Gaming on PC unaffordable due to outdated software?

This guide uses a laptop with an 8th gen i7, an NVIDIA GeForce MX130, and 16 GB of RAM. Though outdated, at low settings it can still run many modern games, such as Red Dead Redemption 2, Days Gone, and Cyberpunk 2077, and its library can be expanded with retro console emulation.

For emulation, this setup can handle Nintendo Switch titles and lighter PlayStation 3 games like Killzone HD, Killzone 2, and Killzone 3, but it struggles with demanding games such as God of War 3 and The Last of Us.

For gaming-focused PCs, experimenting with different operating systems can be useful, especially for retro console emulation. Batocera is a strong option, supporting many consoles and requiring only game ROMs and, in some cases, BIOS or firmware. It mainly targets console emulation but can also run some older PC games, supports extra emulators and themes, and benefits from an active community and strong controller support.

For systems also used for school or work, Bazzite or ChimeraOS are worth considering. Bazzite offers a SteamOS-like experience with Proton and Wine preinstalled and supports tools like Lutris to install other launchers such as Epic Games Store and Ubisoft Connect.

For newer games where every FPS matters, Windows is usually the best choice. When the latest titles are too demanding but the internet connection is solid, streaming services like Boosteroid, GeForce Now, and Xbox Cloud Gaming are a great alternative.

Another option is to spend some time creating content: write articles, publish them here, and turn them into YouTube Shorts. Money can also be saved by buying games from third‑party stores like Instant Gaming instead of directly on Steam.

Older games, such as Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, can be streamed or emulated. When setting up emulators feels complicated, or when a controller‑friendly interface like Batocera is preferred without changing the operating system, EmuDeck is a useful solution that installs and configures emulators automatically and adds games to the Steam library.

When it feels like time for an upgrade but a pricey desktop GPU is not appealing, handheld gaming PCs are worth considering. A Steam Deck offers strong performance for many modern games and excels at emulation, and for the price of a single high‑end GPU it is possible to buy two Steam Deck OLED models with 1 TB of storage or one Steam Deck OLED 1 TB and still keep a large part of the budget.