The Last Piece of the Puzzle: My Streaming Upgrade Journey

You know those moments when you think you’ve finally figured everything out, only to be hit with reality a second later? That’s been me these past few weeks with my streaming setup. Let me tell you the story—feels like catching up with an old friend anyway.

The CPU That Wouldn’t Work

So, remember how I saved up from Uber driving, bought my GPU (RX 5700) , upgraded my desk , swapped to a bigger case for better airflow , and even got Starlink internet? Yeah, the setup was finally looking like a dream. The last thing on my list was the CPU.

I thought, perfect, I’ll swap my Ryzen 7 1700X for a Ryzen 5 5500. Simple, right? Wrong.

I updated the BIOS, tried again and again, swapped things around, and every single time: black screen. The 1700X booted fine, but the 5500? Nothing. After too many failed attempts, I had to face it—the upgrade wasn’t happening.

The Delusional Stream Test

At that point, I thought: Fine. Maybe I don’t even need to upgrade. Maybe my old CPU can handle streaming just fine.

So, in true “let’s prove myself right” fashion, I fired up OBS Studio and tried multi-streaming on Twitch and Kick (check the stream recording on kick titled "Fortnite x Anime Vibes – 2HR Guess-The-Anime Stream!").

Oh boy… what a mistake.

The render was all over the place, frames were dropping like crazy, and the gameplay looked like it had been dragged through the mud. I lowered the quality, switched from DirectX 12 to DirectX 11, and things seemed a little smoother—but still not up to the standard I wanted.

Look, I’ll admit it: I’m not the best gamer, and I’m not exactly a natural streamer either. I get camera shy, I stumble over words—but still, that stream? Even for me, it was rough.

Back to the Drawing Board

So here I am again, back at square one. After a lot of thinking (and maybe a little sulking), I’ve decided the next step is getting a Ryzen 7 2700 CPU. Yeah, I know what you’re thinking—it’s old. But here’s the truth: it fits my budget right now, and it’s the piece I need to finally make this setup whole.

This CPU upgrade should be the last piece of the puzzle. Once it’s in place, I can finally stream the way I’ve been planning all along.

The Moral of the Story

Here’s what I’ve learned through all of this: sometimes things don’t go the way you expect. You can plan, save, and work toward something, and it still might not work out. But that doesn’t mean you failed. It just means you adjust, re-plan, and keep going.

Dreams aren’t always built in straight lines—they’re built in reroutes, retries, and sometimes in buying a “dated” processor because that’s what your budget allows.

And that’s okay. Because progress, no matter how slow or imperfect, is still progress.

My Streaming Setup Upgrade Journey: Saving Through Uber to Build My Dream PC

If you’ve ever had to put your passion on hold because of money, you’ll understand where I’m coming from. For me, that passion is streaming. I love gaming, I love creating, and I love connecting with people online—but without the right gear and internet, it just wasn’t possible.

For the past few months, I haven’t been streaming. Not because I lost interest, but because my old setup couldn’t keep up. I decided instead of forcing it, I’d do it the right way: make a plan, set a budget, and upgrade piece by piece.

The best part? I funded it all through Uber driving. Every trip I completed wasn’t just gas money—it was an investment into building my dream PC setup. It took time, but the progress has been worth it.

 The First Step: GPU Upgrade (RX 5700)

One of the most important upgrades for gaming and streaming is the graphics card. I picked up the AMD RX 5700 GPU, which gives me enough power for both smooth game play and encoding streams. If you’ve ever struggled with stutters or poor frame rates, you know how big of a difference a good GPU makes. 

 A Better Desk for a Better Setup

After years of using a cramped space, I finally invested in a proper desk. It might not sound like a big deal, but having enough room for a monitor, keyboard, and mic stand makes everything so much easier. A good desk helps keep the setup clean and organized. Best gaming desk on Amazon

 Bigger PC Case = Better Airflow

Next, I changed my old PC case for a bigger one. This might sound like just a cosmetic change, but airflow is super important. A larger case keeps the system cooler, which means longer hardware life and fewer crashes when gaming or streaming. Mid-tower PC case

 The Internet Game-Changer: Starlink

Before, I was stuck with a local ISP that promised 6 Mbps—but only delivered that speed if I was lucky. Streaming was frustrating, buffering was constant, and gaming online felt like a gamble.

That all changed when I decided to upgrade to Starlink. I ordered the kit online, expecting it to take at least two weeks to arrive. To my surprise, it showed up in just six days. That fast delivery alone had me smiling—it felt like the upgrade I’d been waiting years for was finally within reach.

Setting it up was straightforward, and once it was running, the difference was night and day. Stable speeds, low latency, and finally the freedom to stream and game without worrying about constant dropouts. It wasn’t just an upgrade—it was a whole new experience.

Honestly, if you’re stuck with slow, unreliable internet like I was, I’d encourage anyone to give Starlink Kit a serious look. For me, it turned a dream of returning to streaming into a real possibility. 

 What’s Left: CPU Upgrade

The last piece of the puzzle is upgrading my processor. Right now, I’m still running a Ryzen 7 1700X, but my goal is to switch to the Ryzen 5 5500 Processor by the end of September 2025. Once that’s done, my setup will be complete, and I’ll be back to streaming regularly. 

What We Learned Along the Way

This whole journey isn’t just about tech—it’s about patience, planning, and persistence. I could have gone into debt to buy everything at once, but instead, I saved bit by bit from my Uber earnings. Each upgrade felt like a small win, and over time, those wins started adding up to something bigger.

And then there was Starlink. I ordered it online thinking it would take two weeks to arrive, but it showed up in just six days. That moment reminded me that sometimes, when you’ve done the work and made the plan, good things can come sooner than expected.

The bigger lesson is this: if you save money with a goal and a clear plan, it might take time, but eventually, you’ll get there—and sometimes, the results even surprise you by coming faster.

Whether it’s streaming, building a PC, or chasing any other dream, progress is progress. Every step you take brings you closer to where you want to be.

Why I—Skinnyhatchett, a Total Noob—Might Actually Try GTA 6

Why GTA Never Was My Jam… Until Now

I’ll be straight with you—I’ve never been a Grand Theft Auto fan. The car-jacking, the crime, the chaos? Not really my type of fun. I usually watch anime or play other games where the vibe feels different.

But then I started seeing GTA 5 clips on TikTok. People were role-playing, creating stories, and living inside the game like it was their own world. That wasn’t what I expected at all. And now with the GTA 6 trailer out, I can’t lie—it looks insane. For the first time ever, I might actually try it.

1. GTA 6 Drops on May 26, 2026

Rockstar has locked in the release date: May 26, 2026. No more waiting on rumors. It’s launching first on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, and from what I’ve seen, it’s already breaking the internet.

If you’re planning to dive in, this might be the perfect time to think about upgrading your setup. Even something as simple as a new controller can make the experience way smoother.

2. A Whole New Vice City

GTA 6 isn’t just recycling old maps. It’s bringing back Vice City but expanding it into a full state called Leonida, inspired by Florida. We’re talking swamps, highways, city streets, beaches—all of it.

There are two main characters this time, Lucia and Jason, who are basically running a crime story together. Even as someone who’s never played GTA before, that kind of open world mixed with story makes it hard not to be curious.

For me, this feels like the kind of game where a good monitor could really change how you experience it. Wide visuals, sharp colors—it’s worth it for a map this big.

3. Midnight Global Launch & Hype

Here’s one thing that makes GTA 6 stand out: it’s launching at midnight local time worldwide. No matter where you live, you’ll be able to play the second the clock hits midnight. That’s a pretty bold move, and it shows how massive this release is going to be.

People are even calling it the first “AAAAA” game (five A’s), saying it’s going to raise the bar for all future titles.

And honestly, looking at the trailer, I might need to seriously upgrade my PC just to keep up. A solid graphics card could be the difference between struggling and actually enjoying everything GTA 6 has to offer.

4. Don’t Get Fooled by Scams

Of course, the hype also means scams are popping up everywhere. Fake “early access” links and downloads are already floating around online. If you’re excited, just be patient and stick to the official Rockstar releases. It’s better than risking your setup with some shady file.

Final Thoughts

I never thought I’d say this, but GTA 6 looks like the kind of game that could finally pull me in. From the upgraded Vice City to the midnight global launch, it feels less like just another GTA and more like a whole event.

So yeah—this noob might finally be stepping into the GTA world.

How Gaming and Anime Binging Saved Me During My Darkest Days

Part 2: The Night I Almost Gave Up (And How My Son Saved Me Without Even Knowing)  

This is the part of my story I never planned on sharing. Honestly, I almost deleted this draft more times than I can count. But if even one person out there is where I was, then you need to read this.

If you read Part 1 of my story, you know how gaming and anime binging carried me through the storm of 2021. I lost my job, bills piled up, and with a baby on the way, rejection after rejection crushed me. Fortnite became my escape. Attack on Titan and One Piece became my fuel. I even leaned on a simple gaming chair and collected small anime figures as tiny lifelines to keep me moving forward.

But here’s the truth I didn’t tell you in Part 1—something darker. Something that almost ended my story before it could really begin

The Breaking Point

It was one of those nights when the silence felt heavier than the bills stacked on the table. Another “we regret to inform you” email had just lit up my phone. I stared at the screen, then at the dark ceiling above me.

And the thought hit: Maybe my family would be better off without me. Maybe if I unalived myself, they could at least claim something from death funds or pension.

It scared me how logical it sounded in the moment. Like maybe disappearing would be less painful than failing again. But then I heard it.

The Cry That Pulled Me Back

From the crib came the faintest sound—my son, just 2 months old, letting out a tiny cry. I walked over, picked him up, and held him against my chest.

That moment shattered everything. 

He was so small, so fragile, and yet in my arms he felt like the strongest anchor in the world. The truth hit me harder than any job rejection ever could: if I gave up, he’d never know me. He’d never laugh with me while we beat pixelated turtles on our retro console. He’d never sit beside me learning Mario’s jumps or Contra’s chaos.

If I left, his story would start with loss. And I couldn’t let that be his first chapter.

The Shift

That night didn’t magically erase the pain. I still drove Uber. I still faced rejection emails. But I kept going—because now it wasn’t just about me. It was about being there for him.

Every time I sat in my gaming chair, controller in hand, I reminded myself: losing isn’t the end. You respawn. You hit continue. You keep playing.

Every time I looked at my little shelf of anime figures, I reminded myself: every hero I admired fell, struggled, but stood back up again. Why should I be any different?

My son gave me the reason. Gaming and anime gave me the tools. Together, they kept me alive.

The Life Lesson

Here’s what I’ve learned: Sometimes we don’t survive for ourselves. Sometimes we survive because someone—maybe a tiny 2-month-old who can’t even say your name yet—needs us to.

So if you’re reading this, and you’re in that dark place thinking you don’t matter, let me be living proof: you do. You matter more than you’ll ever realize.

Because one day, someone—your child, your partner, even a stranger—might need your story to remind them to keep going.

For me, it was my son. He saved me without ever knowing. And now, every time we fire up that retro console, laughing at pixelated chaos, I know for sure: choosing to stay was the best decision I’ll ever make.

Game on, little man. For you, I’ll always hit continue.

How Gaming and Anime Binging Saved Me During My Darkest Days

I'm Skinnyhatchett, but online, I've got like a million different gamer tags. A few years back, during the whole crazy COVID thing in 2021, my life totally crashed. I lost my job, cash was super tight, and with a baby on the way, every no thanks email from jobs felt like a gut punch.

I'll be real—I thought about just giving up at one point. The feeling of letting my family down and just not being good enough almost did me in. But instead of just giving in, I found a weird way out: gaming and anime.

Fortnite, Escape, and a Whole New World

I totally remember the first night. Bills were stacked on the table, my girl was asleep, and I was just staring into the dark. Out of nowhere, I downloaded Fortnite. What started as just one quick game turned into hours of crazy fun, laughs, and—most of all—a break from all the stress. I wasn't Skinnyhatchett, the jobless soon-to-be dad. I was a player, building stuff, surviving, and laughing with random folks all over.

To make those late-night times a bit easier, I got a gaming chair. Nothing fancy, but sitting there, back comfy, keyboard and mouse, I felt like maybe I could make it through another day.

Anime Nights: Some Hope in Each Show

When I wasn't gaming, I watched anime. Shows like Attack on Titan and One Piece gave me something real life wasn't giving me at the time—hope. Watching characters mess up, fight hard, and get back up was huge for me. If Eren could keep going no matter what, why couldn't I?

I started grabbing little anime figures. Just plastic reminders to be brave and keep going, but when I saw them, they kept me pushing. They were more than just decorations—they were like anchors.

Driving Forward (For Real)

The money issues didn't just vanish. I still got turned down for jobs a ton, so I started driving for Uber. At first, it felt like I was failing—but soon I saw that the drives gave me time to think, to dream a bit. Between rides, I'd put on my headset, play some anime music, and just let it take me away. Little by little, I started to find a middle ground between just getting by and still finding some fun in life.

Being a Dad and Old-School Games

When my son came along, I knew I wanted to give him something good. Not the crummy feeling of being turned down, but the fun of playing and imagining stuff. I got a retro console, loaded with classics like Mario and Contra, and when he was old enough, we sat together laughing at those blocky turtles and crazy jumps.

Those times helped me heal more than any job offer ever could.

But Then Something Clicked…

Gaming and anime didn't just get me through it—they sparked something bigger. Something I never saw coming.

Because one night, while playing more Fortnite and watching more anime, I got an idea.

An idea that could change everything.

👉 And that’s where the real story starts… Stay tuned for Part 2.