So, I’m dumb as shit when it comes to computer now. I’m operating with some family Christmas money and would like to keep things under a grand if possible. Basically what I wanna do that requires power is being able to game up to running a dolphin emulator well enough, graphical setting higher than like 720p really don’t matter to me, if I can run some sorta newish PC stuff at lower graphic ends fairly smooth that’s perfectly fine just wanna play new Vegas on PC with mods for the first time level. Also being capable of some light video/sound editing would be cool. Plz don’t get too into the weeds here, I’m so behind on stuff it’s kinda funny.

  • SuperZutsuki [they/them]@hexbear.net
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    9 months ago

    AMD just released the 8700G which should be able to handle new games at 1080p low settings. Once I get home I’ll make a PCPartPicker build. Do you need a monitor or peripherals? A certain amount of storage?

    • RION [she/her]@hexbear.net
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      9 months ago

      The new APUs are actually pretty poor value if this video is to be believed. Unless they’ve got very specific form factor restraints a discrete GPU will be the best shot.

    • GalaxyBrain [they/them]@hexbear.netOP
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      9 months ago

      I’m gonna plug it into my living room TV and get wireless laptop and keyboard. The more storage the better but I’m used to less than a terabyte so it’s not really a concern, I prefer to store most stuff externally anyway for safer keeping. Depending on cost maybe boost my general ideas for specs by a degree cause I’m sure I’ll have wanted more once I have it. I’m also Canadian, so conversion rates are a thing with price estimates.

  • jaeme@hexbear.net
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    9 months ago

    You can buy a mini-pc like a System76 Meekrat if you want something uncomplicated that does virtually most of what you’re asking. It comes with POP!_OS which is vastly more future-proof and useful than Windows 11 especially with gaming on Linux getting better and better each year.

    If you’re not looking into building your own PC but are going to go with Windows then you can get a nzxt pre-built that’s in your price range.

    just wanna play new Vegas on PC with mods for the first time level.

    I’ve been experimenting with MO2 on Bazzite to mixed results with some screen flickering with an Nvidia GPU on Xwayland and mod incompatibility. It is certainly doable to play modded New Vegas on GNU/Linux.

    • GalaxyBrain [they/them]@hexbear.netOP
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      9 months ago

      God bless you for looking out for me, I’m sure this is great bang for my buck, but I’m using my parents buck for the most part and they’re retail pilled. Also I’m at a point where I’ll deal.with whatever windows throws at me rather than learn anything new regarding a computer. The game just ain’t in me no more. I lost track post windows xp and now I’m a boomer

      • jaeme@hexbear.net
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        9 months ago

        I lost track post windows xp and now I’m a boomer

        If you want to keep using computers in the future, learning Linux is a must. Windows, like the imperial core, will degrade and your well being with it.

        Enjoying all the benefits of a computer without willing to be responsible for your own computing and putting the work in to learn should not be tolerated.

        Sorry if I sound harsh though, but you do carry an ethical responsibility when you use any sort of computer to be able to control your computing.

        Also side note retail pre builts at stores are the devil and avoid them at all costs. Unless you’re getting a built one for you at micro center (if those are around you) retail pcs are scams.

  • EmmaGoldman [she/her, comrade/them]@hexbear.netM
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    9 months ago

    Are you willing to build it yourself, or will it need to be a prebuilt? Are there any space constraints? Do you need a monitor, keyboard, mouse, headphones, or other peripherals within that price frame as well?

    Modding windows games under Linux is kind of a nightmare unfortunately, and it’s unlikely to get better any time soon.

    • GalaxyBrain [they/them]@hexbear.netOP
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      9 months ago

      Gonna be real, I’m a bit scared to build a PC now cause I haven’t in like 12 years, but it’s probably also easier. Peripheral stuff doesn’t really matter, my folks are handling most of this as a christmas/birthday thing so a keyboard and mouse ain’t nuthin. It’s gonna be hooked up to my living room TV, so monitor and sound stuff is handled. Just the tower really. Give me some time with a pc again and I may become a Linux guy but I haven’t dicked around with a computer since 2010 or so.

      Edit: space constraints are not an issue at all, I could put up an old timey reel to reel computer in here.

  • Maoo [none/use name]@hexbear.net
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    9 months ago

    Have you considered a Steam Deck? They cost about half your budget and I think they’ll do most of the things you listed. Also you can play with it on the couch and emulate all kinds of things, including running dolphin. I think it might require a little fiddling to make dolphin smooth but not a ton.

    With your leftover budget you could focus on exactly what you’d want for light/video/sound editing. Technically the Steam Deck is also a Linux desktop but I have no idea if it would work well for those tasks.

    You also might want to look into a used SFF business PC that you shove a GPU into. Dell Optiplex sff, Lenovo Thinkcentre sff, HP Optiplex sff (it’s second hand so I don’t think BDS matters there). Focus on the CPU that’s included and make sure it’s good enough. Could put a good computer together for about $250-$400.

    • GalaxyBrain [they/them]@hexbear.netOP
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      9 months ago

      I need like, the bare bones as far as editing goes. I want a general purpose computer that if I wanna play a game I can, I can do the audio visual stuff I want on my decade old laptop or could if the screen worked, what I’m up to takes as little post production as you can manage.

      • The_Walkening [none/use name]@hexbear.net
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        9 months ago

        If you’re willing to put some time into it you can always install windows on the Steam Deck and dual-boot so you get the good gaming experience and you can still use the same editing software you’re used to. It’s pretty good hardware so it can definitely handle some light video/audio editing.

      • Maoo [none/use name]@hexbear.net
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        9 months ago

        Nice! I bet you’d be happy with one of those sff business PCs. I have a few and they are solid. It also removes basically any need to think about components aside from getting compatible RAM and a GPU.

        Look at this thing. You only need to add a GPU, really. And maybe a HDD for video if you’re not using an external drive. That particular model has really good storage expansion options. You can also spend a little more to get ones with no scuffs but I don’t really care about that, myself.

        • GalaxyBrain [they/them]@hexbear.netOP
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          9 months ago

          I’ve posted elsewhere in the thread, but I’m mostly using my parents money as a christmas thing so it’s not like what I save on this can be used elsewhere in my life and my folks can afford it. So I’m trying to go a little over my immediate needs so I can pirate a few games as well and not news to worry about anything running bad for a while. I’m not a triple a guy but if I wanna play something kinda modern on lowr settings I’d like the option, cool stuff comes out here and there and if piracy is an option then I may be more compelled to try out more stuff, so breathing room that way is nice.

          • Maoo [none/use name]@hexbear.net
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            9 months ago

            Oh that’s different!

            I’d still actually look into to the used sff route myself. I’d just get a newer model. You’ll get way more CPU for your money and the build quality is better than most towers.

            The one downside might be that an sff would mean you had to use a low profile GPU. If that’s no good, then they do also have tower versions of these PCs. Something like this.

            The main downside to these business computers is that you can’t really upgrade the power supplies (they’re proprietary), though you can always replace them with used ones. I don’t mind this because I don’t need an extremely powerful graphics card.

            Compare specs vs $$$ to see if it’s a better deal!

  • Awoo [she/her]@hexbear.net
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    9 months ago

    I’m so behind on stuff it’s kinda funny.

    https://www.logicalincrements.com/

    Genuinely very useful site that will bring you up to speed on parts comparatively.

    graphical setting higher than like 720p really don’t matter to me

    If your budget is “under $1000” you’re looking at something that will be reasonably mid-tier. Prices on logical increments are a guide not a gospel. You can get some motherboard+cpu combo deals that drive price down further if you shop around.

    • RION [she/her]@hexbear.net
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      9 months ago

      i always forget about that site! love the granularity of their tiers, although their parts recommendations tab could use some updating…

      it’s a shame OP probably doesn’t have access to a microcenter, they get nutty with their combo deals

      • Awoo [she/her]@hexbear.net
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        9 months ago

        Yeah it’s my favourite goto site every time I need to update myself on how things have changed since last upgrade.

  • oktherebuddy [he/him]@hexbear.net
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    9 months ago

    imo you should look for someone posting their desktop computer from the early-mid-2010s on ebay, facebook marketplace, or craigslist. Should be able to pick up a rig that can easily do what you want for $200-$300 at most. Or if you are building your own you should buy all your components used off ebay.

  • Dolores [love/loves]@hexbear.net
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    9 months ago

    play new Vegas on PC with mods for the first time level

    you will use mod organizer. you will do Tale of Two Wastelands comfy just building it now you’ll be able to do a reshade or enb too. i’m your huckleberry if you need bethesda (pre-starfield) shit

    • GalaxyBrain [they/them]@hexbear.netOP
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      9 months ago

      What’s the best thing for a more realistic hardcore mode? I’d like myself and enemies to die from guns easier, maybe having it make a difference if I travel by night or day and stuff, I don’t want it just harder I want it better implemented.

      • Dolores [love/loves]@hexbear.net
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        9 months ago

        sounds like you could get on with BLEED, maybe heatstroke for making shit harder but fair

        one of the unfortunate things is those big overhauls like project nevada became deprecated a few years back, so you’ll want Tweaks and Just Mods to make up the difference with lots of adjustments & mechanics you can configure for yourself. they seem intimidating but are very user friendly and ingame.

        but before any of that, you want to follow the TTW install guide or a similar basic install with the patches, fixes and all that. typing this all out it doesn’t seem nearly as easy as it is but Mod Manager is an excellent program these days

  • RION [she/her]@hexbear.net
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    9 months ago

    Assuming we’re talking CAD, the entry level/modest guides here will be about as good as you can get in the price range without watching for a particularly good deal.

    PC assembling is not really that hard all things considered. I’ve got my issues with LinusTechTips but their video guide on PC assembly is the most comprehensive one I’ve seen. If you follow it you should have no issues.

  • BlueMagaChud [any]@hexbear.net
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    9 months ago

    For your requirements on a TV you might want to go with a AMD Ryzen mini pc like this one Scratch that, this one is much better.They’re powerful enough for your needs, have everything included, and that one is only $650 905. ~~I would recommend an 8600g/8700g pc if you can find one in stock somewhere, but it’s going to be awhile for pc system integrators to get them available. ~~ Edit: Here’s a review