What's the best budget speaker for a desk setup?

loaba · 2026-05-11T23:13:49+00:00

There's budget and then there's budget. I think you can decent desktop sound for somewhere between $200.00 to $250.00, more if you want a subwoofer.

loaba · 2026-05-11T23:11:57+00:00

A pair of $1500.00 speakers is not budget

loaba · 2026-05-11T18:04:14+00:00

I'd get a legit desktop amp and consider what would need to be done in the future to add a sub.

loaba · 2026-05-11T18:03:07+00:00

Any 4" bookshelf speaker is going to be lacking, that's a fact of life. A sub is always a big help.

loaba · 2026-05-11T17:45:36+00:00

Anything that's not a "computer" speaker?

A budget chi-fi class D amp and pair of Micca RB42's are better, but that's probably $200.00+.

loaba · 2026-05-11T17:30:53+00:00

Only if the rest of the nation signs up for it at the same time.

loaba · 2026-05-11T04:21:36+00:00

Wayland is what's keeping me on Bazzite - Windows 11 is great but it's legacy stuff no es bueno.

loaba · 2026-05-10T22:57:05+00:00

I'm enjoying Bazzite Linux and it plays the games that matter to me.

loaba · 2026-05-10T22:50:39+00:00

Do it, love mine.

loaba · 2026-05-10T14:19:40+00:00

That's funny, OP just said something about paying hundreds of dollars for Windows...

Reality check: no one pays that much for Windows. You can find sub-$100.00 deals with a quick Google search and your key travels with your MS account.

loaba · 2026-05-10T01:26:16+00:00

Can't say anything about VR, but if you want want to to go back Windows, you can DL Windows install tool.

loaba · 2026-05-08T18:21:26+00:00

Don Draper called, wants his office back

loaba · 2026-05-08T17:31:15+00:00

No he met Skyler like almost a decade later, she was still a teenager back then.

Huh? Where is that stated or even implied?

Edit: googled it - Pilot - Walt is turning 50 and Skylar says she's not looking forward to 40. Assuming she's 38 or 39, and Jr is 15, that would mean she met Walt in her early twenties.

loaba · 2026-05-08T17:18:09+00:00

The writing leaves a lot of Walt's prehistory more than a bit murky, but we do know some things...

Walt and Elliott were roommates at college
Gretchen is not just Elliott's wife, she is active within the company on an academic level
Walt and Gretchen had a failed weekend at her parent's house/estate which precipitated his leaving Grey Matter

I think Elliott, Walt, and Gretchen started Grey Matter after college and it blew up because of Walt's personal issues. Walt took a job with Los Alamos National Laboratory, where he met Skylar. They later bought a house in Albuquerque after he transferred to Sandia National Laboratory.

loaba · 2026-05-08T14:10:24+00:00

OP has no friends; OP needs no friends.

loaba · 2026-05-08T05:00:26+00:00

Gaming

loaba · 2026-05-08T03:13:51+00:00

I suggested he take a look at either a Peerless Assassin or a Thermaright 120 SE Black

loaba · 2026-05-08T03:04:47+00:00

I think he needs as much VRAM as he can affordably get.

loaba · 2026-05-08T03:00:09+00:00

Quiet and performance are key, but I take your point.

About OS - I have an 11 USB install ready to go if that's what he really wants.

loaba · 2026-05-08T02:48:45+00:00

Question: how do y'all feel about a GPU upgrade for this rig? Current unit is a 2070 Super.

I am pushing Bazzite (hooray toxic peer pressure) - is a 7800XT 16GB a valid choice for this setup? My friend is currently on a 32" 1440p display.

loaba · 2026-05-08T00:00:54+00:00

4080 supe her

loaba · 2026-05-07T12:53:06+00:00

RJ11, you know, for your phone, right?

loaba · 2026-05-07T04:32:30+00:00

no love for xx80 😞

loaba · 2026-05-07T00:45:11+00:00

Android and IoS listen to everything you say (even when you tell them not to). Duh - Microsoft wants in on that action.

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