Building gaming PC for my son

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shelaker

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Jan 27, 2014
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I want to build my 10 year old son a really cool computer for his room. My original budget for the machine was $500, but I'm kinda pushing the $700 area. I am planning on using a 32" 1081 LED tv for the gaming and media, and I'm going to set up another monitor as more of a "traditional" setup. I came up with what I think is pretty close to what I want. Just wondering if theres any opinions or advice. I really like the 8 cores, USB 3, etc. Just want something with possibility of being a somewhat decent gaming pc, plus upgradeability.
http://pcpartpicker.com/user/shelaker/saved/HPP8TW
 
Solution
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This is a much better computer with a stronger CPU with an actual upgrade path.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($198.72 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($74.78 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Stealth 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($65.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 270X 2GB Video Card ($168.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill FB-03 ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold Certified...
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ingtar33

ingtar33

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Dec 17, 2012
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you spend $$ all over the place in that build. and really under spend on the gpu. trust me on this one. the gpu is far more important than the case, ram, hard drives, and motherboard; frankly it's almost more important then the cpu. I kept the basic concept of your build the same but i gave you a much better gpu. I swapped out the motherboard for basically the same motherboard (i hit some insane clock speeds on my old evo), gave you a cpu cooler... it won't hit 5ghz on that cooler but it should be quieter then the stock one, and you should get some sort of overclock with it. I also added an SSD... because... well once you see it you'll never go back to a normal hard drive again.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($139.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus M5A99X EVO R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($105.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($73.80 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: HIS Radeon R9 280 3GB IceQ OC Video Card ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 431 Plus (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($32.50 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($68.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG WH16NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $715.20
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-07 20:25 EDT-0400
 
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justcallmetom13

justcallmetom13

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Mar 17, 2014
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This is a great build! but you have to pick out an OS which will likely add another 100$ or so.
3 TB's is also a bit overkill. To put it into perspective I've been using my PC heavily for about 2 years now and I've barely hit 1TB so maybe changing that out to a 1, 1.5, or even 2 TB will shave off some bucks.

Hope this helped!
 
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Deleted member 1300495

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This is a much better computer with a stronger CPU with an actual upgrade path.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($198.72 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($74.78 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Stealth 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($65.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 270X 2GB Video Card ($168.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill FB-03 ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($66.66 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($13.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $763.07
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-07 20:34 EDT-0400
 
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spentshells

spentshells

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Apr 1, 2006
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I like this a lot with a smaller power supply maybe 430 watts and maybe a 750ti to lower the price and frankly get a nicer case.
 
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Deleted member 1300495

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[/quotemsg]I like this a lot with a smaller power supply maybe 430 watts and maybe a 750ti to lower the price and frankly get a nicer case.[/quotemsg]

The 750ti is not worth the price tag for the 260x performance it delivers. Even the 760 is completely stupid as you can get a 280 that is much better than it.
 
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RazerZ

RazerZ

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Aug 18, 2013
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I would swap the i5 for an H81 and a an i5 4430, or 4440 if the motherboard supports it to lower the price. If this is going to be used as a gaming/media pc, the op could consider a mITX build if size is a factor. He shouldn't need a CPU/Mobo upgrade for a few years.

Also I wouldn't get that case, for $5-$10 more there are a lot of better options out there. Maybe a NZXT source 210.

@ OP If you are ok with non modular PSUs there are cheaper options out there such as a XFX 550W unit. Non modular means that all the cables are not removable, semi modular means that some cables are removable, and fully modular means that all the cables can be removed. Having a fully modular PSU greatly helps with cable management, though it isn't necessary. I would recommend a fully modular PSU if you're building small form factor however.
 
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Swisscheesy

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Oct 6, 2014
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Hi, shelaker. First of all, are you dead set on 8 cores? If not, you can install a 6 core fx-6300. It has ample performance and costs about $40 less. Unfortunately, while that motherboard is very nice,it appears that you will need to update the bios to use either the 8-core or the 6-core processor. Since that is at best a sizable hassle, consider getting an asrock 990fx killer. It's about the same price and supports the 6300 and the 8320 processors as well as usb 3.0. Your RAM and hard drive are great choices, but for the video card consider getting a radeon hd 6970. The gpu is the most important component for most games, and the 6970 is twice as fast as the gt 740 for the same price! You might not find it on pcpartpicker though, so look on Newegg. Finally, for the power supply get a Rosewill Capstone 550m. It has the same wattage and price, and despite the "off-brand" name it has much better efficiency, which will save you money on energy bills and indicates better quality. Best of luck with you build!
 
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spentshells

spentshells

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Apr 1, 2006
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I like this a lot with a smaller power supply maybe 430 watts and maybe a 750ti to lower the price and frankly get a nicer case.[/quotemsg]

The 750ti is not worth the price tag for the 260x performance it delivers. Even the 760 is completely stupid as you can get a 280 that is much better than it.
[/quotemsg]

Yeah but it doesn't look like he's going all out for gaming, the 750ti is what it is, a good buy for low power low heat machines. Great for a media computer as it would be nearly silent.

As for the suggestion of a 6970 that is bad buy for a media computer, that is a noisy beast as well as very hot
 
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nekulturny

nekulturny

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Feb 9, 2012
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This is a much better computer with a stronger CPU with an actual upgrade path.
Click to expand...

Oh, I haven't actively been on the forums in awhile, but I see not much has changed in my year long absence. STOP SAYING "UPGRADE PATH". Intel uses a tick-tock with their CPU sockets, they have a roadmap, they use a CPU socket for precisely 2 generations, then they pitch it. There is no upgrade path, none, nada zip . Unless of course you're talking about upgrading to an i7 in a couple years, when newer generation CPUs are out on another socket. Why in the hell would you upgrade a 2 or 3 generation old i5 to a 2 or 3 old generation i7? Thats stupid.

Now, I'm not going to get into the AMD v Intel thing here, but I will tell you, if you were going to do such a foolish thing, it would make more sense with an AMD system, as the prices tend to fall on older generations, whereas Intel tends to hold its retail value despite being EoL. Check for stores for a new in box Sandy or Ivy Bridge if you don't believe me, they're almost as expensive as they day they were brand spanking new on the market.

Computers in general, but particularly "gaming systems" if the user plans on keeping up with the latest titles have a finite life cycle, practically, if you want to stay "on top of things" figure 3 to 4 years. If you find yourself wanting a CPU upgrade before that time period, you didn't buy the right CPU to begin with. A good CPU is important, but the vast majority of games on the market are limited by the graphics card, not the CPU. When budget is top priority for a gaming system, 9 times out of 10, its more beneficial to tighten up on everything EXCEPT the graphics card.

I know this is just a forum, and people are getting the advice they pay for (free advice), but at least have some sense of respect and don't advise people errantly who are going to invest hundreds of dollars based on your recommendations.
 
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nekulturny

nekulturny

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Feb 9, 2012
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My only advice to you, as I think others have the basics pretty well covered, and my previous input to another user here kinda gives you an idea of where to be in regards to system balance between the processor and the graphics card, the 32 inch HDTVs, I know some people swear by them for gaming rigs, personally I find TV's awkward to game on, thats a personal preference, but I know I'm not alone. I personally have a 27 inch monitor, thats about the most extreme size I can go for PC gaming.

As far was which CPU to take? An i5 or an FX-8320.. Flip a coin, I don't see a wrong answer there either way. If the 8 core sounds cute to you, go for it, most games don't use 8 cores, but I get the appeal to be able to say "I have an 8 core CPU".

 
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RazerZ

RazerZ

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Actually the 4590 is the haswell refresh, so there's still another generation left (Broadwell).

However buying a H97 or Z97 motherboard just for the upgrade to Broadwell isn't the best idea. It's likely we're going to see around a 10% performance gain as we saw from Ivy Bridge to Haswell. So, if he's buying an H97 or Z97 motherboard, only buy it if they have features he needs.

If not, it's perfectly fine to save some money and use an older chipset, such as the H81 as I suggested above.
 
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nekulturny

nekulturny

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Feb 9, 2012
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Yea, I realized it was a Haswell refresh, thats why I edited my post accordingly, even so, its one of my pet peeves when people talk about "upgrade paths", because they're basically telling someone to consider having a very expensive paperweight in a year or two, instead of advising them to pick components that are going to meet their needs for 3-4 years.

High end computers are a big enough money pit with enough planned obsolesce built in as it is, no need to cut yourself at the knees even further.

My boss at work gave me his old Gateway computer to fix a couple weeks ago, I had to break it to him the motherboard was dead and would cost almost as much to replace it as it would cost me to build him a new computer that would run circles around it, he paid 3 grand for this computer a few years back, I had to explain to him its worth nothing now, it didn't go well.
 
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patrichpachich

patrichpachich

Distinguished
Jul 18, 2014
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nvidia announced the delay of 960 card, I think it will be release on first quarter of 2015.
so Ill give you an option build

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($194.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H97M-D3H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($76.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($79.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 270X 2GB TWIN FROZR Video Card ($154.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($38.98 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 520W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($65.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $683.86
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-23 10:48 EDT-0400
 
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Deleted member 1300495

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Hmm, I hope you notice that things HAVE changed around here. The upgrade paths that are being talked about today are the paths from say a pentium - i3 - i5 - i7. Then the next gen. I hope you understand that this is what I mean the upgrade path.

I know this is just a forum, and people are getting the advice they pay for (free advice), but at least have some sense of respect and don't advise people errantly who are going to invest hundreds of dollars based on your recommendations.
Click to expand...

Hmm, I believe you shoudl go tell that to the THOUSANDS of people who have done just that on this forum. I give people advice on how and what kind of a computer to build. And I do this because I feel good helping people. I also think about my comments before i post them and how people will be effected by it. You don't have to just bust into a thread and shoot everyone with one bullet then provide evidence. You don't have to be such a Debby Downer® when you are posting, I think you can improve your mood and tone.
 
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Deleted member 1300495

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You do realize that you just flat out copied my build right? Also, the 960 is a good card but for the price point it is completely not worth it. He should just get a 290 for the money that a 960 costs. The 270X will be the best card for him right now until AMD upgrades it's cards. I do not believe you deserve the best answer.
 
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patrichpachich

patrichpachich

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Jul 18, 2014
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copying?, are you out of your mind?
there is no official price/benchmark for 960, so dont assume any thing.
look, I dont care of badges. at first I was, but now I realized what toms giving me. its experience and knowledge and also opportunity to help other.


at first its an option build.
you are right I dont deserve the best answer.(not being sarcastic)
you do.



 
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