Building a low budget casual fun computer for LITTLE NIECE

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NinjaSmoke

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I'm building my niece a computer at her parent's request. She will be using this primarily for basic stuff like school work, watching youtube videos, or digital copies of movies. She just started the 6th grade.

She has never had a computer. She doesn't play games, but with a computer of her own she might be interested in them (Minecraft, Maplestory [do kids still play?], DOTA [lol])

I want to build her a PC she can use for school and casual fun [like youtube or skype, etc], but possibly with the idea of enough power so she can play games as well. What are my options?

Budget is $400-600.
If I could get multiple builds that'd be swell.
One for school and casual.
One with potential to game.
One for giggles; etc

I noticed this thread was in the upper limit of the price range her parents were looking at.
http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2285915/500-gaming.html
If I purchased these parts, how limiting would this be gaming wise?

I'm an Intel CPU fanboy. I like it and it's really the only CPU I dabble in for my personal BAMF gaming comp. However, I do know that AMD CPUs are best bang for your buck if you're looking to game on a budget. Recommendations?

Thank you so much guys.
 
Solution
RazerZ
i5 build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4430 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: MSI Z87-G41 PC Mate ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.98 @ OutletPC)
Case: BitFenix Merc Beta (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($19.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($13.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $392.92
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker...
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TechCIDLC

TechCIDLC

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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD Athlon X4 750K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($79.49 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: MSI A78M-E35 Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($57.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($79.99 @ Micro Center)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($88.97 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus Radeon R7 260X 2GB DirectCU II Video Card ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($43.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $520.41
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-03 20:59 EDT-0400
 
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turkey3_scratch

turkey3_scratch

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Great build, but I'd go with the $30 cheaper Seagate Barricuda HD with the same specs.
 
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logainofhades

logainofhades

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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4150 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($116.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI H81M-P33 V2 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($61.99 @ Mac Mall)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($72.00 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R7 260X 1GB Core Edition Video Card ($109.95 @ B&H)
Case: Cougar Spike MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($29.99 @ Mwave)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($45.57 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $596.45
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-03 21:06 EDT-0400
 
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iam2thecrowe

iam2thecrowe

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Jul 4, 2010
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[PCPartPicker part list](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/8ZLCZL) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/8ZLCZL/by_merchant/)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [Intel Pentium G2130 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80637g2130) | $71.98 @ SuperBiiz
**Motherboard** | [ASRock B75M-DGS R2.0 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-b75mdgsr20) | $52.89 @ Amazon
**Memory** | [Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/crucial-memory-bls2kit4g3d1609ds1s00) | $79.99 @ Micro Center
**Storage** | [Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wd1002faex) | $88.97 @ OutletPC
**Video Card** | [Asus Radeon R7 260X 2GB DirectCU II Video Card](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-video-card-r7260xdc2oc2gd5) | $99.99 @ Newegg
**Case** | [Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-case-200r) | $49.99 @ Micro Center
**Power Supply** | [Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-cx430) | $29.99 @ Micro Center
| | **Total**
| Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available | $473.80
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-03 21:09 EDT-0400 |

same thing but intel build.
 
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RandomNameDestroyer

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Not a bad build, but why include Windows in there? Seriously overpriced when you can get Win 7 Ultimate genuine licenses for like $20... (Maybe not through super official channels, but who cares?) I wouldn't spring $100 for an OS.
 
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turkey3_scratch

turkey3_scratch

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There is no genuine Windows for $20 at all, it's definitely an illegal version. I'm pretty sure they want a legitimately legal OS for their neice.
 
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logainofhades

logainofhades

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If it isn't a legal copy of Windows, we cannot suggest it here. It is against the rules. ;)

Build without windows.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4150 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($116.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI H81M-P33 V2 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($61.99 @ Mac Mall)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($72.00 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: HIS Radeon R9 270X 2GB IceQ X² Video Card ($179.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Cougar Spike MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($29.99 @ Mwave)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($45.57 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $576.50
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-03 21:18 EDT-0400

If you care more about CPU than GPU.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($188.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: MSI H81M-P33 V2 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($61.99 @ Mac Mall)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($72.00 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R7 260X 1GB Core Edition Video Card ($109.95 @ B&H)
Case: Cougar Spike MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($29.99 @ Mwave)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($45.57 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $578.46
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-03 21:19 EDT-0400
 
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RazerZ

RazerZ

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Perfect for school and casual along with the games you listed:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus H81M-D PLUS Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 Low Profile Blue 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($67.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.98 @ OutletPC)
Case: Enermax ECA3253-BW ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $389.92
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-03 21:16 EDT-0400

Also has the potential to be turned into a gaming computer. Just add a graphics card and later on she can upgrade to an i5/i7 if she plays more demanding games.
 
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turkey3_scratch

turkey3_scratch

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Here is my build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3420 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($73.98 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI H81M-E33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($44.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($53.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GT 610 2GB Video Card ($50.99 @ B&H)
Case: Rosewill FBM-01 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($33.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($29.99 @ Micro Center)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($13.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($97.49 @ SuperBiiz)
Monitor: Dell E1914H 18.5" Monitor ($94.99 @ Amazon)
Wireless Network Adapter: Asus PCE-N15 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($24.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Keyboard: Logitech Wireless Combo MK270 Wireless Standard Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($17.95 @ Amazon)
Total: $576.31
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-03 21:24 EDT-0400

This even includes a monitor, an independent graphics card, keyboard, mouse, and wireless adapter. Basically, this is every thing you have to buy, nothing else of "oops! Looks like we forgot...". This is everything, and I think a monitor is nice if she doesn't have one. All parts are compatible and come with the necessary tools (such as screws) to properly work.

@razerZ: Your PSU is a little overkill I think.
 
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RazerZ

RazerZ

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I chose a quality 550W unit so he the system can support future upgrades like a new cpu and a gpu.
 
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RandomNameDestroyer

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You're wrong. Might be policy breaking, but I've personally bought many, many genuine licenses for Windows 7, Windows 8.1 Pro, Windows 8.1 Enterprise, Office 2013, etc. No I do not use any supplied installers, or anything like that.

I've personally got Windows 8.1 Enterprise running on two of my computers right now, I bought both licenses for $8 each, and the ISO for installation? I got it straight from Microsoft.com
 
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iam2thecrowe

iam2thecrowe

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just because you bought a license doesnt mean you are using it to the legal license terms and conditions, like oem keys can only be used on one pc, non transferrable etc. It might work, but it may not be legal.
 
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RandomNameDestroyer

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They're not oem keys. Might be against their TOS, I wouldn't know, it's pretty damn long. Skimmed it anyway though, didn't see anything infringing in regards to what I was talking about. L:
 
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N

NinjaSmoke

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Thank you all for your suggestions!! Appreciate all the advice and different approaches.
It's gon take some time for me to muddle through these lists.
However, I really like that future proofing idea. I know hardcore-gaming-wise future proofing your gear for max graphics and fps for years is a messy job but for her specific needs, easily tossing in a graphics card will just do wonders.

Has the norm changed? No more suggestions for cooler master hyper 212+?

Haha, yeah.. I don't know what games kids play nowadays. I first started with FPS like 1.6, DoD, TF2 around her age. And those games.. feel like they're from a lifetime ago.
 
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iam2thecrowe

iam2thecrowe

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the hyper212 is still one of the best choices just make sure it fits in whatever case you chose. tf2 feels like a lifetime ago? your certainly younger than me... how about doom, commander keen, crystal caves, DOS?
 
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NinjaSmoke

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Oh man, how could I ever forget about DOOM?! That was one of my first games on Windows 95.
Just google'd some photos and that brought back some good memories with the fam.
Wow, Doom.. it feels like a millennia ago.
 
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NinjaSmoke

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I'm sad now, a lot of those prices jumped up about $15-30 (psu, ram, case).
Darn classes keeping me too busy.

Should I pull the trigger now and buy all the parts?
If I waited, around what month would the prices go back down (if ever)?

$15-30 hikeup isn't too bad considering if the prices are going to hike up further.
 
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RazerZ

RazerZ

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Maybe, maybe not. Different components go on sale everyday. I can't say whether the price would be the same,more expensive, or cheaper, but overall it shouldn't be too far away from the price you can buy it at today.

If you're ready to buy now I could post a build with slightly different parts that would lower the price.
 
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NinjaSmoke

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Yeah, that'd be great, Razerz! I was actually looking at yours specifically. I'm definitely ready to buy.

I originally liked your CPU and the PSU recommendation.
If you wouldn't mind, could you suggest an i5 build? Her parents want to see the price difference between the G3258 and i5 to justify possible upgrade.
One of their friends started blabbering about, "QUAD CORE QUAD CORE GET HER THE QUAD CORE".
I thought that was so overkill if she doesn't even want to game.
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Sure. Start the kid off on illegal software. GREAT idea!
 
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