wifi gaming desktop

[JakeyBoyTH]

If you want a prebuilt, you can get an

Intel NUC Kit NUC6i7KYK


577$
https://www.amazon.com/Intel-NUC-Kit-NU ... B01DJ9XS52

All you need is add an SSD drive and some RAM (and an HDD if you want). It already has an Ethernet card and a Wifi card inside.

SDD:
Samsung 850 EVO 250GB 2.5-Inch SATA III Internal SSD (you can get a PCI SSD if you want, it supports both)
$94.99
https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-2-5-Inch ... B00OAJ412U

RAM:
Kingston Technology HyperX Impact 16GB RAM DDR4 2133 HX421S13IBK2/16 (or get one single 16GB stick, but it costs a bit more)
$94.20
https://www.amazon.com/Kingston-Technol ... B014R8JRRW

TOTAL: 765$

You save up to 750$.

If you think you need more GPU power, you can buy later an external eGPU case:

http://www.razerzone.com/store/razer-core
US$499.99

And some decent GPU for about 250 bucks:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814125901
$259

Then connect the external GPU to the NUC via the Thunderbolt 3 port.

You don't need to build another tower PC for gaming. It's 2016, you can use a modular approach.

this is a joke right?

[JakeyBoyTH]

H170 is a 1151 Skylake socket.

Good catch, I correct this. I had a bunch of windows open and posted the wrong link.

I wouldn't call the GTX 470 a "potato" as it one of the better cards you can get for the price. The GTX 1060 is a better card but you are playing considerably more money for one unless you go with a "cheap" brand, which I don't recommend. When building a system, unless you have an unlimited budget, you have to make a few compromises. However, if the OP wants to add a hundred dollars to the price of the system then this would be the card I'd recommend:

GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1060 WINDFORCE GV-N1060D5-6GD $250
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... -_-Product

It is more money, but the 470 is lagging in performance compared to the 1060 3GB (not the 6GB they are different. idk why tho). Anything more than the 1060 3GB for playing 1080p is a waste tho imo. The 470 would be fine for AoE and Mobas or CSGO.

[Dolan]

...

this is a joke right?

No, the thing on the left is a joke


Having to build a huge-ass tower to play some games is a big fucking joke in 2016.

[iNcog]

-- deleted post --

[Dolan]

>not having your own mainframe computer in your house



>not having a data center for your gaming needs



Shigiddygiggidy

[iNcog]

-- deleted post --

[JakeyBoyTH]

Why would you have two separate towers when there are cases like the Fractal Node, which is less than the size of both and can fit all your parts nicely?
The NUC has:
- Shitty laptop processor
- Thunderbolt interface for graphics (PCI-e x4 at best)
- Intel Iris (A good joke from intel)
- Terrible price/performance

And then you have to spend 500 more just for a box for a graphics card, which you won't get full performance of anyway.

If OP has 1500 to spend, why would he want something that's not going to be the best for his money?
The best for the money at this time (in a very small form factor) is:

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($190.99 @

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SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI B150I GAMING PRO AC Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($71.98 @

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Newegg)
Memory: Avexir Core Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($69.99 @

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Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($94.89 @

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OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Pipeline HD 2TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.50 @

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Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 1060 3GB 3GB GAMING Video Card ($194.99 @

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Newegg)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo EVOLV ITX Mini ITX Tower Case ($49.99 @

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Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA GS 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($92.88 @

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OutletPC)
Total: $820.21
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-11-15 15:31 EST-0500

/rant.

[Dolan]

Tru, but then

1) I don't care about money
2) I don't game much either, so a NUC is more than fine for casual gaming
3) Gotta have that thin client meme
4) Imagine how much pussy you'd get with that portable GPU case

[Dolan]

@JakeyBoyTH

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Joking aside, though, the i7 6700 HQ is not a shitty laptop CPU, it's a high-end laptop CPU. It has better multicore performance than a desktop i5 6500. See http://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/In ... 4954vs3513
It is slightly slower on other tasks, but you're probably paying a premium for the smaller footprint which makes it suitable for small-factor PCs/HTPCs.

[JakeyBoyTH]

@JakeyBoyTH

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Joking aside, though, the i7 6700 HQ is not a shitty laptop CPU, it's a high-end laptop CPU. It has better multicore performance than a desktop i5 6500. See http://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/In ... 4954vs3513
It is slightly slower on other tasks, but you're probably pay a premium for the smaller footprint which makes it suitable for small-factor PCs/HTPCs.

Multi-core performance is only needed for high-end games and other tasks that use more than two cores. For most people, single-core performance is better. General performance is also not all about the CPU, and with a NUC you are very restricted into what you can get. It's just not practical for an end-user.

The added bonus of a desktop is you can choose exactly what you need. For instance does OP need better multi-core performance when they are just gaming? No. If they were streaming as well it might help a little, but then they can just get a i7 6700 if they need it, and return the 6500.

For people that have any kind of desk, you can simply put your PC under it. NUC's are more for a business-orientated environment where it is much better as a rollout.

They can be good for some people who just don't like the hassle and don't need performance. Like people who work on excel. A lot.

Still, this is a debate/argument for somewhere else, I apologize for starting it. We shouldn't derail a thread.

[iNcog]

-- deleted post --

[Dolan]

For people that have any kind of desk, you can simply put your PC under it. NUC's are more for a business-orientated environment where it is much better as a rollout.
They can be good for some people who just don't like the hassle and don't need performance. Like people who work on excel. A lot.

Or as a developer machine for programmers. You could have a farm of servers on NUCs too.

But anyway, that thing is made for gaming, even tho not for high-end gaming. It can hold its own on 30FPS 1080p gaming on low graphics.

Also I'm interested in this modular PC approach, in which you can externalise the big power hogs like GPUs and switch them on/off whenever you need them (not all the time).

[JakeyBoyTH]

For people that have any kind of desk, you can simply put your PC under it. NUC's are more for a business-orientated environment where it is much better as a rollout.
They can be good for some people who just don't like the hassle and don't need performance. Like people who work on excel. A lot.

Or as a developer machine for programmers. You could have a farm of servers on NUCs too.

But anyway, that thing is made for gaming, even tho not for high-end gaming. It can hold its own on 30FPS 1080p gaming on low graphics.

30fps is for peasants.

[Dolan]

Or you could, you know, stop being a manchild who throws hundreds of bucks on games.

[JakeyBoyTH]

I've only bought stuff on sale, I never buy stuff when it comes out. Like i'm not saying I have a problem and still spend hundreds of dollars but I'm budget conscious.

[iNcog]

-- deleted post --

[Dolan]

you can't both argue that money isn't a problem and also argue that you shouldn't spend hundreds of dollars on gaming

pick one

You can if you use your machine mostly for dev stuff.

[giveuanxiety]

Which one is better for me?
http://www.ibuypower.com/Store/Gamer-Archer-H400-EZ

http://www.ibuypower.com/Store/Gamer-Special-Z170

I guess the main difference between those two is the processor. Are the Intel ones just better than the AMD?
And can both of these have wifi as they come? Would I have to buy something addition to have wifi work? would it be simple to install?

[Metis]

@JakeyBoyTH

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Joking aside, though, the i7 6700 HQ is not a shitty laptop CPU, it's a high-end laptop CPU. Cs.

The processor is fine, it's the lack of power and the inability to upgrade to a gaming video card that's the problem.

[JakeyBoyTH]

Which one is better for me?
http://www.ibuypower.com/Store/Gamer-Archer-H400-EZ

http://www.ibuypower.com/Store/Gamer-Special-Z170

I guess the main difference between those two is the processor. Are the Intel ones just better than the AMD?
And can both of these have wifi as they come? Would I have to buy something addition to have wifi work? would it be simple to install?

AMD hasn't unofficially updated their lineup since 2012. That AMD processor is worth like $40. The Intel one would be much better.
The Z170 also features overclocking (big plus) and an SSD. While it may not be the best SSD, it should still allow you to run the OS and a few games on.

You can configure them to have a PCI-e wifi card on the website I think, but you get a USB dongle for free, so I'd see how that turns out since you aren't paying anything more for it.

[Darwin_]

Here is a pc that takes minimal effort, and can play most high-intensity games 40+ fps at 1080p ultra settings (easily 60+ at high/medium), and with max out Aoe at probably 100+ fps. You will have to install a GPU, which I have also linked. Total price is $650 without a premium wifi thing.

Computer: https://www.amazon.com/Dell-Inspiron-i3 ... 3580790011 this is a decent prebuilt system with a great cpu, decent RAM, but only a 1tb hard drive (pretty slow drive) The best you can get prebuilt for $500. I would buy an external wifi antenna or dongle.

GPU: https://www.amazon.com/ZOTAC-DisplayPor ... tx+1050+ti Good gpu, and all you have to do is put it in the pci-e slot on the motherboard, as it doesnt require a power connector.

[Dolan]

Just pay someone to build a mini-ITX system for you with a good GPU, CPU, SSD and at least 8GB RAM.
You can give them like 50-70 bucks and you save up a lot more by not buying gaudy overpriced prebuilts.

[Metis]

Here is a pc that takes minimal effort, and can play most high-intensity games 40+ fps at 1080p ultra settings (easily 60+ at high/medium), and with max out Aoe at probably 100+ fps. You will have to install a GPU, which I have also linked. Total price is $650 without a premium wifi thing.

Computer: https://www.amazon.com/Dell-Inspiron-i3 ... 3580790011 this is a decent prebuilt system with a great cpu, decent RAM, but only a 1tb hard drive (pretty slow drive) The best you can get prebuilt for $500. I would buy an external wifi antenna or dongle.

GPU: https://www.amazon.com/ZOTAC-DisplayPor ... tx+1050+ti Good gpu, and all you have to do is put it in the pci-e slot on the motherboard, as it doesnt require a power connector.

Dells are notorious for being underpowered and hard to upgrade. That cheap Dell has a PSU barely adequate to run the system as shipped so adding a video card will also necessitate adding a new PSU for an additional $100. If you have to go to the trouble of rewiring all of the power of the system anyway you might as well build.

Also, that Dell has a lower-end Intel PSU and Dell proprietary boards are usually an older-model chipset that doesn't easily allow you to upgrade to a more powerful CPU. Forget about overclocking too.

Finally, the hard drive and other components will be rock-bottom in quality as Dell builds to a price point, rather than a quality point (I know, I've worked on dozens of Dell systems). Dell once was a top-notch company with excellent customer support. However, now they are like most big retail companies and it's all about the profits. If Dell can make a bigger profit by selling cheap crap to unwary consumers then they will.

That comp is sold at Wal-Mart, need I say more?

[iNcog]

-- deleted post --

[Laurence Drake]

Spend the money on books instead