Gaming Computer Build, can we get the costs down?

[gray_chicago]

My son would like to build his own computer, and I'm all for it. He plays a lot of Steam games, CSGO, DOTA2, Fallout 4, Gary's Mod - FSP type games. He wants a serious gaming rig.

The main issue I'm having is his build (and his monitor!!) seems pretty expensive ... and I think he's missing things - like any cooling.

In any case, within the next six months between birthdays and other events we're planning to give him money and have him get various pieces so he can start the summer by building it.

Here is the config he gave me:
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/N6fZNG

So a few things I need some expert advice on
1. Is there a better option for the monitor that costs less? or are other options more?
2. In general are there other options we might get as good performance on that cost less than what he picked out?
3. What is he missing?
4. If I take off the ~1100 for the monitor, keyboard, mouse and external hard drive, it's running ~1500 for the computer - is there a 1500 pre-built computer that even comes close to these specs?

Thanks!!!
A grateful mom

Forgot to mention, we are in Chicago area - so we can go to a local microcenter, or buy online at places like NewEgg.

 

[bamanec]

What he is building is overkill for most of the games you have listed, he is trying to play his games in 4k resolution that is the reason why the monitors are so expensive. Maybe if you can talk him into going 2k instead you can save money both by monitor and by the video card. What exactly is your budget?

 

[BadActor]

Great build. I would add the mouse and a couple of case fans. Definitely go to Microcenter, if nothing else for the CPU and motherboard. They have unbeatable bundle prices. The display is expensive, but it is a good choice for his video card. There are cheaper gaming monitors, but not with all the features this one has. You're not going to find a prebuilt in this price range that would even come close.

PS. Are you adopting?

 

[bamanec]

I do agree with BadActor, most systems that are pre-built that come close to his stats would run you around $3000-4000

 

[Niklas_13]

http://www.pcgamer.com/the-g-sync-and-freesync-monitors-available-right-now/ monitors out atm

agree with the others about the prebuilt vs building your own

If he can settle for a (or your only willing to go) 1920 X 1080 you can save 500 to 600 with a gtx 980 to max any game out atm

als othere are some good free Sync monitor that would go well with a AMD GPU VS Nvidia you like Ford OR Chevy

 

[gray_chicago]

Great build. I would add the mouse and a couple of case fans. Definitely go to Microcenter, if nothing else for the CPU and motherboard. They have unbeatable bundle prices. The display is expensive, but it is a good choice for his video card. There are cheaper gaming monitors, but not with all the features this one has. You're not going to find a prebuilt in this price range that would even come close.

PS. Are you adopting?

Sorry, not adopting 🙂

I was wondering about the BenQ XL2730Z - I know it's not cheaper, but if he is determined to blow ~700 on a monitor, that seems like a better monitor ... but I'm not the expert.

And this is a 6 month project here....

 

[bamanec]

Sorry, not adopting 🙂

I was wondering about the BenQ XL2730Z - I know it's not cheaper, but if he is determined to blow ~700 on a monitor, that seems like a better monitor ... but I'm not the expert.

And this is a 6 month project here....

If you want this to be a 6 month project, then throw the Video Card out of the window all the way, because the new Pascal Nvidia Cards are coming out Early to mid 2016

 

[gray_chicago]

I do agree with BadActor, most systems that are pre-built that come close to his stats would run you around $3000-4000

Thanks; he may play other games as well - and who knows what games he'll get into.

Really, in the scheme of things I'd be more comfortable with ~1500 for EVERYTHING if it was all coming out of my pocket ... but .... as he is planning to take a few months,which would include this holiday, a birthday and a graduation, if he decides he wants to spend his graduation/holiday/birthday money on this buying it piece by piece then that's fine. I'm less worried something "better" will come out within the six months (it will) than he bases everything off this build, budgets for it ... and realizes he missed something critical and it doesn't work (like fans and cooling....).

Thanks again!

 

[gray_chicago]

If you want this to be a 6 month project, then throw the Video Card out of the window all the way, because the new Pascal Nvidia Cards are coming out Early to mid 2016

Awesome advice! I think I'll suggest he buy the video card after graduation (end of may) so he can make a decision after the new cards come out.

 

[bamanec]

I do agree with BadActor, most systems that are pre-built that come close to his stats would run you around $3000-4000

Thanks; he may play other games as well - and who knows what games he'll get into.

Really, in the scheme of things I'd be more comfortable with ~1500 for EVERYTHING if it was all coming out of my pocket ... but .... as he is planning to take a few months,which would include this holiday, a birthday and a graduation, if he decides he wants to spend his graduation/holiday/birthday money on this buying it piece by piece then that's fine. I'm less worried something "better" will come out within the six months (it will) than he bases everything off this build, budgets for it ... and realizes he missed something critical and it doesn't work (like fans and cooling....).

Thanks again!

The fans and cooling part is usually cheap and easily replaceable, he or you listed an i7 that is running on the Haswell socket, which was just recently outdated so to speak, by the new Skylake i5 and i7s. So thats something you two could change to make it future proof. Again like I mentioned, have him hold off on buying a video card just yet. And also Monitors have been dropping so quickly in price that in the next 6 month I basically guarantee you that they will be much cheaper as well.

 

[Niklas_13]

Great build. I would add the mouse and a couple of case fans. Definitely go to Microcenter, if nothing else for the CPU and motherboard. They have unbeatable bundle prices. The display is expensive, but it is a good choice for his video card. There are cheaper gaming monitors, but not with all the features this one has. You're not going to find a prebuilt in this price range that would even come close.

PS. Are you adopting?

Sorry, not adopting 🙂

I was wondering about the BenQ XL2730Z - I know it's not cheaper, but if he is determined to blow ~700 on a monitor, that seems like a better monitor ... but I'm not the expert.

And this is a 6 month project here....

That monitor has free Sync wont beable to use Gsnyc on the Nvidia cards

6 months is along time IMO to be planing a build so much can change and prices will drop ( what you bought now for 200 might be 150 then or something better new and shinny out )

 

[gray_chicago]

Thanks everyone; I think what I'll suggest is he NOT buy anything yet, and just start saving. He knows this is a good build right now, but as new video cards come out he may want to consider the new cards, and he should keep an eye out on prices going down on monitors. And make sure whichever monitor he chooses takes advantage of the video card he ends up choosing.

Again, THANK YOU!

 

[bamanec]

Thanks everyone; I think what I'll suggest is he NOT buy anything yet, and just start saving. He knows this is a good build right now, but as new video cards come out he may want to consider the new cards, and he should keep an eye out on prices going down on monitors. And make sure whichever monitor he chooses takes advantage of the video card he ends up choosing.

Again, THANK YOU!

Anytime. come back and see us when more questions arise!