Gaming mini PC on a budget. Lot's of Questions.

Hello guys,

I didn't pay attention to the PC world for a last decade and was just enjoying my MacBooks. Now decided to get something a bit more powerful for a full hd gaming.
So i have lot's of questions, hope you can answer some of those and help me make up my mind.

1. Do i need mini PC? I like the smaller case since i might be carrying it around (occasionally in a car to game with my friends) and i also enjoy how it looks. But what are the trade-offs? Quite honestly when i had desktop towers in the old days i felt like its empty inside.
Note: i don't need CD drive, and only need one small SSD drive.
- is it worse or better at cooling?
- is it louder?
- is it more expensive overall?
- why can't i make an AMD station using it?

2. Is AMD not as cool anymore? Generally would you consider AMD when on a budget to get the best value for money as far as gaming is concerned?
- i3 vs i5 vs i7 — is i7 too situation to consider it best value for money?

3. Nvidia vs Radeon? What are the pros and cons? What models should i be looking to get if i want to run Witcher 3 on High full HD? Should i look at something like 970?

4. I don't mind minor over clocking, is there some CPUs that are better than others in this regard?

5. PSU — i am hearing things like get 450-500w for future upgrades for ages but i recall having 300-350w 10 years ago and i don't feel like much changed since.

6. What are the wireless connectivity options. Will my desktop connect to TV via airplay?

7. Lastly — is there an option to have windows installed but not activated? Otherwise i am not sure how do i install it without a CD-ROM if i choose to go without OS option (os feels to expensive here, i d rather get the key from g2a).


I d be happy if you could answer at least some of those
p.s. i am looking to spend around >550-600GBP

Cheers

I don't use Windows but would guess/hope that like most other OSs they can be installed from a USB stick, otherwise do you know someone with an external optical drive you could use.

p.s. i am looking to spend around >550-600GBP

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for your budget you won't be able to get an intel cpu and the gtx 970. You could get an fx-6300 with the gtx 960 but no ssd

Interesting. That's what i was able to gather on amazon for around that money, but its not mini PC

1i3to said:

Interesting.

Elitegaming suggests that for around 700 USD i should be able to get something along the lines of
View attachment 6954
And for around extra 80 replace radeon with 970.

Is it UK thats more expensive or PCspecialist?

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Well if you are looking at US prices then you can't really compare since it is significantly cheaper. Also this forum belongs to PCS who sell desktops and laptops, I am afraid we can't comment on other retailers or self builds. You may want to try toms hardware instead

Ok, that's fine.
Can anyone comment more closely on my questions in the first post? What am i actually getting if i choose to go with "small pc"? Should i go for Radeon to get better performance per pound?