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Started By
Message
Pre-built gaming PC
Posted on 5/14/22 at 8:42 pm
Posted on 5/14/22 at 8:42 pm
Any current recommendations? Looking for one for my son with the possibility of upgrading at some point. Doesn't have to be anything high end as he is just getting started. I understand there are many variables, but not sure where to start
2
Posted on 5/14/22 at 8:54 pm to HeadyMurphey
Order direct through the manufacturer instead of WalMart or Best Buy since they’ll cheap out on your PSU. Biggest point is to make sure you’ve got a rock solid PSU and an a full-size motherboard.
Posted on 5/14/22 at 10:29 pm to HeadyMurphey
Ok, so I definitely thought you were the same guy from the tech board for a sec 
Starting questions:
Which games does he play
At what resolution and refresh rate (monitor specs)
And what’s your price cap?
Starting questions:
Which games does he play
At what resolution and refresh rate (monitor specs)
And what’s your price cap?
Posted on 5/14/22 at 11:04 pm to Joshjrn
quote:
Which games does he play
Mainly on PS4, a wide variety. He wants a PC to play Planet Zoo. Only thing he has really played on PC is Roblox. Other games pop up, but PC is never compatible. Onboard graphics on a web surfing PC basically
quote:
At what resolution and refresh rate (monitor specs)
Your basic 24" Samsung, 60 hz. I can upgrade it at some point.
quote:
And what’s your price cap?
Don't really have one. I want something that could be upgraded and last for 5 years or more hopefully. He is only 10, so I am not really concerned with the best graphics, etc.. just compatibility to play the games he wants. He is putting up $300 towards the purchase. I would like to stay under 1k if possible, but would go up to $1500, but wouldnt be happy.
I know the sky is the limit, but the current challenge is just that he cant play the games he wants due to the current PC just being a basic one. I am not necessarily looking for the best graphics I can get.
I appreciate the help.
Posted on 5/15/22 at 9:28 am to HeadyMurphey
Look for something with an AMD -G series processor and no graphics card. That should be enough gpu power to last him for a while until he gets into something that needs discrete graphics.
I used a AMD Ryzen 5700G processor and ran World of Warcraft at 100fps with 7/10 graphics settings.
It's a great way to build a solid platform on the cheap that you can easily scale up just by adding a discrete gpu.
I used a AMD Ryzen 5700G processor and ran World of Warcraft at 100fps with 7/10 graphics settings.
It's a great way to build a solid platform on the cheap that you can easily scale up just by adding a discrete gpu.
Posted on 5/15/22 at 1:06 pm to HeadyMurphey
quote:
Don't really have one. I want something that could be upgraded and last for 5 years or more hopefully. He is only 10, so I am not really concerned with the best graphics, etc.. just compatibility to play the games he wants. He is putting up $300 towards the purchase. I would like to stay under 1k if possible, but would go up to $1500, but wouldnt be happy.
I know the sky is the limit, but the current challenge is just that he cant play the games he wants due to the current PC just being a basic one. I am not necessarily looking for the best graphics I can get.
I appreciate the help.
If you aren't against building a PC for him, here's what I came up with, assuming a 1080 Medium-High Refresh Rate build...
quote:
PCPartPicker Part List: LINK
CPU: Intel Core i5-12400F 2.5 GHz 6-Core Processor ($159.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus PRIME B660M-A D4 Micro ATX LGA1700 Motherboard ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3600 CL18 Memory ($67.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: SK hynix Gold P31 500 GB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($61.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon RX 6600 XT 8 GB NITRO+ Video Card ($399.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Focus G Mini MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($68.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair RMx (2021) 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 11 Home OEM 64-bit ($119.98 @ Amazon)
Total: $1108.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2022-05-15 14:05 EDT-0400
~$100ish more than your $1000 target, but this will basically play anything at decent FPS at 1080p.
Posted on 5/15/22 at 1:11 pm to boXerrumble
Can drop that $120 for windows and buy a license for like $20 and put that $100 elsewhere, like into a beefier GPU and I’d also look into upgrading the cpu to a 5600x, they’re cheap as hell now
Posted on 5/15/22 at 1:14 pm to bamabenny
quote:
Can drop that $120 for windows and buy a license for like $20 and put that $100 elsewhere, like into a beefier GPU and I’d also look into upgrading the cpu to a 5600x, they’re cheap as hell now
True... there are places where you can get cheaper keys, which I won't put here
I actually have a 5600x right now that I bought in December 2020, but for someone doing a new build, I'd just recommend going Intel, just because this is AMD's last hurrah on the AM4 socket.
Don't get me wrong, you can't go wrong in terms of performance with either the 12400 or 5600x.
Posted on 5/15/22 at 1:35 pm to boXerrumble
You can also just run a free copy of windows, as long as you don’t mind a watermark on the desktop
Posted on 5/15/22 at 1:37 pm to boXerrumble
True
Forget the cpu upgrade, throw $100 more into the GPU and target a 6700xt or 60ti
I’ll try for a couple AMD drops and see if I can score a reference card. They’ve been staying in stock a decent little bit now
Forget the cpu upgrade, throw $100 more into the GPU and target a 6700xt or 60ti
I’ll try for a couple AMD drops and see if I can score a reference card. They’ve been staying in stock a decent little bit now
This post was edited on 5/15/22 at 1:38 pm
Posted on 5/15/22 at 2:32 pm to boXerrumble
I do like the idea of building versus buying. It could be a learning experience for him. I have switched out components over the years so it shouldnt be a problem.
Is a 500GB SSD big enough? Looks like there is an extra slot I could add another at some point?
Is a 500GB SSD big enough? Looks like there is an extra slot I could add another at some point?
Posted on 5/15/22 at 2:35 pm to HeadyMurphey
quote:
Is a 500GB SSD big enough? Looks like there is an extra slot I could add another at some point?
500GB is enough for a Windows/boot drive. I would add at least another TB or two in the second m.2 slot at some point, or if you're trying to be more budget conscious, a SATA drive.
ETA: Wife is currently dragging me out of the house, but I'll look at spec'ing something when I get back.
This post was edited on 5/15/22 at 2:36 pm
Posted on 5/15/22 at 2:39 pm to Joshjrn
quote:
but I'll look at spec'ing something when I get back.
thanks
Posted on 5/15/22 at 4:48 pm to HeadyMurphey
To start, Bo's spec sheet looks great. But to give a different set of options with a slightly different emphasis:
PCPartPicker Part List: LINK
CPU: Intel Core i5-12400F 2.5 GHz 6-Core Processor ($159.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI PRO B660M-A DDR4 Micro ATX LGA1700 Motherboard ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3600 CL18 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: SK hynix Gold P31 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI Radeon RX 6600 XT 8 GB MECH 2X OC Video Card ($369.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Phanteks Eclipse P360A ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair RMx (2021) 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($112.00 @ Amazon)
Total: $1011.94
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2022-05-15 17:43 EDT-0400
Quick hit on differences and similarities: at this price point, I think he has the cpu right, as much as I don't love it. I flat out refuse to buy a motherboard that doesn't have debug lights, thus the switch. RAM is basically the same. Here is where I started to spend a little more money for the future. Did a 1TB boot drive instead of 500mb, so you aren't going to have to buy another drive so soon. Went with a full ATX case, which you certainly don't need now, but will make upgrading easier in the future if you want to move to an ATX motherboard. Bumped the PSU 100w because I think that's worth $10.
ETA: I think mine is like $20 more than his if you ignore paying full price for Windows, which you shouldn't. You can create a free Windows install drive, which we can walk you through. And if you're intent on activating it, a grey market key is less than $20.
ETA: And as a stocking stuffer this year, I would add a third fan for exhaust on the back of the case: LINK
PCPartPicker Part List: LINK
CPU: Intel Core i5-12400F 2.5 GHz 6-Core Processor ($159.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI PRO B660M-A DDR4 Micro ATX LGA1700 Motherboard ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3600 CL18 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: SK hynix Gold P31 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI Radeon RX 6600 XT 8 GB MECH 2X OC Video Card ($369.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Phanteks Eclipse P360A ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair RMx (2021) 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($112.00 @ Amazon)
Total: $1011.94
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2022-05-15 17:43 EDT-0400
Quick hit on differences and similarities: at this price point, I think he has the cpu right, as much as I don't love it. I flat out refuse to buy a motherboard that doesn't have debug lights, thus the switch. RAM is basically the same. Here is where I started to spend a little more money for the future. Did a 1TB boot drive instead of 500mb, so you aren't going to have to buy another drive so soon. Went with a full ATX case, which you certainly don't need now, but will make upgrading easier in the future if you want to move to an ATX motherboard. Bumped the PSU 100w because I think that's worth $10.
ETA: I think mine is like $20 more than his if you ignore paying full price for Windows, which you shouldn't. You can create a free Windows install drive, which we can walk you through. And if you're intent on activating it, a grey market key is less than $20.
ETA: And as a stocking stuffer this year, I would add a third fan for exhaust on the back of the case: LINK
This post was edited on 5/15/22 at 4:55 pm
Posted on 5/15/22 at 6:04 pm to Joshjrn
Thanks, I would prefer the bigger case after having a smaller one before.
What's the difference in video cards?
What's the difference in video cards?
Posted on 5/15/22 at 6:28 pm to HeadyMurphey
Same card, different MFG
Posted on 5/15/22 at 9:23 pm to HeadyMurphey
quote:
What's the difference in video cards?
As Benny said. To get slightly more granular, different AIB (Add in Board) partners (companies that get the card from the manufacturer and then build around them) put different amounts of money into the cooling solution, caps, marketing, etc. While the lowest of the low and highest of the high might have 5%+ deviations in performance, for the most part, it will be within margin of error. The card I listed is a solid three fan (which, frankly, is overkill for this card) solution which should fit just fine in the case I pitched.
But anyway, $1k is a very difficult price point, as it's right on the edge of when you have to start making compromises. A $1,500 build is orders of magnitude easier to spec than a $1,000 build, but here on the Gaming Board, we try to give the people what they want
The important thing to keep in mind is what components are likely to come with you in future builds, and which won't. That motherboard and cpu? Probably a one and done. Case? Can absolutely come with you. M.2 SSD? Depends on the specs. Same with your PSU.
That's one of the benefits of DIY. Unless you want to throw everything out and start over, you can probably always bring something forward. Bit of a Ship of Theseus paradigm, if you will
Posted on 5/15/22 at 9:39 pm to Joshjrn
Thanks for the explanation and effort. Off I go!
Posted on 5/15/22 at 9:49 pm to HeadyMurphey
quote:
Thanks for the explanation and effort. Off I go!
Don't be a stranger. We can help you through the build if you run into any issues.
And here's the page for downloading/creating Windows installation media: LINK
Posted on 5/16/22 at 5:37 pm to Joshjrn
I’ve built 8 pcs in my life so far and I’ve done something stupid in building each one of them at various points
Your spec list is excellent btw.
Your spec list is excellent btw.
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