Gaming computer for my 13yr old son Help!

[elwaytc73]

Hello,
I am a mom looking for a gaming computer for my son and have no clue what I am doing. All I know is they look very expensive. He insists on Alienware but can't afford that. Can someone please help me out?

 

[xaviarrob]

He may "insist" on alienware, but it's by no means the best option, as alienware doesn't make the computers they used to make. If you are on a budget, and building the computer from scratch is an option, I'd go with that, but assuming you don't know much about how the computers build look for these specifications.

My first point: Stay away from AMD products when it comes to gaming. Games nowadays have much better support for Nvidia graphics cards than they do AMD. However you do not need the top of the line card to run games. I ran with a GTX 210 for several years, and had no problems.

Intel I3, or I5 series: This is mostly dependent on your budget, If you were to get him something with an I5 processor it would probably run you a bit more money. I'd say for a 13 year old a good place to start him out would be a low end I3, I used something worse all the way up until last year and could still run games.
It's also important to make sure you know what chipset this is if building the computer. For Example my I7 processor is in the LGA 1155 chipset, so I had to buy a motherboard in the same chipset. This is what shows they are compatible.

When it comes to graphics cards it's all about your price point, and the monitor size. The smaller the monitor he has the cheaper a card you need, because it will have a smaller max resolution which I'm assuming he uses.

Here is a good guide to graphics cards
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/graphics-beginners,1288.html
http://www.overclock.net/t/1172764/the-noobs-guide-to-nvidia-gpus

Small Guide to what a computer has in it.
http://compreviews.about.com/od/PC-Gaming/a/Beginners-Guide-To-PC-Gaming.htm

 

[Pyree]

Desktop or laptop?

 

[elwaytc73]

He may "insist" on alienware, but it's by no means the best option, as alienware doesn't make the computers they used to make. If you are on a budget, and building the computer from scratch is an option, I'd go with that, but assuming you don't know much about how the computers build look for these specifications.

My first point: Stay away from AMD products when it comes to gaming. Games nowadays have much better support for Nvidia graphics cards than they do AMD. However you do not need the top of the line card to run games. I ran with a GTX 210 for several years, and had no problems.

Intel I3, or I5 series: This is mostly dependent on your budget, If you were to get him something with an I5 processor it would probably run you a bit more money. I'd say for a 13 year old a good place to start him out would be a low end I3, I used something worse all the way up until last year and could still run games.
It's also important to make sure you know what chipset this is if building the computer. For Example my I7 processor is in the LGA 1155 chipset, so I had to buy a motherboard in the same chipset. This is what shows they are compatible.

When it comes to graphics cards it's all about your price point, and the monitor size. The smaller the monitor he has the cheaper a card you need, because it will have a smaller max resolution which I'm assuming he uses.

Here is a good guide to graphics cards
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/graphics-beginners,1288.html
http://www.overclock.net/t/1172764/the-noobs-guide-to-nvidia-gpus

Small Guide to what a computer has in it.
http://compreviews.about.com/od/PC-Gaming/a/Beginners-Guide-To-PC-Gaming.htm

ok after ready everything you had written and I looked at the small guide to what a computer has in it this is what I came up with. What do you think?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6883227441

 

[elwaytc73]

Desktop or laptop?

I am thinking desktop because they seem cheaper

 

[Pyree]

The link you post is not working.

 

[Pyree]

This topic has been moved from the section Opinions and Experiences to section Systems by Pyree

 

[Pyree]

Follow this guide here:

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/353572-31-build-upgrade-advice

And do not avoid AMD.

AMD makes good GPU, as good as Nvidia. And for some price point, is a strong contender of Intel CPU as well.

Make choice that is sensible and fit your budget. If you are going for low end Nvidia GPU, you may as well get AMD APU.

 

[elwaytc73]

The link you post is not working.

iBUYPOWER Gamer Extreme NE731i Desktop PC Intel Core i5 3570k(3.40GHz) 8GB DDR3 500GB HDD Capacity NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 2GB Windows 8

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227441

 

[burntpizza]

He may "insist" on alienware, but it's by no means the best option, as alienware doesn't make the computers they used to make. If you are on a budget, and building the computer from scratch is an option, I'd go with that, but assuming you don't know much about how the computers build look for these specifications.

My first point: Stay away from AMD products when it comes to gaming. Games nowadays have much better support for Nvidia graphics cards than they do AMD. However you do not need the top of the line card to run games. I ran with a GTX 210 for several years, and had no problems.

Intel I3, or I5 series: This is mostly dependent on your budget, If you were to get him something with an I5 processor it would probably run you a bit more money. I'd say for a 13 year old a good place to start him out would be a low end I3, I used something worse all the way up until last year and could still run games.
It's also important to make sure you know what chipset this is if building the computer. For Example my I7 processor is in the LGA 1155 chipset, so I had to buy a motherboard in the same chipset. This is what shows they are compatible.

When it comes to graphics cards it's all about your price point, and the monitor size. The smaller the monitor he has the cheaper a card you need, because it will have a smaller max resolution which I'm assuming he uses.

Here is a good guide to graphics cards
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/graphics-beginners,1288.html
http://www.overclock.net/t/1172764/the-noobs-guide-to-nvidia-gpus

Small Guide to what a computer has in it.
http://compreviews.about.com/od/PC-Gaming/a/Beginners-Guide-To-PC-Gaming.htm

Pure bs, this guy doesn't know what he is talking about. AMD beat nvidia on pretty much all the games

http://www.techspot.com/review/603-best-graphics-cards/

What the heck, why would you link him to a 2006 graphic cards article??

 

[BreadWhistle]

I hate to be like this (especially to inexperienced users), but you could come out much cheaper if you "custom made" a computer for him. I have a place down the street from my house that'll put together a PC for me for a few bucks.

If you have a decent PC shop like that, I think I know a good system that will run all your son's games fine, and still be pretty cheap(er). If not, I guess it's best to just go the conventional way and buy a pre-built desktop computer.

 

[Pyree]

I recommend something cheaper like a Pentium/i3 or AMD FX-4XXX paired with 7770-7850 and let your son build it.

Some thing to do for the holiday and also learn a bit about computer.

The recommendation for cheaper part is that even if he screwed up (and it is unlikely with people on the forum helping him), it would be lighter on your wallet.

 

[zloginet]

He may "insist" on alienware, but it's by no means the best option, as alienware doesn't make the computers they used to make. If you are on a budget, and building the computer from scratch is an option, I'd go with that, but assuming you don't know much about how the computers build look for these specifications.

My first point: Stay away from AMD products when it comes to gaming. Games nowadays have much better support for Nvidia graphics cards than they do AMD. However you do not need the top of the line card to run games. I ran with a GTX 210 for several years, and had no problems.

Intel I3, or I5 series: This is mostly dependent on your budget, If you were to get him something with an I5 processor it would probably run you a bit more money. I'd say for a 13 year old a good place to start him out would be a low end I3, I used something worse all the way up until last year and could still run games.
It's also important to make sure you know what chipset this is if building the computer. For Example my I7 processor is in the LGA 1155 chipset, so I had to buy a motherboard in the same chipset. This is what shows they are compatible.

When it comes to graphics cards it's all about your price point, and the monitor size. The smaller the monitor he has the cheaper a card you need, because it will have a smaller max resolution which I'm assuming he uses.

Here is a good guide to graphics cards
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/graphics-beginners,1288.html
http://www.overclock.net/t/1172764/the-noobs-guide-to-nvidia-gpus

Small Guide to what a computer has in it.
http://compreviews.about.com/od/PC-Gaming/a/Beginners-Guide-To-PC-Gaming.htm

The words I would like to say to you would get me kicked off but please let me say this. NO PERSON ON HERE THAT RUNS A GTX 210 for SEVERAL YEARS for gaming shall EVER offer any support to someone who wants help building a gamin rig. I ca ca ca n't orrr wooon't typppe anytthing else...

 

[BreadWhistle]

The words I would like to say to you would get me kicked off but please let me say this. NO PERSON ON HERE THAT RUNS A GTX 210 for SEVERAL YEARS for gaming shall EVER offer any support to someone who wants help building a gamin rig. I ca ca ca n't orrr wooon't typppe anytthing else...

So far I've gone 2 years on a 6370....

 

[Pyree]

But that's 6370m on a laptop or 6370D on the APU. And no one expect anyone to game well on a laptop or using an APU.

But seriously, if anyone is going for dedicated card, they should at least go for a 7750 (6670/7670 if hybrid crossfire with APU).

 

[songorocosongo]

iBUYPOWER Gamer Extreme NE731i Desktop PC Intel Core i5 3570k(3.40GHz) 8GB DDR3 500GB HDD Capacity NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 2GB Windows 8

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227441

If you don't want to build the computer, the one you posted is surely the best bang for the buck. I say go ahead and buy that one, because building one 'may be' too troublesome for a 13 y/o teen

 

[zloginet]

So far I've gone 2 years on a 6370....

You don't get it either...... I bet I will go the two years on my Galaxy s3 phone gaming too...

My response was not saying he couldn't game at 640X480 on a gtx 210 on a 4" monitor but rather saying his info was a load of SHIIIIII*****

I shouldn't have even posted... Sorry guys... Merry Christmas.

Errrrrr

 

[Pyree]

I you don't want to build the computer the one you posted is surely the best bang for the buck. I say go ahead and buy that one because building one 'may be' too troublesome for a 13 y/o teen

Also very valid. But then of course I am trying to recruit members into the forum, so I am leaning toward home build.

 

[johnnyq1233]

Here are a couple simple questions....
How much do you want to spend?
and...
What games does he like/want to play? (if you know the names...)
Then we'll have a place to work from...
JQ

 

[xjdsx]

iBUYPOWER Gamer Extreme NE731i Desktop PC Intel Core i5 3570k(3.40GHz) 8GB DDR3 500GB HDD Capacity NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 2GB Windows 8

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227441

Hi, the gtx 660 graphics card is the same price as the radeon 7870 graphics card (at least thats the case here in the uk) except the 7870 has better performance in games. Amd products are cheaper but offer less performance. The best gaming gaming processor is the intel i5 3570k. Are you preparred to build him a computer or maybe he would like to do it himself if you are willing to build a computer make sure you have 8gb or more of ram (memory) a graphics card possibly the 7870 i have listed i believe these can be picked up for £190 ($330) and an i3 would be a good choice but if you want the 'best bang for buck' the i5 3570k is a good option.

 

[elwaytc73]

Best answer selected by elwaytc73.

 

[hackslash_]

I think you should go with the one you selected. I don't know though. Building your own would be better.

 

[xWafflezGames]

Get an i5 Dell/Hp and slam a gtx 750ti on Ebay (Tell him that alienware is overpriced and teach him to build one himself
)