Gaming. Starting from scratch pretty much. What set up would you get?

[YanTanTetheraPetheraBumfitt]

So i currently have a non gaming laptop which i just use for work. I work from home. I have a large Samsung Smart monitor and Ducky keyboard which are all plugged in so I don’t have to use the small screen of my laptop.

laptop is 6yo and getting slower so thinking about replacement and considering options. I used to like gaming, mainly world of warcraft and a bit of Minecraft. I’d like to buy something I could game on.

I think I probably wouldn’t get back into WOW as I think it can take your life over but i wouldn’t completely discount it. I’d like to get Hogwarts Legacy, Train Sim, maybe Microsoft flight sim.

I’m assuming a desktop would get more bang for my buck than a gaming laptop and also last longer? Easier to upgrade/replace bits?

But then Ive been reading about steam decks. Would there be any advantage to having a cheaper non gaming laptop and then a steam deck with dock for gaming? I can get a 2nd hand steam deck for £300. But I’m not sure it would be powerful enough for flight sim but would be ok for other stuff?

Is there anything else I’m not considering?

If I get a pc any recommendations of somewhere to go to get someone to build one?
I’ve been looking at UK Gaming Computers and CCL online. I’ve used pc specialist in the past for DD’s computer but got the impression they’re a bit overpriced these days?

what sort of minimum spec as far as graphics card is needed these days?

I’m assuming a desktop would get more bang for my buck than a gaming laptop and also last longer? Easier to upgrade/replace bits?

Yes. Laptops are convenient and everything, but apart from the whole upgrade/replaceability thing that keeps Desktops viable for far longer, Laptops often commonly suffer from horrendous overheating issues when stressed, and if you happen to damage the screen or something then the entire machine needs taken apart unless you want to plug in a standalone monitor anyway.

But then Ive been reading about steam decks. Would there be any advantage to having a cheaper non gaming laptop and then a steam deck with dock for gaming? I can get a 2nd hand steam deck for £300. But I’m not sure it would be powerful enough for flight sim but would be ok for other stuff?

I know nothing about Steamdecks as I'm exclusively a PC gamer with no interest in portability etc, but what I have heard about them is that many titles which purport to be "Steamdeck compatible" still suffer from issues when people try to actually play them on Steamdeck.

If I get a pc any recommendations of somewhere to go to get someone to build one?
I’ve been looking at UK Gaming Computers and CCL online. I’ve used pc specialist in the past for DD’s computer but got the impression they’re a bit overpriced these days?
what sort of minimum spec as far as graphics card is needed these days?

I can't recommend a builder as I only ever buy components and build myself, but generally speaking what you want to do is set a budget, then within than budget spend most of the weight toward CPU, GPU, RAM, and SSD capacity. Things like fancy towers and so on are nice, but a box is a box, likewise with keyboards and mice. A £10 keyboard and mouse does the same job as a £100 number and will likely last just as long. Don't skimp on cooling though. Key is figuring out which parts are "enough" and spending lower on those in order to buy better CPU/GPU/RAM. A lot of builders will try and sell you a 2000W PSU, when in reality a 1200 would be more than enough and half the price.

With GPU you want to be looking for 12GB GDDR minimum. Hardcore gamers will say 16GB, but in reality 12 is more than enough to run titles at 1440 and 16GB is only really necessary if you are running ridiculous resolutions at max specs.

Thank you. I’ve gone for a second hand steam deck for now to see if I get back into it. Ordered one from eBay which hopefully should be here later this week. Will get a PC built if I get hooked. I’m excited.