Question Build for my Kids -

[MtnMonster]

I've got 2 boys, 7 & 9 that are in need of their own PC's for school, general research and some gaming with Dad. Am all over the board here, I usually build a new PC for myself (Dad) every 5-8 years, it is usually a $4000 bill and it play's everything fast and does everything I need.. That said, am not going to build something like that for my boys and have spent the last 6 months trying to piece something together that is cost effective and also will be quick for them in their needs..

So, if I can ask for some help here, I do have some requirements that am shooting for and not looking for a "debate" here on some of this.. Make fun of me, or what ever, I don't care am just looking for some good wisdom on the builds. With that said, here is what am looking to achieve and stay within:

1. We will be using 1080p on these with 24" monitors.
2. Ability to play most AA games at a high setting and achieving at least 80ish fps. (No need for ray tracing)
3. Looking to stay with Intel on the processor.
4. Looking to stay with Nvidia on the GPU.
5. Likely 16gb of Ram, I don't see them needing more for several years.
6. Both PC's will be identical (anyone with two close in age kids will know what am talking about here).
7. I'd like to stay around $1k or less per each build. Already have monitors, keyboards and mice.
8. Am going to build these with the kids (learning experience) and will be staying with air cooling only.

How far down the Intel CPU list can I go and still achieve the above?
How far down the Nvidia list can I go and still achieve the above?

So many options and am driving myself nuts with configurations and cost while also being very concerned about not having enough horse power or being over kill..
If you have a few moments, I'd love to hear some thoughts and recommendations from the community.

 

[helper800]

Thank you!
Am aware about the rapid fall off in performance as you near full capacity. SSD's are rather cheap these days, so am thinking I'll use the old ones as the 2nd drives.. If that turns into a problem, then call me .gov because I've just kicked the can down the road. =)

With everything above in mind, something like this with a 13400 (iGPU), a slightly better motherboard, an RMe 750w PSU, and its all at the cost of going to a 3060 12gb over a 3060 ti 8gb graphics card. This a a good compromise because it is much cheaper in the long run of these builds to have a better CPU and platform and just add in a significantly better GPU 3+ years down the line. Its just better to buy a stronger CPU and platform and upgrade the GPU when that no longer performs to your needs if you plan to keep the PC for a number of years.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i5-13400 2.5 GHz 10-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE ARGB 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($40.90)
Motherboard: MSI PRO B760M-A WIFI DDR4 Micro ATX LGA1700 Motherboard ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory ($37.49 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 970 Evo Plus 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 3.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($55.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Zotac GAMING Twin Edge OC GeForce RTX 3060 12GB 12 GB Video Card ($342.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Focus 2 RGB ATX Mid Tower Case ($66.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair RM750e 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1003.33
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2023-03-25 13:11 EDT-0400

 

[MtnMonster]

that turns into a proble

With everything above in mind, something like this with a 13400 (iGPU), a slightly better motherboard, an RMe 750w PSU, and its all at the cost of going to a 3060 12gb over a 3060 ti 8gb graphics card. This a a good compromise because it is much cheaper in the long run of these builds to have a better CPU and platform and just add in a significantly better GPU 3+ years down the line. Its just better to buy a stronger CPU and platform and upgrade the GPU when that no longer performs to your needs if you plan to keep the PC for a number of years.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i5-13400 2.5 GHz 10-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE ARGB 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($40.90)
Motherboard: MSI PRO B760M-A WIFI DDR4 Micro ATX LGA1700 Motherboard ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory ($37.49 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 970 Evo Plus 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 3.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($55.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Zotac GAMING Twin Edge OC GeForce RTX 3060 12GB 12 GB Video Card ($342.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Focus 2 RGB ATX Mid Tower Case ($66.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair RM750e 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1003.33
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2023-03-25 13:11 EDT-0400

Mind Reader you are..
Was debating that very thing, the GPU's just pop in and out, where support changes faster with the CPU's (ram, mb, etc change).
I've got to sit down and basically set a hard budget per PC and then pick the best from that.

 

[ohio_buckeye]

You might look at the 13500 instead of the 13400. If I recall what I read, I think the 13500 was closer to the 12600k. If not much more might be worth considering.