This is probably one of the biggest reasons why I prefer to build my own PCs. Even if you went with Dell or HP, you sometimes don't know what you're getting with regard to the discrete parts that make up the PC. It's not as common anymore, but not all that long ago a Gateway computer would contain proprietary motherboards, RAM, etc., And finding replacements for it without having to pay an arm and leg through Gateway was a nightmare. Granted, Gateway is just one company among dozens, but they're not the only example of proprietary equipment being difficult to obtain. Not to mention that trying to upgrade this equipment is also problematical at best; limited expansion slots can sometimes be a pain in the bum.

Gateway is now owned by Acer and Acer started out with a terrible reputation, cheap computers with problems but Acer survived and was able to buy Gateway which is no longer making gaming computers.
The HP was assembled and shipped from Mexico.  Both were sold with very large hard drives which I converted to SSD's. 
  I've done the build yourself with the full towers and found I can buy the assembled computer for less but again as you see there is a cost to me. 
I just took a look at a motherboard and came across this, 1 x M.2 port, supports M.2 SATA 6Gb/s module* or M.2 PCIe module up to 32Gb/s speed**   ** Intel RST does not support PCIe M.2 SSD with Legacy ROM.
Not sure what that means.   I was actually looking for something that would indicate  if the motherboard supports dual boot.
Carl2

Carl2 in computer terms "Legacy" means old hardware.

So Legacy ROM would be an old CD or DVD drive, if you connect one it would disable the modern buses and set everything to old school speeds.

Simple answer, don't connect anything old to the new build. 

The dual boot issue is not related to the motherboard so would be fine.

Also, I don't know if you have looked at this post I made for you regarding cooling.
http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/pc-hardware/liquid-cooling/msg27867/?topicseen#new

Data,
  I had seen that very reasonable prices for something that should do the job, made for the motherboard.  Spending a bit of time thinking about water cooling, cooper stock  17,  Water pump,   35 ( one of the best names )   Radiator  43  = 95 dollars, it keeps it cooler, it's smaller.  Maybe just buy a liquid cooler set up and use the mounting hardware radiator and fan,  116 dollars. It will never leak and the pump will last forever.  A few things like the over flow tank and a water level gauge to be added.  Build a computer, build a water cooler is even simpler.
Carl2

  I have finally found a water cooler that I like, 
http://www.corsair.com/en-us/hydro-series-h80i-gt-high-performance-liquid-cpu-cooler-cn
5 year warranty, made for the 2011-3, 109.99  USD
  It is selling at Newegg for 89 but with a 2 yr warranty with an option to buy a longer warranty.  Tiger direct offers the 5 yr warranty for 109.  It also comes with software to monitor the fans ect.
  Even though it's a sealed unit I feel it's something I could live with.  Makes me think of the automotive sealed bearings, good for the lifetime, when it goes that's the end of the lifetime.
Carl2

Looks like a nice cooling system, should do the job with plenty of potential for overclocking.

One step closer 

That looks like a newer version of what I'm using, Carl. I'm very satisfied with mine, and have no complaints with it.

Thanks for putting that in Dave, I started reading the reviews and it is really hard to judge from them.  Some say the fan noise is quite and some say it's noisy, a few with noise from the pump. Also a few people are having problems with the software to monitor the cooling setup.
  It's nice to get caught up with the new technology, lots of new things being made.
Carl2

With my current setup, the noisiest fans are on my graphics cards, followed by the case fan. the cooler fans are nearly silent, and the pump makes no noise whatsoever. The whole thing makes about 30db of sound, so that's pretty darned silent, all told.

I've never been able to judge decibels, I assume you must have a meter Dave or do you have superman's hearing ?

Carl, I found negatives and positives about my cooler too, I started reading the negative reviews first, Dave suggested that some time ago, so thanks to him. It helps find the things you really can't live with.

That cooler you have shown seems good to me, the guarantee is nice to have. Looks chunky.

Quote from: Freddy on September 19, 2015, 22:31:52 PM
I've never been able to judge decibels, I assume you must have a meter Dave or do you have superman's hearing ?

lol no super hearing here, I'm afraid. In fact, just the opposite. After working on cars for so many years without using ear protection, I've developed a condition called Nerve Deafness (AKA Machine Shop Ears) which has made certain frequencies of sounds inaudible to me. Add to that another affliction called Tinnitus (ringing of the ears) and it's even harder to hear certain sounds. The "ringing" (I'd describe it as more of a whistle, TBH) is with me 24/7, and can be quite annoying at times (like right now, for example).

As for a meter, I don't really need one. I just use this page to compare how loud things are with comparable sound levels. It's not "pinpoint accurate". but it's close enough.

  Hmm, just writing a post when Dave put a post.  Quick copy and paste.
Brief note on Db, it is a logarithm scale, 3 db would equal a doubling of sound and a doubling of sound would produce difference we could hear.
About all I can say is when my computer is on I can hear it.  Thanks for the info Dave, it helps.
  I'd actually wanted a single fan but to get the cold plate I liked I went with the dual fan,  I guess you could put a switch on 1 fan if its to loud.
It seems Consair is trying to make improvements, they say they are using flexible tubing but there are still complaints it is to rigid
Anyways it looks sturdy and should keep the CPU cool, big thing is the warranty but they do not sell to the public.
  Dave sounds like you are spending to much time with the doctors, my cousin who had a long series of problems spent the majority of his time at doctors appointments.  Have a nice day, if the ringing stops you'll have a little peace and quite.
  Freddy I checked out Daz, seems like they have software for Physics and something for deforming soft body parts.
Carl2

A friend of mine that builds PC's recently did a Skylake i5 with an M.2, no other drives or cards were connected, using everything on-board. He reported that the PC was super quick in operation, booting and shutdown.

Nothing else to report but I thought I would post.

  At least he got to try out the M.2, most people I know go for the i5 which is quick enough without even a SSD and meets their needs. I had some spare time and stopped at Best Buy to look at things, I did run across 1 i7 computer the rest were i5's and i3's.  It's nice to see windows in the tablets, think I'd prefer that to the android system. Smart watches and Smart TV's.
Carl2