Computer advice

[Snippysnips]

Not sure if there's another thread about this so apologies if there is

As the title says an looking for advice on a computer, am seeing more an more games on steam so this will be primarily used as a gaming pc, I've only ever had cheap(ish) laptops for the basics so this will be my first proper pc

I've heard from others that sometimes building one is cheaper but I'd have no clue where to even start so maybe buying would be better for me, how easy/hard is it to build them? An is it really worth it in the end?

My biggest concerns obviously would be how long do they stay in date with graphics/games, am used to tablets having a sort of short life with apps an laptops eventually becoming a bit outdated, do pcs last longer? Will I still be able to play the latest games in say 5 years time or will I need to update stuff?

I thought I'd ask on here as going into a shop with no clear idea on a lot of things like graphics, ram, etc some places tend to take advantage of that an talk you into expensive things that turn out not to be the greatest or there's cheaper that do the same thing that they don't mention, so I'd like to go in with a good idea on what am looking for, thanks

 

[OnlyHereForTheLolz]

Not sure if there's another thread about this so apologies if there is

As the title says an looking for advice on a computer, am seeing more an more games on steam so this will be primarily used as a gaming pc, I've only ever had cheap(ish) laptops for the basics so this will be my first proper pc

I've heard from others that sometimes building one is cheaper but I'd have no clue where to even start so maybe buying would be better for me, how easy/hard is it to build them? An is it really worth it in the end?

My biggest concerns obviously would be how long do they stay in date with graphics/games, am used to tablets having a sort of short life with apps an laptops eventually becoming a bit outdated, do pcs last longer? Will I still be able to play the latest games in say 5 years time or will I need to update stuff?

I thought I'd ask on here as going into a shop with no clear idea on a lot of things like graphics, ram, etc some places tend to take advantage of that an talk you into expensive things that turn out not to be the greatest or there's cheaper that do the same thing that they don't mention, so I'd like to go in with a good idea on what am looking for, thanks

Go on your locacl FB groups and asks for recommendations. We have custom built PC’s for work by somebody local and it’s miles cheaper than buying from the big manufacturers

 

[Snippysnips]

Go on your locacl FB groups and asks for recommendations. We have custom built PC’s for work by somebody local and it’s miles cheaper than buying from the big manufacturers

Thanks I'll have a look, we don't really have many computer places around here that build them an the two places we do have I wouldn't touch them, I'd be worried though that some random would say they could do it but wouldn't have a clue an just wanted the money lol it's that type of area am in

 

[CrimsonCountess]

What sort of games are you wanting to play? I've got a gaming laptop as I wanted to be able to use it wherever I am and don't have a desk. Mine is about 4 years old now and still easily plays big games eg Planet Zoo with all the add ons, Sims 4

 

[Snippysnips]

What sort of games are you wanting to play? I've got a gaming laptop as I wanted to be able to use it wherever I am and don't have a desk. Mine is about 4 years old now and still easily plays big games eg Planet Zoo with all the add ons, Sims 4

I'd mostly be getting everything from steam but really am looking for it to play anything that you can get mods for, I do have consoles so if it come to it then big games like Sims, Balder's gate, starfield etc that's heavy on graphics can be on there, am just seeing more an more smaller indie games that's pc exclusive now an I do like that you can download a ton of mods for them as well

 

[Sunflower91]

What you need depends on what you want to play and the level that you’d want to mod them.
for example modding the sims or cozy games is quite different to if you wanted to mod a game like Skyrim (some of those would be massive). And whether or not this includes VR gaming capability too.

A PC is definitely better for this kind of thing especially if it’s the sort you can upgrade over time/as you need things. Hotukdeals can be quite good for computer stuff but also advice on whether something is actually good. It’s definitely worth spending a little more on a brand that is going to last and better processors.

If I were in the market for a new one for a gaming rig, I’d be looking for a Ryzen 9 processor (although 7 would be okay) with a Nivida graphics card, a healthy SSD (at least 1TB) and 16g ram (16 stick, not two sticks of 8) or ram that’s got the option to upgrade further down the line. Brand wise, I avoid most Dell as I don’t find they last, unless it’s an Alienware one. Build your own had quite the backlog due to chip shortages but I think it’s getting better now.

 

[Snippysnips]

What you need depends on what you want to play and the level that you’d want to mod them.
for example modding the sims or cozy games is quite different to if you wanted to mod a game like Skyrim (some of those would be massive). And whether or not this includes VR gaming capability too.

A PC is definitely better for this kind of thing especially if it’s the sort you can upgrade over time/as you need things. Hotukdeals can be quite good for computer stuff but also advice on whether something is actually good. It’s definitely worth spending a little more on a brand that is going to last and better processors.

If I were in the market for a new one for a gaming rig, I’d be looking for a Ryzen 9 processor (although 7 would be okay) with a Nivida graphics card, a healthy SSD (at least 1TB) and 16g ram (16 stick, not two sticks of 8) or ram that’s got the option to upgrade further down the line. Brand wise, I avoid most Dell as I don’t find they last, unless it’s an Alienware one. Build your own had quite the backlog due to chip shortages but I think it’s getting better now.

Thanks, I've heard the brand nivida be mentioned before so I'll look into it, is there a difference then if you were to get one 16g ram compared to two 8gb sticks?

Honestly I don't know a great deal about mods, I was hoping I could just look online an download ones I liked, I don't think I'd be looking for big mods that changed the entire gameplay, mostly ones that add little changes, for example stardew you can get ones that offer different dialogue but the game itself mostly remains untouched

 

[Sunflower91]

]

Thanks, I've heard the brand nivida be mentioned before so I'll look into it, is there a difference then if you were to get one 16g ram compared to two 8gb sticks?

Honestly I don't know a great deal about mods, I was hoping I could just look online an download ones I liked, I don't think I'd be looking for big mods that changed the entire gameplay, mostly ones that add little changes, for example stardew you can get ones that offer different dialogue but the game itself mostly remains untouched

It’s just more efficient to have one block of 16 usually and you get more total Ram out of it. Sometimes if you have two sticks of 8 you end up with 14g you can actually use.

it usually starts that way but once you get the bug for mods it can definitely spiral! I started out with just extra hair and clothes for the sims and now I have all kinds of gameplay ones- it used to kill my old laptop.

 

[Snippysnips]

]

It’s just more efficient to have one block of 16 usually and you get more total Ram out of it. Sometimes if you have two sticks of 8 you end up with 14g you can actually use.

it usually starts that way but once you get the bug for mods it can definitely spiral! I started out with just extra hair and clothes for the sims and now I have all kinds of gameplay ones- it used to kill my old laptop.

Thanks, I'll keep it to the one GB ram then, lol I fear I'll probably be the same, will be easy to have one mod then another an before I know it I may have loads of them so might be best building it to be able to handle a few mods

 

[Former_Antelopee]

Not a computer but has anyone bought a refurbished iPad from anywhere? My iPad 9th gen broke went to Apple and they couldn’t fix it. Nearly bought the same one there but quickly checked Amazon and it was £50 less. Just a bit cautious buying the same one seeing as it’s only a 2021 make and mine already broke

 

[OnlyHereForTheLolz]

Not a computer but has anyone bought a refurbished iPad from anywhere? My iPad 9th gen broke went to Apple and they couldn’t fix it. Nearly bought the same one there but quickly checked Amazon and it was £50 less. Just a bit cautious buying the same one seeing as it’s only a 2021 make and mine already broke

What’s wrong with it? I thought they had a warranty.

 

[Former_Antelopee]

What’s wrong with it? I thought they had a warranty.

I didn’t originally buy it from Apple so they said it was limited on what they could offer. The screen just went black not sure he tried to recover it but it didn’t work

 

[OnlyHereForTheLolz]

I didn’t originally buy it from Apple so they said it was limited on what they could offer. The screen just went black not sure he tried to recover it but it didn’t work

Depending on how mich they cost I would first take to a local pc expert as they often know more. And if they say it’s not fixable or not cost efficient to fix then I would get a refurbished one from amazon.

 

[Snippysnips]

Not a computer but has anyone bought a refurbished iPad from anywhere? My iPad 9th gen broke went to Apple and they couldn’t fix it. Nearly bought the same one there but quickly checked Amazon and it was £50 less. Just a bit cautious buying the same one seeing as it’s only a 2021 make and mine already broke

Where did you buy it from? Can you not take it back to them, my tablet done that before where the screen just went black an I couldn't do anything with it, so took it back to the store I bought it out an they sent it away to be fixed, I don't think apple would take anything to do with it if it's been bought elsewhere, mines is a Samsung an Samsung won't take anything to do with it but the store took care of it

 

[Captainmouse]

I didn’t originally buy it from Apple so they said it was limited on what they could offer. The screen just went black not sure he tried to recover it but it didn’t work

Apple sell refurbs and will have a warranty

 

[Snippysnips]

Back with another question

Does anyone use their TV as a monitor? Since I'd really be using mine for gaming am thinking of just hooking it to the TV instead, if you do how do you feel it is with graphics? Performance?