this post was submitted on 06 Oct 2023
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What kind of GAMING can you do on a SUPER CHEAP Mini PC?! (GMKTec Nucbox G2 Review) (www.youtube.com)
submitted 2 years ago by Pluto@hexbear.net to c/games@hexbear.net
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Here's a separate question:

I'm thinking about getting a "mini-PC" for myself, but only one that can play games really well, especially "modern-day" video games.

What's a very powerful one that I can get?

I'm willing to spend up to $1,000 but maybe just mention anyone that's great or the best out there, idk.

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[–] Helmic@hexbear.net 7 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Why a mini pc? If you're after a cheaper PC, I highly advise buying a used one, like off eBay. There's very, very capable machines on there for like $200-300 with fuckimg RTX 3080's in them, from people who got into PC gaming during the pandemic that decided they don't have time for it anymore, or from cryptobros dumping old graphica cards now that crypto crashed, or from the steady stream of rich assholes who build a new PC for every generation of GPU and sell the old one.

If it must be a mini PC, you should expect about laptop level performance. They generally use laptop components and draw comparatively less power as a result. They're fine for office work and saving space, and you can get one that plays modem games, but you won't be getting a great value for the money in terms of game performance.

I usually would reserve a mini PC like that for HTPC use, running Kodi and serving up pirated content including emulated games and anything similarly modest, with newer games being more of a bonus.

[–] TheWorldSpins@hexbear.net 5 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

I got a full sized Dell Optiplex 790 that came with the most powerful CPU it can handle (3rd Gen i7). Bought a 1050ti and a new power suplly. It was 100 dollars more than this Mini PC but it can run most modern games at medium settings.

There's very, very capable machines on there for like $200-300 with fuckimg RTX 3080's

Wait I fucked up

[–] jaeme@hexbear.net 4 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (1 children)

You can get a System76 Meerkat if you're interested in what a "mini-pc" could provide.

https://system76.com/desktops/meerkat

If you want to play the latest released proprietary video games then you're going to need a dedicated graphics card which mini-pcs are not.

[–] Pluto@hexbear.net 3 points 2 years ago (1 children)

So mini-PCs aren't good when playing the latest games on high or ultra graphics?

[–] jaeme@hexbear.net 4 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Not at all. Though $1000 bucks can still get you a decent enough graphics card if you're saavy enough.

I recommend always to build your own pc, that way you may be able to pick a smaller pc case if you want and also pick your own parts.

You also can avoid paying the windows tax that way which could help stretch ur budget.

I recommend grabbing a AMD graphics card if you are considering GNU/Linux gaming or a solid Nvidia card if that is not the case (windows can use all of its proprietary features).

[–] Pluto@hexbear.net 3 points 2 years ago (2 children)

You can upgrade desktop PCs, right? Beyond just the RAM and memory?

[–] charlie@hexbear.net 3 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (1 children)

You can change any part you want. The only real limitation is that typically if you replace the CPU you might need a new motherboard that has the right socket type for your new CPU.

CPU, Ram, Graphics card, you can add a lot of components with PCIE expansion like Wifi cards for faster wifi than onboard motherboard chips support. I have an expansion card for more USB C ports for example.

If you have any sympathy or inclination for the right to repair movement, building your own computer is worth looking into. Mini ATX builds can be very small and still fully capable

[–] Pluto@hexbear.net 2 points 2 years ago (1 children)

You can also get one to install the parts for you, right?

[–] charlie@hexbear.net 2 points 2 years ago (1 children)

For sure. My first desktop computer was a pre-built and a couple years later I changed the graphics card myself but it didn’t have much modularity beyond that and ram because of the power supply and motherboard. My second computer I paid somebody that I knew to assembly it for me, but there are websites online that provide this service as well for an extra fee. That ship of Theseus computer is still running with only the case, motherboard, and power supply being original.

There are youtube tutorials that walk you through the whole process of building a PC, it’s essentially like legos so it’s pretty straight forward if you follow along. Connectors are shaped to only go a certain way, components like ram and the cpu are asymmetrical with notches to aid placement, and things like where usb headers and power connectors go is straight forward as well.

And hell, my next “desktop” will probably just be a steam deck with a dock depending on how the next version looks compared to my aging desktop. Tons of options out there!

[–] Pluto@hexbear.net 2 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Wait...

You can pay someone to assemble your own desktop or laptop?!

[–] charlie@hexbear.net 2 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (1 children)

Yup! I found somebody local through connections at school, but I’ve seen craigslist posts offering the service and there are some websites online, NZXT for example. Custom built laptops used to be more popular, there was a brand called Sager, not sure if they’re still around offering custom laptops. I believe System 76 is doing something similar with their laptop modules.

[–] Pluto@hexbear.net 2 points 2 years ago (1 children)

So it's company-by-company, right?

[–] charlie@hexbear.net 2 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Yeah, I believe so. NZXT started making computer cases and then offered custom PC building at some point. It’s generally extremely pricy which is why I went with finding a local nerd willing to help me for some money and weed.

[–] Pluto@hexbear.net 2 points 2 years ago

Awesome. I'll check it out.

[–] Helmic@hexbear.net 3 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I actually recommend against buying new parts for a PC, as there are many very good used PC's for sale for very cheap. It's also more environmentally responsible to use some rich dickhead's "old" computer than to buy new. Last gen cards are still extremely capable.

The only caveats I would add would be that you might consider a partial PC that has good parts and then complete it (ie buying your own storage, NVMe drives are amazing) and that you should never use the Windows installation that is on there, because people will put malware like cryptominers on them. Do a fresh installation of Windows or Linux every time, completely wiping the drive, so that there is no chance of them stealing your Robux.

[–] Pluto@hexbear.net 1 points 2 years ago

Sounds good.

[–] impiri@lemm.ee 3 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Minisforum has some good stuff hovering around the $1K USD range. For example: https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/miniforum-neptune-hx99g

[–] Pluto@hexbear.net 1 points 2 years ago

Thank you!

[–] buckykat@hexbear.net 2 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I've never understood the appeal of small desktops

[–] Helmic@hexbear.net 2 points 2 years ago

Combination of space and power consumption. They tend to use very little power and can fit anywhere, so I use one with four 2.5 gig NICs as an opnsense gateway, which can handle a 2.5 gig internet connection no problem while blocking ads and using squid, to which I just attach a switch and an old AP for wifi. It's fanless too, just a grill-style metal body to efficiently dissipate heat with no moving parts.

I'm thinking of finding a used one to make a Kodi box for family, that I can stick a shitload of storage on with a VPN to make it easy for them to pirate. My stepfather is dipping his toes into ganes so a nicer unit might be worthwhile - just an unassuming box that sits under the TV.

Even mainstream Dell Optiplexes are much tinier now. Have a client that needed a new PC after she managed to electrically damage her old one, it fits neatly under her monitor as a stand so she's got all her leg room back, she can easily reach the power button and USB ports, and it does so without taking up any more desk space. Many proper mini PC's can even mount to the back of a monitor.

Since normal office work no longer really needs faster computers per se, space savings and lower energy consumption have been taking priority. I even use SoC's like Raspberry Pi's to do shit like run my patched robovac, because they use so little power and the jobs it does are just so undemanding.