Gaming Computer Help

[shrorthouse]

I am buying my son a gaming computer for Christmas.. either one to build or prebuilt. Budget is around 1500 or so. What do I need to buy?

 

[JQB45]

What country will you be building this computer in? How old is your son?
Welcome to Tomshardware.

 

[ben001]

Since, you're going to have your first gaming desktop, you will need all that are required for playing games.

A 1080p resolution is ideal for games with a decent setup that can run most of the modern games with a playable Frames Per Second [FPS]. First, I need to know where you're from?.

 

[JQB45]

Well if you're in the United States and are near a Micro Center here is a $1508.xx build. I included a monitor and Microsoft Windows in the build. You would need to add to this a keyboard and mouse. The keyboard and mouse are so subjective that I left them out of this build.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($245.51 @ Micro Center)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG H7 49.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($30.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z170 Extreme6+ ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($179.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($139.98 @ Directron)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($77.99 @ B&H)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.65 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB ACX 2.0 Video Card ($304.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case ($97.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 650W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($69.98 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG WH16NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($46.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit) ($85.00 @ SuperBiiz)
Monitor: Acer G277HL bid 60Hz 27.0" Monitor ($170.78 @ Micro Center)
Total: $1508.83
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-29 09:45 EST-0500

 

[shrorthouse]

Thank you soooo much everyone that replied! I am very grateful!!

Here is what I changed to via a gaming build I found on You Tube.


Intel Core i7-6700K: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product...
Corsair H60: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product...
EVGA GTX 980Ti: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product...
Asus Z170-A: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product...
16GB Corsair Vengeance: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product...
400GB Intel 750 Series: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product...
1TB Western Digital Black: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product...
Corsair RM750: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product...
Fractal Design Define S: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product...


This is now getting a little high in price but does this sound good?? Do I have to buy an operating system in addition to the above. I really am techno challenged.. so, I hope that is not too much of a "dumb" question.

Two must haves from my 16 year old son is the Intel Core i7 and the EVGA 980. I just want to be sure I am not overdoing it or overdoing it. It is a lot of money to spend.

Any thoughts? Please.

Tina

 

[shrorthouse]

Oh, and sorry JQB45. I live in the US. Also, he has a good computer but is a little old and the graphics card is not good. So, the external parts such as monitors and such we already have. 😱)

 

[shrorthouse]

And, spends most of every day on the computer gaming and homeschooling. LOL... mostly gaming. Steam and League of Legends and so on.

 

[ben001]

You should have mentioned the actual budget of yours. The above listed build you posted costs way higher than $1500.

Yes, It depends at what resolution you're going to run the games but that build is ready 4K gaming. Most of the channels at YouTube do suggest PC builds but sometimes they are not the ultimate solution especially if a person going build his first gaming desktop. You may need lots of labor to find a solution. Here at Tom's Hardware, all the moderators & visitors are there to help you with your thread. Anyway's, I would not recommend any You tube build to anyone.

 

[shrorthouse]

I have never, nor has my son.. built a computer. He is set on building one as he thinks it would be much cheaper? My budget was 1000 but I was a little flexible and as you can see I am upwards of 2000 now. I just want him to have a good gaming computer that will last. I don't know what 4K is? You think this one a beginner can't build? It is more of an expert level?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Tina

 

[ben001]

Everyone on earth who knows about a computer can build a desktop, but putting right parts and make it reliable is what we call "Tuning". I never meant it's more of an expert level. The above YouTube build could be better and i can notice there are many unnecessary parts involved in that build. You could ditch some components and can make your dollars in well use.


Please provide us proper information, So that we can help you: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/353572-31-build-upgrade-advice

 

[shrorthouse]

Okay.. I am now choosing to have it built as I am too afraid that "I" will run into tooo many problems.

Here is what I now have: PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF I AM MISSING ANYTHING THAT HE SHOULD HAVE OR IF YOU THINK I AM OVERDOING IT?

*BASE_PRICE: [+1335]
BLKFRISALE1: GAMDIAS Ourea w/ 6 Programmable Buttons, Weight System FPS Gaming Mouse [+0]
BLKFRISALE2: CyberpowerPC Gaming Mouse Pad [+0]
BLKFRISALE3: TP-LINK 802.11 AC Archer T1U AC450 Wireless 5GHz 433Mbps Nano USB Adapter [+0]
BLKFRISALE4: GAMDIAS Eros V2 GHS3200 3.5mm w/ USB Extension 7.1, Explosive 50mm Drive Bass Gaming Headset [+0]
BLUETOOTH: None
CABLE: None
CAS: IN WIN 805 Mid Tower ATX Gaming Case w/ Tempered Glass on both side Windows [+127] (Black)
CASUPGRADE: None
CC: None
CD: LG 14X Internal Blu-ray Burner, BD-RE, 3D Playback DVD+RW Combo Drive (Black Color)
CD2: None
COOLANT: Standard Coolant
CPU: Intel® Core™ i7-4790K 4.0 GHz 8MB Intel Smart Cache LGA1150 (All Venom OC Certified)
CS_FAN: Default case fans
DOCKINGSTATION: None
ENGRAVING: None
FA_HDD: Vigor iSURF II Hard Disk Drive Cooling System [+21] (1 x System)
FAN: Corsair Hydro Series H60 120mm Liquid CPU Cooling System w/ Copper Cold Plate [+20] (Single Standard 120MM Fan)
FLASHMEDIA: INTERNAL 12in1 Flash Media Reader/Writer [+10] (BLACK COLOR)
FREEBIE_CU: None
FREEBIE_HD: None
FREEBIE_VC1: $50 Instant Rebate on All NVIDIA Video Card Equipped PC [-50]
FREEBIE_VC2: FREE! Bullets Or Blades Game Coupon [+0]
HD_M2PCIE: None
HD_M2SATA: None
HDD: 256GB SANDISK SSD + 1TB SATA III Hard Drive Combo (Combo Drive)
HDD2: None
HEADSET: None
HS_HANGER: None
IUSB: Internal USB 3.0 4-Port Hub [+25]
KEYBOARD: AZZA Delta Gaming Keyboard w/ Anti-Ghosting & red backlight [+9]
MEMORY: 16GB (8GBx2) DDR3/1866MHz Dual Channel Memory [+87] (Corsair Vengeance [+14])
MONITOR: None
MOPAD: None
MOTHERBOARD: MSI Z97 PC MATE ATX w/ GbLAN, 2 PCIe x16, 1 PCIe x1, 2 PCI, 6x SATA 6Gb/s (Pro OC Certified)
MOUSE: AZZA Optical 1600dpi Gaming Mouse with Weight Adjustable Cartridge
NETWORK: Onboard Gigabit LAN Network
NFC: None
OS: Windows 10 Home (64-bit Edition)
OVERCLOCK: No Overclocking
POWERSUPPLY: 750 Watts - EVGA SuperNOVA 750 G1 80 PLUS Gold Power Supply [+8]
RUSH: NO Rush: All Orders placed before 12/4/2015 11:59PM PST guarantee delivery by Christmas
SERVICE: STANDARD WARRANTY: 3-YEAR [3 Year Labor, 1 Year Parts] LIMITED WARRANTY PLUS LIFE-TIME TECHNICAL SUPPORT
SLI_BRIDGE: Standard SLI/Crossfire Bridge
SOUND: HIGH DEFINITION ON-BOARD 7.1 AUDIO
SPEAKERS: Logitech S120 2.0 Stereo Speaker Set [+19] (Black Color)
TEMP: AeroCool Touch-1000 Fans Control Monitors and controls 4 sets fan speed individually [+29]
TUNING: None
TVRC: None
USBHD: None
USBX: None
VIDEO: EVGA Superclocked ACX 2.0 NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 4GB GDDR5 PCIe 3.0 x16 (Maxwell) [+162] (Single Card)
WNC: GIGABYTE 802.11AC Wi-Fi up to 867 Mbps + Bluetooth 4.0 Combo w/ Dual Antenna PCI-E Adapter [+29]
WTV: None
_PRICE: (+1845)
_view_: {DFC6EAA7-2501-419D-B05D-3AD2F1414C50}
_load_: 11/29/2015 10:54:22 AM

 

[ben001]

I noticed most of the parts & peripherals are in need and by taking your final price +1845


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($352.98 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Phanteks PH-TC12DX_BK 68.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Fatal1ty H170 Performance ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($94.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($77.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.65 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 980 4GB Video Card ($538.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro M ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Cooler Master VSM 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit) ($84.98 @ OutletPC)
Wired Network Adapter: TP-Link TG-3468 10/100/1000 Mbps PCI-Express x1 Network Adapter ($8.99 @ Amazon)
Monitor: Asus VC239H 60Hz 23.0" Monitor ($145.98 @ OutletPC)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm Devastator Gaming Bundle Wired Gaming Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Headphones: Razer KRAKEN 7.1 CHROMA 7.1 Channel Headset ($79.99 @ B&H)
Speakers: Logitech Z623 200W 2.1ch Speakers ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1798.47
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-29 15:39 EST-0500

 

[shrorthouse]

Thank you soooo much. I sure do appreciate it more than you know.

Do you think this is a good gaming computer? I know he cannot play many of the games on Steam with his current computer if that helps.

Thank you so much Ben!!

 

[ben001]

You're welcome.