For the PC building experts

Karlinel · Sep 4, 2020

Hello ERA!

With the new Ampere cards, I'm tempted of building a gaming PC (atm I use a laptop with a i7 7700HQ and a gtx1070) so I can play my adored PC games like...uuuuh...WoW and Control in all their glory.

Problem is, SO wants to make a bit of house reforming, and for some reason unknown to me, but likely linked to aesthetics, she wants ONLY an iMac 5k as house computer. She won't agree to get a macbook for her so I can get a gaming PC, it has to be one single computer.

So, my question here is...is there any possibility of assembling a RTX powered gaming rig with a design similar to iMac, that is, tower-less?

To me it seems an impossible task, but your shared wisdom might find an answer, so thanks in advance.

Stalker · Sep 4, 2020

Tell your SO you want a gaming PC and she can deal with that.

Nabs · Sep 4, 2020

ezpz

Shoichi · Sep 4, 2020

uhh...
Apple has a thing against using Nvidia things. So you will be stuck with AMD and whatever their RT solution ends up being.
Macs definitely aren't recommended to be used as gaming computers (they still will work though) unless you go pretty high-end.

As others have said, look into building your gaming rig into the table itself.

Isee · Sep 4, 2020

Hello Karlinel, no that will not be possible.
But there are Table - Cases (or desk cases) like this:
Though they are rather expansive, this model is the Lian Li Dk 04

But you can make a normal PC case look nice too and cables can be made invisible. I build clean systems, without cable spaghetti and I put them in my "office". Wife is happy with that.
Buying a computer over another because it "fits" the general aesthetic style of the house interior is a strange concept to me. But who am I to judge.

Karlinel · Sep 4, 2020

Stalker said:
Tell your SO you want a gaming PC and she can deal with that.

I admire you, but I honestly prefer sleeping in the bed.

Shoichi said:
uhh...
Apple has a thing against using Nvidia things. So you will be stuck with AMD and whatever their RT solution ends up being.

IF apple had anything able to play at least WoW in a...5k screen?? it wouldn't be so bad, but AFAIK not even the ARM renewals plan on including anything RT capable.

inspectah · Sep 4, 2020

Don't get an Apple if you want PC gaming.

Ramathevoice · Sep 4, 2020

This sounds like a r/relationships post in the making...

Ok, to try and be helpful: you're SOL until some manufacturer makes an overpriced underpowered all-in-one with an RTX card, but you may be able to convince her to "let you" (ugh) build in a small, clean, mini-ITX case like the Loque Ghost S1.

Theswweet · Sep 4, 2020

If she only wants a Mac for clout/aesthetics, that sounds... fairly shallow? Maybe ask her why she wants a Mac?

ilew · Sep 4, 2020

You could consider something like this:

MAGNUS EN72070V (Barebone) | ZOTAC

<p>MAGNUS EN72070V is the ultimate Mini Creator PC. Built for creators and hardware enthusiasts, it's empowered by a 9th Gen Intel Core™ i7 processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX™ graphics and premium connectivity. Re-engineered with breathability and striking the perfect balance between power and...

www.zotac.com

or some other really small PC you can hide / mount behind the monitor of your choice.

Look at this thread for more options:

Small Form Factor "Gaming" PC Thread (AKA HTPC) OT

Greetings Resetera, I have something to report. There is a lack of information regarding small form factor PC's on this forum and seemingly the internet at large despite me (and as I've noticed several others) having an interest in it. You can find scattered pockets of interested people all over...

www.resetera.com

Shoichi · Sep 4, 2020

Karlinel said:
IF apple had anything able to play at least WoW in a...5k screen?? it wouldn't be so bad, but AFAIK not even the ARM renewals plan on including anything RT capable.

yeah definitely not recommended for anything gaming. as others have said look into building your rig into the desk as an option. But otherwise there really isn't a good (or many) equivalents that has the rig built into the monitor like an iMac. Maybe mini towers or place the rig off the table

Monkey Gland Sauce · Sep 4, 2020

You can fit a gaming PC in a Mini-ITX case these days, which can either be hidden relatively easily or have a suitable design to be displayed. Ask her what her design sensibility is and then search out for cases that match that, then sit down and discuss which would be best.

Karlinel · Sep 4, 2020

Ramathevoice said:
This sounds like a r/relationships post in the making...

Ok, to try and be helpful: you're SOL until some manufacturer makes an overpriced underpowered all-in-one with an RTX card, but you may be able to convince her to "let you" (ugh) build in a small, clean, mini-ITX case like the Loque Ghost S1.

Nah, she's a very nice person, but has an aversion to visible wires so she wants a one piece rig, and since she has been using macbook since she was in high school, she doesn't really feel comfortable with windows. And apparently the only sets with the whole set mounted on a screen, with decent capabilities, are imac...

sixteen-bit · Sep 4, 2020

Dune Pro: PC Case

Dune Pro is a PC case that gives you limitless ways to personalize for your needs. | Check out 'Dune Pro: PC Case' on Indiegogo.

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Justsomeguy · Sep 4, 2020

Op post a pic of your current setup. For all we know it's a spaghetti tangle nightmare and if we see it we'll all be demanding you get an imac too

Stalker · Sep 4, 2020

Karlinel said:
Nah, she's a very nice person, but has an aversion to visible wires so she wants a one piece rig, and since she has been using macbook since she was in high school, she doesn't really feel comfortable with windows. And apparently the only sets with the whole set mounted on a screen, with decent capabilities, are imac...

I mean you can hide wires, but if you want a AIO pc you're going to pay a lot of money for it.

inspectah · Sep 4, 2020

Karlinel said:
Nah, she's a very nice person, but has an aversion to visible wires so she wants a one piece rig, and since she has been using macbook since she was in high school, she doesn't really feel comfortable with windows. And apparently the only sets with the whole set mounted on a screen, with decent capabilities, are imac...

Small case hidden under the desk with proper cable management and you are done.

Shoichi · Sep 4, 2020

Karlinel said:
Nah, she's a very nice person, but has an aversion to visible wires so she wants a one piece rig, and since she has been using macbook since she was in high school, she doesn't really feel comfortable with windows. And apparently the only sets with the whole set mounted on a screen, with decent capabilities, are imac...

You can easily hide wires if thats an issue.
But if she doesn't want to give up on Mac cause she's so used to Apple and the OS, that would end up being the bigger issue unless she is willing to learn.

Ramathevoice · Sep 4, 2020

Karlinel said:
Nah, she's a very nice person, but has an aversion to visible wires so she wants a one piece rig, and since she has been using macbook since she was in high school, she doesn't really feel comfortable with windows. And apparently the only sets with the whole set mounted on a screen, with decent capabilities, are imac...

The r/relationships thing was a joke, don't worry ^^

But, on the other hand... You want to game, it's a valid thing to want, and she should be able to compromise by *very slightly* stepping out of her comfort zone. It's not like you're all in on wanting a gamer-ass gaming PC with LEDs and cables out the wazoo. You're ready to compromise, so she should be too.

Like, if you boil it down, she's basically saying "I only like Macs, don't want to try anything else, therefore you shouldn't either."

IMO, that's kind of unreasonable.

Joe White · Sep 4, 2020

Karlinel said:
So, my question here is...is there any possibility of assembling a RTX powered gaming rig with a design similar to iMac, that is, tower-less?

Yes, as next gen Surface Studio will most likely come with Ampere.
e. Reveal is rumoured for October, but I recommend starting budgeting now as the price will be few thousand.

boris_feinbrand · Sep 4, 2020

Stalker said:
Tell your SO you want a gaming PC and she can deal with that.

Pretty much this. Like I would try to tell my wife what she can or can't buy for herself.

Edit:
That being said, for a compromise you can build a competent pc without wires showing. If you are crafty you can include it in a piece of furniture, using wireless keyboards and Mice, route cables through pvc or alu funnels.

As for discrete PC towers, that don't go completely cheesy transformers angles and layers everywhere, that is a bit of a challenge. Personally I am a bit partial to the NZXT offerings there, but would love for them to offer a glassless option, but I am willing to put in the work of just spray painting a custom side panel myself, getting rid of any shit RGB still going on inside the case.

Arex · Sep 4, 2020

You really only need a cable from your PC to your power socket, your screen to your power socket, and your PC to your screen. Everything else can be wireless really. She probably has some scary concept of PC lol

Stalker · Sep 4, 2020

Joe White said:
Yes, as next gen Surface Studio will most likely come with Ampere.

Expect to pay like $4000+

WellbornWarrior · Sep 4, 2020

That's a huge red flag, you should break up with your SO.

s/

But a more serious answer would be that there is probably no solution that will please you both. You have to compromise.

Joe White · Sep 4, 2020

Stalker said:
Expect to pay like $4000+

Yes, but it will be better than any iMac on the market.

inspectah · Sep 4, 2020

Arex said:
You really only need a cable from your PC to your power socket, your screen to your power socket, and your PC to your screen. Everything else can be wireless really. She probably has some scary concept of PC lol

This!
Also look for under the desk cable management.
And there is also no reason to follow the stupid trend to have the PC on the desk.

Pagano · Sep 4, 2020

What makes her needs more important than yours? You two are in a relationship, find a compromise.

Xiofire · Sep 4, 2020

Get an LG display, a Mac Mini and a SFF gaming PC

Mount the Mac Mini and SFF to the underside of the desk so invisible.

Job done.

Pagano said:
What makes her needs more important than yours? You two are in a relationship, find a compromise.

Also this

Arex · Sep 4, 2020

inspectah said:
This!
Also look for under the desk cable management.
And there is also no reason to follow the stupid trend to have the PC on the desk.

hah yeah, it's not easy, but doable. Although my current setup has a lot of cables for my external HDDs so I can't say much :P

*edit* just few examples from google. Just hide the pc tower somewhere under the table or behind the screen :P

Deleted member 13370 · Sep 4, 2020

Nooblet · Sep 4, 2020

Nabs said:
ezpz

Or just buy this if DIY is not your thing and you have money to spend

Pagano said:
What makes her needs more important than yours? You two are in a relationship, find a compromise.

This too. You two are in a relationship and you are living in the house as well.
She should be able to compromise and modify her idea of interior design by taking into consideration what you want.

You should be able to get a setup where the wires are neatly tucked and hidden, it just needs a bit of DIY but that's your compromise to make.

Darkstorne · Sep 4, 2020

Pagano said:
What makes her needs more important than yours? You two are in a relationship, find a compromise.

Basically this.

If her concerns are purely aesthetic, there's a lot you can do to hide wires, and a lot of choice in case and monitor design. Might be expensive, but so are iMacs.

If it's more because she isn't used to Windows, ask if she's happy to try learning so you can get a desktop that fits both of your needs. I taught my computer illiterate grandma how to use Windows. If she knows her way around Apple's OS then she really would be fine. Otherwise, if she's adamant about sticking to Apple, I think your original suggestion of a macbook for her is a wonderful compromise, if you're also willing to allow her to choose the aesthetic design of the desktop.

cowbanana · Sep 4, 2020

Nooblet said:
Or just buy this if DIY is not your thing and you have money to spend

This too. You two are in a relationship and you are living in the house as well.
She should be able to compromise and modify her idea of interior design by taking into consideration what you want.

You should be able to get a setup where the wires are neatly tucked and hidden, it just needs a bit of DIY.

This. Everything else is just unhealthy for a relationship.

Trisc · Sep 4, 2020

Compromise with your girlfriend. You want to build a PC, she wants to buy a computer that will cost double, even triple whatever you're gonna put into your rig. Try and figure out where you can meet in the middle; what she wants is not necessarily more important than what you want. Perhaps you can make a dual-boot system with one storage device for Windows, and the other for a Hackintosh?

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