Replacing laptop with a desktop. Recommendations please - now getting quotes for the spec

I’m in an exact position as you Nigel in my search for a new pc and for similar usage. I’ve not taken the plunge yet but have received some useful information from Punch Technology. Their desktops are configured well but with some research (or a chat with them) you can play about with the components being installed with some confidence.
 
@Compuwight superb info, Steve. Thanks for taking the time to provide these details, it's very much appreciated. Initial thoughts are they are much cheaper than Scan.

I've always used Scan since my attempts to move away from the rainforest, which isn't always easy, but recently they've been taking a long time to pick. I get the usual COVID-19 message/excuse (Amazon seem to be ok though?). My case fans which I ordered on Sunday evening didn't arrive until the end of the day on Friday. Meanwhile I had ordered various components from Amazon during the week and they all arrived before the Scan stuff.

I wasn't particularly happy, but I'm determined to get away from Amazon so yesterday I ordered a Noctua fan controller and once again I get the COVID-19 delay excuse. I need to find somewhere else.
 
I've always used Scan since my attempts to move away from the rainforest, which isn't always easy, but recently they've been taking a long time to pick. I get the usual COVID-19 message/excuse (Amazon seem to be ok though?). My case fans which I ordered on Sunday evening didn't arrive until the end of the day on Friday. Meanwhile I had ordered various components from Amazon during the week and they all arrived before the Scan stuff.

I wasn't particularly happy, but I'm determined to get away from Amazon so yesterday I ordered a Noctua fan controller and once again I get the COVID-19 delay excuse. I need to find somewhere else.

I order from Scan on a almost weekly basis for £600 plus of kit and yes like all they are struggling with picking/stocking during COVID. Like all businesses they have split their teams into 2 bubbles working alternate shifts. Unfortunately I understand 1 person had a positive test requiring the whole bubble to isolate hence multiplying the problems. I have ordered from elsewhere on occasion and pretty much (with the odd exception) had the same issues. On the plus side they do use DPD tracked deliveries unlike some who quite happily leave £500 of kit resting against my workshop door in the rain. (sorry about the rant) Unfortunately with yesterdays announcement I fear even worse delivery issues to come.....
 
I order from Scan on a almost weekly basis for £600 plus of kit and yes like all they are struggling with picking/stocking during COVID. Like all businesses they have split their teams into 2 bubbles working alternate shifts. Unfortunately I understand 1 person had a positive test requiring the whole bubble to isolate hence multiplying the problems. I have ordered from elsewhere on occasion and pretty much (with the odd exception) had the same issues. On the plus side they do use DPD tracked deliveries unlike some who quite happily leave £500 of kit resting against my workshop door in the rain. (sorry about the rant) Unfortunately with yesterdays announcement I fear even worse delivery issues to come.....

Interesting and thanks. Fair enough if they had a positive case. They seem to use UPS for me, maybe it's a Scotland thing? On the plus side, I got an email this morning saying that it's on its way so it must just be a standard message they are sending out just in case?
 
I’m in an exact position as you Nigel in my search for a new pc and for similar usage. I’ve not taken the plunge yet but have received some useful information from Punch Technology. Their desktops are configured well but with some research (or a chat with them) you can play about with the components being installed with some confidence.

I too was interested in the photo editing desktop PCs from Punch Technology, but based on info from Compuwight (Steve, in post #36) I find that PC Specialists offer more up to date configurations and better value IMHO.

Russ
 
I’ve now ordered this bad boy from PCS

Case
CORSAIR iCUE 465X RGB GAMING CASE
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 9 5900X 12 Core CPU (3.7GHz-4.8GHz/70MB CACHE/AM4)
Motherboard
ASUS® ROG STRIX X570-F GAMING (USB 3.2 Gen 2, PCIe 4.0) - ARGB Ready!
Memory (RAM)
32GB Corsair VENGEANCE RGB PRO DDR4 3600Mhz (4 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
8GB NVIDIA GEFORCE RTX 3070 - HDMI, DP
1st Storage Drive
4TB SEAGATE IRONWOLF PRO 3.5", 7200 RPM 128MB CACHE
1st M.2 SSD Drive
500GB SAMSUNG 980 PRO M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 6900MB/R, 5000MB/W)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
250GB SAMSUNG 980 PRO M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 6400MB/R, 2700MB/W)
Memory Card Reader
USB 3.0 EXTERNAL SD/MICRO SD CARD READER
Power Supply
CORSAIR 750W RMx SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
Corsair H100i RGB PLATINUM Hydro Series High Performance CPU Cooler
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Network Card
10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT (Wi-Fi NOT INCLUDED)
Wireless Network Card
WIRELESS INTEL® Wi-Fi 6 AX200 2,400Mbps/5GHz, 300Mbps/2.4GHz PCI-E CARD + BT 5.0
USB/Thunderbolt Options
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Operating System
Windows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence [KUK-00001]
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 365® (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Browser
Google Chrome™
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
 
I’ve now ordered this bad boy from PCS

Case
CORSAIR iCUE 465X RGB GAMING CASE
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 9 5900X 12 Core CPU (3.7GHz-4.8GHz/70MB CACHE/AM4)
Motherboard
ASUS® ROG STRIX X570-F GAMING (USB 3.2 Gen 2, PCIe 4.0) - ARGB Ready!
Memory (RAM)
32GB Corsair VENGEANCE RGB PRO DDR4 3600Mhz (4 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
8GB NVIDIA GEFORCE RTX 3070 - HDMI, DP
1st Storage Drive
4TB SEAGATE IRONWOLF PRO 3.5", 7200 RPM 128MB CACHE
1st M.2 SSD Drive
500GB SAMSUNG 980 PRO M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 6900MB/R, 5000MB/W)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
250GB SAMSUNG 980 PRO M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 6400MB/R, 2700MB/W)
Memory Card Reader
USB 3.0 EXTERNAL SD/MICRO SD CARD READER
Power Supply
CORSAIR 750W RMx SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
Corsair H100i RGB PLATINUM Hydro Series High Performance CPU Cooler
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Network Card
10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT (Wi-Fi NOT INCLUDED)
Wireless Network Card
WIRELESS INTEL® Wi-Fi 6 AX200 2,400Mbps/5GHz, 300Mbps/2.4GHz PCI-E CARD + BT 5.0
USB/Thunderbolt Options
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Operating System
Windows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence [KUK-00001]
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 365® (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Browser
Google Chrome™
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery


You sure that's powerful enough?...
 
I’ve now ordered this bad boy from PCS

Case
CORSAIR iCUE 465X RGB GAMING CASE
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 9 5900X 12 Core CPU (3.7GHz-4.8GHz/70MB CACHE/AM4)
Motherboard
ASUS® ROG STRIX X570-F GAMING (USB 3.2 Gen 2, PCIe 4.0) - ARGB Ready!
Memory (RAM)
32GB Corsair VENGEANCE RGB PRO DDR4 3600Mhz (4 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
8GB NVIDIA GEFORCE RTX 3070 - HDMI, DP
1st Storage Drive
4TB SEAGATE IRONWOLF PRO 3.5", 7200 RPM 128MB CACHE
1st M.2 SSD Drive
500GB SAMSUNG 980 PRO M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 6900MB/R, 5000MB/W)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
250GB SAMSUNG 980 PRO M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 6400MB/R, 2700MB/W)
Memory Card Reader
USB 3.0 EXTERNAL SD/MICRO SD CARD READER
Power Supply
CORSAIR 750W RMx SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
Corsair H100i RGB PLATINUM Hydro Series High Performance CPU Cooler
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Network Card
10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT (Wi-Fi NOT INCLUDED)
Wireless Network Card
WIRELESS INTEL® Wi-Fi 6 AX200 2,400Mbps/5GHz, 300Mbps/2.4GHz PCI-E CARD + BT 5.0
USB/Thunderbolt Options
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Operating System
Windows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence [KUK-00001]
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 365® (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Browser
Google Chrome™
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
Which drive will the OS go on?
 
I’ve now ordered this bad boy from PCS

Case
CORSAIR iCUE 465X RGB GAMING CASE
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 9 5900X 12 Core CPU (3.7GHz-4.8GHz/70MB CACHE/AM4)
Motherboard
ASUS® ROG STRIX X570-F GAMING (USB 3.2 Gen 2, PCIe 4.0) - ARGB Ready!
Memory (RAM)
32GB Corsair VENGEANCE RGB PRO DDR4 3600Mhz (4 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
8GB NVIDIA GEFORCE RTX 3070 - HDMI, DP
1st Storage Drive
4TB SEAGATE IRONWOLF PRO 3.5", 7200 RPM 128MB CACHE
1st M.2 SSD Drive
500GB SAMSUNG 980 PRO M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 6900MB/R, 5000MB/W)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
250GB SAMSUNG 980 PRO M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 6400MB/R, 2700MB/W)
Memory Card Reader
USB 3.0 EXTERNAL SD/MICRO SD CARD READER
Power Supply
CORSAIR 750W RMx SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
Corsair H100i RGB PLATINUM Hydro Series High Performance CPU Cooler
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Network Card
10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT (Wi-Fi NOT INCLUDED)
Wireless Network Card
WIRELESS INTEL® Wi-Fi 6 AX200 2,400Mbps/5GHz, 300Mbps/2.4GHz PCI-E CARD + BT 5.0
USB/Thunderbolt Options
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Operating System
Windows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence [KUK-00001]
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 365® (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Browser
Google Chrome™
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery

STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING

Cheeky gits, they just sold you a beast of a CPU and watercooling, they should use a premium thermal paste. Its not like its that expensive
 
The H100i AIO cooler comes with pre-applied thermal paste, so it makes sense. Besides, unless the CPU is going to be seriously overclocked I doubt that it would make any noticeable difference.
 
A friend of mine researched possible desktops to replace my iMac back in May. I seem to remember that being around £1300. I will have to look out the spec. I was having a look on the dell website only yesterday and saw they had an i7 1TB 16GB RAM XPS 13 for £1360 in the black friday sale. That looked like an ok spec if you want a laptop.

When my 2012 Mac mini gives up I’ll be replacing it with another - I‘m happy to buy their refurbed stuff.

I've been using an iMac for around 7 years now. Ive been thinking of a mac mini to replace my 21.5 iMac. I have a dell ultrasharp 27 inch 4k monitor that I bought when lockdown came in as I was going to be working from home for the forseeable. I'm tempted by the mac mini as its small enough to have on the desk without taking up much room. It also lets me stay with apple without spending silly money. It will also still let me have my works windows laptop connected and an apple mac for my photography. I found this buying guide aimed at photographers. Its good to know what's a good spec for photography as many reviews don't cover what's needed for photography.

 
They‘ve just announced a new one

 
I've just noticed that and posted a new thread on the subject. Sounds interesting but why did apple cut the USB-C ports from 4 down to 2?
No idea- backwards step And cant have more than 16gb memory either. Im going to swap my fusion to SSD on my 2012 or buy a refurbed 2018 mac mini
 
This has probably been covered before but, in order, what are the components of a PC that are best for Photo editing. I heard that using gaming base systems are the best, but I assume that editing doesn’t need the graphics card performance that a gaming PC would need.

my understanding is that

SSD to run the OS and the applications
As much memory as you can as editing apps will use what ever you offer
CPU with cores. I was led to believe that a good number of cores would improve things. And also that AMD Ryens are a better option at the moment as they’re out performing Intels for this particular PC use purpose.

with regards to the scratch drive @nigpd can you explain what benefit this gives in terms of editing?
 
This has probably been covered before but, in order, what are the components of a PC that are best for Photo editing. I heard that using gaming base systems are the best, but I assume that editing doesn’t need the graphics card performance that a gaming PC would need.

my understanding is that

SSD to run the OS and the applications
As much memory as you can as editing apps will use what ever you offer
CPU with cores. I was led to believe that a good number of cores would improve things. And also that AMD Ryens are a better option at the moment as they’re out performing Intels for this particular PC use purpose.

with regards to the scratch drive @nigpd can you explain what benefit this gives in terms of editing?
@jamesev I'll use the scratch disk for my Premier Pro media cache files and to speed up encoding, rendering and exporting
 
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