[SOLVED] 14 yr old wants a gaming PC for Xmas. $700-$800 budget

[bradyz13]

Last year, I got my son and Xbox One, because all of his friends had that (8th grade).

This year, he made the change to high school, and it's so frustrating, because all of his new friends play after school on their gaming PCs. They don't play on consoles. I just started a new job, and don't have the resources to really put money behind this purchase.

$800 is the top end of my budget, and I want to get him something that includes a monitor. I'm worried I can't afford something decent. You can imagine how that must be for a 14 year old, who's trying to build new relationships to be left out of something that's important to the group. This is what a website recommended:

case Case – Corsair SPEC-01

Processor – AMD Ryzen 5 2600

Motherboard – MSI B450 Gaming Plus

Video Card – EVGA GeForce GTX 1060 GAMING 6GB

RAM – Crucial 8GB Single DDR4

600Power Supply – EVGA 80PLUS Bronze Certified 600W

Hard Drive – Seagate 1TB

cd* CD Drive (Optional) – Asus 24x DVD-RW

Can anyone help? I'd really appreciate any feedback. Thank you so much

 

[kindangrysliceofpie]

Last year, I got my son and Xbox One, because all of his friends had that (8th grade).

This year, he made the change to high school, and it's so frustrating, because all of his new friends play after school on their gaming PCs. They don't play on consoles. I just started a new job, and don't have the resources to really put money behind this purchase.

$800 is the top end of my budget, and I want to get him something that includes a monitor. I'm worried I can't afford something decent. You can imagine how that must be for a 14 year old, who's trying to build new relationships to be left out of something that's important to the group. This is what a website recommended:

case Case – Corsair SPEC-01

Processor – AMD Ryzen 5 2600

Motherboard – MSI B450 Gaming Plus

Video Card – EVGA GeForce GTX 1060 GAMING 6GB

RAM – Crucial 8GB Single DDR4

600Power Supply – EVGA 80PLUS Bronze Certified 600W

Hard Drive – Seagate 1TB

cd* CD Drive (Optional) – Asus 24x DVD-RW

Can anyone help? I'd really appreciate any feedback. Thank you so much

That’s a great setup, he’d love that. I’d suggest using PCPartPicker.com to check compatibility for parts. It updates prices in real time, and is a great resource, I’d suggest not using a CD drive (unless your son frequently uses CDs) because they’re quite outdated at this point. I’d also suggest changing your ram to dual channel (2 sticks) it’s much quicker, and more future proof.

 

[USAFRet]

I just ordered all this for my teenage grandkids.
Scale up a little to your budget...
Add your GPU.
Change the HDD for an SSD.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 3 2200G 3.5 GHz Quad-Core Processor ($92.68 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte - B450 AORUS ELITE ATX AM4 Motherboard ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Patriot - Viper 4 8 GB (2 x 4 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($70.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung - 860 Evo 500 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($72.99 @ Amazon)
Case: DIYPC - DIY-Model X-W-RGB ATX Mid Tower Case ($52.99 @ Newegg Business)
Power Supply: Rosewill - Capstone 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($70.98 @ Newegg)
Other: DIYPC SR-RGB Hydro Bearing 120mm Ring RGB Silent Fan for Computer ($0.00)
Total: $460.61
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-12-05 13:19 EST-0500

 

[bradyz13]

Thanks for the quick reply. I'll check that website. And I wasn't in favor of the optical drive, so I appreciate the feedback. I'll look into the ram alternative as well.

 

[kindangrysliceofpie]

Here’s a quick parts list I made: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/pW3Njy

 

[Peter Martin]

if you told me 800 and then showed me this below I would do it... lol, this is based on the parts provided in above link by moderator

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 2600 3.4 GHz 6-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte - B450 AORUS ELITE ATX AM4 Motherboard ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair - Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung - 860 Evo 500 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($72.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate - Barracuda 2 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA - GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6 GB SC GAMING Video Card ($259.99 @ B&H)
Case: DIYPC - DIY-Model X-W-RGB ATX Mid Tower Case ($52.99 @ Newegg Business)
Other: DIYPC SR-RGB Hydro Bearing 120mm Ring RGB Silent Fan for Computer ($0.00)
Total: $844.83
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-12-05 13:27 EST-0500

 

[USAFRet]

Also, don't forget to budget for all the other stuff.
Monitor, mouse, keyboard, Windows OS (approx $95).

 

[King Dranzer]

Here is the list:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 2600 3.4 GHz 6-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock - B450M PRO4 Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: ADATA - XPG GAMMIX D10 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($104.99 @ Newegg Business)
Storage: Samsung - 860 Evo 500 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($72.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Zotac - GeForce GTX 1070 8 GB Mini Video Card ($329.99 @ B&H)
Case: Corsair - 270R ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair - CXM 550 W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($42.88 @ OutletPC)
Total: $825.82
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-12-05 14:04 EST-0500

The best performance possible for that budget. Packs in very decent quality components if not the best.

 

[logainofhades]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 2600 3.4 GHz 6-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte - B450 AORUS M Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($77.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Team - Vulcan 8 GB (2 x 4 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($70.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial - MX500 500 GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($72.99 @ Adorama)
Video Card: MSI - Radeon RX 580 8 GB ARMOR OC Video Card ($209.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master - MasterBox Q300L MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($31.69 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair - CXM 650 W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft - Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($98.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $792.61
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-12-05 14:27 EST-0500

 

[LordVile]

Closest I can get to your budget without compromising too much.

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/Zbrqgw

You could get a cheap keyboard amd mouse and drop into your budget if you’d like.

$852 including monitor, KB+M

 

[USAFRet]

Closest I can get to your budget without compromising too much.

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/Zbrqgw

You could get a cheap keyboard amd mouse and drop into your budget if you’d like.

$852 including monitor, KB+M

In yours, there is an older 120GB SSD.
Not good in todays market, and especially for a teen user.
Another $15, and you get a current 860 EVO, 500GB.
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA12K6U07908

Add other drives as time goes on.

 

[bradyz13]

Thank you, everyone. It's great that I could ask a question, kind of in a panic, and get such positive replies so quickly. Thank you so much

 

[USAFRet]

Thank you, everyone. It's great that I could ask a question, kind of in a panic, and get such positive replies so quickly. Thank you so much

Good luck, and don't hesitate to ask more questions.

 

[King Dranzer]

If your require monitor, keyboard and mouse please inform us. If you are allocating different budget for them then please quote how much you are going to spend.

 

[Onus]

I really like the base $460 system posted by USAFRet, but add a ~$150-$200 graphics card to it (e.g. a GTX1050Ti), the Windows license ($95), KB, mouse, and a cheap 1080p monitor to bring it all right to around $800. It will be capable, but have LOTS of upgrade potential, as your son earns them.

 

[Wolfshadw]

$800 Budget and needing everything, I'd probably consider this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i3-8100 3.6 GHz Quad-Core Processor ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte - B360M DS3H Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($60.99 @ Newegg Business)
Memory: G.Skill - NT 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate - Barracuda ES 750 GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($24.49 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA - GeForce GTX 1050 3 GB SC GAMING Video Card ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master - MasterBox E300L MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic - FOCUS Gold 550 W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($53.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft - Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($98.89 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Acer - G246HLAbd 24.0" 1920x1080 60 Hz Monitor ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: Logitech - MK120 Wired Slim Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($14.34 @ OutletPC)
Headphones: Logitech - G430 7.1 Channel Headset ($29.99 @ Amazon)
Base Total: $793.64
Mail-in Rebates: -$50.00
Shipping: $3.99
Total: $747.63
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-12-07 10:02 EST-0500

-Wolf sends

 

[King Dranzer]

I really like the base $460 system posted by USAFRet, but add a ~$150-$200 graphics card to it (e.g. a GTX1050Ti), the Windows license ($95), KB, mouse, and a cheap 1080p monitor to bring it all right to around $800. It will be capable, but have LOTS of upgrade potential, as your son earns them.

If he really needs a monitor and keyboard(excluding OS) included it can be done better for that budget. That is the reason I inquired OP if he needs them and will he be spending extra for them.

 

[King Dranzer]

Here is the list:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 2600 3.4 GHz 6-Core Processor ($169.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock - B450M PRO4 Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($64.99 @ Newegg Business)
Memory: ADATA - XPG GAMMIX D10 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($104.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung - 860 Evo 500 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($72.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI - Radeon RX 580 8 GB Video Card ($189.00 @ B&H)
Case: Phanteks - Eclipse P300 Tempered Glass (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($43.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair - CXM 550 W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($42.88 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Acer - KG221Q 21.5" 1920x1080 75 Hz Monitor ($103.36 @ B&H)
Total: $792.08
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-12-07 10:11 EST-0500

If OP needs Monitor included in the budget this will perform decent.
Get CM Devastator 3 keyboard-mouse combo from amazon for around $30.

 

[Onus]

I believe he needs a Windows license as well, and will likely need speakers. Especially if not included free by the ISP (e.g. Comcast includes Norton), a kid should certainly have anti-virus. One or two games will likely be needed as well. The budget is tighter than it looks.

 

[SgtScream]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 2600 3.4 GHz 6-Core Processor ($169.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock - B450 Pro4 ATX AM4 Motherboard ($93.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Team - Vulcan 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($109.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Samsung - 860 Evo 500 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($72.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PNY - GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6 GB XLR8 Gaming OC Video Card ($229.99 @ Newegg Business)
Case: Fractal Design - Focus G (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.98 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic - FOCUS Gold 550 W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($53.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On - iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($19.89 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Fractal Design - FD-FAN-SSLL-120-WT 41.8 CFM 120mm Fan ($6.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $807.58
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-12-07 15:18 EST-0500

 

[G4nd4lf]

u can buy windows cd keys on ebay for like $5 just download from microsoft website and save to and install from usb

 

[kindangrysliceofpie]

u can buy windows cd keys on ebay for like $5 just download from microsoft website and save to and install from usb

It seems like a ripoff, but it isn’t. I’ve done it with all my Windows products and it works like a charm. I don’t keep anything on my computer that I need, all my recordings are backed up, all my games are on steam, and all my Minecraft worlds are saved to a website. If I get hacked, they really have nothing. I don’t do any banking on my computer.

 

[bradyz13]

Thank you folks. I did need a complete setup, including keyboard and mouse. But I think you've all given me a good reference point to start from. I appreciate it.