Spec me a first gaming PC for teenager

darael

darael

darael

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I've been asked to build a gaming PC for a teenager, which will be their first PC. They've used Windows laptops before, so the operating system won't be completely alien to them.

So far the only game I've been told it will run is Tom Clancy. I'm not overly familiar with these games, but the latest one (The Division according to Wiki) doesn't seem too taxing. But I want to build a PC in the mind that once they become familiar with Windows, Steam, etc, they will want to play other games - so I don't want to bung a budget card in, only for it to be upgraded 6 months later.

The build is going to be an Intel-based one. I'm going even going to entertain the AMD-vs-Intel debate. Quite simply it's what I want as they're a brand that's never once let me down.

I'm not too fussed about brands of motherboards. I'd probably go for Asus as they seem to serve me well, bar a blip with a Z97 motherboard.

Case wise, they aren't too fussed about RGB. Just a functional but decent case that isn't a glitter box.

They already have monitor and mouse and have already chosen their keyboard.

Budget is £1000, or close as possible, as this is going to be a Christmas present.

Thanks in advance all.
 
For PC builds such as this I’d really recommend r/buildapc on Reddit. There are thousands of people on their who find the best prices and come together with great builds. As for my opinion, which you’re probably not going to like, at £1000, Intel isn’t the right choice. AMD has a much better price to performance ratio and their hasn’t been any issue with their chips. I believe that you are getting confused between their CPUs and their GPUs. AMD’s GPUs have had some driver problems in the past but their haven’t been any issues with their latest generation of CPUs. Believe me, before I built a PC I was an Intel fanboy but after building my first my first PC used AMD’s Ryzen CPUs, I was amazed at what I was getting for my money.
 
Case you can turn the lights off and has plenty of cooling.

I'm reluctant to put any gpu above the 1660 super as there are new releases on the horizon.

The 10400f offer great value gaming cpu.
CODE My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £813.59 (includes shipping: £11.70)​
​

Saul Farrell said:
For PC builds such as this I’d really recommend r/buildapc on Reddit. There are thousands of people on their who find the best prices and come together with great builds. As for my opinion, which you’re probably not going to like, at £1000, Intel isn’t the right choice. AMD has a much better price to performance ratio and their hasn’t been any issue with their chips. I believe that you are getting confused between their CPUs and their GPUs. AMD’s GPUs have had some driver problems in the past but their haven’t been any issues with their latest generation of CPUs. Believe me, before I built a PC I was an Intel fanboy but after building my first my first PC used AMD’s Ryzen CPUs, I was amazed at what I was getting for my money.
Click to expand...

The 10400f 6 core 12 threads is stonking value for money.
 
I Just built my daughter her first gaming PC for her birthday back in September.

Went Ryzen 5 3600x as got a really good deal on the rainforest site while I was waiting for a 3300x that doesn't exist.

I don't think total cost came in at more that £1000 (I ended up tricking her out with some extra RGB) but that 10400F is a great deal at the moment, I assume it comes with a stock cooler?

My daughters build:

Case: H510i Elite - £150
CPU: Ryzen 5 3600x - £175
Cooler: ZNXT Kraken X63 - £129
Ram - 16GB Corsair Vengeance RGB 3200mhz - £71
GPU - MSI GTX 1660 Super Ventus - £225
SSD - WD blue M.2 Sata - £52
Mobo - MSI Gaming Pro B450 Carbon Wifi - £125
PSU - Corsair HX750i (totally overkill, but had one laying around from my old PC) - Free

Total Cost £927

As above, some of its a bit over the top, but she loves a bit of RGB......the AIO is quite un necessary, but it looks pretty.

The feeling when she tells you she hasn't played her PS4 since her birthday? Priceless :D:D
 
That monitor doesn't have any sync technology (maybe will be added later via a firmware upgrade).
For a 1000 pound gaming PC definetely look into RTX 3070 or RX 6800 GPU.
 
mickyflinn said:
Case you can turn the lights off and has plenty of cooling.

I'm reluctant to put any gpu above the 1660 super as there are new releases on the horizon.

The 10400f offer great value gaming cpu.
CODE My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £813.59 (includes shipping: £11.70)
​



The 10400f 6 core 12 threads is stonking value for money.
Click to expand...
Looks like an attractive first time PC - better than my first time PC, certainly! Thanks for taking the time to put this together for me.

The CPU and motherboard are both out of stock on OcUK's website. The motherboard is expected to come back into stock next week and I could buy the CPU elsewhere for about £150. There is the 10400, which doesn't have integrated graphics, but is more expensive.

I'm hoping to spend a little more on the graphic card, to future proof the system. As the teenager (hopefully) gains comfort with the system, I expect they will want to play other games.
 
darael said:
Looks like an attractive first time PC - better than my first time PC, certainly! Thanks for taking the time to put this together for me.

The CPU and motherboard are both out of stock on OcUK's website. The motherboard is expected to come back into stock next week and I could buy the CPU elsewhere for about £150. There is the 10400, which doesn't have integrated graphics, but is more expensive.

I'm hoping to spend a little more on the graphic card, to future proof the system. As the teenager (hopefully) gains comfort with the system, I expect they will want to play other games.
Click to expand...
Your welcome

if I was going to change anything I think I would go AMD 3600 which can be had for a £180 and the b450 or b550 motherboard with wifi. This will give you more choice for cpu upgrades in the future.

Gpu it's up to you what you want to spend , the next step up is the 5600xt then the 2060 and so on.
 
mickyflinn said:
Your welcome

if I was going to change anything I think I would go AMD 3600 which can be had for a £180 and the b450 or b550 motherboard with wifi. This will give you more choice for cpu upgrades in the future.

Gpu it's up to you what you want to spend , the next step up is the 5600xt then the 2060 and so on.
Click to expand...
I'm seriously thinking of just getting the 10400 from OcUK, to keep everything simple. Would the lack of integrated graphics have any negative impact and is this the only difference between 10400F and 10400?

The motherboard doesn't need to have wi-fi built-in, as there is already an ethernet cable in the room. So perhaps a better Asus motherboard without wi-fi can be had for the same money or be put towards the graphic card?
 
darael said:
I'm seriously thinking of just getting the 10400 from OcUK, to keep everything simple. Would the lack of integrated graphics have any negative impact and is this the only difference between 10400F and 10400?

The motherboard doesn't need to have wi-fi built-in, as there is already an ethernet cable in the room. So perhaps a better Asus motherboard without wi-fi can be had for the same money or be put towards the graphic card?
Click to expand...

The 10400f just lacks integrated graphics which is handy but not worth going for 10400 for an extra £40.

You could also get a cheaper motherboard no need for the £140 cost

The extra could be spent on a stronger cpu or gpu

Saving on some and adding to others you should then consider Amd.

It's a minefield
 
Planning to place the order this weekend, however the motherboard is out of stock. So I'm using this opportunity to fine tune the spec for an Intel while keeping the total cost as close to £1000 as possible.

What would be a suitable motherboard for the above build? Ideally one in stock with OcUK.
 
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