Gaming Build for a Friend's Son

[UDT89]

So a friend at work asked me to build his son a gaming computer for christmas. Little late in the game but I decided to say yes.

He gave me a list of what his son has mentioned he wants in his rig and he gave it to me. He told me the parts cost $900. After getting the list, I'm not finding the parts under $1100 including tax and shipping.......plus since his son never built a computer before he left off the PSU, fans, case, monitor, OS, etc.

But here is his core list. To me it seems like overkill and I want to come back to him with recommendations because there is no way he is going to agree to a $1600-$1800 computer.

i7 2.66ghz
gigabyte ga-ex58
kingston hyperx 12 gb ddr3
ocz vertex 2e....two of them in a RAID setup. (this makes me laugh)
Radeon 6970 gddr5

I mean 12gb is overkill IMHO, but reducing that to 6gb isnt saving much. The solid state drives.....overkill. Maybe one solid state and a larger regular drive?

I mean I get where he is coming from as I was his age once and wanted the biggest and baddest for my PC gaming. But I eventually settled on some things I didnt really want and was just as happy.

Your thoughts are much appreciated. My gut reaction after reading this list is to let him buy from a local store. I fix computers, dont usually build. And I'm not sure I want the responsibility of fixing it for the next 4 years.

 

[BoomerD]

If you're not ready to be 24/7 tech support for several years, send your co-worker to Dell...I enjoy building my own computer...other people's? Not so much. It doesn't matter what goes wrong with the thing...it's always your fault.

 

[UDT89]

If you're not ready to be 24/7 tech support for several years, send your co-worker to Dell...I enjoy building my own computer...other people's? Not so much. It doesn't matter what goes wrong with the thing...it's always your fault.

Yea I think this is the deal breaker and not the cost or time building it. I already deal with strangers that call me to fix their PC then call me a year later saying the same thing is wrong. Yea hello, stop visiting the porn sites. I can see your cookies. LOL

 

[THRiLL KiLL]

so i have been in the same shoes.

I used to build high end custom computers (3 to 4k budgets, its amazing what people have to spend out here in microsoftland)

but i hated doing tech support. SO what i did and still do today is the following.

1. i build the system, but they buy the parts.
2. i do a 3 to 4 day burn in cycle.
3. i offer support for the 1st 30 days once that is over i have them go to a local shop.

 

[sm625]

i7 2.66ghz
gigabyte ga-ex58
kingston hyperx 12 gb ddr3

You shouldnt just blindly get him what he wants. This is obviously what he wanted a year ago. Since that time intel has released better faster chips for less money. Get him an i5-2500k and overclock it to 4GHz and tell him it is faster than the i7 he originally wanted. Get an x68 mobo, and just 8GB of ram. Get a single ssd, since an M4 single would be faster than two raided vertex 2's, or damn close.

 

[BoomerD]

If you decide to do this, to to the General Hardware forum, fill out the "form" that's used there. Let the hive-mind find the best components for the money your friend wants to spend.
I "guarantee" that we can come up with a better rig for less money...especially mnewsham and mfenn...they're "gee-nyuses" at this...

NOTICE - PC builders, when asking for input on YOUR projects Please Tell us...
PLEASE when you POST threads asking for input on system builds tell us...

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.

8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with.

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?

10. Don't ask for a build configuration critique or rating if you are thin skinned.


The above information IS NEEDED, in order that WE can help YOU make wise judgments on YOUR purchases
__________________

 

[UDT89]

You shouldnt just blindly get him what he wants. This is obviously what he wanted a year ago. Since that time intel has released better faster chips for less money. Get him an i5-2500k and overclock it to 4GHz and tell him it is faster than the i7 he originally wanted. Get an x68 mobo, and just 8GB of ram. Get a single ssd, since an M4 single would be faster than two raided vertex 2's, or damn close.

i dont recommend overclocking to people. unless they know what they are doing.

 

[BoomerD]

Saw your thread in GH. I'm sure you'll get plenty of good replies.

Just thought I'd post a bit of info to help you with the kid.

You say he's spec'd an i7-2.66 Ghz. That's most likely the i7-920. Not a bad processor...but doesn't compare well against the i5-2500K:

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/47?vs=288

If he (or the parents) ask why the i5 instead of the i7, you have good, valid information as to why it's better. (and cheaper)

(the i7-920 doesn't seem to be currently available at Newegg)

http://www.amazon.com/Intel-Processo...3960034&sr=1-1
$299.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115072
$219.99

 

[UDT89]

thanks for that link on the benchmarks. i found out his specs that he gave me were based on a "gamer" friend he has on the net who built his PC about a year ago.

 

[BoomerD]

thanks for that link on the benchmarks. i found out his specs that he gave me were based on a "gamer" friend he has on the net who built his PC about a year ago.

Things have changed quite a bit since then...but even then, the i7-920 wasn't the best option for gaming.

 

[lenjack]

Beware! 24/7 tech support until the sun runs out of fuel, is not fun. And yes, it will happen.