $1200 in new parts. I'm happy with the i5-13600K processor. <knock on wood> I don't overclock, so HOPEFULLY I won't get bit by the Raptor Lake bug...
 
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tcsenter

Lifer
Sep 7, 2001
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Dell's technical documentation, service and maintenance manuals are not what they once were, even for their Precision workstations but you can usually find adequate info about upgradeability, or at least be able to infer upgradeability from them. Also search the web for the "spec sheet" brochure or technical guidebook, which for some reason appear to be considered "sales" documentation not always available through product support. e.g.

Optiplex 3000 Spec Sheet (brochure)

Wikipedia has a decent matrix for Dell Optiplex systems hitting the main features including slots, ports, etc

If not you can try the Dell Community Forums, there are several folks over there who are knowledgeable (a couple work for Dell).

Note that Dell decided to recycle the model # 7020 for it's new model Optiplex (12th+ Gen) even though a previous Optiplex from Haswell era 2013 was also designated 7020 and continues to be quite popular on the 2nd hand market. Saw a few reports of confusion over this.
 
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VirtualLarry

No Lifer
Aug 25, 2001
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Note that Dell decided to recycle the model # 7020 for it's new model Optiplex (12th+ Gen) even though a previous Optiplex from Haswell era 2013 was also designated 7020 and continues to be quite popular on the 2nd hand market. Saw a few reports of confusion over this.
That's a shame.
 
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