I own a gaming pc: Worth buying a PC just for work/browsing?

[Dave3000]

I own a gaming pc that I also do office work and web browsing on. it's an i7-4930k, 32 GB RAM, GTX 780 Ti, etc... I also have spare parts that could be put to use building a spare desktop PC. The spare parts are: 16GB DDR3-1600, 640 GB 7200 rpm HDD, HD6450 video card, and a sound card, and a Hyper 212 Plus CPU cooler. I won't need the sound card or video card since the CPU I'm considering on buying is going to have HD4400 graphics and the motherboard will have integrated audio.

I only need to buy a few more parts to complete a 2nd build. I need to buy the CPU, motherboard, power supply, and case. What I consider on buying is an i3-4150, MSI H97 PC Mate motherboard, 500-550 w power supply, and an Antec P100 case. I can probably buy a used i3-4150 or 4130 for a good price. I also have a retail copy of Windows 7 Pro and a retail copy of Windows 8 Pro Upgrade that I'm not using right now so that covers the OS. I could buy a already manufacturer built desktop that is on sale right now for a little more cost with similar specs but less RAM and probably a less powerful power supply, and a a bigger HDD.

If I do get another PC for work/web browsing and dedicate my gaming PC just for gaming would it be worth it since I only need to buy a few more parts.

 

[Bateluer]

Doesn't seem like a fiscally sound move to me. You already have a damn good PC that can easily pull double duty as a gaming PC and productivity machine. Why spend the money on a second PC? From my own experience, you'll just end up using only the faster one for everything.

With the power of your gaming machine, the only options that I would have on the table would be more specialized; a NAS machine for storage/Plex for example.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Doesn't seem like a fiscally sound move to me. You already have a damn good PC that can easily pull double duty as a gaming PC and productivity machine. Why spend the money on a second PC? From my own experience, you'll just end up using only the faster one for everything.

With the power of your gaming machine, the only options that I would have on the table would be more specialized; a NAS machine for storage/Plex for example.

You're not considering the overclocking aspect. Perhaps he wants an overclocked machine for games, but a nice stable non-overclocked machine for finances, etc.

 

[Dave3000]

Even if I do get a dedicated work machine I will be keeping my gaming rig at stock settings. A 2nd PC is good to have around for troubleshooting purposes, provided the hardware isn't too old, but that would just be a bonus for me. I just like the idea of keeping gaming and work separate and treating my gaming rig like a console.

 

[corkyg]

I see it purely as a personal choice driven more for convenience than necessity. In my main PC, I use a different approach - I use a mobile rack that can take different drives - each with a different OS. I now run Win 7 and Win 8.1 on the same machine but with discreet drives. It is a planned redundancy.

 

[piasabird]

I have computers connected to my HDTV's. Don't have cable and don't game.

 

[Remobz]

I see it purely as a personal choice driven more for convenience than necessity. In my main PC, I use a different approach - I use a mobile rack that can take different drives - each with a different OS. I now run Win 7 and Win 8.1 on the same machine but with discreet drives. It is a planned redundancy.

Interesting.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

A little netbook'y laptop might be nice in the kitchen/living room, etc.

 

[Sho'Nuff]

I use my gaming PC for work as well. A triple monitor setup is awesome for productivity. At least in my line of work.

 

[billyb0b]

I use my gaming PC for work as well. A triple monitor setup is awesome for productivity. At least in my line of work.

3 screens for viewing pr0n is always a plus :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[cbrunny]

Even if I do get a dedicated work machine I will be keeping my gaming rig at stock settings. A 2nd PC is good to have around for troubleshooting purposes, provided the hardware isn't too old, but that would just be a bonus for me. I just like the idea of keeping gaming and work separate and treating my gaming rig like a console.

Suggest using a different user login for "work" and "play" times. Save the dough.

 

[frozentundra123456]

I suppose it depends on what kind of work and how much of it you do. If it is just an occasional usage I don't see the point. But if you work a lot from home and keep a lot of important files, data, etc. I could see keeping a separate machine for that. If you spend a lot of hours on it, you would also have less noise/heat generated with an i3 running on the igp, but modern components downclock so well it might not make a difference.

 

[Blue_Max]

High-end components don't use THAT much more power when idle and running Excel, etc.

I agree with the other idea of work & play accounts just to keep things tidy (and professional if anyone comes over to see your "work".)

That $200 can go to making sure you have a good, quiet setup or comfortable chair and desk.

 

[hoorah]

I think you're just trying to find a use for the spare parts. In my experience, having a second PC is a total waste of effort and resources (desktops anyway).

Now, if the second PC is going to be a server, an HTPC, or maybe a laptop to be portable then you might use it. A second desktop though? Everyones use case is different, but I'll bet you don't touch it.

 

[Dave3000]

I think you're just trying to find a use for the spare parts. In my experience, having a second PC is a total waste of effort and resources (desktops anyway).

Now, if the second PC is going to be a server, an HTPC, or maybe a laptop to be portable then you might use it. A second desktop though? Everyones use case is different, but I'll bet you don't touch it.

Well I do have spare memory that I got replaced through RMA early this year and I want to stress test it on another system so I don't have my gaming rig tied up. I don't want to risk ending up with a corrupted OS, corrupted software installations, or corrupted files on my main PC because I was using defective/unstable memory.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I say go for it, build a second PC. Why not?

Then again, in my living room, I have 11 desktop PCs.

Ok, so I have a desktop-building illness, so perhaps I'm not the best person to ask for advice on whether or not you should build another desktop PC. You might end up like me, if you keep building PCs.

PS. Some of those PCs are going to be sold or donated.

 

[mistersprinkles]

Why not make this a ganster little computer? ITX case, ITX board. Pop a sloppy jaloppy CPU in it if you want to. At least it'll look cool. Check out the EVGA Hadron. Comes with a gold rated 500W PSU. There are affordable ITX boards for socket 1150 packed with features.

 

[Sho'Nuff]

3 screens for viewing pr0n is always a plus :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

As enjoyable as it would be to watch pron for a living (at least for a little while), it is not what I do. I am a no-good pencil pushing patent attorney. 3 monitors = a lot of saved trees.

 

[gorobei]

if you just want to keep things clean and separate (ie driver upgrade kills os and forces re-install) you could use separate hard drives and os with dual boot(one drive for work os, one drive for game os) so that your work machine wont have any down time.

if you are worried about browsing and getting a virus that could compromise your work system/data, then go with a 2nd machine and look into a kvm or multiple inputs for your monitors.