Building my son a system for Christmas

[JynxLee]

So he's wanting a computer for Christmas. I haven't bought a prebuilt system in 30 years and I don't want to start now. Aside from having to spread funds very thinly I also didn't want to build a powerhouse, but something that will play games he's interested in and something I can call a "starter system" as he's never owned one before. He's 17 and I want to show him all the components after he gets it, teach him some and show him what he can work towards to upgrade down the road.

So here's what I was thinking

• 
  Mobo: Gigabyte GA-H110M-A LGA 1151 mATX
  CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 SkyLake 3.7GHz LGA 1151
  RAM: Crucial Ballistix Sport LT 8GB 2 x 4GB DDR4-2400 PC4-19200 UDIMM
  VID: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Overclocked WINDFORCE 4GB GDDR5
  PWR: Solid Gear Neutron Series 750 Watt PS2 ATX
  Case: NZXT Classic Series Source 210 Mid Tower ATX

Do you all think this will be ok for most of today's AAA games? Obviously not at the highest of settings of course. The only game he's mentioned to me so far is Fallout 4, but I'm sure there is more. Also, can anyone confirm that power supply will be ok w/ this mobo and video card? I believe it is but just looking for some assurance.

 

[juanrdp]

Do you all think this will be ok for most of today's AAA games? Obviously not at the highest of settings of course. The only game he's mentioned to me so far is Fallout 4, but I'm sure there is more.

Yes, it's a good (budget) build, but you forget to add the storage and i would also add a proper heatsink for the cpu.
The problem is that is a bit limited in the upgrade, the mATX and the processor could be a limiting factor upgrading mainly.

Also, can anyone confirm that power supply will be ok w/ this mobo and video card? I believe it is but just looking for some assurance.

I dont known the brand (and the brads in PSU are VERY important, bad PSU components could be very problematic for the whole system and is a overkill (too much wattage with very low performance)
I would change it for a first (second at worst) tier brand 400-500w PSU.

 

[logainofhades]

I do not think that is a quality PSU. I would change it to an Evga B2 750, as it has been selling for a really good price lately. Otherwise a Seasonic 430w, XFX 450w, or a corsair CX450m would be plenty.

 

[Herc08]

I never heard of that brand, but I always look for some type of 80+ certification. I usually go to EVGA or Corsair for my PSUs. Tell him that since this is a starter computer, he can play AAA games, but on low to medium settings, but the upgrade path is there. One thing I see you are missing is the hard drive. A simple one from WD is good ($50) and will last for quite some type. Fallout 4 should work just fine.

 

[Herc08]

and i would also add a proper heatsink for the cpu.
The problem is that is a bit limited in the upgrade, the mATX and the processor could be a limiting factor upgrading mainly.

Why would he want to add a heat sink? The i3 comes with a stock cooler. Also why is it limiting in upgrading? It could support a 1060 and i7 in the future.

 

[JynxLee]

I was worried about the PSU also. I always end up going higher on the PSU than I need to in the thinking that I'll wish I had more later when I upgrade or add components.

However I have no problem in this case dropping down to go with a better brand as funds do play a large role here (he's not an only child). I didn't list storage because I have HD's coming out the arse.

 

[Herc08]

I was worried about the PSU also. I always end up going higher on the PSU than I need to in the thinking that I'll wish I had more later when I upgrade or add components.

However I have no problem in this case dropping down to go with a better brand as funds do play a large role here (he's not an only child). I didn't list storage because I have HD's coming out the arse.

If budget is a concern, EVGA has a really popular 80+ bronze 500 watts that is pretty cheap. Under $45 is not bad in my book.

http://pcpartpicker.com/product/zNK7YJ/evga-power-supply-100b10500kr

 

[JynxLee]

I was worried about the PSU also. I always end up going higher on the PSU than I need to in the thinking that I'll wish I had more later when I upgrade or add components.

However I have no problem in this case dropping down to go with a better brand as funds do play a large role here (he's not an only child). I didn't list storage because I have HD's coming out the arse.

If budget is a concern, EVGA has a really popular 80+ bronze 500 watts that is pretty cheap. Under $45 is not bad in my book.

http://pcpartpicker.com/product/zNK7YJ/evga-power-supply-100b10500kr

🙂 before I had read your post I had just added this one to my cart at microcenter.

EVGA 500 Watt 80+ 500 Watt ATX Power Supply

 

[logainofhades]

Those are not all that great either. PSU is one area you do not want to cut corners on, with regards to quality. Spend the extra $10 and get a quality unit.

http://www.microcenter.com/product/460286/CX450M_450_Watt_80_Bronze_Semi-Modular_ATX_Power_Supply

 

[JynxLee]

Those are not all that great either. PSU is one area you do not want to cut corners on, with regards to quality. Spend the extra $10 and get a quality unit.

http://www.microcenter.com/product/460286/CX450M_450_Watt_80_Bronze_Semi-Modular_ATX_Power_Supply

I've been using EVGA PSU's in my personal rigs for years. I honestly don't care much for corsair psu's.

 

[boosted1g]

and i would also add a proper heatsink for the cpu.
The problem is that is a bit limited in the upgrade, the mATX and the processor could be a limiting factor upgrading mainly.

Why would he want to add a heat sink? The i3 comes with a stock cooler. Also why is it limiting in upgrading? It could support a 1060 and i7 in the future.

Agreed. You only need a better heatsink for intel CPUs if you are going to overclock them (and the 6100 is not a k serries so you cant overclock it).
While the h110 is a budget board that wont overclock or have other high end feautres there is nothing preventing the PC from being upgraded to even a i7 and Titan GPU.

 

[juanrdp]

Why would he want to add a heat sink? The i3 comes with a stock cooler. Also why is it limiting in upgrading? It could support a 1060 and i7 in the future.

In my opinion because the stock coolers are just crap that makes a lot of noise for the performance they offer. More in detail because the 6100 is still a 50w cpu that reach 65+ (and the Tcase is 65 thus 70 is the limit if you take into account a 5º diference) on a stock cooler and with high ambient temperatures (35+) we are talking that you could surpass the Tcase limit.

For the limit in upgradin mainly because the GA-H110M-A have only 14 HSIO lanes, no raid support, only 2 Ram slots (no upgrade to 16Gb), dont allow overcloking, don't have USB 3.1, dont have M.2... i would change it for a proper z170 Mb, to allow future overcloking if the procesor is changed, 2 more ram slots to reuse actual 8Gb for a total of 16, add a m.2 SSD...

 

[logainofhades]

Those are not all that great either. PSU is one area you do not want to cut corners on, with regards to quality. Spend the extra $10 and get a quality unit.

http://www.microcenter.com/product/460286/CX450M_450_Watt_80_Bronze_Semi-Modular_ATX_Power_Supply

I've been using EVGA PSU's in my personal rigs for years. I honestly don't care much for corsair psu's.

EVGA doesn't actually make the PSU's, and neither does Corsair. They have OEM's that make them, and the brand label is slapped on it. The 500 and 500b are HEC built units, and HEC is not known for quality. The CX450m shares the same platform as the CX650m, which is a very good unit, and earned an editor recommended award, in it's THG review.

 

[logainofhades]

Why would he want to add a heat sink? The i3 comes with a stock cooler. Also why is it limiting in upgrading? It could support a 1060 and i7 in the future.

In my opinion because the stock coolers are just crap that makes a lot of noise for the performance they offer. More in detail because the 6100 is still a 50w cpu that reach 65+ (and the Tcase is 65 thus 70 is the limit if you take into account a 5º diference) on a stock cooler and with high ambient temperatures (35+) we are talking that you could surpass the Tcase limit.

For the limit in upgradin mainly because the GA-H110M-A have only 14 HSIO lanes, no raid support, only 2 Ram slots (no upgrade to 16Gb), dont allow overcloking, don't have USB 3.1, dont have M.2... i would change it for a proper z170 Mb, to allow future overcloking if the procesor is changed, 2 more ram slots to reuse actual 8Gb for a total of 16, add a m.2 SSD...

The 2 slot boards support 2x16gb kit, for 32gb total. USB 3.1 isn't a big deal, yet, and M.2 can be found in H110 boards.
https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/H110M-A-M-2/

Overclocking really isn't worth the added cost, these days. It's a luxury, for those that want to push their hardware to the limit.