Solution to needing gaming computer for 3 months

[Jjoshua2]

So I live on the west coast, and have like a 70% chance of getting an internship on the east coast Virginia area. I will probably want to play games of an evening, and have quite a few choices. I could ship my big fast desktop P182 case for probably 50 each way plus 30 for the 24 inch monitor. Around 150-160 dollars for the summer. Or I could buy a gaming console when I am there and sell it for I don't know what loss. I don't have any console games like I do computer games, though. This would probably cost like 400-500 and i would maybe loose 50 dollars? I could rent games maybe locally? I've never had a console.

I could buy a desktop locally, and then sell it locally. This would be like 1000$ and I don't know how much I would get back.

I could buy a nice gaming laptop waiting for a deal, and bring it with me and sell it for probably little loss when convenient. I think I am kinda leaning towards this. What do you guys think?

I like playing left 4 dead, team fortress 2, far cry, maybe even far cry 2 and fallout 3

Thanks for reading and commenting!
~Josh

 

[razor2025]

Your cheapest option is to get a used console and signup for Gamefly/Blockbuster service for the 3 month in your internship. Buying used console will lesson the depreciation hit, if you're patient and vigilant, you won't lose any money on the console itself. The game rental service for 3months would be $20 x 3, so cost of a single 360 game.

I wouldn't want to haul desktop + monitor, simply because there's significant risk of getting your things damage, regardless of how well you pack. Buying/Selling laptop and desktop locally seems like bad idea from time/effort consumption view.

 

[Jjoshua2]

A console would work. I probably won't have an HDTV, just a regular one so I might need a monitor. If it got a laptop it would come with a screen. Is an hdtv pretty much required to enjoy a xbox 360 or ps3?

 

[TidusZ]

pack your pc for air travel, bring it with you, pay for an extra bag/weight if they make you. Take the pc apart, line a hard cased suitcase with foam, wrap up parts like mobo/proc, ram, heatsink in soft materials (I"ve used clothing, dual purpose). For more breakable stuff like videocard/harddrive, put them in your carry on bag. The monitor is tricky, you need a suitcase just for it, and pack it much the same with foam and soft wrapping, put foam over the screen and wrap it. If you do a good packing job you'll get your stuff shipped cheaper than fedex and less hassle, I've done it many times when going out for contracts with naval reserves. If you wanna save some hassle dont bring the monitor and buy one there. You wont have a pc case, but you can just build it on a desk and then use a cardboard box to make a case to protect it, cut out holes for a fan or two if you want to and cut out holes/use twist ties to mount them. Its ghetto but it works well. Gl

Oh, and dont forget to bring the power button/reset switch connectors from an old case.

 

[JMapleton]

I say mail it, that's what I would do.

 

[Falloutboy]

Originally posted by: TidusZ
pack your pc for air travel, bring it with you, pay for an extra bag/weight if they make you. Take the pc apart, line a hard cased suitcase with foam, wrap up parts like mobo/proc, ram, heatsink in soft materials (I"ve used clothing, dual purpose). For more breakable stuff like videocard/harddrive, put them in your carry on bag. The monitor is tricky, you need a suitcase just for it, and pack it much the same with foam and soft wrapping, put foam over the screen and wrap it. If you do a good packing job you'll get your stuff shipped cheaper than fedex and less hassle, I've done it many times when going out for contracts with naval reserves. If you wanna save some hassle dont bring the monitor and buy one there. You wont have a pc case, but you can just build it on a desk and then use a cardboard box to make a case to protect it, cut out holes for a fan or two if you want to and cut out holes/use twist ties to mount them. Its ghetto but it works well. Gl

Oh, and dont forget to bring the power button/reset switch connectors from an old case.

I would mail it, airlines will not cover damage to the computer, if you ship it you can insure it for damage.

but if your going for 3 months why don't you just drive yourself? (that is if you have a car) would be a pain to pack everything you would need for 3 months on a plane flight

 

[f4phantom2500]

you could use that 24" monitor for a console. i have my 360 hooked up to my desktop monitor, a 22" lcd, it looks fantastic.

 

[SunSamurai]

Originally posted by: Jjoshua2
A console would work. I probably won't have an HDTV, just a regular one so I might need a monitor. If it got a laptop it would come with a screen. Is an hdtv pretty much required to enjoy a xbox 360 or ps3?

Considering the vast majority of PS3 and xBox360 games are NOT even 720p, that would be a big no.
Even Halo 3 was 6xxp and upsampled to 720.
Will it look better on a HDTV? Yes. Its still a good deal higher than standard def.

JMapleton: You can't see any of our islands in that shot =(

 

[ther00kie16]

My friend packed all his parts in his suitcase. I'd probably do something similar. So 1 case for pc + random stuff and 1 for your clothes and 24". Oh yea, probably leave the case behind and pick up a cheap one locally.

 

[TidusZ]

Thanks for the notes, cliff.

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: aeternitas

Originally posted by: Jjoshua2
A console would work. I probably won't have an HDTV, just a regular one so I might need a monitor. If it got a laptop it would come with a screen. Is an hdtv pretty much required to enjoy a xbox 360 or ps3?

Considering the vast majority of PS3 and xBox360 games are NOT even 720p, that would be a big no.
Even Halo 3 was 6xxp and upsampled to 720.
Will it look better on a HDTV? Yes. Its still a good deal higher than standard def.

JMapleton: You can't see any of our islands in that shot =(

Who told you that?