New computer build for my daughters

[johnmooore]

Hi,
I would like to say thank you first for those who take their time to help me with this build.
I wanted to build a computer for my daughters (age 8 and 12) who would use them to surf the internet, do their homework and play some games on the net. Nothing extremely demanding. I would like to keep the build under $400 and make this build last as long as possible. I have build
several computers in the past but need recommendation for the parts.
I have the monitor, PSU, dvd player , window 7 and an old graphic card(EVGA 512-P2-N773-AR GeForce 8600 GTS 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card )

I need recommendation for cpu, motherboard, graphic card, ram, and case.
I prefer intel chip.
Again, thanks for all the help

 

[John Bong]

for your needs an AMD APU would be a good fit and will allow you to say in your budget...i included an SSD which you can switch out for a standard HDD for more storage.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2ieHA
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2ieHA/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2ieHA/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD A10-5800K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($106.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus A55M-E Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($61.75 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($38.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Crucial M500 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($85.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Apevia X-DREAMER4-PK ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Mwave)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - OEM (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $488.66
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-10 14:35 EST-0500)

 

[geofelt]

The cheapest cpu will do the job. That will be about $50-$70.
You can find a M-ATX motherboard for about $50.
socket 1155 is still valid, but I think I would look at 1150 which is newer.
4gb of ram will be about $40; speed is unimportant.
Any case will do the job. $20 might buy you something, but watch the shipping. Cases are heavy and can cost a bunch to ship.
You will need a minimal hard drive. Here, I suggest you splurge a bit and buy a 120gb ssd. It will be about $100 and will make all the difference in everyday performance. Your time in installing windows and doing updates will be cut by 3/4.

 

[g-unit1111]

for your needs an AMD APU would be a good fit and will allow you to say in your budget...i included an SSD which you can switch out for a standard HDD for more storage.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2ieHA
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2ieHA/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2ieHA/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD A10-5800K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($106.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus A55M-E Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($61.75 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($38.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Crucial M500 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($85.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Apevia X-DREAMER4-PK ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Mwave)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - OEM (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $488.66
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-10 14:35 EST-0500)

Absolutely flat out no on Apevia - truly horrendous, shoddy, poorly made cases. The Corsair Builder series PSUs are OK but there are definitely better out there.

On a $400 build not including OS here's what I would suggest:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A8-6600K 3.9GHz Quad-Core Processor ($104.74 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A55M-DGS R2.0 Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($53.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($65.45 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($69.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $412.12
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-10 14:45 EST-0500)

The AMD APU eliminates the need for a central graphics card but the Seasonic power supply allows you to add a low end one later on (Radeon HD 7790, GTX 650TI Boost, etc). The Corsair 200R is a far better case than anything Apevia makes. No need for an SSD either unless you want to add one in later on.

 

[coozie7]

Also think you'd be better off with amd.

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113286 $110
MB: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131935 $50
4Gb mem: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231644 $40
A case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129181 $50

Optional graphics: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127687 $95

This is put together with plenty of expansion in mind and comes in at $250 without or $340 with the optional graphics, also add <>$60 for a decent HDD.
Note, this is a 'high end' build for your budget, I've pushed the boat out on the CPU and graphics to give it plenty of legs for later on and the single 4Gb memory module again should give room for future expansion.

Perhaps better suited and Intel:
CPU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116399 $70
MB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157315 $50

 

[geofelt]

The value of the amd options is that they have a good integrated graphics capability.
But since the OP already has a decent graphics card, that is not necessary.
It is a moot point since the OP prefers a intel solution.

More specifically, I suggest a G3220@$70: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116950
It is between the G860 and i3-2120 in capability in this report on <$200 gaming cpu's:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-processor-frame-rate-performance,3427-9.html

I might suggest this ECS B85 motherboard for $55 after rebate. . I have used ECS before and liked them.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813135356

This 2 x 2gb ram kit is all you need @$43
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231394

I like Samsung EVO for the ssd $105
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA2W00YW3563

The case is largely personal.
Here is an antec one for $30 after rebate with free shipping.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129181

Lastly.... and most important.
Do not build this for your kids, build it WITH them.
Perhaps let them pick out the case themselves.
Get them involved in some of the selection and let them put parts together.

 

[g-unit1111]

The case is largely personal.
Here is an antec one for $30 after rebate with free shipping.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129181

Lastly.... and most important.
Do not build this for your kids, build it WITH them.
Perhaps let them pick out the case themselves.
Get them involved in some of the selection and let them put parts together.

That may be but Apevia is flat out garbage, nobody should ever patronize their junk. The cases have no cable management or air flow, lack current technologies (like USB 3.0) and like I said extremely poor build quality.

And yeah I agree 100% on the last point! 😉

 

[ScrewySqrl]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A10-6800K 4.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($119.00 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI FM2-A75MA-P33 Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($54.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($52.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: PNY XLR8 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Xion XON-560 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($26.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG UH12NS30 Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $398.94
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-10 15:53 EST-0500)

good for light gaming, Web use, etc

and I agree. give this to them for Christmas in parts. and have thm put it together (with Dad's help) on Christmas Day!

 

[g-unit1111]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A10-6800K 4.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($119.00 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI FM2-A75MA-P33 Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($54.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($52.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: PNY XLR8 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Xion XON-560 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($26.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG UH12NS30 Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $398.94
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-10 15:53 EST-0500)

good for light gaming, Web use, etc

and I agree. give this to them for Christmas in parts. and have thm put it together (with Dad's help) on Christmas Day!

Another case brand I wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole. Xion, Xclio, Apevia, Ultra, Raidmax, Diablotek, Apex, CiT, HEC, Logisys, Sentey - none of these brands should be purchased by anyone. :lol:

 

[camohanna]

The cheapest cpu will do the job. That will be about $50-$70.
You can find a M-ATX motherboard for about $50.
socket 1155 is still valid, but I think I would look at 1150 which is newer.
4gb of ram will be about $40; speed is unimportant.
Any case will do the job. $20 might buy you something, but watch the shipping. Cases are heavy and can cost a bunch to ship.
You will need a minimal hard drive. Here, I suggest you splurge a bit and buy a 120gb ssd. It will be about $100 and will make all the difference in everyday performance. Your time in installing windows and doing updates will be cut by 3/4.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A10-6800K 4.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($119.00 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI FM2-A75MA-P33 Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($54.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($52.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: PNY XLR8 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Xion XON-560 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($26.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG UH12NS30 Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $398.94
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-10 15:53 EST-0500)

good for light gaming, Web use, etc

and I agree. give this to them for Christmas in parts. and have thm put it together (with Dad's help) on Christmas Day!

Agreed on this, at first looked at intel (pentium g3220) but it ended up like only $50 cheaper so its well worth going AMD for stronger GPU/4cores. All i can suggest is trying for 1866 ram for a gpu performance boost.

 

[Aristotelian]

Wow, those are some lucky kids to be getting their own custom built computer at that age! Here are some recommendations for parts you requested. Note, I don't think you need a discrete graphics card for this build. Built-in graphics in the CPU will be just fine.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2ij8a
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2ij8a/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2ij8a/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Pentium G3220 3.0GHz Dual-Core Processor ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H81M-HDS Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($58.97 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Essentials 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($40.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Silverstone SST-SG02B-F-USB3.0 (Black) MicroATX Desktop Case ($64.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $234.93
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-10 17:01 EST-0500)

 

[g-unit1111]

Wow, those are some lucky kids to be getting their own custom built computer at that age! Here are some recommendations for parts you requested. Note, I don't think you need a discrete graphics card for this build. Built-in graphics in the CPU will be just fine.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2ij8a
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2ij8a/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2ij8a/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Pentium G3220 3.0GHz Dual-Core Processor ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H81M-HDS Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($58.97 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Essentials 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($40.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Silverstone SST-SG02B-F-USB3.0 (Black) MicroATX Desktop Case ($64.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $234.93
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-10 17:01 EST-0500)

Yeah the Pentium G series are way better processors than the AMD APUs but if you're not using a discrete graphics card you should definitely go the AMD route. The Intel HD graphics can be painfully slow.

 

[Aristotelian]

Wow, those are some lucky kids to be getting their own custom built computer at that age! Here are some recommendations for parts you requested. Note, I don't think you need a discrete graphics card for this build. Built-in graphics in the CPU will be just fine.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2ij8a
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2ij8a/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2ij8a/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Pentium G3220 3.0GHz Dual-Core Processor ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H81M-HDS Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($58.97 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Essentials 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($40.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Silverstone SST-SG02B-F-USB3.0 (Black) MicroATX Desktop Case ($64.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $234.93
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-10 17:01 EST-0500)

Yeah the Pentium G series are way better processors than the AMD APUs but if you're not using a discrete graphics card you should definitely go the AMD route. The Intel HD graphics can be painfully slow.

I doubt the 8 year old would notice a huge difference! My kids play those types of games on my 8 year old Dell Celeron D. That said, yes, Intel's reputation is better for straight processing, AMD better for graphics. OP has specified Intel. I think Pentium would be plenty for what he is describing, but he could go up to i3 or i5 if he wants to do better and stick with Intel.

 

[johnmooore]

Thank you for all your help but I would like to stick with Intel chip for now.
Like I said, I want to build a computer that is fast and last at least 5-6 years if possible.
I was thinking of either i3 or i5(preferred). My last build lasted 8 years but it's now too
slow and the kids complain all the time.
Also, I like the mid tower case. Not those mini ones that scream like crazy when the get hot.
This is their computer. I don't want them to use my computer and download all the junks along
with virus.

 

[Aristotelian]

This is their computer. I don't want them to use my computer and download all the junks along
with virus.

All the more reason to ditch Windows!

I have that Silverstone Case and it is quiet as can be. You can have a big loud case or a small quiet one, it depends more on the fans than the case itself. Ultimately the case is subjective and it is more about looks and form factor than anything else. Anyway good luck!