About 6 years ago I posted on here about needing a new computer for my home office. That computer is now getting really slow, and I want a new one. My question/requirements are exactly as they were back then:

I should add that I am definitely a multi-tab type of fella, but everything else is the same. Computer is entirely for connection to remote desktop (although during certain sporting events I'll simultaneously stream games).

Here's what I currently have:

Device name DESKTOP-VPP9MSH
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-8100 CPU @ 3.60GHz 3.60 GHz
Installed RAM 8.00 GB (7.83 GB usable)
System type 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor


Here's the Dells I'm looking at:

https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/desk...iplex-desktops

Since what I have now worked perfectly fine until six months ago (and still works, it just seems to take a while to "warm up" to smooth functionality, and occasionally needs to take a short nap before catching up), I am thinking I might be perfectly fine getting the cheapest one:

https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/desk...012do3000mffus

What I do not know is if the RAM upgrade is necessary/worth it, and to what degree given what I do. Last time I was looking at a couple of 6gb, and it was suggested I go to 8.

Any thoughts?

I'm seeing now it doesn't have WiFi connection. What the hell? How is that a thing?

That's not going to work. I wouldn't be able to connect it via cords. Do the USB wifi adaptors work well? They seem pretty reasonably priced. It's annoying if everything else is perfectly fine except for that necessity.

good pc, don't need a new one, need to clean this one (Windows clutter and dust the fans) and add an 8gb stick of ram. go to crucial.com and put in your Dell model (extra stick needs to be same specs)
https://www.crucial.com/store/advisor#hero
do you have an ssd as your main drive?

This

8th gen i3 will serve you fine for several more years.

If you can get to the CPU easily, consider replacing the thermal paste. Thermal throttling in old laptops can be a thing.

While opening the laptop, you can also look at the stick(s) of RAM you have in there.

Yep, can't imagine that the current PC won't do exactly what you want it to. Above is correct, just clean the thing out both physically and on your storage, if it doesn't come with an SSD (got to think with the age it'd be 50/50?) that'd be one huge way to boost performance

Great information. Thanks folks.

Concur with the advice from sixfour, Gabethebabe and ionutd

Except that I thought it was a laptop. But the thermal paste changing also applies to desktops. Factory paste is usually inferior and too much has been applied.

The goods news of having a desktop is that you can exchange the i3-8100 for an i5-8400 or even an i7-8700k and have a pretty fast, not too old CPU that are easily to get second hand