PC's w/o towers

[acctingman]

So, I've been out of the loop for 5+ years.

I'm a gamer, but not into super heavy graphical shooters. More into wargames and some MMO's

What's the deal with these PC's that don't have towers? I'm guessing there are some limitations and lack of upgrading potential?

Are these machines able to be built to specs? or are they more HP builds?

Would I be better off getting a gaming laptop over a PC All-in-One? The only reason I like the AIO over a laptop is screen size.

Thanks

 

[dullard]

I'm assuming that you are talking about computers with small cases (small form factor = SFF) or cases built into something else (such as the monitor in an all-in-one computer).

If so, they are quite capable computers. But, there are limitations. Usually they use low power CPUs since these tight, compact spaces do not fit large fans and large power supplies. Plus, many are used in situations where you can't rely on active cooling, so high power processors are not feasible. Low power processors can be quite good, but they are not nearly as fast, despite having the similar sounding names. For example a 7th generation Intel i7-7700K chip uses 91 W of power vs the 7th generation Intel i7-7700T chip that uses 35 W of power. The average speed difference between the two chips is roughly 20%, although a particular benchmark might be between 0% and 40% faster for the processor that uses more power. There are even lower powered versions with similar names and a U at the end (such as the 7th generation Intel i7-7600U chip that uses roughly 15 W of power). But beware of these really low powered chips as they have far lower performance, the 7700K might be more than twice as fast as the 7600U despite both being i7 processors.

There are other compromises too. You can't fit in large hard drives, large optical drives, high power video cards, etc. As long as you don't need these larger devices, they are great machines.

There are often advantages to them. If you don't need the full speed, a low power machine saves you money over time with less electricity. It could be passively cooled so you don't have a fan interrupting your movie/music experience. It can fit into tight spaces. It can be attractive (such as I have one running my TV and no one even knows there is a computer on top of the TV base).

As for your needs, it all depends on whether or not the video card limitation is a problem.

 

[ElFenix]

i think he's talking about AIOs. but the abuse of apostrophes resets my brain and i keep thinking "PC's what? power supply?"

anyway, enough about me.

AIO is where the computer components are all boxed into the back side of the monitor. as opposed to having a separate box (often a tower, but can be quite a bit smaller, i think intel NUC computers aren't much bigger than a hamburger).

as dullard explained, the character at the end of the processor model number describes the wattage the processor is limited to dissipating over a (for a processor) lengthy period of time. generally speaking, the more wattage a processor can use, the higher the speeds it can maintain when loaded. that means that, if an AIO (despite generally using mobile parts) has decent cooling capability, it can use the higher speeds the processor can provide. however, that does not necessarily mean an AIO is any faster than a gaming laptop with decent cooling.

also, you can plug the laptop into a screen if you want, but you also get the mobile capability on top of that.

i don't know if i've seen any truly customizable AIOs out there. there's a large market for customizing gaming laptops at present, so if you want to go that route, i'd shade the laptop direction (though, if you find a place that customizes AIOs, go right ahead).

 

[DaveSimmons]

What about a "shoebox" mini-ITX? With those you get a real desktop CPU, your choice of normal desktop graphics cards (up to the size and cooling limit of the case), any amount of storage up to around 6 TB, and can attach any monitor you want. You can swap out parts if something breaks, and upgrade the video card in a couple of years.

The Coffee Lake 8700 non-K is a 6-core, 12-thread monster CPU that only has a TDP of 65 watts, it would be fine in a case like that and you'd have a CPU good enough for at least then next 5 years. Probably longer.

Fractal Design Core 500 at Newegg - https://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod...0&cm_re=fractal_design-_-11-352-060-_-Product

 

[edcoolio]

So, I've been out of the loop for 5+ years.

I'm a gamer, but not into super heavy graphical shooters. More into wargames and some MMO's

What's the deal with these PC's that don't have towers? I'm guessing there are some limitations and lack of upgrading potential?

Are these machines able to be built to specs? or are they more HP builds?

Would I be better off getting a gaming laptop over a PC All-in-One? The only reason I like the AIO over a laptop is screen size.

Thanks

I would recommend not getting an AIO, unless you have plenty of cash.

Basically, since you are buying the monitor built in, right along with all of the components, it is an expensive exercise to get a gaming capable computer. Additionally, what you see is what you get - very little to no upgrade options. If none of this bothers you, then get the best one you can afford with the best graphics and CPU setup. The same goes for a laptop gaming machine. Think of the AIO as a large screen laptop with no battery.

If you do not have a large budget, then you are far better off buying a "tower" with the best graphics (GPU) and CPU you can afford, plus a monitor you really like, and find a spot to hide the tower box. These machines are typically built in a more standardized manner, cheaper to repair, cheaper to upgrade, and tend to last longer in general due to better cooling.