College Worth?

[Ghostek]

I am going to be a high school senior this school year. However, I'm thinking ahead of myself and would like to build a pc for my college years to come. I have some following questions that I would like to be answered:

1)Is it even worth it? With the time going to be spent in college, will I be able to have time to have gaming sessions?

2) Should I stick with what I have? I currently have a XPS 15 laptop which comes with a gtx 1050. I can run some light games like LOL and CSGO somewhat well, though from time to time, it will get VERY choppy (then again it wasn't really meant for gaming).

3)Simple: Cost. The build I currently wish on working on totals to about $930 (this includes a monitor). The link to the build is here: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/FKLzFt . Is this too much? are there things that I should change to make lessen the cost? (Also, I have a part time job and make around $250/week).

4)Security. I've heard stories on how some places/dorms have been ransacked and that their stuff got stolen in the process. With a PC price tag like mine, is it even safe to build a PC within a college environment ?

These are all the questions I have (For now) and I hope to receive as much help/answers as I can get from this. Most preferred demographics would be any one in college that has a build already, but I'll still take answers from anyone, Thanks!

[emosun]

2 minutes ago, Ghostek said:

Is it even worth it?

this typically gets answered when you've left college and the bank keeps calling wondering how soon they can have your right leg you promised them. lol

3 minutes ago, Ghostek said:

Should I stick with what I have? I currently have a XPS 15 laptop which comes with a gtx 1050.

Thats plenty , save money you'll need it

if you don;t think you will then under google news type "student load debt"

4 minutes ago, Ghostek said:

I've heard stories on how some places/dorms have been ransacked and that their stuff got stolen in the process.

jeez where was this? compton?

[TheKDub]

1. It depends on your course load, if you're working a job, what clubs you join (if any), time management, etc... as to if you'll be able to have gaming sessions. In my opinion, yes, college is worth it. (Depending on the degree.)

 

2. A better laptop could be a good idea. Though if you don't absolutely need something better, I'd stick with what you have.

3. You need the permalink, not the page URL. The permalink looks something like this: https://pcpartpicker.com/user/TheKdub/saved/qDdCbv or https://pcpartpicker.com/list/38JF6h

 

4. Lock your dorm every single time you leave it. If you're on the ground level, don't leave your window open/unlocked when you're not in the room. Lock your door when you're sleeping too.

 

What are you majoring in or planning on majoring in? If you don't mind me asking.

[AlexTheGreatish]

2 minutes ago, Ghostek said:

I am going to be a high school senior this school year. However, I'm thinking ahead of myself and would like to build a pc for my college years to come. I have some following questions that I would like to be answered:

1)Is it even worth it? With the time going to be spent in college, will I be able to have time to have gaming sessions?

2) Should I stick with what I have? I currently have a XPS 15 laptop which comes with a gtx 1050. I can run some light games like LOL and CSGO somewhat well, though from time to time, it will get VERY choppy (then again it wasn't really meant for gaming).

3)Simple: Cost. The build I currently wish on working on totals to about $930 (this includes a monitor). The link to the build is here: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/ . Is this too much? are there things that I should change to make lessen the cost? (Also, I have a part time job and make around $250/week).

4)Security. I've heard stories on how some places/dorms have been ransacked and that their stuff got stolen in the process. With a PC price tag like mine, is it even safe to build a PC within a college environment ?

These are all the questions I have (For now) and I hope to receive as much help/answers as I can get from this. Most preferred demographics would be any one in college that has a build already, but I'll still take answers from anyone, Thanks!

1) Maybe, I found I pretty much only played more social games (i.e. Xbox multiplayer stuff) in university and rarely played games by myself.  It's more fun that way when you live with a bunch of other people.  You will occasionally have time to game, but don't expect to keep your rank up in anything competitive, since there will be regular 2-3 week intervals where you will do zero gaming.

 

2) A 1050 is probably more than enough unless you plan on gaming a whole lot.

 

3) I can't see your pcpartpicker list so idk, seems like a fine budget.

 

4) Shouldn't be a problem, I don't remember anything really getting stolen when I was in university, depends on your school and dorm though

[Unimaginative Name]

I'm a college student majoring in engineering (just to give you an idea of the workload). I had a mid-tower system which I moved back and forth with two 27' monitors. I recently rebuilt/upgraded into an ITX case for size and transportation considerations. Either way, it was moveable and I go to school eight hours away. 

 

Based on the experiences of myself and my friends/roommates definitely have time for gaming and there were 3 full-fledged systems in the room at any given time. But like @AlexTheGreatish said, you'll find yourself playing a ton of social games. We played stick fight, speedrunners, civ V among others more than any of us played games on our own (although it did happen from time to time). 

 

 We never had a problem and left the room unlocked all of the time (still not a great idea). The security definitely depends on your school and dorm.

 

A good gaming laptop is a good move if it can be obtained in a cost-effective way and you have something small-ish to bring to class, but nothing really matches the awesomeness of having a badass gaming rig.

[Ghostek]

2 hours ago, TheKDub said:

1. It depends on your course load, if you're working a job, what clubs you join (if any), time management, etc... as to if you'll be able to have gaming sessions. In my opinion, yes, college is worth it. (Depending on the degree.)

 

2. A better laptop could be a good idea. Though if you don't absolutely need something better, I'd stick with what you have.

3. You need the permalink, not the page URL. The permalink looks something like this: https://pcpartpicker.com/user/TheKdub/saved/qDdCbv or https://pcpartpicker.com/list/38JF6h

 

4. Lock your dorm every single time you leave it. If you're on the ground level, don't leave your window open/unlocked when you're not in the room. Lock your door when you're sleeping too.

 

What are you majoring in or planning on majoring in? If you don't mind me asking.

Sorry, here is the perma: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/FKLzFt

As for what major: Medicine or around that particular area

 

[brob]

Stick with what you have until it proves insufficient. Having something that does well with games is only going to provide an excuse not to do school work. There will be enough other distractions.

[TheKDub]

7 hours ago, Ghostek said:

Sorry, here is the perma: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/FKLzFt

As for what major: Medicine or around that particular area

 

oof.

 

If those are the specs you're looking at, I'd suggest just upgrading your laptop instead.

Check out this laptop: https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-laptops/dell-g7-15-gaming/spd/g-series-15-7588-laptop/dncwfsb632s

 

$980, you might be able to get a student discount on it too. It's got an i7 8750H (6-core with up to 4.1GHz turbo boost), GTX 1060 6GB MaxQ , 8GB of RAM (which you could easily upgrade to 16GB or more as long as it isn't soldered, which I wouldn't expect it to be.), 256GB SSD, and a 1080p 15.6" IPS display.

 

Or spend a little more ($1100) and get 16GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD with a 1TB 5400RPM HDD instead.
https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-laptops/dell-g7-15-gaming/spd/g-series-15-7588-laptop/dncwfsb902s