First time build, Minecraft.

noob2017

Prominent
Nov 13, 2017
3
0
510
I know very little about computers and I'd like to build a Minecraft computer for my kid. I'd like to keep it in the $500 range. I have keyboard, mouse, speakers and monitor that will do for now (they're old but they work.) I suppose I will have to buy Windows, I prefer Ubuntu but I'm afraid I'll end up needing Windows for some games or such. I'm hoping to upgrade later as finances/time allow. Am I being unrealistic to think I can A) actually do this, B) get something worthwhile for this price? I'd like to buy from Newegg, I think, unless you folks have better ideas. Overclocking? Not really sure what that is but since building a computer is totally uncharted territory, I'm up for whatever y'all recommend. Thanks in advance for all your help.
 
Solution
Well only too glad to help another dad.

Minecraft is not a heavy requirement game so we should be able to do something in that price range.

The system below includes everything you need including Win10 home.

In this system I have chosen not to include a discrete video card but to rather rely on the integrated graphics on the CPU for the time being. The Game Debate website lists the GeForce 8600 GS video card as recommended,
http://www.game-debate.com/games/index.php?g_id=1235&game=Minecraft

The Intel HD 630 graphics on the G4600 CPU is hugely faster than the 8600 GS
http://gpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Nvidia-GeForce-8600-GS-vs-Intel-HD-630-Desktop-Kaby-Lake/m11015vsm178724

Next issue here is that I do not know what kind of...
Well only too glad to help another dad.

Minecraft is not a heavy requirement game so we should be able to do something in that price range.

The system below includes everything you need including Win10 home.

In this system I have chosen not to include a discrete video card but to rather rely on the integrated graphics on the CPU for the time being. The Game Debate website lists the GeForce 8600 GS video card as recommended,
http://www.game-debate.com/games/index.php?g_id=1235&game=Minecraft

The Intel HD 630 graphics on the G4600 CPU is hugely faster than the 8600 GS
http://gpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Nvidia-GeForce-8600-GS-vs-Intel-HD-630-Desktop-Kaby-Lake/m11015vsm178724

Next issue here is that I do not know what kind of connection your monitor has. The MSI - B250M MORTAR motherboard has 1 x DVI-D, 1 x D-Sub and 1 x HDMI1 connector.
https://www.asus.com/ca-en/Motherboards/PRIME-B250M-A/specifications/

If you are not sure about the connection type here is a link to help explain
http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/accessories/pc-monitors/1404476/hdmi-vs-displayport-vs-dvi-vs-vga-every-connection-explained

This system is based on it upgrade capability. You can get a fairly decent gaming system here by adding a discrete video card, a good choice would be a GTX 1050 or GTX 1050 Ti or RX 560. You can even go as high as a GTX 1060-6GB or go as low as a GT 1030. It all depends on what you want to play.
https://pcpartpicker.com/products/video-card/#c=396,379,380,373,395&X=100,889900&sort=price&page=1

You can also upgrade the CPU, here is a list of supported CPU's and another with pricing. You would have to move to an i5 CPU to see a significant improvement
https://www.asus.com/ca-en/Motherboards/PRIME-B250M-A/HelpDesk_CPU/
https://pcpartpicker.com/products/cpu/#X=100,408395&sort=price&s=12,13

Don't worry about overclocking, it is the computer world's version of building a drag racing car. You can get by without it and this system won't anyways.

Last, you might want to look around for your copy of Win10. The one I chose below is the OEM version, which means that it can only be installed on one machine and cannot be later transferred to another machine. A full version will cost you about $10-$15 more but can be installed wherever you want and transferred as many times as you want.

PCPartPicker part list: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/FRmBNN
Price breakdown by merchant: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/FRmBNN/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel - Pentium G4600 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($86.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus - PRIME B250M-A Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($76.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial - Ballistix Sport LT 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($91.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate - BarraCuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Deepcool - TESSERACT BF ATX Mid Tower Case ($40.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic - S12II 520W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($51.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft - Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($112.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $506.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-12-05 14:12 EST-0500
 
Solution

noob2017

Prominent
Nov 13, 2017
3
0
510
This has been an awesome learning experience! And my kid got a Christmas present that she's thrilled about. She's looking forward to learning how to build one herself. I know I have plenty left to learn but I feel confident in my ability to learn whatever I need to.
I cannot thank you enough for taking your time to help me. You have my gratitude.
I do hope you don't mind though, I'm not a "fellow dad." I'm a mom. (Don't worry about it, most folks would have assumed the same. I just felt like I was lying to you by not setting the record straight.)
I hope you and yours had a wonderful holiday season.
Many blessings.
 
First, you are most welcome and I hope that you are having a wonderful holiday season. And it is even better that you are a mom, sorry for making that assumption. Need doesn't see gender and neither should it, we need to break those barriers.

And thank you, to know that someone has been inspired to seek knowledge is one of the best gifts that I can receive. Take care of you and yours.