Repurpose current server into gaming PC, or ?

[Trey22]

Goal: Star Wars Battlefront @ 60FPS @ 1080p on crappy Acer S231HLbid.

I'm looking into turning my current FreeNAS server into a gaming PC, specs:

- Intel G3220 3.0GHz / Kingston 2 x 8GB ECC / ASRock E3C224D2I / 4 x Toshiba 2TB / Corsair CX430 / Fractal Design Node 304.

Plan is to buy a GTX 980 ($470) and see how it runs. Will this get me to my goal?

If not, I'll either:

1. Build a new desktop - $1350
- 6700K / GTX 980 / 8GB / SSD / Gigabyte Mini ITX mobo / Fractal Design Node 304 w/ EVGA SuperNova 850w PSU.

2. Buy a new laptop - $2650
- Clevo P870DM, 6700k / GTX 980 / 16GB / SSD.
- Replacing older Clevo 2630QM / 560m / 16GB / SSD.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

It'll work. Upgrade the PSU tho. And possible the CPU...

But then what'll you use for a server?

What are you gaming on now? Possible incremental upgrades to an existing box? Or is it just that Sager?

I do like and enjoy the modularity of desktops, even though laptops are also awesome. I wouldn't want a laptop to be my _only_ rig.

 

[Trey22]

My FreeNAS box is being used to store backups which then get transferred to external drives. Only other thing running on it is Plex, which I could run on the same box once I switch over to Windows.

Currently gaming on my laptop (560m) and played the SW Battlefront demo on it and turned everything to low/off and at 720p was pushing 40 FPS.

I feel that if I need to upgrade the cpu and psu on the server, might at well build a new desktop from scratch.

 

[Charlie98]

I feel that if end up needing to upgrade the cpu and psu on the server, might at well build a new desktop from scratch.

Yes. You are going to drop the coin for a GTX980, don't frustrate yourself trying to run it on a Pentium. Don't get me wrong, the G3220 is a solid chip... for a general purpose PC.

As far as your proposed build, I don't think you are going to need that 850w PSU... save some money and pick something in the 600-700w range, unless you plan to SLI.

 

[Ketchup]

Yes. You are going to drop the coin for a GTX980, don't frustrate yourself trying to run it on a Pentium. Don't get me wrong, the G3220 is a solid chip... for a general purpose PC.

As far as your proposed build, I don't think you are going to need that 850w PSU... save some money and pick something in the 600-700w range, unless you plan to SLI.

Yes, Nvidias will do fine in that power range. But get a decent CPU so as not to hold you back in gaming.

 

[Trey22]

Thx, all that info at least narrows it down to either building a new desktop or buying a new laptop.

 

[Ken g6]

I would only buy that laptop if I absolutely, positively had to be able to carry my gaming system everywhere. Including on planes. And I had a lot of disposable income.

In other words, the desktop is a much better deal.

 

[Trey22]

True. I do travel occasionally for work, but the frequency doesn't make it absolutely necessary to have a portable gaming system. About the only way I buy a new laptop is if work agrees to upgrade my old one and I just pay the difference for the 980 card.