Computer conundrum

I've kinda been browsing for a new computer since my laptop has gotten reluctant to charge as of late, and because it has an integrated graphics card. The idea of a desktop appeals to me since they have more interchangeable parts and I don't take my laptop many other places anyway. I thought it over before but this has produced a sense of urgency.
I've looked for deals on Amazon and read some reviews but I don't think I'm as tech literate as some of the nerdier users, and I'm a bit hesitant to decide just yet. Feels so daunting.
I'm not specifically looking for a full-on gaming PC or anything excessively expensive ($550 or $700 range or above) since I don't anticipate playing too many demanding games aside from Valve games (which run alright on my laptop). Ideally I want smoother performance than my laptop while not being too uncomfortable to afford. While I would like to consistently achieve well over 6-10 fps in Wilderness Park at high settings, I don't absolutely need constant 100 fps to have fun. IDK if it's possible to estimate how NL2 will run based on a list of specs.
Incase you're wondering, my computer has an AMD quadcore processor, 4 GB DDR3 (dunno what DDR means) memory, and AMD Radeon 7640G graphics. Had it since 2012.

[slosprint]

I would recommend buying components and building a system, it is really not so difficult at all (you can learn everything you need to know form a 15 minute video), and you'll get around 50% more bang for your buck at the $700 dollar range. Sites I would recommend to get you started are:

Logical increments: gives good generic gaming builds for every price-range. http://www.logicalincrements.com/

and PCPart Picker: a great directory and review site for components along with links and easy-to-sort prices. https://pcpartpicker.com/

If you need any help or more advice I'd be happy to sketch up a build for you to suit your specific needs, although I'd need more info like if the $700 is entire budget or if it includes peripherals.

[mkingy]

I second the comment about building your own PC. If you can mange to build a LEGO set you should be competent at building your own PC. It also gives you a good start in understand how the computer works - so if something were to go wrong in the future (for instance I knocked my CPU fan loose whilst transporting it to uni) you can usually have a fair stab at fixing it.

Its just a little over your prize but its a great one
Not serios --> http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/desktops/ideacentre/y900-series/y900/


No, just joking. (It is a beast though)
I say build your own. But keep in mind that not everything works with each other. Just keep searching on google for about 130h or more and you will find a great one at least until you find a better ram that is cheaper but require you to search a new motherboard. So was it for me in the past 2 years

[slosprint]

It's way easier than he makes it out to be, I'm not sure where he's getting the 130 hour figure from, or why he was buying based on ram (that should be near the bottom of your priority list). Usually you want to start with the CPU and GPU, which should add up to around 50-60% of your budget for the tower, then get a compatible motherboard with the types of ports you want in the back, and build out from there based off what components the motherboard supports. My process usually goes CPU>GPU>Motherboard>Ram>Hard Drive>Case>Power Supply>Cooling>Accessories. The most difficult thing is ensuring you don't have any bottlenecks in your system, which means one component which slows the whole computer down because it can't keep up. I would go with an AMD FX-8350 and an Nvidia GTX 1060 at your pricepoint and build out from there. I find AMD to outperform Intel up until around the $1000 price-point range (for the entire system, not the CPU), although I know many people disagree with me.

I was kinda hesitant to have to build since I feel daunted about so many options of varying prices and worrying about if it will all be compatible as well as what order,
but if that's truly the best option why not? Maybe it will make me feel smart if it works.

slosprint wrote:

If you need any help or more advice I'd be happy to sketch up a build for you to suit your specific needs, although I'd need more info like if the $700 is entire budget or if it includes peripherals.

I have keyboard, mouse, and monitor. Tower with components is my focus. IDK if I'm just too careful but I don't really want to go $700 or over if it can be avoided. And thanks.

Also I checked out Logic Increments and it looks like it could be helpful. One thing I keep forgetting is that I'll also need a Windows 10 copy.

[slosprint]

Here:

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/slosprint/saved/C8sYJx

I can make it even better if you already have an OS or don't need a disk drive. You might need to update the bios but otherwise it should be good. You can pick whichever seller you want from amazon, newegg, outletPC and more.

Kinda been mostly looking at the descriptions and prices of the 'good' and 'very good' tiers on Logic Increments. I don't anticipate wanting to go over 1080p.

[slosprint]

Well assuming you are aiming for 1080p at 60 fps with a budget of $700 or less, I might go with a lower-end system with room to upgrade in the future if you want to. This means getting a CPU+Mobo with the same socket type as some of the higher-end processors, a modular power supply, and a case which is easy to maneuver around in. with this in mind I'm gonna see what I can do and work up another build.

[slosprint]

https://pcpartpicker.com/user/slosprint ... iew=Y7HxrH

slosprint wrote:

Well assuming you are aiming for 1080p at 60 fps with a budget of $700 or less, I might go with a lower-end system with room to upgrade in the future if you want to.

I've considered that as well. I like to find a balance. Actually now that I think about it, I think 1080p videos might feel a little more exciting than framerate ATM since it would look a little sharper, and I couldn't do that on my laptop.

[slosprint]

Anything in the $700 range will EASILY play most games at 1080p, 60 FPS at medium-high settings, not to mention videos. There are a few exceptions, but you should have no issue with any of that whatsoever.

So far I'm kinda leaning toward the 1st parts list in that build list on PC part picker. Dunno if it would make much difference. If I can use the hard drive from my laptop, that could shave off some of the cost.

It's now up and running except for not being connected to the internet yet but we'll figure it out. I've kinda been celebrating by opening parks that would have ran (nearly) slideshow framerate on my laptop (speaking of which I should probably try Jamp Up Land at some point). Not quite butter smooth framerate (at max settings) but enough to be enjoyable. Even Tango park is playable.

So thanks once again.

[slosprint]

Make sure you've got drivers installed, congrats on the new machine!

slosprint wrote:

Make sure you've got drivers installed,

Yup.

Sorry to hijack this thread, but I found this guy on sale, and curious if it could handle NL2 and PC. I don't know much about the technical side of computers.
https://www.microsoftstore.com/store/ms ... 8100d7e312)(261853)(2811279)(EDGE_ENUS_DHP_SLIDE4)()

[Mikey]

That computer likely will not play Nolimits. It has a very weak graphics card that is more tuned towards Microsoft office then gaming.

You may have some better luck on ebay buying an older alienware. If you see something in your price range you can post it here and we can see if it work for you. I would budget at least $600 for a laptop to run nolimits, but I think that a desktop could be build with much better specs for that same $600 or less.

[slosprint]

Yeah laptops tend to have worse performance at any pricerange, and the one you're looking at there has around an $80 CPU. I'd reccomend staying away from Lenovo and HP; ever since they merged they have had pretty bad overheating problems and have been caught preinstalling malware. Some brands I'd recommend are MSI, Asus, Acer, and Gigabyte. If you want to run NL I'd be looking around the 600-800 pricerange.

Edit: Since the exact GPU isn't specified, just the product line, it can be assumed it's on the low end of the spectrum. It's probably the mobile version of the R7 240; which is only like a $30 card and will probably not run most games on anything but ultra-toaster settings.

Double-edit: That's actually an integrated GPU, avoid it.

In order for a desktop to be a viable option for me, it would have to be an all-in one because I simply don't have the space. Do these types of desktops have the power that traditional towers do?

[mkingy]

I presume when you say All in one you mean the computer built into the monitor?

[Mikey]

An all in one is essentially a laptop motherboard, processor, ram, and heatsink, hardwired and strapped in with the monitors internals. All the performance issues limitations you have with a laptop you will have with the All in One as a result of the design similarities. How much room do you have for a tower? They make a 1070 now that is half length that should fit in most mini itx chassis with a double din slot open.

Well-described as for an all in one system, thanks for elaborating it!