Updating Win 8.1 to Windows 11? Or new rig needed?

JasonPratt · June 28, 2023, 10:22:47 PM

I love my Win 8.1, but support has ended and more importantly Steam will not allow its use after the end of the year, so the clock is counting down for me to migrate to Windows 11 (or 10 perhaps, but it'll only be around until 2025, so...)

So options?

Upgrade 8.1 to 11. No obvious ways to do this yet, and may not even be supported by my BIOS, per PC Magazine (around Thanksgiving last year): "Upgrading from Windows 8.1 to Windows 11 is more challenging than upgrading to Windows 10. This is largely because Windows 11 imposes much stricter hardware requirements, including a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) and the Secure Boot option set in the BIOS, two items that may not be available on older Windows 8.1 PCs."

Upgrade 8.1 to 10. Temporary fix for a couple of years, and still has the problem that my rig's BIOS may not allow further upgrades.

(My Falcon Mach V is awesome beyond reason, but also very old by now.)

Buy new rig, sigh. Actually two new rigs, one portable. Not that I can't afford it, and the portable (Surface Pro) doesn't really need migration per se, but not looking forward to migrating my old hard drive from one monolith to another in my limited room-space.

ArizonaTank · June 28, 2023, 10:43:55 PM

My vote is buy a new rig. If you get the right configuration, you can easily get 5 - 8 years out of the next one for under $1500. That's like $25 a month.

JasonPratt · June 29, 2023, 07:48:02 AM

As often as I've messed with computers throughout my life (and throughout the history of personal computers for that matter), I have never gotten over my migraine-inducing anxiety about fiddling with the hardware. (To give the most recent example from early last year, I hate even replacing the top exhaust fan when the bearings go out due to my laziness about cleaning the blades!)

So while I could build one if I had to, I'd reeeaallly rather not. I'm okay with paying specialists who build computers because they love doing that and can offer great tech support (on something they build well enough it rarely if ever needs tech support).

While is why my last three PCs were Falcons, going back to the mid 90s. That will probably continue.

Still, very true! Will keep the recommendation in mind.

Tripoli · June 29, 2023, 07:52:18 AM

Quote from: ArizonaTank on June 28, 2023, 10:43:55 PMMy vote is buy a new rig. If you get the right configuration, you can easily get 5 - 8 years out of the next one for under $1500. That's like $25 a month.

I agree. Buy a new rig. Get an upper level mid-range, so you aren't paying the $$ premium for going high end. That should easily get you 5 years, unless you are doing top-end Flight Sims.

ArizonaTank · June 29, 2023, 08:16:03 AM

Quote from: JasonPratt on June 29, 2023, 07:48:02 AM....
So while I could build one if I had to, I'd reeeaallly rather not. I'm okay with paying specialists who build computers because they love doing that and can offer great tech support (on something they build well enough it rarely if ever needs tech support).
...

Back in the day, I would only build my own.

But recently, I just go with an established brand and a trusted retail outlet. I have had great success with COSTCO who sells some very nice MSI gaming desktops and Lenovo gaming laptops (Legion); prices at COSTCO are pretty good.

steve58 · June 29, 2023, 09:21:53 AM

nvm

Gusington · June 29, 2023, 10:08:29 AM

Get a new Falcon, breh. Or try a new HP...I have an HP laptop that is very reliable and an HP Omen gaming PC that I bought 2 years ago and it is also very good.

JasonPratt · June 29, 2023, 10:23:55 AM

Man, today I learned that Costco (of all places) sells nice gaming laptops. The age, it burrrnnnsss!

Since I'm also looking for a new portable (for the same reason), that's worth keeping in mind: whatever I may use my floor-rig for, my portable's needs are MUCH less punchy. Do they come with a lot of bloatware to bring down the cost? That used to be a thing, and I've faced a lot of nightmarish problems trying to 'fix' performance problems on the laptops of friends and families due to that factor.

Quote from: Gusington on June 29, 2023, 10:08:29 AMGet a new Falcon, breh. Or try a new HP...I have an HP laptop that is very reliable and an HP Omen gaming PC that I bought 2 years ago and it is also very good.

Oh, true, I remember now that HP invested hard in boutique-style manufacture for good rigs many years ago, though I wasn't sure if they kept up with that. But even if so, do they have boutique-class support?

Gusington · June 29, 2023, 12:42:17 PM

I haven't had the need to contact HP with either machine. Note the laptop is my work machine and a gov't computer...my gaming desktop is leaner and meaner and liquid cooled

ArizonaTank · June 29, 2023, 12:57:02 PM

Quote from: JasonPratt on June 29, 2023, 10:23:55 AMMan, today I learned that Costco (of all places) sells nice gaming laptops. The age, it burrrnnnsss!

COSTCO will soon rule the world.

Meanwhile, COSTCO sells HP Gaming PCs as well.

Recommend you do a price check with them. Just go to the COSTCO website and search "gaming desktop"

Gusington · June 29, 2023, 08:04:44 PM

^...if you dare

GDS_Starfury · July 06, 2023, 01:37:27 AM

ffs... the home built gaming rig you could make for the cost of a FNW rig!
a quick build on their site is $4800 fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck that

Gusington · July 06, 2023, 06:35:24 AM

4800.00 American dollars? dayum

JasonPratt · July 06, 2023, 07:57:13 AM

And prices have come down somewhat for the relative superiority since I bought The Presence! -- I think that was more like $7000! Roughly $100 per pound! Though at the time, I was hoping to train up on doing 3D artwork for segueing into a new self-employed job. Alas, not enough energy and talent on my part. But I got a Mox-class gaming rig for like 12 years. {/MtGref} I've only had to upgrade my graphics card once; and a couple of new top fans (purely from being lazy about cleaning the rig).

I totally understand that $4800 is throwing money away, for people who feel comfortable putting together their own machines and making sure things are maximally efficient in interacting with each other, both in the hardware and the software (including the bios), and then being confident about their competency at trouble-shooting any x-ware problems that crop up. I think it's not only great but amazing that the market offers the resources for people to build their own sports car or helicopter, so to speak, and get wonderful performance from it, and save a ton of money doing so.

But, as mentioned before: I'm the sort of person who gets a small migraine trying to change out a dang top-fan. I'd rather pay someone with a proven track record of top performance and reliability and quality of support, in case a problem I can't figure out in a half hour shows up 2 or 4 or 8 years from now.

Still, more power and respect to people willing and able to build their own rigs!