Compatibility with external graphics card?

[Conor0]

I need a silent or near-silent computer because I make my living doing voiceovers. Up to now I've been using a macbook, but I have a monitor and separate keyboard etc, and the Macbook is getting old, so I'm thinking of getting one of the mini-pcs here.

PCSPECIALIST - Custom Computers and Laptops Built to Order

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I don't usually play PC games much, but it would be nice to have the option down the line. With a fairly decent processor, would the main thing holding this mini-pc back from running new games just be the graphics card? And in that case, does anyone know how well it would or wouldn't work with an external graphics card added on top if I do decide I want to play games later on?

Thanks a lot for any advice.

 

[SpyderTracks]

I need a silent or near-silent computer because I make my living doing voiceovers. Up to now I've been using a macbook, but I have a monitor and separate keyboard etc, and the Macbook is getting old, so I'm thinking of getting one of the mini-pcs here.

PCSPECIALIST - Custom Computers and Laptops Built to Order

PCSpecialist is a manufacturer of high quality custom computers and laptops. Configure your ideal computer in just a few simple steps with a broad range available.

www.pcspecialist.co.uk

I don't usually play PC games much, but it would be nice to have the option down the line. With a fairly decent processor, would the main thing holding this mini-pc back from running new games just be the graphics card? And in that case, does anyone know how well it would or wouldn't work with an external graphics card added on top if I do decide I want to play games later on?

Thanks a lot for any advice.

Yes, for gaming you need a dedicated GPU.

To run an eGPU, you need a thunderbolt 3 port, which unfortunately that build doesn't have.

To be honest though, performance would be throttled in that machine anyway, it wouldn't be anywhere near as good as configuring a smallish PC with decent quiet cooling.

What's your max budget?

What programs are you using for the voiceover recordings?

Do you have a soundcard? If so, which?

 

[AgentCooper]

As an aside... if you have the time to indulge us... I’d love to know how you got into the voiceover game and what it’s like doing that kind of work. I can only assume your voice is like melted butter flowing down a velvet slide and landing in a platinum goblet. I’m genuinely intrigued 😬

 

[Conor0]

Hi Spydertracks and Agentcooper, thank you very much for the responses!

Budget wise I'm looking to spend under 800 if I can. Gaming isn't important, I play stuff on console mostly, it's just a luxury down the line.
A quiet smallish pc like you mention is honestly not off the table, I'm thinking of moving soon which is a reason for mini over regular size, but it's not a deal breaker.

Because I'm only mixing voice, the needs are surprisingly humble. I use Audacity and Reaper at the moment on Mac, but switching to PC I'll use Audacity and probably Pro Tools First or something. Audacity, simple and free, is oddly hard to stop using because it's so handy.

I like the idea of spending a smallish amount now and just beefing it up over time if I decide to get into PC gaming (and/or if Star Citizen ever comes out).

And AgentCooper:
1: Twin Peaks is my favourite show of all time
2: Voiceover work is good, it's freelance so all the stress that comes with that. I've made more in an hour than I ever could have in any previous job, but I've also occasionally made less in a month than I could have thought possible... you have to do a lot to make it work.

My voice is ok, it's not super deep or super anything, but people tend to describe it as "Calming." Which is bland, but better than "agitating" I guess...

I was approached by someone who used to listen to a film podcast I was on, I did a couple of jobs for them and then went to study it a bit, and on from there. I've often heard people say it takes three to TEN(!) years to really break into this business, I'm in year 4 and things are pretty stable, but word-of-mouth clients take a long time to build.

Wow, that may have been a much more rambly answer than you were looking for.

 

[SpyderTracks]

As a first option, this is a decent Mini PC, the idea being should you wish to game, you can just buy a GPU when you want and fit it yourself. The RAM configured on it really needs to be 3000MHz, but the configurator won't allow it, I would contact PCS once you've placed the order and amend the RAM with them:

Case
THERMALTAKE CORE V1 GAMING CASE Has one included 200mm fan in front, larger size, lower RPM and lower noise
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™ i5 Six Core Processor i5-10600K (4.1 GHz) 12 MB Cache Very capable CPU with Integrated graphics
Motherboard
ASUS® STRIX B460-I GAMING: Mini-ITX, LGA1200, USB 3.2, SATA 6GBs - ARGB Ready!
Memory (RAM)
16GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 2666MHz (2 x 8GB) Board supports up to 2933, upgrade to 3000MHz after order
Graphics Card
INTEGRATED GRAPHICS ACCELERATOR (GPU)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
512GB PCS PCIe M.2 SSD (2000 MB/R, 1100 MB/W) Basic fast SSD, keeps noise down. Can add more for additional storage at a later time, but would have broken budget to add more to this config
Power Supply
CORSAIR 850W RM SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET Semi passive PSU, fans only kick in when under serious load, reduces noise. Also headroom for adding a GPU at later time, only restriction will be the case size.
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
Corsair H60 2018 Hydro Series High Performance CPU Cooler Run surprisingly quiet while being excellent performers. Call up after order and ask if you can change the included fan to a ML series fan which run quieter.
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING Cooler comes with own high performance paste
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Wireless Network Card
GIGABIT LAN PORT + Wi-Fi
USB/Thunderbolt Options
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 4 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Operating System
Windows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence [KK3-00002]
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
Microsoft® Edge (Windows 10 Only)
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 10 to 12 working days
Price: £837.00 including VAT and Delivery

Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/intel-z490-sff-gaming/k0chDfzgtv/

 

[AgentCooper]

Wow, that may have been a much more rambly answer than you were looking for.

Not at all, I love talking to people who have an interesting and unusual line of work! Thanks for taking the time to fill me in, have a slice of cherry pie and a damn fine cup of coffee on me 🥧☕

 

[Conor0]

Hey, Spydertracks and Agentcooper, I’m sorry I missed these replies!

Spydertracks, this is an incredibly helpful post, I’m going to look over it and then see if I can check with customer service/sales about the RAM speed like you recommended.

Thank you very much!