Question New PC for Son

[PenguinPower]

My son is just about to turn 8 and has been getting into Minecraft and Roblox fairly heavily on is his iPad over the past 6 months. Looking to build a basic desktop that he can play these on (he's starting to get into command line stuff in Minecraft), and maybe Sim 4 for my daughter as well. Basic office/homework functions otherwise. Already have a monitor for use.

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

Minecraft, Roblox, Sims 4, General use (internet, homework).

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

Sub-$500 would be great. Max $600.

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

USA

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

Don't care. Intel was the thing the last time I built a computer, but I really don't care.

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

Have a monitor. Need everything else.

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

Default

8. What resolution, not monitor size, will you be using?

1920x1080

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
Note that it is usually not cost or time effective to choose your build more than a month before you actually plan to be using it.

Within the next month

10. Do you need to purchase any software to go with the system, such as Windows or Blu Ray playback software?

Windows

 

[Fanatical Meat]

Sounds like you don't need much, I have had good luck with Dell Outlet machines for what you describe.
No you won't need any software like windows or dvd playback, unless he wants to watch dvds on it.
1080P moitor should be fine, avoid the outlet for monitors
PC wise avoid the all in one and small form factor machines, they tend to be problematic and difficult to upgrade.
look for a machine with 16GB of memory, 8GB is adequet but you'll get better use out of 16GB
Storage is cheap 500GB should be enough
go for something with an i5 or better and avoid any processor with a U in the model number or even more simple avoid any CPU from intel that is not numbers on the end like i5- 7200U an i5 8400 is far better
Regarding AMD ignore the above, letters are okay. However do not buy any AMD CPU that is NOT labeled Ryzen
Don't get obsessed with agaming PC, they are typically more expensive with not much value added.
Try to find one with AMD RX xxx or nvidia GTX xxxx for a video card, integrated graphics aren't so great for games.

I checked the outlet as of now there are not many choices but keep checking it updaes frequently.

With the monitor included your budget is small, you likely will end up in the $700 range.

This could work:

Are you a human?

www.newegg.com

You'll still need a monitor so you will end up being a bit over budget.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

@VirtualLarry you are the master of affordable builds

 

[PenguinPower]

Already have a monitor for use, so don't need to factor that in. I'd prefer to not by a prebuilt, as we're looking to use this as a learning experience for him when it comes to putting the machine together and learning what each part does.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

Already have a monitor for use, so don't need to factor that in. I'd prefer to not by a prebuilt, as we're looking to use this as a learning experience for him when it comes to putting the machine together and learning what each part does.

Good plan, wait for Larry he is good with this stuff.
Currently Ryzen chips are the way to go. Arguably less game performance but the difference is trivial. Much better at everything else and much better prepared for the future.

 

[VirtualLarry]

@VirtualLarry you are the master of affordable builds

Actually, @Flayed is. I just think I am.

Edit: If you're really going for "budget gamer", Newegg has Ryzen R5 1600 CPUs for $100 in their "Black November" sale up now. You might find it cheaper on ebay from Newegg, they have a 10% ebay bucks going on too, I think. (Basically, like a cash-back credit for shopping at ebay.)

 

[Flayed]

Good call on the 1600 Larry

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 1600 3.2 GHz 6-Core Processor ($99.12 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock B450M PRO4 Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($79.97 @ Amazon)
Memory: GeIL EVO SPEAR 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: ADATA SU635 480 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($44.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1660 6 GB GAMING OC Video Card ($209.99 @ Walmart)
Case: Fractal Design Focus G Mini MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($50.01 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair CX (2017) 550 W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $604.06
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-11-06 03:41 EST-0500

 

[daveybrat]

As much as i like the Ryzen 1600, i'd suggest spending $10 more and getting the 2600 instead:

AMD RYZEN 5 2600 6-Core 3.4 GHz (3.9 GHz Max Boost) Socket AM4 65W YD2600BBAFBOX | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for AMD RYZEN 5 2600 6-Core 3.4 GHz (3.9 GHz Max Boost) Socket AM4 65W YD2600BBAFBOX at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Sold by Newegg via Ebay and eligible for Ebay bucks too

 

[PenguinPower]

Good call on the 1600 Larry

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 1600 3.2 GHz 6-Core Processor ($99.12 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock B450M PRO4 Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($79.97 @ Amazon)
Memory: GeIL EVO SPEAR 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: ADATA SU635 480 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($44.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1660 6 GB GAMING OC Video Card ($209.99 @ Walmart)
Case: Fractal Design Focus G Mini MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($50.01 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair CX (2017) 550 W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $604.06
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-11-06 03:41 EST-0500

Perfect. Thank you.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

Perfect. Thank you.

Spend the $10 or $20 extra and get the 2600. Better memory support alone is with the extra money.

 

[PenguinPower]

Spend the $10 or $20 extra and get the 2600. Better memory support alone is with the extra money.

I did

 

[ringtail]

Suggest you nudge your son off tech and TOWARD nature instead. Run barefoot on a dirt trail or sandy beach. Climb mountains on backpacking trips. Learn to surf, sail, or whatever is similar in your environment.

When our world economy breaks, MAN WILL GO BACK TO THE LAND.
Prepare your son.

This is not Off Topic or P&N,
and is not allowed/needed in
tech areas.

AT Mod Usandthem