Define "Potato" (in terms of a computer)

[RedJamaX]

So...  first , I should probably say that I've been building my own PC Game Rigs since the days of Riva 128...  I'm not "new" to this whole "computer thing"...

I cannot seem to get any clear definition of what a "potato" is...  Based on the implications I've seen on YouTube Videos (which is the first place I had seen the term being used), my guess is that it's a computer which is built just fast enough to perform a specific function, or play one particular game well enough.  For example, a "CS:GO Potato" is a computer which is built as cheap as possible, but still able to play CS:GO with acceptable performance...

However, I have seen the term "potato" being used outside of that context...  So, either the term is being mis-understood by lots of people...  or just me...

So, is there a definition that everybody agrees on?   Or is this going to be like asking for a clear definition for "god"?

[xgn]

The term is misunderstood indeed. There i'snt a definitive answer for this. If its not up to todays standards. In what you are trying to do. I assume.

[Julian5]

for me heres an example of a potato computer. Dual core e6420 / Pentium 4, GT8600 256mb, 512mb DDR2, 250w PSU

[Bananasplit_00]

a "potato PC" is a PC thats shit compared to whats available on the market but enought to play something like CS:GO acceptably. something that would get crushed vs todays hardware but still works basically 

[Energycore]

The definition of potato is http://pcpartpicker.com/list/LYsD4C

[Julian5]

6 minutes ago, Energycore said:

The definition of potato is http://pcpartpicker.com/list/LYsD4C

Wow, Im running this but in intel with less ram and a 660ti

[NumLock21]

Netbook are potatoes

[Energycore]

1 minute ago, Julian5 said:

Wow, Im running this setup with 4gb of ram and a 660ti

It's kinda not a potato anymore because of the graphics card

 

I call potato the absolute entry level for gaming computers. That build basically.

 

Or more likely this one.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD A10-7860k 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($104.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A68M-DG3+ Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard  ($44.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Mushkin Stealth 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory  ($36.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital AV-GP 500GB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($34.95 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($29.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 350W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($31.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $283.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-06-04 16:06 EDT-0400

 

I don't know if it deserves the potato moniker since all components there are high quality (save for the motherboard, hard to find good fm2+ motherboards).

[TheSuspect]

A computer that can't run cs go.

 

(Basically a computer with terribad specs)

[faziten]

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nah, just kidding. Refers to a computer with the bare minimum specs (often under minimum) to run a particular task. 

[themaniac]

basically a terrible computer, but a toaster is the worst of the worst in terms of performance

[RedJamaX]

36 minutes ago, faziten said:

01010000 01101111 01110100 01100001 01110100 01101111 
 

 

 

 

 

nah, just kidding. Refers to a computer with the bare minimum specs (often under minimum) to run a particular task. 

I'm going to agree with this definition...  Though, I was right about the various definitions provided ... which range from this to , can't perform the associated task, to, worthless computer., to, very old computer...

Which make me wonder... are the "worthless computer" people just ass holes who think that if you can't play all games at 4K then you need to upgrade??   And for the "Old Computer" band, at what point does is stop being a potato, and start to be classified as a "Classic Game Rig"?

[aisle9]

There are two kinds of potato computers for me. The first is a machine designed and built for a single, simple purpose, accomplishes that purpose, and is useful for virtually nothing else. You know, like a CS:GO potato thrown together for $300 using a salvaged Dell case and mobo, an i3 picked up off of Craigslist and a GTX 260 found in the dumpster behind GameStop. 

 

The second is a machine that is incredibly expensive and barely functional, or has so many poor design and/or manufacturer choices that you're almost left wondering if any actual research went into it, or if they just clicked on the first thing that came up in each search. Something that leaves you asking: "How did they manage to spend so much and end up with a potato?". Something like this:

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($65.88 @ OutletPC) 
CPU Cooler: Zalman Reserator 3 MAX Liquid CPU Cooler  ($94.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 OC FORMULA ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($203.98 @ Newegg) 
Memory: Corsair Vengeance Pro 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($66.88 @ OutletPC) 
Storage: Seagate 2TB 3.5" 5900RPM Hybrid Internal Hard Drive  ($103.99 @ Amazon) 
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GT 730 4GB Video Card  ($74.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Case: NZXT Phantom 530 (White) ATX Full Tower Case  ($114.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Power Supply: Logisys 750W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($68.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit  ($0.00 @ARRRRMATEYlol) 
Wireless Network Adapter: Gigabyte GC-WB867D-I PCI-Express x1 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi Adapter  ($29.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Total: $824.68
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-06-05 00:11 EDT-0400

 

"No, hear me out, this is a good thing. With the water cooler and Z97 motherboard, I can overclock the Pentium like WHOA, and the graphics card has 4GB of VRAM! FOUR. GIGABYTES. For way, way less than a stupid R9 Nano! Suck it, Linus! I just built a computer that can kick your ass in any game, any time for less than half of what most of you paid for your pathetic 'gaming PCs' lolololol!"

 

Yeah. Potato. Stick around; you'll see them.