Spec me a first gaming PC for teenager

[darael]

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.

 

[darael]

The monitor is a Samsung LC27JG52QQUXEN 27" WQHD Curved Gaming Monitor with 144Hz Refresh Rate.

 

[darael]

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:

• 1 x MSI GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER VENTUS XS OC 6144MB GDDR6 PCI-Express Graphics Card= £218.99
• 1 x Team Group Vulcan Z T-Force 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 PC4-25600C16 3200MHz Dual Channel Kit - Grey= £62.99
• 1 x Kolink Observatory Lite Mesh ARGB Midi Tower Gaming Case - Black= £54.95
• 1 x WD Blue SN550 1TB NVME M.2 2280 PCIe Gen3 Solid State Drive (WDS100T2B0C)= £109.99
• 1 x Intel Core i5-10400F 2.90GHz (Comet Lake) Socket LGA1200 Processor - Retail= £139.99
• 1 x Asus TUF Gaming B460-Pro (WI-FI) (Socket LGA 1200) DDR4 ATX Motherboard= £134.99
• 1 x Corsair TX650M 650W 80 Plus Gold Semi Modular Power Supply (CP-9020132-UK)= £79.99

Total: £813.59 (includes shipping: £11.70)
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The 10400f 6 core 12 threads is stonking value for money.

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]

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.

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]

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.

 

[darael]

If you want up be able to overclock you will need a k series cpu you a z490 motherboard so this should be considered on the choise of board.

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/msi-...-lga-1200-ddr4-atx-motherboard-mb-356-ms.html

There are cheaper alternatives if you want to consider.


If you want a z490 motherboard.

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/msi-...-lga-1200-ddr4-atx-motherboard-mb-34t-ms.html

The CPU will remain at stock, I don't remember the last time I overclocked a CPU.

Ideally I'd like an Asus motherboard if possible.

 

[darael]

Only 1 in stock

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/asus...-lga-1200-ddr4-atx-motherboard-mb-6ez-as.html

Other than being more expensive and having no wi-fi, any disadvantages to this board?

 

[darael]

Struggling to get the GTX 1660 Super, any good Nvidia alternatives at a similar price?

 

[darael]

Okay I have decided that I am going to order this next week, without the 1660 which doesn't seem to exist. As a compromise I will order the 10400 instead of the 10400F, as the 10400 has integrated graphics and will allow me to wait for a graphic card after Christmas. Not ideal, but it's the best of a bad situation.

Now the PSU isn't in stock, so I'm looking an alternative to the aforementioned Corsair TX650M 650W 80 Plus Gold Semi Modular Power Supply (CP-9020132-UK), without compromising on quality.

What do people think of my approach? Could I buy another suitable Nvidia graphic card next week without blowing the budget out of the water?

 

[darael]

This is a bit of a bump, but it's for the same lad.

I've been tasked with speccing an upgrade, using the existing PSU and RTX 3060 graphic card.

Again, I'd like to stay with an Asus motherboard and Intel CPU. I'm going to push for 32GB of RAM and upgrade the M.2 SSD to 1TB, with the view to keeping the 1TB as spare. This should stop the need to reinstall games every so often and I think the extra RAM will help with gaming.

Not looking for budget parts, nor am I looking for top end components - get the job done and be reliable.

Currently using a Raijintek Themis Direct Contact CPU Cooler to keep things cool, but I don't think this will fit an LGA 1700 socket so I'm also looking for a similar air cooled HSF.

Thanks for any suggestions in advance.

 

[darael]

Can you restate what the PC specs are right now?

I assume it is still only used for gaming?

Yeah, it's just teenage stuff really - gaming, web browsing.

The CPU is currently a i5-10400 sat in an Asus TUF Gaming B460-Pro (Wi-Fi) motherboard with 16GB of DDR4-3200. I think they plan to sell these parts or give them to his Dad.

I should add that they are currently sniffing after an i5-13600, but for the sake of price a 13400 might be wiser.

I also forgot to add that the budget is around £600, less if possible.

 

[darael]

This is a 13400 build:

My basket at OcUK:

• 1 x Intel Core i5-13400F (Raptor Lake) Socket LGA1700 Processor - Retail (SKU: CP-6BB-IN) = £209.99
• 1 x MSI B760 Gaming Plus WIFI (LGA 1700) DDR5 ATX Motherboard (SKU: MB-37M-MS) = £159.99
• 1 x TeamGroup Vulcan 32GB (2X16GB) DDR5 PC5-44800C36 5600MHz Dual Channel Kit - Black (FLBD532G5600HC36BDC01) (SKU: MY-0BB-TG) = £99.95

Total: £469.93 (includes delivery: £0.00)​

If you can find it on offer, then the 12600K/KF might be better value than the 13400, you can also pair it with a Z690 or B660 board if they're available cheaper too.

The stock cooler is adequate for a 13400, but with a 13600K/KF you'd need something like the peerless assassin. FYI: the 13600 non-K/KF is not the same CPU as the 13600K/KF.

Do you have any recommendations for an Asus motherboard, preferably with Wi-Fi as a backup for internet.

In what way do the non-K/F differ from K/F? I understand that that the K-series allow for overclocking (something I don't want to encourage right now) and the F-series doesn't have a built-in GPU.

 

[darael]

@Tetras
What are your thoughts on the Asus ROG Strix B760-F Gaming WIFI (LGA 1700) DDR5 ATX Motherboard? I'm trying to stick with what I know and trust and that's Asus.

Edit:
I've been playing around with items as it seems OcUK as a lot of stock I want is pre-order.

My basket at OcUK:

• 1 x Asus ROG Strix B760-F Gaming WIFI (LGA 1700) DDR5 ATX Motherboard (SKU: MB-6KD-AS) = £193.99
• 1 x Intel Core i5-13400F (Raptor Lake) Socket LGA1700 Processor - Retail (SKU: CP-6BB-IN) = £209.99
• 1 x Kingston FURY Beast 32GB (2x16GB) DDR5 PC5-38400C38 4800MHz Dual Channel Kit (SKU: MY-29F-KS) = £109.99

Total: £521.96 (includes delivery: £7.99)​

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[darael]

Due to various complications, I've finally been given the go ahead to order as soon as I like.

Can somebody please sanity check the below and recommend any changes? Looking to stay Intel, Asus motherboard and 32GB RAM - my dilemma is DDR4 or DDR5, as I only see DDR4 Asus B760 motherboards in stock with OcUK right now.


My basket at OcUK:

• 1 x Intel Core i5-13400 (Raptor Lake) Socket LGA1700 Processor - Retail (SKU: CP-6BC-IN) = £229.99
• 1 x Team Group Vulcan Z T-Force 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4 PC4-25600C16 3200MHz Dual Channel Kit - Grey (SKU: MY-0AJ-TG) = £59.99
• 1 x Asus TUF Gaming B760-Plus WIFI D4 (LGA 1700) DDR4 ATX Motherboard (SKU: MB-6K8-AS) = £189.95

Total: £483.92 (includes delivery: £3.99)​

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