NUC Advice

[AeroBCu]

I've been looking to get a mini computer for gaming purposes, and I've run across a few options. I'm looking for some recommendations:
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1. Intel NUC -
Intel i5-4250U 2.6GHz, Intel HD5000 Graphics, 4 GB RAM
Price: ~$485

I know this has been brought up in previous threads and it's not so great, but there have been some recent improvements in Dolphin's speed the last few months, so I don't know if that makes any difference. Also neither of the previous threads mentioned specific games, which I will below.
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2. Alienware Alpha -
Intel i3-4130T 2.9GHz, custom graphics card (supposedly based off the GTX 860m), 4 GB Ram
Price: $550

This one's a bit of an unknown, the GPU and user interface are custom. But it runs windows 8 in the non-console mode and seems like it would work fairly well.
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3. Gigabyte Brix NUC -
Intel i5-4570R 3.2 GHz, Intel Iris 5200, 4 GB RAM
Price: ~$610

From what I've heard, this will work plenty well, but it's the most expensive by far. I have also heard this setup can have problems with overheating?
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I could upgrade the RAM on any of these but I don't think that's generally an issue.


Here are the games I'd like to be able to play:
Super Smash Melee/Brawl, New Super Mario Bros, Donkey Kong Country Returns, Timesplitters 2, Monkey Ball 2, and Rhythm Heaven Fever.

So, any recommendations? Which systems might be able to play which games?
Thank you!

[DatKid20]

Where are you buying these from for those prices?

[AeroBCu]

Mostly from Amazon, (although I checked everything against newegg). Do they seem off? I'm including the price of the NUC plus the hard drive and memory which have to be bought separately.

[DatKid20]

They seem low. That's not bad I was just wondering.

Anyways I would recommend the Alienware as it has the GPU performance of the 750ti and the CPU is fine for the games you listed.

[AeroBCu]

Here's the actual sets if you're curious:

1) NUC - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HZDLNWO
That NUC lets you use a 2.5" HDD instead of an SDD which saves some cost.
HDD - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ISKS416
Memory - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005MWQ6WC
Wifi Chip - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DMCVKMU

2) Everthing - http://www.amazon.com/Alienware-ASM100-1580-Console-i3-4130T-Processor/dp/B00MA7AMKY/

3) NUC - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856164011&cm_re=gigabyte_brix-_-56-164-011-_-Product
SSD - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820249031&cm_re=msata_ssd-_-20-249-031-_-Product
Same memory as (1)
I think this NUC comes with a wifi chip so don't need that

[DatKid20]

When you buy the Alienware can you post some screenshots or make a video showing your performance? Thanks.

[AeroBCu]

The alienware was what I was originally thinking. Like I said it's just a bit more of an unknown since it uses some custom parts and hasn't been released yet. It also has some unusual limitations like not being able to go to the regular PC mode without having a mouse plugged in. Which isn't a problem in itself but makes me wonder if it has other imposed limitations.

(10-25-2014, 09:38 AM)DatKid20 Wrote: When you buy the Alienware can you post some screenshots or make a video showing your performance? Thanks.

Yeah, if I end up getting that I will.

[DatKid20]

That Limitation is because Windows 8 doesn't allow you to control your desktop using a controller so there's no point of allowing Steam's Big Picture mode to let you out of it without a mouse. Plus they're trying to attract Console Gamers not PC gamers and Console Gamers don't have a PC OS in the background to allow them to do everything they want.

[KHg8m3r]

Overall though, the Gigabyte Brix will give you the best performance in the games that are more demanding because it has the best CPU.

[DatKid20]

He already named the games he wants to play.