Joining the PC gaming master race!

[bjj hero]

My son is now 8 with a healthy interest in videogames. Yes he likes Halo/minecraft/terraria/pokemon go but he is also getting a taste for x-com and civilisation.

He has started some basic code at school so I thought now would be a good time to build a PC together. My plan is to buy a piece each month and build it as a project. He will see the parts, how they fit and have a gaming pc at the end as pay off. So far he has only really played xbox.

Now Ive not had a gaming PC since 1999 and have a battered old laptop now so this will be a learning experience for me too. Apparently it will all fit together like lego...

So Im here for advice. I want something that will play most modern titles, but not exactly a titan x. Im on a budget. I hope to spend about ?100-?150 a month getting a new piece each month from September.

Any advice on what parts to get, pit traps for first time builders? Build order?

This is my first stab at research as Im currently focused on our August holiday.

Thank you in advance.

 

[Adam Jensen_v1legacy]

CPU will be more expensive than $150. GPU might be as well, but not necessarily if you leave it for last. Most popular gaming CPU's are Intel's i5 series of processors and they're not cheap and they don't really get any price cuts unless you're really lucky. You can get most other parts for less than $100-$150 so the only question is how much you're willing to spend overall when it's all said and done.

You can get something like this for example: http://pcpartpicker.com/list/rXyV7h
I chose reasonably priced but very high quality and very popular budget parts.
These prices aren't set in stone though. I just like using that website because it's easier to select parts. You can save some money if you just get 8Gb of RAM instead of 16Gb. 8Gb is still enough for a gaming build. And you can save money by going with Windows 10 Home instead of Pro, but I wouldn't recommend it.

I didn't add the GPU to that list because of how much GPU prices fluctuate. But AMD RX 470 should be released soon for $150. But by the time you get the GPU you might be able to get a better card for the same price.
I also didn't bother adding any peripherals like the monitor, mouse, keyboard etc. You can get that later on your own or ask later. I just focused on the stuff that goes inside the case. I also didn't add an optical drive because hardly anyone uses them these days and they're like $15. But I chose a relatively cheap and good quality case that supports one, just in case.

As for the order of purchase. I would probably get the case first. Just looking at it will make you want to put stuff in it. Then I'd get a motherboard and RAM together. After that the CPU or storage (HDD and SSD), then the PSU and finally the GPU. But this is all up to you.

You will also need an OS. You can get that whenever you want. Maybe save that for last because something tells me that Microsoft won't be able to sell Windows 10 very well and they might have to extend the free trial or make it free indefinitely or at least reduce the price. They had a plan to get Windows 10 on 1 billion devices by the end of this year. They're not even halfway there yet despite the fact that Windows 10 upgrade was free.

 

[Amigastar]

Thats nice to hear your son shares the same interest as you, but imho i wouldn't buy each month a part, i don't know it just doesn't make much sense to me. if i would be you i would build the PC as fast as possible (or at least as fast as possible it is for you), i think the components will harmonize better together then.
Maybe i'm off but thats my 2cent.

 

[Satinavian]

What is more of a problem is that prices and availability change over time.

If you start to buy your first piece now and your last piece 6 months later, your first piece will have gotten 6 months older and probably cheaper without being in use.

It is also difficult to plan so far ahead when deciding now which components to get.

 

[DefunctTheory]

Don't get a piece a month. If you need to pace yourself, just put the money aside, then dump it all at once.

General tips for first timers:

-Always, always, ALWAYS double check compatibility. CPU socket types need to match. Always check the motherboard your looking at against the RAM you want to get - The slot type needs to match (Not hard these days), and every once in a while, there's a weird 'these two wont work together issue' that crops up

-Always buy the newest component at the right price point. Don't try to back track tech looking for a deal on older, higher end parts. It's more of a pain in the ass then its worth

-Check your video cards power requirements against your power supply, and if possible, shoot a bit above what it suggests

-You don't need aftermarket cooling. You really don't. Any video card worth getting will have a good enough cooler on it, and aftermarket CPU coolers are only really necessary for overclocking, which is not really necessary these days, even for old gear (My CPU is ancient and still doesn't break a sweat, the new stuff is fine too). Even if you do want to get into overclocking, this is one of those things you can add later

-Don't do water cooling your first time out. 'Keep it simple, stupid' is in full effect

-If you want to save money, skimp on the hard drives. This is another component that's easy to add to later on

-Don't dick around with dual video card set ups. If you think you may want to try it later, get a motherboard that supports it, but again, 'Keep it simple, stupid'

Also, I'd stick to 16GB of RAM if I were you. I'd go for 16GB before ultra speeds, honestly.

 

[Hazy992]

Put this one together, see what you think:

http://pcpartpicker.com/list/gpm3tJ

Should be able to play most games at 1080p at high settings with no issue. I'm sure if you shop around you can find some better deals (I'm not American so I don't know all the best retailers), went with 1 8GB RAM stick so you have the option to upgrade later if you want. You could save a bit more money if you went with a 2nd hand GTX 970 or even a 960 instead of the 1060.

As for build order, you want to install the CPU, the cooler and the RAMonto the motherboard first, after that you can install the motherboard into the case as one unit. There's some good video tutorials on YouTube, I'd recommend you watch them, they really do help.

Also whatever do, if you want to save money do NOT skimp on the power supply. If that goes it can take the rest of the PC with it. Try and make sure it's 80PLUS certified (if it is it's mentioned in product descriptions and on the box).

Hope that helps

 

[DefunctTheory]

Oh, another thing...

-Make sure you have cable twists or zip cords before you start assembling. A tidy case is a happy case. Some of the higher end cases comes with them, so don't. Their pretty cheap though, should be able to get them at Wal-Mart or a hardware store, or maybe even a dollar store.

 

[DefunctTheory]

Spoiler

-You don't need aftermarket cooling. You really don't. Any video card worth getting will have a good enough cooler on it, and aftermarket CPU coolers are only really necessary for overclocking, which is not really necessary these days, even for old gear (My CPU is ancient and still doesn't break a sweat, the new stuff is fine too). Even if you do want to get into overclocking, this is one of those things you can add later

There is literally no excuse for not getting an aftermarket cooler when you can get a Hyper 212 Evo for like 20 bucks. Throw anything intensive at a stock cooler and things will get much too hot and much too LOUD much too quickly. Sure, your CPU might not crash and burn instantly but it will spend its entire life worrying that it might have to begin throttling soon while the stock cooler does its best to make you deaf.

Seriously. You can make your gaming experience much more comfortable and your CPUs lifespan longer, potentially much longer, just by spending 20 bucks on a cooler and another 2 on good thermal paste.

OT: Usually I never say this, but right now it might be worth waiting a few months. Any advice you get here will be obsolete when AMD releases Zen later this year. It might be shit or it might be amazing. But you probably don't want to blow 250 dollars on a CPU and motherboard combo only to see Zen blow it out the water 2 months later. Worst case scenario, Zen sucks but Intel prices drop slightly anyway because for the first time in 3 years, there is something consumers consider a viable alternative out there.

Well, there's the 20 dollar reason.

I've had two processors in 10 years. Both Intel, both using purely stock coolers. Both midrange (Ok, both i7s, but at the absolute bottom of the barrel of the series). Both are still working at max capacity, no problems what so ever, with the exception of the old one. And the only problem there is that it's a ***** and a half to clean, but really that's my fault. I let it go for too long without blowing it out.

Really, I've never met anyone who had a CPU burn out on them in the last decade that wasn't caused by their own stupidity, whether it be because they cleaned off the thermal paste and didn't replace it, or just stupendous displays of unreasonable overclocking, that I'm not even sure how they got to run to the point of burning out without tripping safety motherboard crashes. Or one individual who's computer fried because of poor cable management, which wouldn't have been fixed by a better cooler - There was simply no airflow. In that case, I'm honestly surprised the damn thing didn't literally catch on fire.

Really, unless AMD's in box offerings have declined recently, stock coolers should work just fine. I know Intel's do.

 

[munx13]

Spoiler

-You don't need aftermarket cooling. You really don't. Any video card worth getting will have a good enough cooler on it, and aftermarket CPU coolers are only really necessary for overclocking, which is not really necessary these days, even for old gear (My CPU is ancient and still doesn't break a sweat, the new stuff is fine too). Even if you do want to get into overclocking, this is one of those things you can add later

There is literally no excuse for not getting an aftermarket cooler when you can get a Hyper 212 Evo for like 20 bucks. Throw anything intensive at a stock cooler and things will get much too hot and much too LOUD much too quickly. Sure, your CPU might not crash and burn instantly but it will spend its entire life worrying that it might have to begin throttling soon while the stock cooler does its best to make you deaf.

Seriously. You can make your gaming experience much more comfortable and your CPUs lifespan longer, potentially much longer, just by spending 20 bucks on a cooler and another 2 on good thermal paste.

OT: Usually I never say this, but right now it might be worth waiting a few months. Any advice you get here will be obsolete when AMD releases Zen later this year. It might be shit or it might be amazing. But you probably don't want to blow 250 dollars on a CPU and motherboard combo only to see Zen blow it out the water 2 months later. Worst case scenario, Zen sucks but Intel prices drop slightly anyway because for the first time in 3 years, there is something consumers consider a viable alternative out there.

Well, there's the 20 dollar reason.

I've had two processors in 10 years. Both Intel, both using purely stock coolers. Both midrange (Ok, both i7s, but at the absolute bottom of the barrel of the series). Both are still working at max capacity, no problems what so ever, with the exception of the old one. And the only problem there is that it's a ***** and a half to clean, but really that's my fault. I let it go for too long without blowing it out.

Really, I've never met anyone who had a CPU burn out on them in the last decade that wasn't caused by their own stupidity, whether it be because they cleaned off the thermal paste and didn't replace it, or just stupendous displays of unreasonable overclocking, that I'm not even sure how they got to run to the point of burning out without tripping safety motherboard crashes. Or one individual who's computer fried because of poor cable management, which wouldn't have been fixed by a better cooler - There was simply no airflow. In that case, I'm honestly surprised the damn thing didn't literally catch on fire.

Really, unless AMD's in box offerings have declined recently, stock coolers should work just fine. I know Intel's do.

Stock coolers are functional, but loud. I got a 212 EVO to replace the stock AMD one I had a few months back and its just way more pleasant to have a machine that you can barely hear.

 

[DefunctTheory]

Spoiler

Spoiler

-You don't need aftermarket cooling. You really don't. Any video card worth getting will have a good enough cooler on it, and aftermarket CPU coolers are only really necessary for overclocking, which is not really necessary these days, even for old gear (My CPU is ancient and still doesn't break a sweat, the new stuff is fine too). Even if you do want to get into overclocking, this is one of those things you can add later

There is literally no excuse for not getting an aftermarket cooler when you can get a Hyper 212 Evo for like 20 bucks. Throw anything intensive at a stock cooler and things will get much too hot and much too LOUD much too quickly. Sure, your CPU might not crash and burn instantly but it will spend its entire life worrying that it might have to begin throttling soon while the stock cooler does its best to make you deaf.

Seriously. You can make your gaming experience much more comfortable and your CPUs lifespan longer, potentially much longer, just by spending 20 bucks on a cooler and another 2 on good thermal paste.

OT: Usually I never say this, but right now it might be worth waiting a few months. Any advice you get here will be obsolete when AMD releases Zen later this year. It might be shit or it might be amazing. But you probably don't want to blow 250 dollars on a CPU and motherboard combo only to see Zen blow it out the water 2 months later. Worst case scenario, Zen sucks but Intel prices drop slightly anyway because for the first time in 3 years, there is something consumers consider a viable alternative out there.

Well, there's the 20 dollar reason.

I've had two processors in 10 years. Both Intel, both using purely stock coolers. Both midrange (Ok, both i7s, but at the absolute bottom of the barrel of the series). Both are still working at max capacity, no problems what so ever, with the exception of the old one. And the only problem there is that it's a ***** and a half to clean, but really that's my fault. I let it go for too long without blowing it out.

Really, I've never met anyone who had a CPU burn out on them in the last decade that wasn't caused by their own stupidity, whether it be because they cleaned off the thermal paste and didn't replace it, or just stupendous displays of unreasonable overclocking, that I'm not even sure how they got to run to the point of burning out without tripping safety motherboard crashes. Or one individual who's computer fried because of poor cable management, which wouldn't have been fixed by a better cooler - There was simply no airflow. In that case, I'm honestly surprised the damn thing didn't literally catch on fire.

Really, unless AMD's in box offerings have declined recently, stock coolers should work just fine. I know Intel's do.

Stock coolers are functional, but loud. I got a 212 EVO to replace the stock AMD one I had a few months back and its just way more pleasant to have a machine that you can barely hear.

I've never had sound issues with stock coolers. But... now that I think about it...

That may be because I am at the top of the PC Master Race pantheon and buy 150+ dollar insulted cases (Which, by the way, you shouldn't do, unless you intend to keep the case and swap hardware out of it for long enough to justify the cost). So shit if I know on that account. Maybe someone who looks like this has to take a step back now and then and re-evaluate their suggestions from time to time.

I can honestly say I've never, ever had a sound problem with stock coolers (In a decade, at least. Over 10 years ago, stock coolers were truly atrocious on all levels), but I suppose you'd have to take my case choices into account.

 

[bjj hero]

May have to reconsider this as a few suggest building it slowly is a poor way to do it.

My thoughts were to spread the cost and make it something that was an adventure rather than an afternoon.

Thank you all for your advice. You have given me lots to think about. I may well put money aside each month and see what january sales -and the new zen- offer.

 

[Imperioratorex Caprae]

I'll agree that stock coolers might be fine for usage out of the box but from personal experience I've had more stock coolers burn out faster (thrown bearings or outright quit working) than not and I've come to find that buying an aftermarket fan for $20 is worth the initial investment, even if I don't overclock. Both for noise reduction and reliability.

 

[DefunctTheory]

May have to reconsider this as a few suggest building it slowly is a poor way to do it.

My thoughts were to spread the cost and make it something that was an adventure rather than an afternoon.

Thank you all for your advice. You have given me lots to think about. I may well put money aside each month and see what january sales -and the new zen- offer.

You can still make in an adventure. Spend time actually learning about the intricacies of hardware, rather then just the base specs. If you live near a cool electronics store like Fry's [http://www.frys.com/], go check it out, even if you don't buy from there (Fry's is seriously pretty cool). Grab an Comptia A+ Certification text book (A+ is basically the beginners cert for computer maintenance and repair) and actually learn some stuff with the kid. 8 is maybe a bit young, but hell, if he's banging out code already go for it - It's how I got started. My advanced courses teachers offered an automatic 100 on our last quarter for getting A+ certified, and suggested building a PC would help get there, so I did both (A huge relief, as while it was expensive, the classes regular graded assignments were murder time wise).

 

[bjj hero]

If you'll also be using the PC for general purpose things like media or what have you, then consider adding a second, larger hard drive for storage (pictures, music, video, etc.) while keeping just the OS and programs on the smaller main drive. Standard 3.5/7200 drives are pretty cheap yet reliable these days, but in case something does go wrong you don't lose all your eggs this way. Plus it keeps things running a bit more smoothly in the long run.

 

[Adam Jensen_v1legacy]

You can still make in an adventure. Spend time actually learning about the intricacies of hardware, rather then just the base specs.

Truth. Every time I want to build a new PC I literally spend at least two months researching every single piece of info I can find about the latest hardware. Pros, cons, potential problems with some aspect, hidden potential etc. It's fun for me.

 

[gmaverick019_v1legacy]

May have to reconsider this as a few suggest building it slowly is a poor way to do it.

My thoughts were to spread the cost and make it something that was an adventure rather than an afternoon.

Thank you all for your advice. You have given me lots to think about. I may well put money aside each month and see what january sales -and the new zen- offer.

as someone mentioned, you can still use that month to talk about a part, see it in stores (so your son sees what it looks like ahead of time) and know what it does and how it's compatible with other parts and what are the pros/cons of each brand/model

but otherwise yes, for financial reasons, it is stupidly better to buy it all at once or in 2 large chunks (around holiday sales or price lowpoints when new tech comes out to even out the market) so I would just save that 150 a month for say..christmas/black friday time and buy 3-4 major parts and save some money on part costs.