Unexpected upgrade

Was browsing the local MicroCenter before a holiday party when I came across the PowerSpec B743 desktop PC. It's an unusual system in that it has a Core i7 9700K but no discrete GPU. I wouldn't have given it a second thought, but they had an open box model available for $720. Based on a quick calculation, I figured the hardware alone would have been about $730, so I gave it a shot. It was hard to tell what was so open box about it considering the mouse and keyboard were sealed, and the plastic wrap on the tempered glass side panel was still in tact.

The included OS was a surprisingly vanilla install of Windows 10 Pro. I haven't run a ton of games on it yet, but it's a definite step up from my old Ryzen 5 2600 build, especially when it comes to minimum frame rates.

Cons include the size - yes, it's technically in a "mid-tower" case, but it's huge compared to the mini-ITX machine it's replacing. The motherboard is ASRock Phantom Gaming 4S model, which is a Z390 chipset but was priced at about $100. It also only has a single HDMI video output. Not that I think you should be buying a system this powerful and using the integrated GPU, but it bears mentioning. It doesn't come with a rear exhaust fan, so I had to add one of those. Using reward certificates from Best Buy, I basically got this Insignia 120mm fan for free. It's a 4-pin PWM unit that's stunningly quiet and has a long, sleeved cable that I was able to route behind the motherboard so it looks cleaner. The PSU is a 600W Cooler Master, but it's one of their lower-end models that's 80-Plus rated but not certified for Bronze/Silver/etc. The cables aren't sleeved, so it's not the most aesthetically pleasing when you see it connected to the motherboard and GPU.

Still, I can hardly complain thus far since my total expenditure was essentially only for the parts. Even at the $800 new price, a $70-$80 installation fee is quite reasonable. Here are a couple pictures after I pulled the RTX 2070 from my existing Ryzen ITX desktop.

 

Very nice! Did you consider just upgrading the 2600 to a 3900X or 3950x (good luck finding one lol). Almost stopped into MC today just to browse while out running errands with the wife. That store is definitely my kryptonite. They see me in there quite often.

 

I thought about sticking with AMD, and as much as I love small-form-factor PCs, I wanted something with more expansion possibilities. The PowerSpec was a convenient turnkey solution that was an absolute bargain in open-box-but-was-it-really-open-box form.

 

Found a 3900x on Newegg, easy peasy. Will be here Thursday

 

I think he was referring to the 3950X, which you can't find anywhere, not even from Silicon Lottery and its extortionate pricing.

 

There is a full desktop at my local Best Buy for $599. It has the new Ryzen cpu and AMD RX 5700 XT in it.

I didn’t buy it lol ... I have too many PC already.