computer configuration for 2018
2018-Apr-08, Sunday 09:11 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
mellowtiggerEven while my computer was still a few years old, I told myself (back in 2012) that I would get a whole new system when the Star Citizen game finally was released for play. It's 2018, Star Citizen still isn't here (but getting close). It is far past time to update my computer. Many organizations amortize their computer systems at 3 year lifespans, but I've had mine since 2010 according to my NewEgg purchase history.
As before, I'm still committed to avoiding high-energy-consumption computing. That temptation is a big one because gaming rigs can draw huge amounts of electricity. Since 2010, however, I have switched to Linux Mint as my exclusive operating system. There's no need to pay Microsoft, and frankly Windows 10 has turned into an advertising platform instead of an operating system. Linux Mint is better, and it's free. I'm also interested this time in maybe trying out a very-low-profile system. Maybe even one small enough to fit under the 4.5" bar on my computer desk that supports the monitors. I wish more cases supported USB C connectors, but that option still seems a very rare feature.
I was surprised to find a case that might be able to do it. Then it's a matter of finding a good graphics card that fits within the size limitations of the case. I think I've got a combination:
So, $2190.82 for a completely new system, good for gaming yet small and power efficient. Not quite the kind of huge workhorse that I typically buy to last me many years at a time. Desktop technology, however, has stagnated in recent years, so maybe this setup is good enough to last for another long cycle of 8 years between upgrades. At $275/year for that 8 year period, it's not a bad deal. But... does it have the power to deliver a great high-end gaming experience, with the new games (Star Citizen) that will arrive while needing lots of hardware?
That's the question. If it does, then I can always buy these parts slowly as they come down in price, finally delivering the complete pc setup later this year. After all, graphics cards are still quite overpriced because of cryptocurrency mining, but that effect should finally wane this year.
Anyway, I'm officially posting this configuration, so I have something for me and others to review over time.
As before, I'm still committed to avoiding high-energy-consumption computing. That temptation is a big one because gaming rigs can draw huge amounts of electricity. Since 2010, however, I have switched to Linux Mint as my exclusive operating system. There's no need to pay Microsoft, and frankly Windows 10 has turned into an advertising platform instead of an operating system. Linux Mint is better, and it's free. I'm also interested this time in maybe trying out a very-low-profile system. Maybe even one small enough to fit under the 4.5" bar on my computer desk that supports the monitors. I wish more cases supported USB C connectors, but that option still seems a very rare feature.
I was surprised to find a case that might be able to do it. Then it's a matter of finding a good graphics card that fits within the size limitations of the case. I think I've got a combination:
| case | $74.99 | $83.29 | Silverstone ML-08 | MiniITX size; 330mm x 140mm graphics; 2.5" drive; STX power |
| graphics | $898.99 | $599.99 | GeForce GTX 1080 | 267mm x 112mm; "blower" form for air flow; needs 500W power supply |
| motherboard | $244.99 | $193.01 | Asus Strix X370-I | MiniITX size; AM4 socket |
| cpu | $299.99 | $189.99 | AMD Ryzen 7 1700 | AM4 socket; 65W power (vs 95W for the 1700X) |
| heat sink | $39.89 | $39.69 | Silverstone AR06 | recommended for this low-profile case |
| memory | $216.99 | $154.99 | G.Skill TridentZ | DDR4 3200; 16GB |
| hard drive | $289.99 | $265.00 | WD Blue 1TB SSD | 2.5" drive |
| power supply | $124.99 | $132.25 | Silverstone SX 600-G | STX power; 600W; recommended for this low-profile case |
So, $2190.82 for a completely new system, good for gaming yet small and power efficient. Not quite the kind of huge workhorse that I typically buy to last me many years at a time. Desktop technology, however, has stagnated in recent years, so maybe this setup is good enough to last for another long cycle of 8 years between upgrades. At $275/year for that 8 year period, it's not a bad deal. But... does it have the power to deliver a great high-end gaming experience, with the new games (Star Citizen) that will arrive while needing lots of hardware?
That's the question. If it does, then I can always buy these parts slowly as they come down in price, finally delivering the complete pc setup later this year. After all, graphics cards are still quite overpriced because of cryptocurrency mining, but that effect should finally wane this year.
Anyway, I'm officially posting this configuration, so I have something for me and others to review over time.
no subject
Date: 2018-Apr-08, Sunday 08:09 pm (UTC)For about $900, Alienware has some tiny boxes (~2"x8"x8") with a port for an external graphics amplifier. I still get 17% off coupons I can share, too. Might be a good way to handle it (it has a GeForce 960, and if you pick up the external amplifier dealy you can add a 1080 later). The Ryzen 7's better than what's in them, though, but not by a ton for gaming purposes based on the benchmarks I found.
I can't really speak to its Linux support, but aside from the external amplifier thing I don't see anything too weird on it.
Alienware Alpha
Alienware Graphics Amplifier
CPU benchmarks
no subject
Date: 2018-Apr-09, Monday 06:25 am (UTC)I forgot that Alienware was Dell. If they offered SteamOS, I think I'd be ordering one right now. They only do Windows 10, however, and I already dislike Win10's advertising. If I got the low-end unit, though, as a "trial run" to see if I could live with the small device (and Win10 temporarily), then your discount would get it down to only $500, which is extremely reasonable for playing games and surfing the web. None of the games that I play right now are especially taxing of hardware.
When I looked at the other Steam Machines, though, I found native SteamOS support, and one of the vendors has a good mix-and-match website for parts selection. For $1126, I can get GeForce GTX 1060 6GB graphics card, 8GB memory, 3TB HDD, Intel Core i5 7500. Not horrible stats or price, with native SteamOS for Linux goodness.
https://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/Syber-Steam-Machine-Core
$500 trial... or $1100 medium-ish platform. Hmmmm. And if I go the cheap route from Alienware, would I be better off just getting the Nintendo Switch, since I wouldn't be getting the Linux desktop that I wanted anyway? And the Switch looks like it will grow into a cool game platform in its own right.
P.S. I see that as early as 2015, people were easily installing SteamOS onto the Alienware Alpha. I just checked, and somebody put Linux Mint on it too. So... Dell or Switch? Hmmm.
no subject
Date: 2018-Apr-10, Tuesday 05:06 am (UTC)The only thing I'd be concerned about whether it works in Linux would be the graphics amplifier (external video card thing). That could have weird proprietary stuff.