Building PC

[Deadpool]

So I have come to the realization that I wanna do more with my computer (streaming and gaming) but only have a 2014 MacBook Air currently. It's strong enough to play some low/mid level games by itself, but streaming puts way too much load on the CPU

So here's my dilemma: should I build a streaming PC, which I'd use to capture card my MacBook gaming. It would be a temporary fix, but would by me time until I'm not as poor. Also, using this route would allow me to bypass getting a vid card until I build a gaming PC.

Or, should I just try my luck building a budget gaming/streaming PC. It would cost more to build, but have more long-term benefits.




Either way, this would be my first time building a computer. I've seen a couple tuts and vids though and it seems easier than assembling IKEA furniture.

[Deadpool]

also, I'm not opposed to trying AMD. I've heard some of their CPUs are actually better for multitasking and streaming.

[Handsome Jack]

Plenty of good options out there for PC building. Just don't look down on last gen tech. You can usually get it for a bargain and it'll work nearly as good.

[Handsome Jack]

http://blog.nzxt.com/2016/01/how-to-buil...eaming-pc/

http://www.logicalincrements.com/articles/streaming

[Deadpool]

Yeah, I'm def not gonna waste my money on some high-end i7 processor when you can get relatively the same performance from a mid-gen i5. And if I'm building this computer for initially streaming only, I shouldn't need a vid card either (yet). Just a good amount of RAM. I could probably even get away without a HDD and just go with a SSD starting out as well.

[Artoria Pendragon]

Simple starting point is to dump the Macbook into a garbage bin and move into the world of actual computers.
From there, the world is open and wonderful, once the ball in chain is no longer there.

Macs have no business in gaming nor streaming.

[Deadpool]

Im well aware of this xD

I bought this Mac when I wasn't interested in computer gaming (I was an ignorant console gamer, and in some ways still am). At the time, I was irritated with Window's new interface (COLORFUL BOXES EVERYWHERE!), so I decided to go with something more familiar to me aesthetically.My main intentions originally were for basic movie/music streaming, web surfing, and some writing and Photoshop stuff. And it worked awesome for those things.

My Mac is actually decent when it comes to playing a nice little cache of games, but the issue comes from trying to play those games AND streaming them, which puts double the load on my processor, which is definitely not built for it.

For the time being, until I get more immersed into the PC gaming realm, I can manage with my Mac.

I'm thinking the best route would be to just build a PC focused around streaming and then add components for good gaming later. That way I can temporarily circumvent dropping 100+ on a vid card.

[Deadpool]

And I would prefer to go the Intel route, since there's a larger variety of games, but from what I understand AMD is respectable and cheaper.

[Handsome Jack]

AMD ain't bad. I prefer Intel personally, but AMD is actually better when you don't have a dedicated graphics card.

[Deadpool]

Well, from my understanding, streaming doesn't really need a vid card. You just need a solid amount of RAM and a processor that can handle the load of usage.

And I've actually read articles where the latest AMD is actually better than the latest Intel when it comes to multi-tasking.

[Artoria Pendragon]

Difference being that the latest AMD is released recently, while the latest Intel is way older than that.

[Deadpool]

Are CPUs are replaceable as everything else? If so, I could always just get a better one later.

I'm not sure about motherboards or CPUs, but I know just about everything else is replaceable/upgradable. So I can go stock with a lot of stuff until I have money.


If possible I might get an Optiplex and tool it some to fit my immediate needs. Not sure if I can do that though (both from a power perspective and knowledge perspective to make the most out of it)

[Artoria Pendragon]

I mean, to an extent, yes.
Your motherboard has a CPU socket for a specific CPU architecture. So you're basically stuck with whatever architecture you choose, once you commit to it.

[Deadpool]

What are probably the best things to get for a budget stream/gaming PC?

Starting off at least, I'd like to try and do without a vid card, but I'd be open to having a decent starting card until I upgrade.

I'm thinking an affordable i5 gen, perhaps a h170 motherboard; 450 power supply should be enough (right?); not sure if I should go SSD or HDD starting off (I really don't see much difference between them other than cost--SSD being more). And a cheap capture card. And probably--what?--8GB of RAM

I don't think I'll need a dvd drive starting off, or any of the really glittery stuff.



Basically, I wanna build a PC that will do what I ask in the short-term, and be decently upgradable over time

[Trixie]

Are CPUs are replaceable as everything else? If so, I could always just get a better one later.

I'm not sure about motherboards or CPUs, but I know just about everything else is replaceable/upgradable. So I can go stock with a lot of stuff until I have money.


If possible I might get an Optiplex and tool it some to fit my immediate needs. Not sure if I can do that though (both from a power perspective and knowledge perspective to make the most out of it)

To answer this question: No. No they are not. The reason for this is because, like Nova said, you're stuck with the architecture. However that's not all. Your motherboard is your skeleton that determines RAM, the CPU, and your overall performance. (Front Side BUS, etc etc.)  Once you commit to a socket type for a CPU you need to match your RAM to the compatible types that board is capable of running. While RAM is plentiful in the sheer volume of types available for every motherboard, it does lock you to only the memory types you can support. Same with your CPU. If you get an LGA 1151 socket you are stuck to that type. Some motherboards come with multiple socket types or support more for more than one. The AMD board I replaced back in February supported for FM2 and FM2+ AMD processors. 

Your capture card idea works, but does your Mac have a video output on the back that plugs into the card? You'll need to install Windows onto the PC so you can stream from the PC and not the Mac. 

The way streamers use their capture cards is they plug their PS4 into it from the HDMI out, then plug the card into the computer which captures the video and streams it out using your internet. Most of them are literally HDMI In and HDMI Out little boxes. You may end up needing a very low end Nvidia card for the PC regardless. You can get a pretty decent one for 150 dollars. Even less.

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a...6814487216


https://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi...0600007321

[Deadpool]

I mean can't I swap mobos if both are compatible with the things I'm running? Im sure there's gotta be some mATXs and ATX that take the some stuff.

[Trixie]

I mean can't I swap mobos if both are compatible with the things I'm running? Im sure there's gotta be some mATXs and ATX that take the some stuff.

If you match components, yes. Then it's possible. You'll potentially fry your Windows installation by doing it, but yeah. Windows doesn't like change. Change at the hardware level especially.

[Trixie]

I mean if you really want to cut cost down, buy a really good motherboard, CPU, and PSU and then skimp on everything else. That way you have room to grow. If you get a low end PSU to start with you'll end up having to buy another one with the balls to handle high end shit down the road.

By really good, like Jeff said, I don't mean TOP OF THE LINE AWESOMENESS.

CPU - Something around 3.5 Ghz
Motherboard - Supports Above CPU - has 4 RAM slots. 2 channels - ASUS perferably.
PSU - 650 Watts and above - Corsair is your friend. My Corsair 650 has been running for 10 years.

Skimp on everything else.

[Deadpool]

*nod* sounds good.

My ideal first build will have a i5-7500 with a h170 asus mobo

There's actually a store in my town that sells both together for 300