We use NUCs often. If you need a small PC they're great options, and it comes with a VESA mount. Downside to NUCs is limited ports

 

The new Ghost Canyon NUC looks interesting.

basically a box with a swappable motherboard and CPU card and has room for a smaller size GPU.

Razer is also making their own box that can accept that MOBO/CPU card but can accept a full size GPU.
looks like an eGPU.
It’s called the tomahawk N1

 

any links to any particular NUC suppliers you guys use?

or should i just check newegg?

 

Kam,

You could start with something like this and then add a different (or additional) HDD if you wanted...

 

I have a couple older NUCs, bought both plus all the additional goodies off Amazon.

 

thanks for the input... i pulled the trigger on an HP Elitedesk... managed to grab a deal at microcenter...

https://www.microcenter.com/product/...sktop-computer

put in another 8GB of RAM and walked outta there under $450... ordered a vesa mount and now it sits behind the monitor... can't be happier...

i'll get everything set up then wait for a 2.5" SSD to go on sale... otherwise i'll just use my NAS

 

^Those are good too. Dell and Lenovo have their own versions of that form factor, as well.

 

Looking to build a budget/value gaming desktop for the wife. Mostly play older games, and third person shooter and RPG and general use with no intense workstation tasks needed, nothing crazy at all so no need for the latest and greatest.

Value wise looking at this general setup:

AMD Ryzen 5 3600
Radeon RX 5600XT
B550 mobo
mid tier 16GB RAM, might still stick with a HDD for now, 750W PSU for upgradability later down the road, probably still stick with a 1080p monitor, maybe get bigger one like a 30-32" and still at 60Hz....(I know...)

We could go much higher end (30"+ monitor 2K at 100+Hz), Ryzen 7 3700X and a RTX 2070S and all that but the increased cost probably is not equal to what the computer will be purposed for....figure a value/budget build will be the best.

 

i've been thinking of building a new computer / hackintosh. but i dunno.

I'm not sure I like the idea that updates may brick the system.

 

What's your current rig? Gaming/streaming/BSing/VR/etc.?

I heard because of the pandemic some parts are actually a bit short....like PSUs are running bit low in places and whatnot...everyone staying in so might as well upgrade desktop to be more fun while ppl locked in.

 

I'm on a 2012 quad core i7 2.3ghz Mac Mini.

So yea its due for an upgrade. But I'm not really sure I want to pick up a 2018 Mac Mini with their 8th gen Intel chips.
Hoping that Apple updates them to 10th gen processors before the full switch to ARM chips.

My thinking for wanting to build a hackintosh is Apple doesn't make any headless Mac with Intel's consumer chips and a built in discrete GPU.
Sure the Mac Mini can take an eGPU, but I've been reading they have sleep issues or rebooting them is a hassle. Also there is a bottle neck with eGPU that limits their performance.
Also hesitating with hackintoshes since they have their own issues too.


I mostly use my computer for web browsing, youtube and occasional photo editing and video editing in Final Cut.

I want to stick with MacOS due to the seamless integration with my iPhone. Love their continuity and handoff features.

 

Intel stuff has been easier to get since everyone is on board the AMD bandwagon.

 

no way, you can find a 1TB SSD or M.2 for around $100. If 500GB is good enough get a Samsung 860 Evo for less than $100.

 

yea I wouldn't go with a spinning drive for the primary drive.

 

Sounds to me like your Mac Mini is probably fine except for maybe being able to upgrade the OS for now. Wait until Apple changes chips and then upgrade.

 

yea im probably going to wait and see if apple updates the chips.

its ok for now. but it really slows down when using lightroom and editing videos.

 

PSU's, Mobo's, ....

 

Wow, SSD came down in price that much?!?! I'll have to look into that man.....

Man wtf.

Scalpers?

 

Another thing to consider is what kind of games she'll be playing.

If it's a lot of AAA titles, might be worth spending some more to get to at least 1440p level with higher FPS and refresh rate. You're right though, there's definitely diminishing returns on the higher end I think you're on the right track with an AMD GPU and especially CPU for mid-range.

I know people who mainly play WoW and Path of Exile, relatively undemanding graphically. Just a warning, once you go 100+ hz, 100+ FPS, it's hard to go back.

 

Why not clone your data to an SSD and put it in your mini? Have you done that yet?

 

i've already swapped the stock 1TB HD with an 1TB SSD.

I've also upgraded it to 16GB of RAM.

 

Had a little shopping spree at Microcenter launch day for AMD's new processors. There was no line at the store but this stuff has been sold out since. Still waiting on the software to update so it can see temps properly. New tech struggles

 

NICE! what were you running before?

 

intel 7700k, with a z270 motherboard. its collecting dust now

 

My local store said they had some left when I went on launch day, but by the time I got there every model was already sold out. The night before I put in a pre-order from B&H that's expected to ship in about a month so at this point I'll just wait for it. Coupled with the botched launch of RTX 3000 has made this launch season the most frustrating time of not being able to spend money

 

You snooze you lose. Nah im just kidding. This year is crazy AF in regards to everything.

Doesn't help that the new tech coming out this year has fire reviews. Serious price/performance gains this year compared to previous launches

 

All in all, these last 2 months has been crazy for alot of tech/gaming together:

Launch of RTX 3000 series, Launch of AMD Ryzen 5000, Launch of AMD Radeon RX 6000 series, next gen PS5 and Xbox launches....

 

Yeah! Good timing with the pandemic still ongoing.

Bad, because supply chain, manufacturing are still struggling. Demand is also crazy.

 

I know right.

It's like perfect on one side (many ppl staying in, driving up demand for in-home entertainment like computers and consoles) but also bad for other side (supply/manufacturing/delivery). Monitor and TV sales probably up too along with lot of other PC parts....

We just built a budget gaming desktop for the wife...I'm gonna wait a bit more until I upgrade my main rig.

Couldn't get in on the PS5 action....will just wait until more stock and you can buy at retail...scalpers selling them for $1000+ easy on eBay and CL now....along with the GPUs too

 

 

Don't go to the dark side man.

See, now that I couldn't get one I'm against reselling it for some sweet dollars......

...at least you're not a bot. I saw pic of some dude's room with like 10+ PS5s!!!

 

ive seen someone sell like 5 PS5 disc version for 1K each and 4 digital version for 900 each.

If i had that many, then it might be worth my time.

Now what to do with this POS Xbox thou.

 

I planned to buy a PS5 and resell it. But then maybe keep it, depending.

That pic in the other thread with PS5s stacked in a room... Jesus

 

Honestly, single dudes reselling to make a few extra holiday bucks..not THAT big of a deal.

When I talk about "scalpers" it's those people with bots that buy dozens of systems at once and then ruin everyone else's chance to get it since it basically goes out of stock in like 20 seconds and by the time you add it to cart and then you go to pay...it's an error screen and your SOL....

 

https://www.techpowerup.com/274745/n...rtx-2080-super

RTX 3060Ti leak: Faster than the 2080 Super for basically 1/2 off!!!

Man now I'm gonna wait and see this....this looks like an insane price per performance upgrade....

 

my cheep ass is waiting for something at the $299 price range

 

i did a newish build with my old parts, then gave it to my buddy. he's not had a gaming pc before. he's gonna pay me in




the picture above is the only one i have of it, was halfway through with the build when i took that
picked up all the parts at microcenter. came out to $497.50 with tax. and then i got windows 10 pro off some shady website for 3 bucks. it works though


my old parts
core i7 7700k
z270 msi motherboard
280mm aio cooler
asus sound card
wifi 6/bluetooth adapter

 

Good gateway into a gaming PC. What is he planning to play?

As an aside, it's nice to have all solid state storage. Smaller cases with neater internals, man.

 

minecraft lol

 

I mean people see it as a kids' game, but Minecraft can look really impressive with shaders. RTX too.

Don't play it myself, but slowly became interested when I really thought of it as digital Lego.