10 replies to this topic

[BrosBeforeGardenTools]

I sold my XBox One because I wanted the money. I've made a reputation for myself as an avid Microsoft fan and although they are still just barely my favorite system, the hype train is kind of over.

My only problem right now exists on all three consoles: that I don't like paying $60 for nonexclusive games, when some of them exist cheaper on PC or even err... tablet.

With the money, I bought a very small form factor PC about the size of a game console which can compete fairly well with a medium sized, medium power desktop system. Core i5, 8GB RAM, 500GB 7200RPM hard drive, and HD 5000 graphics that when tweaked, can probably beat a Geforce 840M card.

The internals won't be *quite* as powerful as a PS4/XB1, but who cares? I can't Photoshop on a game console.

Also picked up a 20", 1600x900 LED monitor.

[NintendoReport]

I sold my XBox One because I wanted the money. I've made a reputation for myself as an avid Microsoft fan and although they are still just barely my favorite system, the hype train is kind of over.

My only problem right now exists on all three consoles: that I don't like paying $60 for nonexclusive games, when some of them exist cheaper on PC or even err... tablet.

With the money, I bought a very small form factor PC about the size of a game console which can compete fairly well with a medium sized, medium power desktop system. Core i5, 8GB RAM, 500GB 7200RPM hard drive, and HD 5000 graphics that when tweaked, can probably beat a Geforce 840M card.

The internals won't be *quite* as powerful as a PS4/XB1, but who cares? I can't Photoshop on a game console.

Also picked up a 20", 1600x900 LED monitor.

Welp, I am sure you'll be able to run just about anything still on moderate settings. Plenty of indies and older titles accessible.

 

I have an old gaming computer, hasn't been upgraded since 2009 so it's certainly due to be cleaned and redone. 

[Mewbot]

Sounds cool man. Good luck with the computer.

[3Dude]

I sold my XBox One because I wanted the money. I've made a reputation for myself as an avid Microsoft fan and although they are still just barely my favorite system, the hype train is kind of over.

My only problem right now exists on all three consoles: that I don't like paying $60 for nonexclusive games, when some of them exist cheaper on PC or even err... tablet.

With the money, I bought a very small form factor PC about the size of a game console which can compete fairly well with a medium sized, medium power desktop system. Core i5, 8GB RAM, 500GB 7200RPM hard drive, and HD 5000 graphics that when tweaked, can probably beat a Geforce 840M card.

The internals won't be *quite* as powerful as a PS4/XB1, but who cares? I can't Photoshop on a game console.

Also picked up a 20", 1600x900 LED monitor.

That cpu (quadcore i5 I assume, pretty standard and cheap now) curb stomps whats in the ps4/xbone. And if not right now, very soon you can get a cheap more modern mid range gpu that will also curb stomp ps4/xbone.

For what you say you want, Id say you made a pretty good choice, though you may want to look to a ps4 in the future when the price has come down and a lot of awesome exclusives are being sold used for 10-20 bucks. Same with Wii u. Xbone... as of right now I just dont see the exclusives now or in the future pipeline worth owning a system for beyond scalebound, and one game just doesnt cut it.

[BrosBeforeGardenTools]

That cpu (quadcore i5 I assume, pretty standard and cheap now) curb stomps whats in the ps4/xbone. And if not right now, very soon you can get a cheap more modern mid range gpu that will also curb stomp ps4/xbone.

For what you say you want, Id say you made a pretty good choice, though you may want to look to a ps4 in the future when the price has come down and a lot of awesome exclusives are being sold used for 10-20 bucks. Same with Wii u. Xbone... as of right now I just dont see the exclusives now or in the future pipeline worth owning a system for beyond scalebound, and one game just doesnt cut it.

There actually isn't a slot for dedicated graphics on this. Normally the Intel HD 5000 it includes would be insufficient, but I figured out I can raise the TDP in BIOS and increase performance. Don't worry, I know what I'm doing, and the computer's cooling should be sufficient for this. The end result will be I will have close to an Intel Iris Pro level of graphics performance, which is on the approximate same level as a Geforce 740M.

A lot of people I have talked to have cautioned me that the performance for gaming won't be the greatest. But I know what I'm getting into.

The Core i5 is quad-thread and runs at 2.6GHz when turbo-clocked.

[3Dude]

There actually isn't a slot for dedicated graphics on this. Normally the Intel HD 5000 it includes would be insufficient, but I figured out I can raise the TDP in BIOS and increase performance. Don't worry, I know what I'm doing, and the computer's cooling should be sufficient for this. The end result will be I will have close to an Intel Iris Pro level of graphics performance, which is on the approximate same level as a Geforce 740M.

A lot of people I have talked to have cautioned me that the performance for gaming won't be the greatest. But I know what I'm getting into.

The Core i5 is quad-thread and runs at 2.6GHz when turbo-clocked.

Ah, intel integrated graphics? Your buddies werent blowing smoke at you... So its around iris level, but its a desktop? Definately workable as is though at low settings, though you may need a new psu for your changes....

But I wonder if we could do more, whats the specific model?

Is it this?

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16856102052

This little guys pretty neat.

Dude, it has a mini pci express slot!

[Raiden]

lol intergrated graphics chip. All that means is hope you like the colors pink and green.

[BrosBeforeGardenTools]

Ah, intel integrated graphics? Your buddies werent blowing smoke at you... So its around iris level, but its a desktop? Definately workable as is though at low settings, though you may need a new psu for your changes....

But I wonder if we could do more, whats the specific model?

Is it this?

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16856102052

This little guys pretty neat.

Dude, it has a mini pci express slot!

It's this one, with the 2.5" storage support: http://www.amazon.co...#ref=mp_s_a_1_1

And... It's around Iris Pro performance if I get in Intel BIOS and up the TDP. I'm pretty sure of it, anyway. And I'm going to do that. What this does is increase the GPU clock it clocks to by 70%, from 500MHz to 850MHz. The HD 5000/5100/5200 seem to have throttling issues because of the TDP. I will be increasing the TDP of this processor from 15w to 29w. Something like a Surface Pro 3 wouldn't have adequate cooling for this, but this does.

Here is the fix: http://www.legitrevi...ntel-nuc_136218

Keep in mind that although GPU clock raises by 70%, they subject it to some poor tests to see performance, and also, bandwidth doesn't increase. But I still think it will be fast.

The Iris Pro probably clocks about the same given there isn't enough TDP or cooling. It does have 128MB eDRAM, but it's still not that fast for eDRAM and doesn't seem to make much difference.

Edited by Porridge, 25 September 2014 - 02:08 PM.

[3Dude]

It's this one, with the 2.5" storage support: http://www.amazon.co...#ref=mp_s_a_1_1

And... It's around Iris Pro performance if I get in Intel BIOS and up the TDP. I'm pretty sure of it, anyway. And I'm going to do that. What this does is increase the GPU clock it clocks to by 70%, from 500MHz to 850MHz. The HD 5000/5100/5200 seem to have throttling issues because of the TDP. I will be increasing the TDP of this processor from 15w to 29w. Something like a Surface Pro 3 wouldn't have adequate cooling for this, but this does.

Here is the fix: http://www.legitrevi...ntel-nuc_136218

Keep in mind that although GPU clock raises by 70%, they subject it to some poor tests to see performance, and also, bandwidth doesn't increase. But I still think it will be fast.

The Iris Pro probably clocks about the same given there isn't enough TDP or cooling. It does have 128MB eDRAM, but it's still not that fast for eDRAM and doesn't seem to make much difference.

Well, the price for power ratio isnt good, but the main point of the system, the reason its priced where its at is its form factor, and they knocked that out of the park. That really is a neat little box. And man you could counterstrike source the frack out on that thing. Just counterstrike out the hard arse.

Anyways...

This totally has a full length PCIe Mini Slot I am pretty dang sure, you can actually get a dedicated gpu running on that thing... Preeeetttyyy easily, the biggest problem would be making sure the voltage stays proper. It will totally be external to your system, youll want to cover it yourself, but uh, hey, at least it wont be raising the internal temp right?

[BrosBeforeGardenTools]

I plan on playing Half-Life 2 and Sky Rim. It would be nice to play Tomb Raider and Crysis, but I'm really not getting my hopes up. I probably won't even try them, because I'm not expecting them to run the greatest, but who knows.

I like my PC games to run really well, but if that means I can't play anything demanding, I'm fine with it. I'd take a game a few years old over one that only runs 22 FPS.

[3Dude]

I plan on playing Half-Life 2 and Sky Rim. It would be nice to play Tomb Raider and Crysis, but I'm really not getting my hopes up. I probably won't even try them, because I'm not expecting them to run the greatest, but who knows.

I like my PC games to run really well, but if that means I can't play anything demanding, I'm fine with it. I'd take a game a few years old over one that only runs 22 FPS.

Youll definately be able to do that.