New build for my 10yr old son for Xmas

RoyalMarine

Hi everyone,

My son has asked me for a computer this year. He's been using my dad's work computer and has been playing Minecraft on the weekends. I think he's old enough to get his own now. Nothing fancy, I don't need a top of the range gaming computer. Small form would be ideal, but not a requirement. Price is the biggest contender here. I can probably pick up a second hand monitor, so we can leave that out of the budget if necessary.

I'm willing to buy second hand hardware if it keeps the prices low. Just to note, I have two options available for discount.
I can go tax free if going through the company or I can use a friends Amazon staff discount for 15% off.

1. What is your budget? [ €300 - €400]

2. What will be the main purpose of the computer? [Gaming/Video editing/3D Modelling/HTPC/Internet] (If gaming include which games)

Gaming. He plays Minecraft. Perhaps he might be lucky to get a few new games.

3. Do you need a copy of Windows? [Yes/No]
No

4. Can you use any parts from an old computer? [Hard drive/DVD Drive/Case/PSU/etc.] (If possible state brand and model of the parts to ensure compatibility)
Not really no. Nothing modern lying around.

5. Do you need a monitor? [Yes/No]
yes

5a. If yes, what size do you need. [19'/20'/22'/24'/etc.]
No bigger than 22"

5b. If no, what resolution is your current monitor and do you plan to upgrade in the near future? [1920x1080/1440x900/etc.] [Yes/No] N/A

6. Do you need any of these peripherals? [Keyboard/Mouse/Wireless Card/Card Reader/Speakers/etc.]
Don't need any peripherals.

7. Are you willing to try overclocking? [Yes/No]
N/A but I can do it if needed.

8. How can you pay? [Bank Transfer/Credit Card/Laser]
Any payment method

9. When are you purchasing? [In x days]
As soon as possible but it's for Xmas so I'm flexible.

10. If you need help building it, where are you based? [South Dublin City/Cork City/Kerry/etc.]
No help needed

Thanks in advance!

creep

TABLE]Item|Price
AMD FX-6300 Prozessor, Boxed, Sockel AM3+|€96.28
BitFenix Merc Alpha|€32.87
Super-Flower SF500P12P 500W|€34.86
Gigabyte GA-78LMT-S2, AMD 760G, mATX|€37.18
Seagate Barracuda 7200 1000GB, SATA 6Gb/s|€53.54
4GB G.Skill PC3-10667U CL9|€33.79
Shipping|€18.99
Total|€307.51[/TABLE]

Graphics card 7790 2GB 116 euro

Total 423 euro - can switch graphics card to a 7770 1GB to bring it under 400

whos_dan

creep wrote: »

TABLE]Item|Price
AMD FX-6300 Prozessor, Boxed, Sockel AM3+|€96.28
BitFenix Merc Alpha|€32.87
Super-Flower SF500P12P 500W|€34.86
Gigabyte GA-78LMT-S2, AMD 760G, mATX|€37.18
Seagate Barracuda 7200 1000GB, SATA 6Gb/s|€53.54
4GB G.Skill PC3-10667U CL9|€33.79
Shipping|€18.99
Total|€307.51[/TABLE]

Graphics card 7790 2GB 116 euro

Total 423 euro - can switch graphics card to a 7770 1GB to bring it under 400

Maybe save a bit by getting a smaller hard drive, as I think you should get 8gb of RAM for Minecraft.

If Minecraft will be the only game your son will be playing, you should consider buying this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00CPLGGXM/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1383601379&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX110_SY165

It is a CPU and a GPU in one and it runs Minecraft quite well, and it will save you quite a bit

You will need this motherboard:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B009LT4F3E/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1383601647&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX110_SY165

TerrorFirmer

I'd stick with the 6300 and 7770. Still very affordable and light years ahead of the 6800k for other games he might be playing. You also do not need 8gb ram for Minecraft.

The only change I would have suggested would be 20 euro extra on a 7790, but all in all, can't fault it really. Could shave a few quid off in various ways, smaller hard drive, something like the corsair 350w basic psu, but all in all its a solid build.

Eoin247

whos_dan wrote: »

Maybe save a bit by getting a smaller hard drive, as I think you should get 8gb of RAM for Minecraft.

If Minecraft will be the only game your son will be playing, you should consider buying this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00CPLGGXM/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1383601379&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX110_SY165

It is a CPU and a GPU in one and it runs Minecraft quite well, and it will save you quite a bit

You will need this motherboard:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B009LT4F3E/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1383601647&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX110_SY165

4gb ram is more than enough for minecraft.

fergus1001

I'd recommend getting the 8 gigs of ram to future proof the machine as he will more than likely move on from minecraft

BloodBath

The vast majority of games are still 32 bit programs meaning they can't address more than 3.5gb's of ram anyway. 4gb's would be enough for now. You can always add more later.

RoyalMarine

Thanks guys, really appreciate the info.

I'll go with 4gb and if more is needed, I can get it for him etc. Won't need more than 4gb for now. Nothing he does is that intensive anyway.

SterlingArcher

Good ...price of ram is quite expensive at the moment, 8 gigs I bought a month ago is now costing twice as much. So Even if he did decide he needed more be better to pick it up later on.

Best of luck with build

Serephucus

From personal experience (I play a lot of Minecraft) I'd definitely go with 8GB. Your OS is going to chew through at least 1.5 (more likely two) gigs, and at that point you have 1.5-2GB left before Windows starts bitching at you about not having enough memory, which is really annoying.

This isn't even taking into account MC itself, which will usually need around a gig for a standard single-player world. Then there's texture packs, which use quite a bit more RAM, even if you're only going for an 64x64 one.

JJJJNR

Would you not just pick up an xbox, probably do most that he needs and more.

RoyalMarine

He has an Xbox. He wants a PC.

beauf

JJJJNR wrote: »

Would you not just pick up an xbox, probably do most that he needs and more.

I'm told the Xbox version isn't as features as the PC version.

Serephucus

It's not, not by far.

uncle_sam_ie

RoyalMarine wrote: »

He has an Xbox. He wants a PC.

Smart Kid.

Eoin247

Serephucus wrote: »

From personal experience (I play a lot of Minecraft) I'd definitely go with 8GB. Your OS is going to chew through at least 1.5 (more likely two) gigs, and at that point you have 1.5-2GB left before Windows starts bitching at you about not having enough memory, which is really annoying.

This isn't even taking into account MC itself, which will usually need around a gig for a standard single-player world. Then there's texture packs, which use quite a bit more RAM, even if you're only going for an 64x64 one.

Before i built my pc, i played minecraft for two years on a cheap desktop bought in 2008 . It was 32 bit so it couldnt even use 4gb. I had everything on max in minecraft with hd texture packs and never had a problem. Even downloading stuff at the same time was ok.

Serephucus

How long ago was this, might I ask? I've tried running MC on a 32-Bit OS quite recently (around two months ago) and it ran like absolute piss. 15FPS (guesstimate) max.

Eoin247

Serephucus wrote: »

How long ago was this, might I ask? I've tried running MC on a 32-Bit OS quite recently (around two months ago) and it ran like absolute piss. 15FPS (guesstimate) max.

Last time i ran mc on that machine would have been sometime in august. Didnt check what the fps was exactly but it felt very smooth so it definitely wasnt under 30. Perhaps the machine you used had a lot of background processes on?

Serephucus

Nope. Fresh Windows install. So latest drivers and everything as well. What sort of texture packs are we talking here, because I was running 256.

Eoin247

Serephucus wrote: »

Nope. Fresh Windows install. So latest drivers and everything as well. What sort of texture packs are we talking here, because I was running 256.

Ah well thats the problem then. I was using Misa HD x64. To be fair its unlikely this guy is gonna really want to go over x64 anyway. The younger minecrafters i know tend to play default even which is x16.

I dont think the guy here is gonna want to double the price for ram just to go over x64 though.

Serephucus

Quite possibly, and given the price of RAM recently I can certainly see your reasoning behind it. I'm just saying if it were me, I'd get the 8GB. It gives the kid breathing room to have other stuff open (Youtube tutorials for example, which could easily eat the extra memory), and gives him some future headroom too.

Morf

Serephucus wrote: »

gives him some future headroom too.

Most kids need this . . .:pac:

uncle_sam_ie

Morf wrote: »

Most kids need this . . .:pac:

My son went from Minecraft to Team Fortress and is now playing BF4. I'm glad I went with 8GB.

fergus1001

its kinda smart of you to build a pc you could put it in the living room with steam big picture mode (you can add in minecraft to it) and run it with an xbox controller and also you can use it yourself as a htpc for watching movies/Netflix what ever you want really

RoyalMarine

fergus1001 wrote: »

its kinda smart of you to build a pc you could put it in the living room with steam big picture mode (you can add in minecraft to it) and run it with an xbox controller and also you can use it yourself as a htpc for watching movies/Netflix what ever you want really

At the moment it's going into his bedroom, but this was one of the factors considered. It's why I want small form over anything else.

I've decided to go for the 8gb of ram. It will allow for headroom down the line and it's probably just best to get it over and done with now.

beauf

Building small is easy if you throw money at. Hard to get something with upgrade head room, cheap and small. So I wouldn't go too small. Need a decent PSU, room to cool and decent graphics card. For future upgrades anyway.

Serephucus

Have you actually ordered parts yet? If not I can throw a build together.

RoyalMarine

Not ordered anything just yet.

As mentioned in the first post, I can go through Amazon with a staff discount of 15% or I can maybe go through the family business and claim VAT back.