• Welcome to Religious Forums, a friendly forum to discuss all religions in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to the following site features:
    • Reply to discussions and create your own threads.
    • Our modern chat room. No add-ons or extensions required, just login and start chatting!
    • Access to private conversations with other members.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon!

Fall of desktop PCs

PoetPhilosopher

PoetPhilosopher

Veteran Member
I've been thinking over how the large Desktop computers are becoming obsolete in favor of mobile devices and eventually, maybe small computers like future Raspberry Pi releases or Raspberry Pi competitors. Upon me thinking it over carefully, I see that the latest iPad Pro really does have the power to overtake the desktop, but isn't there yet due to software and pricing.

I find large desktops to be expensive and hard to work on (ie, maintenance or add or remove hardware). They do have the advantage of in theory being able to handle some of the best graphics cards for excellent GPU performance, but we are facing something called Diminishing Returns in the world of high-end games, which means that a graphics card that is twice as powerful once you get to a certain amount of large power in GPUs, really only produces about 10% better graphics than the graphics card half as powerful. As a result, you see nothing like what you saw when you tripled the performance of the Nintendo 64, more or less, which brought forth the Sega Dreamcast which had somewhat clearer graphics and due to better CPU, GPU, and RAM, could produce games with more immersive worlds that kind of reflected their story better.
 
BSM1

BSM1

What? Me worry?
The best argument I have for large desktops is that they are not as easy to throw across the room as the smaller devices...just sayin'.
 
Shad

Shad

Veteran Member
AT-AT said:
I've been thinking over how the large Desktop computers are becoming obsolete in favor of mobile devices and eventually, maybe small computers like future Raspberry Pi releases or Raspberry Pi competitors. Upon me thinking it over carefully, I see that the latest iPad Pro really does have the power to overtake the desktop, but isn't there yet due to software and pricing.

I find large desktops to be expensive and hard to work on (ie, maintenance or add or remove hardware). They do have the advantage of in theory being able to handle some of the best graphics cards for excellent GPU performance, but we are facing something called Diminishing Returns in the world of high-end games, which means that a graphics card that is twice as powerful once you get to a certain amount of large power in GPUs, really only produces about 10% better graphics than the graphics card half as powerful. As a result, you see nothing like what you saw when you tripled the performance of the Nintendo 64, more or less, which brought forth the Sega Dreamcast which had somewhat clearer graphics and due to better CPU, GPU, and RAM, could produce games with more immersive worlds that kind of reflected their story better.
Click to expand...

Consoles have standardized games. Xbox and PS use standardized hardware that only changes with model and new versions. PS3 vs PS4. Standardization provides room for developers to create a game for a common denominator based on hardware which is the same for all customers. For PC developers have to account for low-end, mid, and high-end customers thus have to pick a range which 1) target audience is the majority 2) Development costs.

The IPad has an inferior GPU to my 4 year old GPU. It does not even have DX 11 nor 12. It's GPU is almost a decade old in design. It's CPU is inferior and slower than my 5 year old CPU. It can not overclock at all. The IPad will take over stuff like Fortnite not major AAA games you see on consoles and PCs. The brand new IPad Pro is inferior to my PC which is dated....
 
Shadow Wolf

Shadow Wolf

Certified People sTabber
Phones and tablets are too weak and too terribly difficult and expensive to work on. A PC can be easily opened and stuff moved around, mobile devices have tons of itty-bitty parts and working on them is very tedious. And gaming isn't the only thing a PC has the edge on over the others. Other areas of superiority include graphic design, video editing, music production, weather stations, and anything else that does require power and memory. My "newish" Samsung can barely handle multiple tabs on Firefox. No way in hell will ever have the patience to edit a video and render it using it.
 
Last edited:
Shadow Wolf

Shadow Wolf

Certified People sTabber
Shad said:
Consoles have standardized games.
Click to expand...
Some of them (mostly only in Japan) had expansion features. The primary one to reach NA was the Jumper Pack on the N64.
And my obsolete PC as well can outperform any high end mobile device and perform better than the ps3 and better than many ps4 games (if it doesn't, very typically the processor is too obsolete to run them but everything else is still better than the ps4).
 
Shad

Shad

Veteran Member
Shadow Wolf said:
Some of them (mostly only in Japan) had expansion features. The primary one to reach NA was the Jumper Pack on the N64.
Click to expand...

I am talking about modern consoles not something from 20 years ago. Xbox and PS now use PC GPUs. That makes it very easy to develop games due to a target audience having the same hardware.
 
Orbit

Orbit

I'm a planet
Hubby, being a computer programmer, loves his desktop machine (iMac) for work and I prefer to work on a desktop PC with dual monitors. For work, I think desktops are great. Laptop screens are too small except for casual or on-the-road use imo. Phones are too small and annoying to do anything important on.
 
PoetPhilosopher

PoetPhilosopher

Veteran Member
Shad said:
Consoles have standardized games. Xbox and PS use standardized hardware that only changes with model and new versions. PS3 vs PS4. Standardization provides room for developers to create a game for a common denominator based on hardware which is the same for all customers. For PC developers have to account for low-end, mid, and high-end customers thus have to pick a range which 1) target audience is the majority 2) Development costs.

The IPad has an inferior GPU to my 4 year old GPU. It does not even have DX 11 nor 12. It's GPU is almost a decade old in design. It's CPU is inferior and slower than my 5 year old CPU. It can not overclock at all. The IPad will take over stuff like Fortnite not major AAA games you see on consoles and PCs. The brand new IPad Pro is inferior to my PC which is dated....
Click to expand...

I disagree. Tell me what resolution XBox One natively runs its high-end games at, and what resolution iPad Pro natively runs high-end games at, and then we'll talk.

What kind of PC are you running? If it's anything less than an i5 with a 1050 Ti, the iPad Pro demolishes it, plain and simple.
 
Shad

Shad

Veteran Member
Shadow Wolf said:
Phones and tablets are too weak and too terribly difficult and expensive to work on, IMO. A PC can be easily opened and stuff moved around, mobile devices have tons of itty-bitty parts and working on them is very tedious. And gaming isn't the only thing a PC has the edge on over the others. Other areas of superiority include graphic design, video editing, music production, weather stations, and anything else that does require power and memory. My "newish" Samsung can barely handle multiple tabs on Firefox. No way in hell will ever have the patience to edit a video and render it using it.
Click to expand...

Toss in service costs and warranties. As you say any of us can easily change parts although I would say those parts outside the MB and CPU are the most common. That exception is due to the back-plating and what a MB is. In manufactured systems opening the case voids all the warranties like my GP70. If I open it to even clean it there goes my warranty. So if I want to maintain that warranty while upgrading I have to pay labour costs and possible mailing fees if there is no local service. I pay a possible mark up cost as I am buying a specific part based system manufacture not what I want. If the system is MSI I only get MSI products or those MSI offers. I can get an Asus only if MSI allows it. For PC no one cares if I get an Asus product or ATI.

For games and graphic development industries I would highlight mods. Texture mods specifically.
 
Ellen Brown

Ellen Brown

Well-Known Member
I prefer a Desktop Computer because they generally have more Ports, and can easily run two or more monitors. I use several external Hard Drives and things. I haven't done "Games" because they all seem to be about war and killing. I have done Flight Simulator but now days it is a trudge to get onto it. The keyboards on Laptops are generally too small for my Arthritic Hands, and the touch pads cause instant pain in them also.
 
Shadow Wolf

Shadow Wolf

Certified People sTabber
Shad said:
For games and graphic development industries I would highlight mods. Texture mods specifically.
Click to expand...
Yup. Who needs the HD remake of Skyrim when your ~8 year old PC can add and handle tohe retexture and mesh packs of the original and give you better graphics than the HD remake?
 
PoetPhilosopher

PoetPhilosopher

Veteran Member
IPad Pro 11 = A12X in bold:

Screenshot_20190806-164438.png
 
Stevicus

Stevicus

Veteran Member
Staff member
Premium Member
AT-AT said:
I've been thinking over how the large Desktop computers are becoming obsolete in favor of mobile devices and eventually, maybe small computers like future Raspberry Pi releases or Raspberry Pi competitors.
Click to expand...

Well, I hope they don't go away completely. To be honest, I much prefer using a desktop. Those miniature devices are too small to do much of anything.

They're handy for some things if I'm out and about, but if I'm home, it's far more relaxing to sit down at a desktop computer than to be fiddling with a little box.

Not to mention the fact that I have larger than average fingers, so I need a full size keyboard. I also have bad eyesight, so a larger monitor is much more helpful.
 
Shad

Shad

Veteran Member
AT-AT said:
I disagree. Tell me what resolution XBox One natively runs its high-end games at, and what resolution iPad Pro natively runs high-end games at, and then we'll talk.
Click to expand...

Xbox 4k 3840 × 2160 Radeon HD 7000 with DX 11 and 12 vs non 4k 2388 x1668.in a GT7900. Both of which are out dated by the newest PC hardware by years, 5-7. IPad Pro has nothing on the desktop that is even 5 years old. Heck overclocking isn't even considered.

What kind of PC are you running? If it's anything less than an i5 with a 1050 Ti, the iPad Pro demolishes it, plain and simple.
Click to expand...

I have well above that and my system is almost 4 years old.
 
Last edited:
PoetPhilosopher

PoetPhilosopher

Veteran Member
Shad said:
Xbox 4k 3840 × 2160 Radeon HD 7000 with DX 11 and 12 vs non 4k 2388 x1668.in a GT7900. Both of which are out dated by the newest PC hardware by years, 5-7. IPad Pro has nothing on the desktop that is even 5 years old.
Click to expand...

I meant original XBox One. Anyone who compares an iPad Pro to an XBox One X.... meh.

I see that you seem to be a power user going by your powerful PC, even by today's standards.

Also, what I was actually saying wasn't "OMG PCs are done!!!11oneone", I was saying "We may see the decline of desktop PCs in 5 years."
 
ChristineM

ChristineM

"Be strong", I whispered to my coffee.
Premium Member
I love my desktop, they tend to be quicker than a laptop (or tablet), are infinitely easier to upgrade or replace faulty components. Simply plug in as many (up to 24) hdds as you want (i have 6). Multi port graphics cards allow easy connection of monitors (i use 3).

The only problem with it, it doesnt fit in my handbag
 
PoetPhilosopher

PoetPhilosopher

Veteran Member
Shad said:
Note the modern PC CPU at the bottom that blows it away? Beating notebook CPUs is not beating desktop CPUs of even a generation back..

Look up the notebook CPUs it lost to. Many are 2-3 years old. The tests are confined to small resolution only.
Click to expand...

Eh, I think I'll just be eating humble pie in this thread, as I argued from a position of someone who'd be fine with midrange PCs these days, and no longer seeks high-end, at least since we got SSDs which fixed a need in the computer world.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top