new pc for son--help me spec it out

[meister]

Hello,

so my son has had a laptop his whole life (16 now) and has used a console for gaming.

He has asked to get a gaming rig now. His laptop is only 2 years old and is sufficient for daily computing / office and such but couldn't really game with it even when new.

So…can get him a laptop for christmas, or build him a desktop machine. I haven't built a desktop in about 10 years but figure we could do this together, shouldn't be too much trouble.

it appears a decent gaming laptop is around $2500, and even then I'm not sure if good enough to compete with what a desktop can offer.

Am I wrong on the above? If I spend 2500 will this machine game all current things at good resolutions? I am really out of loop as far as what is needed.

If I commit to $2000 for a desktop, what components do you all recommend.

So, budget 2k, need everything. gaming rig. buying all on internet / USA delivery.

TIA!!

Mark

 

[Torn Mind]

What exactly is the resolution he'll be gaming at? Higher resolutions require more processing power. Mfenn's build is good for 1080p gaming.

 

[meister]

?? I guess I don't know. Need a monitor as well, I'm thinking a 21 or 24 inch, perhaps a 16x9 ratio?

also, no over clocking.

Mark

 

[runzwithsizorz]

Does your son want 3D gaming? That will narrow down the monitor choice quite a bit.

 

[meister]

wow, never even thought about it. He hasn't mentioned it as an option, or goal. I'll say no if it adds $500 to the price of the build, but if its a marginal increase and then he could use it someday, then fine.

Mark

 

[meister]

for 2100USD you can get a pretty nice alienware laptop. For that money, is this a better way to go? or do I just need to be firm on whether he wants a desktop or laptop?

I used to be desktop only, but have given up desktops in place of convenience years ago.

 

[runzwithsizorz]

Won't add 500.00! 120-144hz monitor 300.00 on up (24") on Amazon

 

[runzwithsizorz]

for 2100USD you can get a pretty nice alienware laptop. For that money, is this a better way to go? or do I just need to be firm on whether he wants a desktop or laptop?

Laptops difficult to upgrade (switching vid card et al) Also, a lot more power for the $ for a gaming PC vs laptop; especially with new gen games just around the corner.

 

[meister]

was browsing the alienware desktop vs laptop..

perhaps I'm confused but I see little value in the desktop line there. Better to build yourself. Now the laptops seem decent configured for the price.

Mark

 

[runzwithsizorz]

Sorry, but I assumed you would be building the PC, not buying it.

 

[meister]

yes, that is what I was thinking, but I was browsing just to give myself a reality check of what is out there for supposedly 'higher' end.

If I can't build a great desktop for $500-700 less than a great laptop, I wasn't sure building it was the right way to go.

Mark

 

[Torn Mind]

Laptop GPUs are slower than their desktop counterpart. That is not to say all laptop GPUs are slower. Something like a GTX 770M will provide decent performance, but it is no GTX 770. The specs are different.

Also, desktop CPUs are more powerful than their laptop counterparts. You won't find a 3.4 GHz quad core i5 in a gaming laptop, although their might be a Turbo Boost that high.

Prebuilt desktop gaming rigs are mostly a joke, coming with underpowered GPUs. That means you still have to buy a more powerful graphics card separately and install it.

 

[mfenn]

Are you sure you want to spend $2000? I mean, you certainly could do so, but know that a budget of $1300 or so ($1000 PC w/OS + $200 monitor + $100 peripherals) can buy a very potent gaming PC.

 

[meister]

don't 'need' to spend 2k, unless I 'need' to. I just want him to have a machine he is more than happy with. He hasn't ever had a high end machine. So time to get it done.

Mark

 

[mfenn]

don't 'need' to spend 2k, unless I 'need' to. I just want him to have a machine he is more than happy with. He hasn't ever had a high end machine. So time to get it done.

Mark

Well, you don't "need" to.

Check out my build from this thread, except swap the SSD for the 840 EVO 120GB version, add Windows 8.1, and this LG 23" IPS 1080p monitor for $130 AP. Then add KB and mouse according to your son's taste.

 

[meister]

thanks, so get a smaller capacity SSD? also--any need to get a higher mhz rated monitor?

Mark

 

[meister]

I'll order everything I think from new egg or amazon. No reason, but already have accounts set up.

Mark

 

[runzwithsizorz]

Mfenn, I would get a better monitor.Asus has some good ones at 120-140hz. Don't lnow if IPS is the way to go. Of course, then one gets into the big debate over IPS vs more hz for a gaming rig. Brings back memories of my monitor post on the forum.

The Wife

 

[meister]

also--is there a reason it appears most everyone is recommending (reading different threads) the I5 processor over the I7? is this just a case that more isn't better?

Mark

 

[bononos]

also--is there a reason it appears most everyone is recommending (reading different threads) the I5 processor over the I7? is this just a case that more isn't better?

Mark

Yes. You aren't going get much more in gaming.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/7189/choosing-a-gaming-cpu-september-2013/10

 

[Torn Mind]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2hh75
Here's a sample for the OP.

 

[runzwithsizorz]

Here's a sample for the OP.

o.k. but I would go with 1 ter and 64 mb cache , either Seagate Barracuda or WD black for hard drive, especially if son is into Steam (and its many bargain games).

 

[meister]

thanks all. I'll most likely get to the office tomorrow and get some ordering done. I'll update with choices.

Mark

 

[mfenn]

Mfenn, I would get a better monitor.Asus has some good ones at 120-140hz. Don't lnow if IPS is the way to go. Of course, then one gets into the big debate over IPS vs more hz for a gaming rig. Brings back memories of my monitor post on the forum.

The Wife

You can't really say that a 120Hz monitor is "better" than an IPS. It has a higher refresh rate, but the colors and viewing angles are much worse. It's all a matter of tradeoffs.

thanks, so get a smaller capacity SSD? also--any need to get a higher mhz rated monitor?

Yeah, I put in a smaller SSD to fit the OS into the same budget. See above for the monitor, it depends on what you are looking for. A high refresh rate can certainly help in twitch games, but the higher contrast and better viewing angles on an IPS are more useful for strategy games IMHO.