Lounge friendly gaming machine?

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Talkiet

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#245571 11-Feb-2019 13:51

Asking for a friend. Are there any current medium to high end game options that are lounge friendly? (Quiet, small, look pretty - like a stereo component)

I know the Silverstone Grandia case series would be great - wondering about options.

Looking for something in the 8700k, 8-16G, GTX1080 area to drive a 55" HDTV. playing newest games (Crysis etc)

It's a been a LONG time since I was current with Intel hardware. This isn't going to be an AMD vs Intel discussion either. Either is fine. Appearance, noise, size are more important that detailed specs.

She has a KICKASS laptop (Lenovo Yoga 910) but unfortunately it lacks Thunderbolt3 or else the easy answer would be external video card)

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

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Networkn
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#2176438 11-Feb-2019 14:03

I assume you've already ruled out Xbox One X or PS4 Pro?

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Talkiet

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#2176439 11-Feb-2019 14:03

Fair question but yes. ruled out. PC gamer

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

Coil

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#2176458 11-Feb-2019 14:08

Talkiet:

Fair question but yes. ruled out. PC gamer

Cheers - N

I'll find you the video when I get home but Linus tech tips did a few of these "Shuttle" style builds with great thermal results.

It is all well and good shoving big hardware into a small box but you really need to get it right from the start..
Happy to assist with hardware and building of PC if you like.

hio77

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#2176460 11-Feb-2019 14:09

Build one of these? seemed pretty good for noise levels and fits the decor a ton.

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littlehead

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#2176475 11-Feb-2019 14:19

I looked at this sort of thing a year or so ago. Though I never went through and bought it the Node 202 was one of the front runners in that size/style. Can take a full size graphics card without too much trouble, and only the largest don't fit. Just need to ensure that your PSU would fit as well.

Never went through with it as the price premium on the ITX board and SFX power supply etc for what you got was too much at the time.

I would suggest also looking at "Cube" style cases to see if they could suit. Still quite small and can look fairly good but more options for cases and components.

networkn

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#2176478 11-Feb-2019 14:22

I presume she has also ruled out the streaming services like SteamLink etc? I have found them to be pretty decent if hosted on a local LAN.

Talkiet

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#2176487 11-Feb-2019 14:43

Yes, she wants a proper gaming machine, locally connected. She's been in gaming and computers longer than most members here I would wager. Much like me however it's been a long time since she has been up to date with absolutely current tech.

I should point out that we have both previously been professional system builders and have both built many eye watering machines... The question is mostly around whether there are any good small options available.

The Node202 looks neat. The Silverstone Grandia series also look promising.

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

Lias

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#2176529 11-Feb-2019 15:30

Have you/she considered talking to somewhere like Computer Lounge about a custom build?

I'm a geek, a gamer, a dad, a Quic user, and an IT Professional. I have a full rack home lab, size 15 feet, an epic beard and Asperger's. I'm a bit of a Cypherpunk, who believes information wants to be free and the Net interprets censorship as damage and routes around it. If you use my Quic signup you can also use the code R570394EKGIZ8 for free setup.

Talkiet

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#2176534 11-Feb-2019 15:34

Lias:

Have you/she considered talking to somewhere like Computer Lounge about a custom build?

Nope, we're more than capable of doing the build. I've built well over 2 thousand machines and she's probably done at least half that, many of which were super high end gear.

The issue is lack of familiarity with the current casing options and what's available locally. Also not afraid of buying bits internationally so curious about real world experiences with cases/cooling in specific small cases etc.

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

nzkc

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#2176573 11-Feb-2019 16:02

Computer Lounge would still be a good place to start. Ask them what cases they have for a quiet living room PC - or a media centre/HTPC case. Suspect you might find the best looking cases are too small (probably too thin height wise). Make it difficult to get a full size (i.e. modern) graphics card in.

What looks good is quite a subjective and personal thing. I'd personally be looking at something like this: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA5FY2MW2509 (on looks alone).

When I was doing this for a HTPC many years ago, getting a dedicated HTPC case in NZ was quite hard.

maoriboy

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#2176870 12-Feb-2019 08:05

I second the Steam-link option as I've had no issues with mine running Far Cry 3, Just Cause 3, Doom, RtCW etc from my desktop located in the games room to the lounge via network cable onto my 55inch oled tv in the lounge. Was an inexpensive option that just works. Of course if your friend wants to buy a new PC...........

Coil

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#2176878 12-Feb-2019 08:23

nzkc:

Computer Lounge would still be a good place to start. Ask them what cases they have for a quiet living room PC - or a media centre/HTPC case. Suspect you might find the best looking cases are too small (probably too thin height wise). Make it difficult to get a full size (i.e. modern) graphics card in.

What looks good is quite a subjective and personal thing. I'd personally be looking at something like this: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA5FY2MW2509 (on looks alone).

When I was doing this for a HTPC many years ago, getting a dedicated HTPC case in NZ was quite hard.

"Looking for something in the 8700k, 8-16G, GTX1080"

If you buy on looks and failed to miss the OP's hardware needs then please don't suggest a quiet fanless case or anything. Sorry but if someone took that advice you'd have some questions to answer...

chevrolux

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#2176882 12-Feb-2019 08:31

How about one of the new Corsair One machines? Awesomely powerful, super quiet.... not cheap.

mrdrifter

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#2176968 12-Feb-2019 10:27

I've built machines into both Shuttle and Silverstone HTPC cases and both work well, shuttle tend to be a much tighter fit. The silverstone cases are well thought out and with the right model will hold all standard gaming components. I don't think you would go wrong with a Silverstone Grandia. My current and previous desktop builds are in Fractal cases and I've been impressed with the build and finish quality, I would imagine their HTPC style cases are just as good.

Talkiet

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#2176978 12-Feb-2019 10:54

maoriboy:

I second the Steam-link option as I've had no issues with mine running Far Cry 3, Just Cause 3, Doom, RtCW etc from my desktop located in the games room to the lounge via network cable onto my 55inch oled tv in the lounge. Was an inexpensive option that just works. Of course if your friend wants to buy a new PC...........

That would be a great idea if Steam-link supported 4k/60 for games like Far Cry New Dawn. Also, there's no other gaming PC in the house.

So the requirements as stated are valid. Local execution, reasonably kickass components, quiet, looks good. Please let's not try and renegotiate the requirements :-)

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

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