PC for Recording Data in a Chemistry Lab

[drifting thistle]

I need a PC that will stay in my chemistry lab and can be used to record data. My budget is $600, and I already have peripherals.

[hollow flax]

so just office-type work?

assuming 32gb ram and a decent bit of storage would be preferred

[drifting thistle]

Yeah, I’m not rendering any molecules or anything

[hollow flax]

do you need onboard wifi or will you be using ethernet

[drifting thistle]

16gb of ram would probably work, and 1tb of storage

[drifting thistle]

WiFi

[hollow flax]

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/2MnPtn
to be fair, a refurbished optiplex + ssd would probably be good enough for data collection and would probably be a bit cheaper

and you can skip the cost of an OS going for a used optiplex assuming you can't use an illegitimate copy/cracked activation of windows at a school

https://www.ebay.com/itm/204356816143?
something like this

modern processor, windows already installed on an SSD, 16gb ram

[drifting thistle]

I can get windows 11 pro for $6

[hollow flax]

oh okay

the used optiplex route still ends up being half the cost even with that in mind

would saving money be a good thing or is the school willing to pay $600 either way?

[drifting thistle]

Could you put gpu on the partpicker list instead of integrated. I want it to cost $600, I want the fastest for my budget.

[drifting thistle]

Wanting to pay $600.

[hollow flax]

got it

[hollow flax]

Well, if you're just using it for data collection and don't have a use for a GPU it makes more sense to use integrated and get the best CPU possible

or opt for more/better storage and memory

[drifting thistle]

Ok

[drifting thistle]

I forgot it actually will be used for 3d modeling too, for 3d printing.

[hollow flax]

ahh okay

[drifting thistle]

So can you update the list for me please?

[hollow flax]

struggling to find a gpu that would fit the budget

nvidia will typically have better compatibility with applications like that but there isnt really anything that fits the budget 😅

would integrated graphics really be inadequate for basic 3d modelling?

a ryzen APU will be a step up from intel integrated graphics im just not sure if its adequate for the modelling program and what the compatibility is like

would you happen to know what software it is? @drifting thistle

[near rivet]

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/TZc9hk either get a used 3060/3060ti or a used 3600, or pay the extra $15 out of pocket or ask the school to

[hollow flax]

i mean really even a used 1650/super would be adequate, just not entirely sure if APU would be, gives room for better cpu/ram/storage

but since its a school i doubt used is an option

[drifting thistle]

Either Ultimaker Cura or Creality Slicer

[hollow flax]

seeing people having issues with ryzen APUs in both (on online forums), so if buying a used nvidia card isnt an option i'd go with Crunche's list above

[hollow flax]

ah the 3060ti went out of stock

[drifting thistle]

And the cpu comes with a cooler?

[hollow flax]

yep

oh, the board in the list doesnt have wifi

and the GPU just went up $50

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/WFL8W4

revised

[near rivet]

why are you giving him a 3050

[near rivet]

3060ti is literally https://pcpartpicker.com/product/NJvdnQ/pny-verto-geforce-rtx-3060-ti-lhr-8-gb-video-card-vcg3060t8ldfbpb1 $5 more and 60% faster

the 3060 8 gb is garbage do not ever buy it over 100 bucks

[hollow flax]

it went back in stock now tho

[near rivet]

still though never give anyone a 3060 8 gb, the 12gb is literally 10 dollars for miles more performance

its like getting a 3070 for $499 when the 3080 is 510 bucks

but even wrose

[hollow flax]

i was trying to stay as close to budget as possible, 12gb vram isnt needed for 3d printing work

[mighty kettle]

i ran onshape on my schools Celeron Chromebook just fine

it honestly depends on the program