So what are your thoughts on this rig?

[Dichotomy]

I was really looking at Digital Storm then I started reading their reviews and ran screaming away from them.  Ya ya.. I could build my own and blah blah blah.  No time and no patience for that just to screw it up and frustrate myself. 

https://www.newegg.com/abs-ali615/p/N82E16883360280?Item=N82E16883360280

I'm getting ready to pull the trigger in 3 or 4 weeks. 

[Arlo]

Looks nice. 

[Dichotomy]

Thanks Arlo.  I tried calling them today.  My only concern is expandability.  Eventually at some point next year I'd like to upgrade the RAM to 64 and have at least 10TB internal storage (I watch a lot of downloaded shows) but I am not going to sit on hold for 2 hours to get that question answered and I am FAR from a hardware guru. 

[FLS]

Video card prices look to be back to normal. Prebuilt systems might still be high.  Building is very easy these days. You can get a partial build and just add the video card and storage.

[Dichotomy]

Trust me I'd just FUBAR it.  LOL

[Eagler]

Trust me I'd just FUBAR it.  LOL

Much easier than you think...

These days you tube can show how to just about anything

Built every computer I have had since the 286 in 92

Eagler

[Spikes]

Trust me I'd just FUBAR it.  LOL

Honestly, the parts only plug into one place and they are extremely difficult to break. I'd say the most careful you have to be is inserting the CPU into the socket as to not bend pins, and even that is a cake walk.

Once you get your new one, take your old one apart so you can see what it's like.

[Shuffler]

Go to https://pcpartpicker.com/ and pick all your parts that are in whatever build you are looking at. You will find info on things like the motherboard. There you will find how much ram can be added. You can also see what other items work with your build. They have everything you need to either build or just check pricing.

[Dichotomy]

   actually reading and paying attention guys.  My plan for today was to catch NE customer service before I got wiped and had a disaster from work land in my lap at 4:40.  Looks like I'm working Sunday afternoon (boss better be damn glad it's not football season or I'd arrange a BSOD on my work system Sunday LOL) but I'll get to it.. 

[RichardDarkwood]

Go with Dell. Best choice I have ever made.

[Denniss]

I would not buy a CPU that's outdated by 2 gens, 12th gen is by far the better bang for your buck. Or AMD 5k series CPU.
Plus too many unknown manufacturers/types for the other hardware components

[Dichotomy]

I would not buy a CPU that's outdated by 2 gens, 12th gen is by far the better bang for your buck. Or AMD 5k series CPU.
Plus too many unknown manufacturers/types for the other hardware components

Got any better off the shelf options?  $1500 is the max budget. 

[Drane]

MainGear has good reviews and isn't filled with bloatware and proprietary parts like Dell or HP.

https://maingear.com/

[Dichotomy]

I'll check em out.  Thanks

[Denniss]

In the 12th gen a CPU positioned a class lower beats the 10th gen, so a 12400 beates the heck out of a 10700 and even a 11700 while consuming less power.
On AMD side you have the 5600(X) beating the 10700 as well
For a new rig I'd avoid the 3070TI at all cost - not much better then non-TI but more power-hungry.
Watch out for proper component descriptions - an "1TB SSD" may be anything from slow to fast, from bad over unknown to good brand.
There may be some retailers that lets you pick parts and assembling them for you