Can anyone recommend any alterations or a new $400 gaming pc alternative to Logan's from a year ago or so? Also what is anyone's opinion on what to do when going to college and want to look into computer set up? I am getting ready for college and my parent's are pitching in some towards a set up. I would like to play any of the games that are on my steam account: http://steamcommunity.com/id/cmagex/games?tab=all
Here is what I want out of a one laptop build but alternatively I am looking into the cheap laptop with good pc option and that is why I want to know of any alterations for the $400 vid from a year back.
Country of purchase: US
Budget range: 400-100
Purpose (netbook, ultraportable, mainstream, gaming, desktop replacement, etc.): Laptop for some gaming (not crysis or anything) I would like to be able to play some of the more modern games but I don't buy the greatest and latest games either
Screen size preference: some form of hd but anything that will be crisp enough that no form of grain comes from a great photograph (I like photography and will probably do some photo editing as an amateur photographer, probably using GIMP)
OS preference (Windows/ Mac/ Linux): Windows 7/8 dual boot with linux and a couple linux distros in VirtualBox
Gaming requirements (example games and desired fps/settings): Must be able to handle older d&d games like baldurs gate and fallout, no intel hd graphics card 'cause they don't do crap for gaming in my experience Here is my steam profile to show my games: http://steamcommunity.com/id/cmagex/games?tab=all
If I can play all of those that would be great
Performance requirements (video, CAD, etc.): Needs to be able to handle CAD, photo editing, video editing (not too much just some), and Blender 3d modeling
Method of computer support (office supplier, college bookstore, self support): I am good with computers so I can handle most things, my dad's an IT he can help as well, and college will probably have some IT help as well
Brand preferences and reasons (already owned accessories, familiarity, business compatibility): I like ASUS (had an eee pc and like their innovation in the computing field) I own a small external mouse, sd cards, external hard drive, headphones, usb hub, cables for various uses
Any particular style that you like (examples are great): Not terribly heavy but I don't care so much, if the battery doesn't jut out a ton that would be great but not a deal breaker, anything ergonomically correct is great (I am a little OCD on that), probably will buy a new keyboard for at a desk
Which of the following qualities would you prefer? (Choose one, the other, or balanced)
Long battery life -vs- Low weight: more long battery life than low weight but more balanced
Build quality -vs- Low price:Quality but parent's are buying so price is a factor
Low noise/heat -vs- High performance: high performance
So I kind of want to know what would be better a nice laptop to play some games on but obviously not a whole ton (really just my steam accounts worth) or get a nice desktop with a basic laptop for portability. I am going to college next year and I am deciding between the two as well if I were to get a new desktop what parts should I get to replace Logan's almost year old gaming rig posts. This thread is kind of like two questions in one as I saw no need to make two threads to determine if one is better than the other and what direction to go from there.
For $400 I don't really see how you could get both a desktop and laptop that are any good for the tasks you describe. If you need something that is mobile then I guess the laptop is really the only choice you have. I would go for one of the cheap laptops that have an amd A10 processor in it. This will give you the best graphical performance in that price range.
Of course, if you spent the money on just a desktop you could get a decent gaming experience.
Unless the Kaveri parts which supersede Richland are more expensive then I believe so: Reference price $393, you could start bargain hunting now while specials are on to save money. http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2862U (REFERENCE FOR KAVERI, DON'T BUILD THIS!)
Important to note that Blender cycles don't properly support OpenCL now, but became opensource earlier this year, no idea when it will support opencl properly
Not sure on the ram requirements of CAD or blender, you might need a bit more ram, infact you might want to get 2x8GB if you think you will need 32 in future.
Someone like zoltan would know :}, not because he knows stuff about computers, because he is a wizard :D
Also not to sure about that CPU cooler, looks pretty thin.. and I recomend going for 2TB+ because 2TB is not much more expensive but is double size and those cases have little space
Oh sorry I would want to have a laptop/desktop for 400 dollars each or a laptop for 800 dollars or less. What do you think about this laptop http://www.eurocom.com/ the shark 2.0?
Wait first what does the Blender cycles thing do? I am not that into Blender I would just like to use it, I am still learning a lot about it. Also there is no gpu on this, is that right? Is it an onboard gpu? Also may I ask is the cpu cooler necessary, or should I get a better one, or why did you put it on that list?
Okay I am confused when you say the list but also say don't build this, may I ask why not? Or are you not talking to me. Secondly is it possible that this build would work http://pcpartpicker.com/p/29Qxy. It models after what you put up with some slight modifications in the power supply, case, and hdd. Also what does the CPU cooler do if I already have a nice power supply and do I need it?