Gaming HTPC vs Gaming Laptop

Relentless81 · 27 Jul 2018 at 12:26

Hi,

My PC has been packed in a box since I moved house 8 weeks ago, what once was used daily for gaming and internet now lies dormant because its too hot and I've no where to set it up in the new house.

This has got me thinking for when cooler weather returns, HTPC for under the TV at the annoyance of the Mrs, or laptop for anywhere.

HTPC is going to limit me to a game pad and I like FPS so thats a disadvantage but a big plus is cost because I'm limited to 1080P and 60FPS and I have a CPU and RAM I can use for the build.

Laptops are more convenient but more expensive, whats it like gaming on a laptop? Is it immersive on such a small screen sat down at the uncomfortable dining room table, can you WASD with the in built keyboard without the whole thing being at an angle? They are also outdated and not up-gradable after 5 minutes.

Has anyone been through this thought process and gave up on their massive space consuming desktop for a HTPC or gaming laptop and if so how do you play FPS games? Steam controller on the HTPC? Corsair Lapdog or similar? Or laptop at the dining room table with maybe a separate keyboard and mouse?

Just looking for musings on alternatives to full fat desktops for gaming that isn't a console really, I'm far to invested in Steam.

Thanks

orbitalwalsh · 27 Jul 2018 at 13:25

@Relentless81

steam link or nvidia shield ? store PC somewhere nearby, Wake By LAN

NovaKill4 · 27 Jul 2018 at 13:25

Have you thought about a steam link?
You could place the PC somewhere out of the way in the house and have it start steam big picture on windows startup, you would need a keyboard, mouse and monitor there for maintenance but for day to day you could keep them tucked away.
With that you could use the steam controller, xbox controller or keyboard and mouse wired or wireless.

harvey.l12 · 27 Jul 2018 at 13:44

Steem link ideas is great, I currently have this setup to my TV, when I want to casual game with a controller.

Relentless81 · 27 Jul 2018 at 14:05

@orbitalwalsh @NovaKill4 @harvey.l12

Ok thanks, so I could have my current PC plugged in somewhere which saves me a load of money but its the where thats the problem, really not sure where it would go

How does a Steam Link connect to TV, HDMI? Need to check available ports

orbitalwalsh · 27 Jul 2018 at 14:12

HDMI and LAN cable to route .
Shield is the better option, but limited to Nvidia GPU - also allows 4k streaming and is a Android TV box as well
controller not as good as steams though

Relentless81 · 27 Jul 2018 at 14:16

orbitalwalsh said:
HDMI and LAN cable to route .
Shield is the better option, but limited to Nvidia GPU - also allows 4k streaming and is a Android TV box as well
controller not as good as steams though

I have a Fury Nitro so Shield is no good for me, Steam link is ok but just no idea where the PC will go

orbitalwalsh · 27 Jul 2018 at 14:20

thermaltake Core G3 - will need SFX psu though

might make it to living room or somewhere else with small space

NovaKill4 · 27 Jul 2018 at 14:21

As long as you can get power and Ethernet to it you should be good, you could use WiFi but it could cause issues.
If you cant get an Ethernet cable to the PC i would recommend powerline adaptors.

Relentless81 · 27 Jul 2018 at 14:24

orbitalwalsh said:
thermaltake Core G3 - will need SFX psu though

might make it to living room or somewhere else with small space

Is this a new release? I really like that, I would wonder if my GPU will fit, doubt it its massive but I'm definitely going to read into it

orbitalwalsh · 27 Jul 2018 at 14:32

2016- pcie cable isnt the best but world a look . very slim

That or raijintek thetis on here. again very small

Relentless81 · 27 Jul 2018 at 14:46

Just read into it a bit, it's great that it takes ATX but doesn't look best quality and dubious if my gpu will fit plus ocuk have discontinued it

I always hit the same brick walls with small chassis where I basically need to sell current rig and start again

orbitalwalsh · 27 Jul 2018 at 15:16

Relentless81 said:
Just read into it a bit, it's great that it takes ATX but doesn't look best quality and dubious if my gpu will fit plus ocuk have discontinued it

I always hit the same brick walls with small chassis where I basically need to sell current rig and start again

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/raijintek-thetis-aluminium-atx-cube-silver-window-ca-03b-rt.html

very small!!!!!!!!!

https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Raijintek/Thetis/5.html

Relentless81 · 27 Jul 2018 at 15:44

Yeah I think my gpu is going to have to go to fit a small pc which annoyingly means a side grade for gpu as I'm not paying Vega money

Htpc it is, thanks

Shocky-FM · 27 Jul 2018 at 16:01

I always hate how it's not possible to buy a Gaming HTPC that does what I want, they've usually too compact with nasty specs or using cases that just don't fit the purpose at all.

Remember Silverstone cases anyone?

Anyway, yes, get a HTPC, Laptops and gaming don't mix, they're expensive and the experience sucks.