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First build - PC for a 10 year old
Posted on 10/18/26 at 9:42 am
Posted on 10/18/26 at 9:42 am
Greetings Tech Board,
I am seeking your advice on components for a DIY computer that I would like to build with my son for Christmas.
Budget - $450 (ideally for just the computer sans peripherals)
Setup - Bare bones kit, but modern enough that it can be expanded/upgraded for years to come (if my kid really takes interest).
What I’m thinking: Mini ATX motherboard, Ryzen 5 8500G chip, 1 stick 8GB DDR5 RAM, 500GB hard drive. Clear case to see his work.
Right now my son only plays Poki on the computer, although he does play Minecraft on the Switch. I don’t think he’ll need a ton of RAM or a top tier graphics card. The idea is to get him to build a basic computer to learn about the parts, and have it function well enough for his needs.
It’s been 20 years since I’ve done anything like this and we live in the middle of nowhere - closest computer store is about 90 miles away. My brother-in-law has been helpful, showing me websites like Newegg to make sure components will work together. However, whenever I start building a kit, I quickly realize there are about 25 similar components that are just a few dollars difference. I’m overwhelmed by the options and have no idea what the differences are.
So here we are, my last ditch effort in trying to make sense of all of this stuff. Please advise Tech Board! What pitfalls do I need to avoid? What are the good brands? What would you confidently buy? What good deals/combos should I be looking at? Is it remotely possible to stay within the budget?
Thank you!
P.S. - I’m just looking for your nuggets of wisdom, not trying to farm out a build on you. Any advice is very much appreciated!
I am seeking your advice on components for a DIY computer that I would like to build with my son for Christmas.
Budget - $450 (ideally for just the computer sans peripherals)
Setup - Bare bones kit, but modern enough that it can be expanded/upgraded for years to come (if my kid really takes interest).
What I’m thinking: Mini ATX motherboard, Ryzen 5 8500G chip, 1 stick 8GB DDR5 RAM, 500GB hard drive. Clear case to see his work.
Right now my son only plays Poki on the computer, although he does play Minecraft on the Switch. I don’t think he’ll need a ton of RAM or a top tier graphics card. The idea is to get him to build a basic computer to learn about the parts, and have it function well enough for his needs.
It’s been 20 years since I’ve done anything like this and we live in the middle of nowhere - closest computer store is about 90 miles away. My brother-in-law has been helpful, showing me websites like Newegg to make sure components will work together. However, whenever I start building a kit, I quickly realize there are about 25 similar components that are just a few dollars difference. I’m overwhelmed by the options and have no idea what the differences are.
So here we are, my last ditch effort in trying to make sense of all of this stuff. Please advise Tech Board! What pitfalls do I need to avoid? What are the good brands? What would you confidently buy? What good deals/combos should I be looking at? Is it remotely possible to stay within the budget?
Thank you!
P.S. - I’m just looking for your nuggets of wisdom, not trying to farm out a build on you. Any advice is very much appreciated!
Posted on 10/18/26 at 10:13 am to Goldbondage
Pcpartpicker.com has a completed builds section.
$475 completed builds
$475 completed builds
This post was edited on 10/18/26 at 10:20 am
Posted on 10/18/26 at 10:22 am to Goldbondage
Use this to pick your parts (PC Part Picker).
Your basic idea is good, especially using an APU now and leaving a discrete GPU as a future upgrade/project with your son. The unfortunate part is that you're trying to do this at a pretty lousy time for a $450 build. DDR5 prices have gone nuts this year because of the broader memory shortage/AI demand, so RAM that normally wouldn't have been a major budget item is now a real problem. That makes $450 harder than it would have been a year ago.
A couple things I would change, though:
First, don't use a single 8GB stick. The integrated graphics on the 8500G/8600G uses system RAM, so memory bandwidth matters a lot. One stick means single-channel memory, which handicaps the graphics, and 8GB total is pretty lean once Windows and the integrated GPU take their share. I'd much rather see 2x8GB, even if that means spending a little more or hunting for a deal.
Second, I'd look hard at the 8600G instead of the 8500G if the price difference is only $20-$30. It has substantially better integrated graphics and is also a better platform if you eventually add a real GPU.
I'd also make sure the "500GB hard drive" is an NVMe SSD, not an actual spinning hard drive. A 500GB NVMe is fine if that's what fits the budget, although 1TB would obviously give him more room.
For the motherboard, I think you mean microATX rather than Mini-ITX. MicroATX is probably ideal for this -- cheaper, easier for a first-time builder to work in, and more expandable.
So I wouldn't abandon the idea at all. I think it's actually a great father/son project. I just wouldn't cripple the machine to force it under $450. The weird part of the equation right now is memory pricing, not that you've picked some wildly expensive components. If you can stretch the budget a little, find a good combo deal, or find reasonably priced 2x8GB DDR5, I think an 8600G/microATX/NVMe build would be a really nice starting point and give you plenty of upgrade projects later.
FYI, I added a 8600G ($186), ASRock B650M Pro MB ($150), 2 x 8GB DDR5 Memory ($250), and a cheap WD HDD 500GB ($40). I'm already over $600 without case, power supply , OS, monitor, peripherals, etc.
Your basic idea is good, especially using an APU now and leaving a discrete GPU as a future upgrade/project with your son. The unfortunate part is that you're trying to do this at a pretty lousy time for a $450 build. DDR5 prices have gone nuts this year because of the broader memory shortage/AI demand, so RAM that normally wouldn't have been a major budget item is now a real problem. That makes $450 harder than it would have been a year ago.
A couple things I would change, though:
First, don't use a single 8GB stick. The integrated graphics on the 8500G/8600G uses system RAM, so memory bandwidth matters a lot. One stick means single-channel memory, which handicaps the graphics, and 8GB total is pretty lean once Windows and the integrated GPU take their share. I'd much rather see 2x8GB, even if that means spending a little more or hunting for a deal.
Second, I'd look hard at the 8600G instead of the 8500G if the price difference is only $20-$30. It has substantially better integrated graphics and is also a better platform if you eventually add a real GPU.
I'd also make sure the "500GB hard drive" is an NVMe SSD, not an actual spinning hard drive. A 500GB NVMe is fine if that's what fits the budget, although 1TB would obviously give him more room.
For the motherboard, I think you mean microATX rather than Mini-ITX. MicroATX is probably ideal for this -- cheaper, easier for a first-time builder to work in, and more expandable.
So I wouldn't abandon the idea at all. I think it's actually a great father/son project. I just wouldn't cripple the machine to force it under $450. The weird part of the equation right now is memory pricing, not that you've picked some wildly expensive components. If you can stretch the budget a little, find a good combo deal, or find reasonably priced 2x8GB DDR5, I think an 8600G/microATX/NVMe build would be a really nice starting point and give you plenty of upgrade projects later.
FYI, I added a 8600G ($186), ASRock B650M Pro MB ($150), 2 x 8GB DDR5 Memory ($250), and a cheap WD HDD 500GB ($40). I'm already over $600 without case, power supply , OS, monitor, peripherals, etc.
Posted on 10/18/26 at 10:31 am to RoyalWe
Thanks RoyalWe! That is very helpful!
Posted on 10/18/26 at 11:21 am to Goldbondage
It's just a bad time to build a system. I don't know what the right answer is, but it would seem like no matter what you pick it's going to cost $1,000.
Posted on 10/18/26 at 12:26 pm to Ricardo
OP could always buy something simple and used on eBay that can be taken apart and put back together (not a NUC equivalent.)
Posted on 10/19/26 at 2:19 pm to Goldbondage
I don't know how much you learn from modern motherboards and components. IMO a more educational option for a 10 year old would be $200 spent on a bus based kit and modules. Small Computer Central LINK looks interesting.
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