New Gaming starter build - Intel I7

MAJJ

Hi Folks,

I have read a lot of build threads over the years, have seen great advice and hope you can also help me.

My 12 year olds is looking for his first PC for Christmas, coming from PS4. He understands the global constraints and can use this as a start point with other items to follow - graphics card, monitor etc.

I would like a PC that has good foundation and is expandable, future proofed. He wants one he can initially play minecraft and stream but it will certainly evolve. He also wants it to look cool RGB etc.

The reason my title has Intel I7 is I may have access to an Intel I7 chip, motherboard, memory etc but please include for budget and compatibility help

1. What is your budget? 1000ish

2. What will be the main purpose of the computer? Gaming/Streaming

3. Do you need a copy of Windows? Yes

4. Can you use any parts from an old computer? No

5. Do you need a monitor? Will use TV for shorterm

6. Do you need any of these peripherals? wireless card, monitor keyboard, mouse, microphone, webcam

I would hope motherboard can have wireless and Bluetooth. Don't need other items

7. Are you willing to try overclocking? No

Thanks a lot for your time,

MAJJ

K.O.Kiki

https://www.dell.com/en-ie/shop/desktops-and-all-in-ones/xps-tower/spd/xps-8940-desktop/cdx89426

Full Dell computer with a new 27” monitor for 981.66eur

For gaming mouse, the Razer Viper Mini is highly regarded, small enough for any hand, and generally around 30eur online.

MAJJ

Thank you K.O.Kiki for time in responding and it looks like very good value - considering it has windows, monitor and a graphics card.

I may be able to get some components from Intel, if you had a moment would you mind speccing an I7 based build?

K.O.Kiki

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117944732#Comment_117944732

The problem with speccing builds right now is that graphics cards are hard to come by, and overpriced.

But if you know which parts you have (exact models) I can try.

MAJJ

Thanks I completely understand on graphics card and will get one at a later date, Minecraft will use onboard graphics. I likely have access to a new i7 and have choices on mother boards. One was Gigabyte Z590i.

K.O.Kiki

TBH I’d still recommend buying the above PC.

A GTX 1650 Super is around 7x faster than the UHD 750 in a Core i7. There’s just no comparison in which will provide a better experience.

*edit:

When you say “you have access to i7 & motherboard” will they cut into the 1000EUR budget?

MAJJ

Thanks again and I completely see the good deal on the above Dell PC.

Maybe be clearer to come at it this way, all in budget for 1200 EUR for an Intel i7 based PC . Graphic card to be purchased separately later next year.

Thanks

K.O.Kiki

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117946124#Comment_117946124

It's still a bad idea.

I found an even better deal for a 1200eur budget:

https://www.currys.ie/ieen/gaming/pc-gaming/gaming-pcs/hp-omen-25l-gaming-pc-intel-core-i5-gtx-1660-super-2-tb-hdd-256-gb-ssd-10207050-pdt.html

That's a VERY good starter PC with a Core i5-10400F & GTX 1660 Super for 959eur.

Forget about the Intel i7 - it's unnecessary for Minecraft/gaming in general, the i5 can handle gaming+streaming (although you can upgrade to 10th/11th-gen i7 in future!)

And there's no guarantee that GPUs will be more available next year, so get a decent PC now instead of regressing to iGPU.

---

This leaves 241 euro for the rest of setup, so:

* Cheap good gaming mouse: Steelseries Rival 3 (wired or wireless), Logitech G203 wired / G305 wireless, Razer Viper mini / Deathadder V2 mini - 30-45eur

* Whatever keyboard: doesn't matter TBH - 10-20 euro

* Dell S2422HG 1080p 165Hz VA gaming monitor - 187 eur + p&p

MAJJ

I understand completely and have seen poor forecasts on graphics cards into end of 2022.

The Omen does look decent and as is will last him a while- to upgrade to i7 from this - do you know if it needs a new motherboard? I know there are other Omen variants.

There is no immediate need to upgrade just trying to understand what would be involved.

Thanks a lot, I appreciate it.

K.O.Kiki

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117948555#Comment_117948555

<Full spec on HP website>

It’s LGA socket 1200, H470 chipset. Anything Intel 10xxx or 11xxx will work.

But first upgrade should be an additional 1x8Gb RAM stick, not CPU.

MAJJ

Thanks for all the time and advice. If I can help you, please reach out.

MAJJ

HP OMEN 25L Gaming PC GT12 Intel i7-10700 16GB 1TB+256GB SSD GeForce RTX2060 6GB

Been checking further on the 25L and found this for 870EUR plus approx 200EUR landed.

Seems better chip, ram and graphics card.

I would pay via paypal on ebay so reduce risk but it does seem good value?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HP-OMEN-25L-Gaming-PC-GT12-Intel-i7-10700-16GB-1TB-256GB-SSD-GeForce-RTX2060-6GB-/334148284960?_trksid=p2349526.m4383.l4275.c10&shqty=1&isGTR=1#viTabs_0

MAJJ

Hi K.O.Kiki - any thoughts on the one above it's same model type you recommended but to my eye may have better spec/value. I wouldn't have found it only for your reco.

K.O.Kiki

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117954586#Comment_117954586

Yes it’s better value.

But be aware you’re buying from UK so you likely get hit with import charges thanks to Brexit.

MAJJ

Ordered and yep Brexit charges to come but still good value based on what's available.

Is it possible if I wanted to move to a more interesting case to a 12 year old budding gamer.

I know in an ideal world new motherboard, power supply and additional cooling could happen but is there a cheap and cheerful option considering for now there won't be long hours spent using this.

New case with some RGB capabilities and potential for better cooling options.

K.O.Kiki

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117963877#Comment_117963877

Get it up & running first before moving anything IMHO.

MAJJ

Absolutely will make sure it's running first, just planning ahead, thanks

MAJJ

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117963877#Comment_117963877

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117963877#Comment_117963877

Any thoughts on a case with RGB that I could ultimately move internals of the PC too? Thanks

K.O.Kiki

Literally any case that’s at least Micro-ATX should fit.

Really depends on budget & availability at the time of purchase.

MAJJ

I would like to know if I can switch all into the new micro ATX case or if I can use a ATX case without having to switch out motherboard,perhaps USB ports etc would not reach.

Two possible AtX options

Corsair iCUE 220T RGB Airflow, Tempered Glass Mid-Tower ATX Smart Gaming Case, Black https://smile.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07RW8GLQJ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apan_glt_fabc_E5PHCH4JEXA5WVRH4E6J?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Lian Li LANCOOL 215 Mesh Black Tempered Glass ATX Case -Black Color -LANCOOL 215 https://smile.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08LG6LGP8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apan_glt_fabc_XACP5A2X4R1JXYB2ETFN

MAJJ

The HP OMEN 25L arrived via DPD today. To my pleasant surprise it came with a tempered glass side and nice lighting.

Thanks a lot for all the advice and directing me to this model.