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Tips on converting laptop to dedicated gaming console.


dmaker

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I recently purchased a new MSI GE75 Raider laptop. Which means I now have my previous one (MSI Dominator Pro with GTX980) lying around. I am trying to think of something fun to do with it. I already have a dedicated Plex server and since the GTX 980 won't transcode x265, there is not much benefit to moving that role to this device. I have more than enough file server space on my LAN as well, so I thought maybe I could make my older gaming laptop into a dedicated BigBox machine. 

 

It does sit in my home office right now which is behind one wall from my TV room. When I bought the house I created a small hole between the drywall for ethernet cables, so I could run a long HDMI cable from the laptop to my TV easily enough. I was hoping maybe to get some tips that anyone might have about doing this. Is there a wifi gamepad that is recommended for instance? I'd rather go wifi than usb if I could. Or any other general tips that people might have?

 

Thanks

 

 

 

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Perhaps wifi gamepads do not exist. Bummer. I could run a long usb cable to a usb hub in the other room and use a usb gamepad. I'm not sure if I should be concerned about potential receiver confusion.  In the same room is a usb receiver for my Logitech universal remote. Would having two receivers like that in close proximity be a problem? 

 

I feel that wifi gamepads should be a thing. That would be very handy. 

 

 

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Just now, dmaker said:

Perhaps wifi gamepads do not exist. Bummer. I could run a long usb cable to a usb hub in the other room and use a usb gamepad. I'm not sure if I should be concerned about potential receiver confusion.  In the same room is a usb receiver for my Logitech universal remote. Would having two receivers like that in close proximity be a problem? 

 

I feel that wifi gamepads should be a thing. That would be very handy. 

 

 

Controllers use bluetooth, not wifi. So if your laptop doesnt have built in bluetooth (which it probably does) just get a bluetooth dongle. WiFi controllers are not a thing, they are bluetooth or come with there own wireless USB dongles.

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What is the range on bluetooth? Would it work through a drywall to another room?

Or I could just get a bluetooth dongle, as you mentioned. Actually, I think I have a Logitech F710 around somewhere. Not sure if that would be a problem with the other wireless dongle in the room, though for my universal remote. 

Edited by dmaker
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Seems the hole in my wall has too many ethernet in it to fit in an hdmi cable too. 

 

Does anyone know if hdmi to ethernet adapters will work with a switch in the middle? One of the ethernet that does through my wall to my tv cabinet connects to a small gigabit switch. If the switch does not present a problem, then I'm good to go once I get a pair of adapters. 

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