MLer needs some advice

[MixedBerryJam]

Hi All - I'm a reg over on ML but I need some tech advice regarding my gamer teen's Christmas wish list. He wants to build his own computer with component parts, and has given me this list of items. I just don't know enough about computers or gaming (and I suspect neither does he) to know if this assembled computer will work for his gaming needs. He plays first-person-shoot-em-up games mostly, I think, although the names of the games are escaping me at the moment.

Here's a link to his list, and here's a c&p of his list (also, is he missing any components you'd recommend he include?), and thanks for your thoughts!

CPU
AMD A8-6600K 3.9GHz Quad-Core Processor
$69.99 Free two-day shipping with Amazon Prime $69.99 Amazon Buy

Motherboard
Asus A78M-E Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard
$44.99 -$15.00 FREE $29.99 Newegg Buy
$15.00 mail-in rebate

Memory
Kingston Fury Series 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
$76.99 -$11.54 FREE $65.45 SuperBiiz Buy
15% off (up to $15) w/ promo code: GIVETHANKS, ends 2014-12-01
Storage

Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
$54.49 -$5.00 $49.49 OutletPC Buy
$5.00 mail-in rebate


Video Card
EVGA GeForce GTX 760 2GB Superclocked ACX Video Card
$194.99 FREE $194.99 Newegg Buy

Case
Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 MicroATX Mid Tower Case
$26.99 FREE $26.99 Newegg Buy

Power Supply
Corsair Builder 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply
$54.98 $54.98 OutletPC Buy

[pirate]

Dec 1, 2014 9:06:43 GMT -5 MixedBerryJam said:

Hi All - I'm a reg over on ML but I need some tech advice regarding my gamer teen's Christmas wish list. He wants to build his own computer with component parts, and has given me this list of items. I just don't know enough about computers or gaming (and I suspect neither does he) to know if this assembled computer will work for his gaming needs. He plays first-person-shoot-em-up games mostly, I think, although the names of the games are escaping me at the moment.

Here's a link to his list, and here's a c&p of his list (also, is he missing any components you'd recommend he include?), and thanks for your thoughts!

CPU
AMD A8-6600K 3.9GHz Quad-Core Processor
$69.99 Free two-day shipping with Amazon Prime $69.99 Amazon Buy

Motherboard
Asus A78M-E Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard
$44.99 -$15.00 FREE $29.99 Newegg Buy
$15.00 mail-in rebate

Memory
Kingston Fury Series 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
$76.99 -$11.54 FREE $65.45 SuperBiiz Buy
15% off (up to $15) w/ promo code: GIVETHANKS, ends 2014-12-01
Storage

Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
$54.49 -$5.00 $49.49 OutletPC Buy
$5.00 mail-in rebate


Video Card
EVGA GeForce GTX 760 2GB Superclocked ACX Video Card
$194.99 FREE $194.99 Newegg Buy

Case
Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 MicroATX Mid Tower Case
$26.99 FREE $26.99 Newegg Buy

Power Supply
Corsair Builder 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply
$54.98 $54.98 OutletPC Buy

If no one else gives you a response today I'll get my husband to look at it this evening, this is his area of expertise

[MixedBerryJam]

Dec 1, 2014 10:15:07 GMT -5 pirate said:

Dec 1, 2014 9:06:43 GMT -5 MixedBerryJam said:

...

If no one else gives you a response today I'll get my husband to look at it this evening, this is his area of expertise

Thanks!

[Dusky]

His processor, storage, and video card all look good to me. I know nothing about the other components so I can't comment there.

He doesn't have an operating system or a wireless adapter listed. He'll want both of those. I'd also remind him to check the compatibility notes on his Part Picker list. It looks like that case may not be the easiest fit for his build.

You may consider cross-posting this to the Build a PC Reddit. (www.reddit.com/r/buildapc/).  They usually know what they're talking about and tend to be pretty good and tend to be pretty good about helping people stay within budget.

[starfish]

My husband gave it a thumbs up, he builds ours. He said he doesn't know about that video card but with 2g is very good, and didn't look at the case but the rest would run most games including the ones we play.

[darkling_glory]

Dec 1, 2014 11:36:35 GMT -5 starfish said:

My husband gave it a thumbs up, he builds ours. He said he doesn't know about that video card but with 2g is very good, and didn't look at the case but the rest would run most games including the ones we play.

Yeah, I'm not crazy about that video card. It's not going to last more than a year in terms of next gen games. I don't think it's good enough for Dragon Age for instance. And if Destiny ever comes to PC he'll need something better.

Otherwise, I think it looks ok. Buy a big case, though, that he can cool sufficiently.

[Deleted]

I'm out of date about knowing specs, just want to ditto that he'll want a wireless adaptor I'm sure. Showing how out of date I am as maybe its bundled with another component now, but sound card?

[mala]

Give me a few to look at the parts and I'll give you an opinion.

[MixedBerryJam]

Dec 1, 2014 11:51:45 GMT -5 darkling_glory said:

Dec 1, 2014 11:36:35 GMT -5 starfish said:

My husband gave it a thumbs up, he builds ours. He said he doesn't know about that video card but with 2g is very good, and didn't look at the case but the rest would run most games including the ones we play.

Yeah, I'm not crazy about that video card. It's not going to last more than a year in terms of next gen games. I don't think it's good enough for Dragon Age for instance. And if Destiny ever comes to PC he'll need something better.

Otherwise, I think it looks ok. Buy a big case, though, that he can cool sufficiently.

Thanks, both of you! But if you don't like that video card, do you have one you'd recommend? I see components on a page and all I see are squiggle marks like Charlie Brown's teacher is talking to me!

[MixedBerryJam]

Dec 1, 2014 17:33:13 GMT -5 mala said:

Give me a few to look at the parts and I'll give you an opinion.

Thanks, and like I said up there, if you don't like some part or another, if you have a suggestion, I'd really appreciate that, too. Eesh, I don't mind spending the money to get him what he wants, but I want to make sure what he gets is going to fill his needs, too. 

[MixedBerryJam]

Dec 1, 2014 15:03:18 GMT -5 @ksta said:

I'm out of date about knowing specs, just want to ditto that he'll want a wireless adaptor I'm sure. Showing how out of date I am as maybe its bundled with another component now, but sound card?

Okay, here's where I'm really going to sound stupid. So, a wireless adaptor ... is that a thing that's installed in his computer, or is that a piece that sits on his desk, like a modem or something? Do I just get any old wireless adaptor, or do they have ... I don't know the word I'm looking for, but, does it matter to the wireless adaptor how fast he's processing. Do wireless adaptors have upper limits for data or speed or whatever?

Oh, and since I'm already sounding stupid, I'll leave this question here, too. I know we'll be installing Windows, but is Windows the operating system, or is there something else (I'm old, and I go back to the old DOS days) that is the actual operating system that Windows runs on? I'm cool with Office etc (which he'll need for his schoolwork which he'll when his games don't get in the way!)

[starfish]

Dec 1, 2014 17:39:25 GMT -5 MixedBerryJam said:

Dec 1, 2014 11:51:45 GMT -5 darkling_glory said:

Yeah, I'm not crazy about that video card. It's not going to last more than a year in terms of next gen games. I don't think it's good enough for Dragon Age for instance. And if Destiny ever comes to PC he'll need something better.

Otherwise, I think it looks ok. Buy a big case, though, that he can cool sufficiently.

Thanks, both of you! But if you don't like that video card, do you have one you'd recommend? I see components on a page and all I see are squiggle marks like Charlie Brown's teacher is talking to me!

I will ask my husband, he built mine two years ago, and its still a beast. 

[mala]

I'm posting in pieces because my kindle likes to eat long posts. I see the following things that need to be addressed:

1 power
2 case/size
3 cooling
4 wireless
5 sound
6 video card
7 optical drive
8 memory
9 heatsink

1. That power supply is not going to be sufficent. The graphics card requires a minimum 500w supply, but the other components are also going to draw power, so the card won't be getting the full 500w it needs. This will be a major problem during graphics heavy games when all the parts are competing for power. The minimum you need for these parts is 600w, but I'd go up to 650w or even 700w if you can. 

2. Is there a particular reason that he wants a micro atx system? There is nothing wrong with them, really. It will be more portable if he takes it anywhere, like school or gaming at a friend's house. There are two concerns with a smaller system. They are harder to cool, and there is less room for expansion. Now, with today's hard drive sizes needing an extra internal bay for additional hard drives isn't as much of a concern, unless he downloads a lot of movies or video. However, cooling is going to be an issue in a micro case. Since he is going to be playing graphics heavy games, it would be a good idea to at least consider a larger case which has more air flow and will be easier to cool.

3. regardless of the size of the case (normal or micro) get as many additional case fans as there is room. They're not that expensive, and will make a big difference in performance.

4. a wireless card may be a good idea, but does he really need one? Also, keep in mind that this is a micro system with not a lot of space for add ons.

5. The motherboard has integrated sound. No additional card is needed.

6. Get the best graphics card you can afford. Without specs for the games he plays, it's hard to say if this is good for a long time. Just make sure it doesn't meet only the minimum requirements.

7. You don't have an optical drive listed. Will he need one?

8. Memory is another of those things you want to get the best you can afford. That motherboard has space for 2 memory cards. I thing starting with one large card is a good idea. If he needs more memory and wants to expand, he will probably have to buy the exact same card, as most motherboards require memory to be identical in each slot.

9. This can go on a wishlist for future upgrades, but a better heatsink would be a very good idea. The processor generates a lot of heat, and you will get better performance if you upgrade the generic heatsink which comes with the chip. It's usually just barely adequate, and is going to be easily overwhelmed in a gaming system. 

[mala]

Dec 1, 2014 17:47:36 GMT -5 MixedBerryJam said:

Dec 1, 2014 15:03:18 GMT -5 @ksta said:

I'm out of date about knowing specs, just want to ditto that he'll want a wireless adaptor I'm sure. Showing how out of date I am as maybe its bundled with another component now, but sound card?

Okay, here's where I'm really going to sound stupid. So, a wireless adaptor ... is that a thing that's installed in his computer, or is that a piece that sits on his desk, like a modem or something? Do I just get any old wireless adaptor, or do they have ... I don't know the word I'm looking for, but, does it matter to the wireless adaptor how fast he's processing. Do wireless adaptors have upper limits for data or speed or whatever?

Oh, and since I'm already sounding stupid, I'll leave this question here, too. I know we'll be installing Windows, but is Windows the operating system, or is there something else (I'm old, and I go back to the old DOS days) that is the actual operating system that Windows runs on? I'm cool with Office etc (which he'll need for his schoolwork which he'll when his games don't get in the way!)

A wireless adapter is a card which attaches to the motherboard and allows the computer to connect to the internet without having to be plugged into the modem directly. If you add a wireless adapter, it will limit any other expansion options, since this is a micro system. See my post above. If the computer is going to be in a location that is difficult to run a physical cable for the internet, get the wireless card. Yes, they have speed limits. Does he play any online games, like world of warcraft?

Windows is the operating system. You will not need any additional software to use the computer. Make sure you purchase a full version, not an upgrade.

[MixedBerryJam]

This has been phenomenally helpful. Thank you so much!  :drink: :beer: (gift) (rose) for all of you!

[Deleted]

I would go with other people's advice over mine I'm like 6 years out of date on knowing systems anymore!

[kyah]

I checked with my Husband, he is my all things IT expert. He recommends this:
pcpartpicker.com/p/LwDfkL

Changes:
CPU: The Intel processor is about 37% faster and only slightly more expensive. (Also uses half the power that the AMD CPU uses)
Motherboard: A bit more expensive to support the Intel CPU (warning ASUS has HORRIBLE Customer Service)
Memory: 2 x 4 GB is better even if you don't want to use the Intel processor for dual channel support

He also agrees that the video card will only last ~2 years but unless you want to spend $350+ it's a good option.

[Exsanguinator]

Dec 2, 2014 21:14:09 GMT -5 kyah said:

I checked with my Husband, he is my all things IT expert. He recommends this:
pcpartpicker.com/p/LwDfkL

Changes:
CPU: The Intel processor is about 37% faster and only slightly more expensive. (Also uses half the power that the AMD CPU uses)
Motherboard: A bit more expensive to support the Intel CPU (warning ASUS has HORRIBLE Customer Service)
Memory: 2 x 4 GB is better even if you don't want to use the Intel processor for dual channel support

He also agrees that the video card will only last ~2 years but unless you want to spend $350+ it's a good option.

I've built about 13 PC's with ASUS boards for myself and other people and never had issues with them. I have one still in used form 7 years go as my HTPC (media box.) Never had to deal with their customer service on anything. It's my recommended brand.

AMD is also fine for gaming. I currently game on a 3 year old processor and run most games at full with 2560X1600 resolution. 

Side not, Microcenter.com usually does free boards with processor purchases which give syou more money to spend on other things to make up for it.