Right then, so I've always been a PC gamer but in recent years due to work I've slacked off a lot. I still play quite a lot of sports titles with friends, particularly NBA2K and PES (not the last one cos it was inferior to the console version).
I've been in Berlin for 5 months and in another month I'm heading back to Cape Town and I'd like to get back into more gaming (haven't played any games here in Berlin cos my laptop is not for gaming) but I'm a bit unsure what tactic to take.
CURRENT PC
In Cape Town I have a 3 year old PC. I had some RAM/motherboard issue late last year and had to move the 2 sticks to the other slots and things were then fine. I then got a new gfx card for Fallout and it resulted in freezes during games (mostly). I wonder if it's due to my PSU not being able to handle the new card - any thoughts on that?
So plan A is to just get my old PC working properly with a new PSU or whatever. Get an HDMI cable (would have to be 10m to connect it to the TV for sports gaming. Also probably get a new TV as mine is about 4 years old and not FULL HD. There are now streaming options that are potentially better than HDMI, right? Any advice on that?
PROS - Cheapest option by far, if it works.
CONS - Finding the freeze problem is a pain in the ass. My PC is quite old, for example the motherboard having that RAM issue. If I return to Berlin then I can't lug that big thing with me.
NEW GAMING PC
Sell my old one for parts and get a new system. I'm very interested in VR although will probably wait a bit for the next gen or until there is a clear winner. Not a fan of early adopting. So this would future proof that aspect of it.
PROS - High end graphics, future proofing for VR, don't have to worry about an old system falling on it's face at any moment.
CONS - Can't take to Berlin. Expensive as hell, particularly with a new TV as well. It's just such a time suck to find the right parts/system, get everything installed, blah blah.
CONSOLE
I've always resisted consoles. Love the idea of them for sports but I'm so used to gaming with a mouse. Not sure I could ever play FPS with a controller and feel anything but pure frustration. But the portability is great, the convenience of it, etc.
PROS - Convenient. Allow me to play, pause, and check PC for work which means, I think, I'd play more games. Let's me play games that I would otherwise miss out on (Last of Us, PES, etc.). Might be able to bring with me to Berlin.
CONS - Expensive games (although I guess people trade a lot). Potentially not enjoying playing a lot of games with a controller.
GAMING LAPTOP
Another option I've considered but not too greatly.
Pros - If I return to Berlin next year I can still play games here. My games easily go with me.
Cons - Expensive compared to the alternatives. Underperforming compared to desktop PC. Can't work and play games at the same time. Seems you need to upgrade the damn things so damn often in order to retain value.
Alternatively I could do a combo of things, like a console for certain types of games and then fix my old PC and use it for FPS and strategy.
Or just give up on gaming and realize I'm a bloody adult.
I've been in Berlin for 5 months and in another month I'm heading back to Cape Town and I'd like to get back into more gaming (haven't played any games here in Berlin cos my laptop is not for gaming) but I'm a bit unsure what tactic to take.
CURRENT PC
In Cape Town I have a 3 year old PC. I had some RAM/motherboard issue late last year and had to move the 2 sticks to the other slots and things were then fine. I then got a new gfx card for Fallout and it resulted in freezes during games (mostly). I wonder if it's due to my PSU not being able to handle the new card - any thoughts on that?
So plan A is to just get my old PC working properly with a new PSU or whatever. Get an HDMI cable (would have to be 10m to connect it to the TV for sports gaming. Also probably get a new TV as mine is about 4 years old and not FULL HD. There are now streaming options that are potentially better than HDMI, right? Any advice on that?
PROS - Cheapest option by far, if it works.
CONS - Finding the freeze problem is a pain in the ass. My PC is quite old, for example the motherboard having that RAM issue. If I return to Berlin then I can't lug that big thing with me.
NEW GAMING PC
Sell my old one for parts and get a new system. I'm very interested in VR although will probably wait a bit for the next gen or until there is a clear winner. Not a fan of early adopting. So this would future proof that aspect of it.
PROS - High end graphics, future proofing for VR, don't have to worry about an old system falling on it's face at any moment.
CONS - Can't take to Berlin. Expensive as hell, particularly with a new TV as well. It's just such a time suck to find the right parts/system, get everything installed, blah blah.
CONSOLE
I've always resisted consoles. Love the idea of them for sports but I'm so used to gaming with a mouse. Not sure I could ever play FPS with a controller and feel anything but pure frustration. But the portability is great, the convenience of it, etc.
PROS - Convenient. Allow me to play, pause, and check PC for work which means, I think, I'd play more games. Let's me play games that I would otherwise miss out on (Last of Us, PES, etc.). Might be able to bring with me to Berlin.
CONS - Expensive games (although I guess people trade a lot). Potentially not enjoying playing a lot of games with a controller.
GAMING LAPTOP
Another option I've considered but not too greatly.
Pros - If I return to Berlin next year I can still play games here. My games easily go with me.
Cons - Expensive compared to the alternatives. Underperforming compared to desktop PC. Can't work and play games at the same time. Seems you need to upgrade the damn things so damn often in order to retain value.
Alternatively I could do a combo of things, like a console for certain types of games and then fix my old PC and use it for FPS and strategy.
Or just give up on gaming and realize I'm a bloody adult.
