ISO: info on building tower

[momof4]

I'm wanting help on info on getting a gaming pc (tower) custom made for my 13 yr old.. he's had a alienware m17-r1 for about 3 yrs and is wanting a desktop.. he's not in a sense a "hardcore gamer" more like when he has a good 3/5 hrs he'll game.. as I said I'm wanting a budget custom made, I would like somewhat knowledge on what I should be asking,wanting, and needing so I'm not taking for a easy $$ laugh..
Thanks

 

[turkey3_scratch]

If you provide us with a budget, and if you need things like operating system, keyboard and mouse, monitor, it'll be a lot easier for us to design a build for you.

 

[momof4]

If you provide us with a budget, and if you need things like operating system, keyboard and mouse, monitor, it'll be a lot easier for us to design a build for you.
*see that's just it,, I'm not even sure on any of that you mentioned,, meaning (i know VERY stupid question) what difference does a monitor,keyboard, and mouse (wouldn't just any kind basic kind work or??)
* so operating system (i read somewhere or seen that there wouldn't be any updates and ect for Windows 8 so I'm guessing Windows 10,, right??)

 

[turkey3_scratch]

Okay, better question: How much money are you wanting to spend on your son? And are you willing to learn how to assemble a computer yourself? (it's quite easy and fun, saves you money, and you don't get crappy components)

 

[momof4]

Turkey3_scratch,, Is $800. a good base line??
I would love to have some knowledge in assembling (just for him to learn more better)

 

[turkey3_scratch]

Here is a build I designed:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H110M-A Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($53.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury Black 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($52.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 380 4GB NITRO Dual-X OC Video Card ($194.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($40.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA G2 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSC0B DVD/CD Writer ($12.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit) ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $775.80
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-01-30 18:15 EST-0500

The most informative guide to building a computer can be found here.