Mini PC for a TTRPG Gaming Table

DarkeVortex · January 17

Hey there - I recently got my D&D group back together, and ended up with an interesting problem to solve. I built a gaming table way back when during the pandemic, which as a 32" TV embedded in it. For a while, I was just loading static images of dungeon maps off of my laptop, which worked fine - but of course, the itch to improve was there.

I started using Wildshape on Steam, which allows for 3D-style maps with animations, etc. Makes it much more lively than a static picture on the table while we play. The problem is that the game recommends a GTX 1060 or better for reasonable performance. I've been looking for a mini-pc with dedicated graphics, and without spending an arm and a leg, I haven't had much luck. Another option I considered was finding an older gaming laptop with a broken screen sold for cheap, since I only need the internals anyway - but these prices are also pretty high.

Has anyone tried something like this before and had luck? I'm open to switching to a less intensive program, if need be, though something more than static images would be ideal.

My last option is to tear apart an old rig I have and try and mount it to the underside of the table - I have a 2070 in there along with some intel server CPU that I can't remember right now - if anyone has a tutorial for mounting PC components to the underside of a table, that'd also be helpful!

Thanks for any ideas and suggestions - open to discussion!

djksm · January 17

honestly, if you can, just buy a base steam deck used on ebay. It will be cheap and you can take it away from the table when you want to game on the steam deck . Check out minisforum and chuwi mini pc's too. There are lots of options.

edit: also make sure to shop around on your local facebook marketplace, offerup ect. Go to your nearest goodwill or thrift store to see if you can pick up something.

DarkeVortex · January 17

1 hour ago, djksm said:

honestly, if you can, just buy a base steam deck used on ebay. It will be cheap and you can take it away from the table when you want to game on the steam deck . Check out minisforum and chuwi mini pc's too. There are lots of options.

edit: also make sure to shop around on your local facebook marketplace, offerup ect. Go to your nearest goodwill or thrift store to see if you can pick up something.

Good ideas all around! I actually did order a Minisforum PC for ~$120. It had some Celeron in it from Q4 2019 and Intel UHD600 graphics - the animated map stuttered like crazy, so I returned it. I did skim some of their other offerings but holding off since I have a 2070 machine I could use.

It seems like most of the "gaming" laptops with a 1060 or better are going for at least $500, even if the screens are broken, on FB marketplace / eBay. Goodwill might have some hidden gems!

jaslion · January 17

15 minutes ago, DarkeVortex said:

Good ideas all around! I actually did order a Minisforum PC for ~$120. It had some Celeron in it from Q4 2019 and Intel UHD600 graphics - the animated map stuttered like crazy, so I returned it. I did skim some of their other offerings but holding off since I have a 2070 machine I could use.

It seems like most of the "gaming" laptops with a 1060 or better are going for at least $500, even if the screens are broken, on FB marketplace / eBay. Goodwill might have some hidden gems!

Honestly just reuse what you have and mount to the table. Or another used gaming pc.

A celeron even a "fast" one sucks flat out. The best mobile celeron out rn is like barely able to run windows it's sad.

DarkeVortex · January 19

Yeah, I think I'm just going to go with the "resuse a PC i have sitting around" option. Not my favorite, since even mounting it under the table it'll take up so much space, but certainly the cheapest as of now I actually made a change in software choice, and the specs listed for the program I'll be using now (ArkenForge) just says "any dedicated GPU" is fine - not the most helpful, but it does seem to rule out all of the NUCs and NUC-like mini PCs available at the moment.

If something with good enough onboard graphics shows up eventually, maybe I'll switch then and mount it to the table. For now, dedicated PC it is