Cheap, used desktop computer recommendation

Hardware Build a PC
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Hi, I would like a used desktop with a decent quad core? processor and ideally 16GB RAM (or at least 8GB) that I can keep running 24/7? Doesn’t have to be the latest hardware at all. Even something like https://archive.fo/ipcSc will do but I want to just work on Linux hopefully without proprietary drivers. So basic needs are either VGA or HDMI support, at least 100M Ethernet, and so on. Something under $200 would be nice if possible. Is that too low? Thank you!

Currently using a Lenovo IdeaPad Y510p (59388313) Intel Core i7 4700MQ(2.40GHz) 8GB Memory 1TB + 8GB SSHD Hybrid Drive 15.6" Notebook with Fedora 27 https://archive.fo/iFkUO

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budget/location?

Not sure how long the PSU on an old business machine will last running 24/7

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New Jersey, close to NYC. Ideally under $200.

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whats use case? gaming? vms? ect

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not games, probably vms, trying to get into docker with multiple containers and such

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My experience is that OEM PSU’s are actually decent quality. Probably because it is not worth it for Dell or HP to have to replace PSU’s all the time. That being said old is still old.

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I think they make them good enough to run until the warranty expires lol

Dude on the LTT forum has an HP machine he upgraded with a 1070 that causes the PSU to randomly shut off even though it’s a 500W unit.

If it’s a server PSU you’re probably fine.

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Quad core is where you want to start?

Dunno about used machines, you could search newegg/amazon for dell something with i5s/i7s

But if you want to get on AM4 to start with and be able to upgrade to 8 cores there ya go

PCPartPicker part list: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/wZzT8K
Price breakdown by merchant: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/wZzT8K/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD - A8-9600 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($69.98 @ Newegg Marketplace)
Motherboard: ASRock - AB350M Pro4 Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($74.49 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 250GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($15.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic - S12II 520W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($37.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $273.44
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-11-18 20:39 EST-0500

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Micro Center: Paterson, New Jersey

$250

HP 6300 Small Form Factor Desktop Computer Off Lease Refurbished; Intel Core i5-3470 Processor 3.2GHz; Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit; 8GB RAM; 500GB Hard Drive, Power Supply 240 Watt

http://www.microcenter.com/product/467346/6300_Desktop_Computer_Off_Lease_Refurbished

$280
image

Dell OptiPlex 7010 Mid Tower Desktop Computer Off Lease Refurbished; Intel Core i5-3470 Processor 3.2GHz; Microsoft Windows 10 Pro 64-bit; 8GB RAM; 500GB Hard Drive, Power Supply 275 Watt

http://www.microcenter.com/product/480244/OptiPlex_7010_Desktop_Computer_Off_Lease_Refurbished

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OP answered their own question at the beginning :slight_smile:

HP/Dell OEM desktops we have literally thousands of them runnign 24/7 in our training rooms and I can count the numer of failures I have on one hand.

The case of a 1070 causing brown out is plausible becasue all the systems we have wouldn’t even run one lacking any PCI-E power cables. They are very much designed towards offie duty using the integrated graphics chips and the PSUs probably don’t have enough amps on the 12V rail to start with.

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Yep. I have one such HP SFF as described above, though with an i5-2400, so a bit older. The PSU is proprietary and what is more, not powerful enough for high end graphics card. Also, being SFF, you’d need a low bracket GFX, and a rather short one too, as the CPU cooler gets in the way.

E: oh, OP doesn’t need a GFX, so there you go. It’ll do. Though if the PSU does die, you can’t just swap in a normal ATX or SFX style PSU.

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Screenshot from 2017-11-19 11-03-55

I think I may have underestimated how much I would have to pay for it… I mean I don’t need a keyboard or a mouse and I definitely don’t need the Windows license :o) It checks all the boxes but I doubt I can haggle with Microcenter.

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Ugh, the damn windows license. Never hurts to ask though.

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Would be nice if they dropped the price by a $100 for not taking the keyboard, mouse, and Windows license :stuck_out_tongue:

if only wishes were fishes

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What about this one?

Dell Precision T3500 Workstation | 2.80GHz Xeon W3530 | 16gb DDR3 | DVDRW

Will the ATI Fire Pro V4800 1024mb be problematic for Linux?

also there’s this on amazon https://www.amazon.com/HP-Quad-Core-Windows-10-Refurbished/dp/B01CV9G1BO/

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R7 1700 is $240 on Amazon

Screenshot from 2017-11-24 08-39-40

btw, Screenshot from 2017-11-24 08-40-19 why is the upload button white text on grey background?

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I prefer Microcenter to ebay cause if something aint right you get to take care of it right away and in person.
My last build came from the Paterson store. Something about brick and morter :slight_smile:

and the website is decent and easy to navigate, even if you go with ebay next time you want a cpu/MB combo they have some sweet deals

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I hesitate to put more than say $200 on a used machine with the new Ryzen processors getting so much cheaper though…

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I agree, It was years ago but Walmart had reurb pc’s some for under a 100

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