Have plans to build pc but got recent news that is making me unsure if I should still do it
Posted by Crunchy_Plantain@reddit | buildapc | View on Reddit | 21 comments
Hi,
I have been building my pc list for a bit now and have plans to travel soon to which it brings me close to a Microcenter. So I have been super excited for this upgrade. I am coming from a gaming laptop that is just not giving me the full gaming experience id like. It still works but some games dont work well with graphics and it is hard on my eyes. Also my laptop is giving me some elbow pain due to how it is set up. So I am planning to have better ergonomics.
However, I just got news that changes my next 2 years. I got into graduate school from a waitlist to a school that is extremely hard to get into so I thought for sure I had at least another year and a half before considering being in school again but now itll be in 3 months. This schooling will have me move to one location to live for 1 year and then for 8 months I will have to move every 2 months to different locations. After that I can settle down more.
The students of this program still definitely have a life outside of it so I fully expect to be able to game and enjoy my pc but now I am stressed about the moving component.
Is it still safe to upgrade? If so, how bad are OLED monitors for school work? I was told to get an iPad air for note taking which I will do but idk if I should reconsider the oled for my computer even though it wont be the main device I use.
No_Definition3572@reddit
You can absolutely move with a pc, and there's no point getting an iPad to take notes with, IMHO. It's much faster to type on a small cheap used laptop. Moving with a PC is hard, but in all seriousness as long as you pack it right, you're fine. Manufacturers ship PC's all the time to stores and directly to customers. You will be fine. OLED looks nice but burn in is a thing. If I were you I'd get a very cheap secondhand laptop (assuming you sold your old gaming one) and build the PC of your dreams.
Crunchy_Plantain@reddit (OP)
I appreciate it! The iPad was suggested to write notes ontop of powerpoints and record audio along with it. Ill consider the old laptop option though.
I can look into how to pack a pc for moving. My husband kept his box that his prebuilt came in and that is how he has moved in the past. No issues yet. His monitors we put between blankets and towels and it was fine.
Im only looking to get one 32" monitor and the lian li 011 dynamic mini so at least it isnt giant.
C-Star@reddit
The o11 dynamic mini is very heavy, its a good size but i wouldnt want to move it every couple of months.
No_Definition3572@reddit
Whatever you do make sure your GPU is supported, most issues I've seen come from people not padding around it. The reasoning behind the old laptop was mostly for assignments, etc because I personally wouldn't waste my OLED's lifespan on assignments or tests, and iPads are less likely to be compatible with the software used in most colleges/grad schools.
Crunchy_Plantain@reddit (OP)
Oh, I see how the GPU can be affected. When you say padding, do you mean that during transport I should put maybe socks or something like that inside my pc to help prevent that?
Oh I see what you mean. I think if the device I get for taking notes works well enough for my needs, I probably wont use the oled. But it is definitely something to consider. I appreciate your help with this!
No_Definition3572@reddit
Yeah, I personally use bubble wrap because I like keeping my pc very clean. You could also just take the GPU out, which takes like 5 minutes and put it in a separate box with some sock padding. Taking it out 10 times isn't going to hurt it and it's nice peace of mind. Good luck!
OkSystem455@reddit
What games are you looking to invest time in during the upcoming two years? It is grad school after all...and I remember the Happy Hours spent with my MBA cohorts.
You could to an mini ITX build with used parts or new previous Gen parts if your playlist is limited up to a certain year and you are will to adjust quality settings accordingly. I have an E3-1270 v2/RX 470 8GB/16GB DDR3 1600/CachyOS build (yes, you read that right, 2012 3rd Gen) that can do the 2019 Borderlands 3 at 1080p MED/HIGH/ULTRA mix and get 70+FPS. Here's what it can do with with the 2022 Tiny Tina's Wonderlands at 1080p LOW/HIGH/FSR 2 mix (see 3rd screenshot down): https://imgur.com/a/zuHD7Wm
Crunchy_Plantain@reddit (OP)
I have a large backlog of games. Single players, multi-player, ect. But I see your point that I may end up being with my class. It is a very small group so I hear the class gets close with each other.
I can definitely look into that build! Thank you so much!!!
OkSystem455@reddit
I built an ITX system just yesterday with a Soyo B75M AX board and an E3-1245 v2 yesterday for "productivity" only since I'm using an InWin BQ656 with just the Intel P4000 iGPU. Can picture the same mobo in a bigger mini-ITX case that can house a two-fan GPU with an E3-1270 v2 instead of the E3-1245 v2.
For context the Soyo was $19.61 of Aliexpress and a Xeon E3-1270 v2 is <$28 on eBay. DDR3 RAM was used (so no excessive DDR4 or DDR5 inflation pricing). A RX 5500 XT or 5700XT is <$130 on eBay...so definitely <$500 for the entire build.
Crunchy_Plantain@reddit (OP)
Wow under $500 is crazy. Ill have to do some research on the components you are talking about. Thank you for the guide!
OkSystem455@reddit
Check your playlist on protondb.com IF building a low end STEAM Machine interpretation (that's essentially what my E3-1270 v2 is) with CachyOS strikes your fancy.
Crunchy_Plantain@reddit (OP)
Ohhh I see what you mean. Going based off the steam machine specs isnt a bad idea. Thank you so much!
mattastic995@reddit
If it's just for schoolwork I would wait on the oled. Way more power than you'll reliably use.
What about your desires gaming experience are you not getting from a laptop? Is it a hardware constraint or a matter of preference?
Crunchy_Plantain@reddit (OP)
No, the pc is for 90% gaming. I will be getting either an iPad or old laptop for schoolwork so I can take it to class.
My laptop is 5 years old and works generally fine. I play a bunch of different games and pretty much most of the time I have to immediately place them on low graphics to get rid of that terrible glitchiness when moving my camera side to side. My laptop runs hot as well so I have fans underneath that really help but puts it at an angle for my left arm which has been giving me tennis elbow. There are a few other small complaints but I play every single night and its how I socialize with my sibling and friends since I do not live near anyone. I figured based on my consistent use and that I have the money, I can splurge on myself.
Id like to enjoy the graphics in my games and have better ergonomics for monitor height and elbow/wrist angle.
mattastic995@reddit
Thank you for clarifying. Given the amount of travelling you'll be doing if I were in your shoes I'd probably wait. Sinking that much time and money into something you'll enjoy intermittently seems unnecessary. Have you considered upgrading to a newer laptop? Or maybe even a mini atx if you're hard set in a PC?
Crunchy_Plantain@reddit (OP)
I just got the news last night so my brain is scrambled by the sudden change. I can definitely consider this. Maybe microcenter has some decent laptops. I can look into the mini atx as well. Otherwise, maybe my gaming laptop is ok for now. I appreciate your help
mattastic995@reddit
Anytime. I feel like a mini atx might be a good middle ground for your situation/ needs. Pm if you have any other questions
MonkeySkulls@reddit
I would wait. you have a gaming PC that is an optimal but gets the job done. get into your program, see how much free time you have. see what your space is like.
Crunchy_Plantain@reddit (OP)
Very true. I dont fully know what life will be like while in the program.
TheKitler@reddit
I wouldn't be building a PC then. Wait until your program starts and then buy a used desktop PC that you can re-sell after the 1 year of school.
After that, you can consider buying a new or used gaming laptop to carry you through the next 8 months.
You definitely don't want to be moving a desktop PC every 2 months unless these locations are all within driving distance.
Alternatively, you can build mini-itx that you can move around with you but that'll be expensive and you'll still need to figure out monitor(s), keyboard, mouse, etc.
Crunchy_Plantain@reddit (OP)
I would be driving to these new locations. There is a chance one of the 4 total locations will be in my hometown.
I'll think about your suggestion, thank you.