Build or Buy and add...

Been looking into getting my son who is 4 almost 5 a computer. Right now we only have 1 computer and with my other son who is 10 they like to fight over the computer.. I was going to build one but when adding up parts it was like $700 for a computer that could be bought for $440...  which is this one..

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883230100&cm_re=CyberPower_PC-_-83-230-100-_-Product

Yes, I know given the title "Ultra Gamer" its not......

The one we have now is similar..

CyberPower PC FX-4300 but with 16GB RAM (I did up grade this from 4, just because I got 16GB for like $50) and a 1GB 730 GPU

My question is I know we wont see much a difference in the FX-4300 and FX-6300, and possibly not much difference in the 1GB and 2GB GPU since both are still only DDR3..

But what about the RAM... would 4GB be sufficient enough today...

Also in the $400-$500 range would that be about the best deal on a desktop, dont want a mini case.

The FX series of CPU's are very outdated and outperformed by anything else.

What does your son do on the computer as RAM and GPU's are required for different tasks? At that age, I wouldn't spend too much. 

First of all:

My budget for the new computer is: 

What are the primary uses for this computer (IE: mail, web browsing, programming, games, etc)? 

What software do you intend on using on the computer? 

Do you play games? If so, what type of games? 

Do you tend to have a lot of programs running at the same time, or do you close every program when you are done using it? 

Do you store a lot of pictures or music on the computer?

Will you be overclocking?

Do you need peripherals? OS?

You may want a used Optiplex:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-Optiplex-790-SFF-Desktop-PC-Intel-Core-i5-3-1GHz-8GB-500GB-Windows-7-Pro-/371940943812?epid=843955493&hash=item56996867c4:g:V24AAOSww9xZDOr0

If you need this PC to game, you could install a GTX 1050 Mini.

YouTube, Roblox, Steam Games. like right now Castle Crashers, Goat Simulator, Batman Arkham City, Lego Worlds so nothing in high demand of GPU usage but would still like to stay away from on board graphics..I would like to stay between $400-$500... like I said earlier the one computer they share now has FX-4300 16GB RAM and a Gforce 730 1 GB GDDR3 GPU... and its fine for what they both use it for. I don't plan on playing any brand new games on Ultra or High. that's what the PS4 is for...  but if Humble Bundle has a deal I buy that and I get enough games that needs a better GPU with GDDR5 GPU then Id like to have the option to put a new GPU in... Any computer would probably run Windows 8 or 10.

Windows open would probably be Steam or Roblox and YouTube or something else on Mozilla in the back..

No high end software.. 

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883221401&cm_re=Aus_desktop-_-83-221-401-_-Product

is another one I had in mind

A suggestion on a different direction. Why not get your younger lad a cheap and basic tablet ?

Chris Cosgrove

A suggestion on a different direction. Why not get your younger lad a cheap and basic tablet ?
 
Chris Cosgrove

Been looking into getting my son who is 4 almost 5 a computer. Right now we only have 1 computer and with my other son who is 10 they like to fight over the computer.. I was going to build one but when adding up parts it was like $700 for a computer that could be bought for $440...  which is this one..

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883230100&cm_re=CyberPower_PC-_-83-230-100-_-Product

 

 

You can build one of equal spec for around the same money. The main disadvantage with building low budget systems is the need to purchase a Windows license, which takes up a large part of the budget. The large OEM's don't pay the same prices.  If you're using Linux or have a spare Windows license available, then less of an issue.

I recommend 8 Gb minimum now.  4 Gb is OK just, but larger programs or games will want more.

For example, this is approx the same spec as the one you've picked out:

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/G7FR3F

I'd suggest something like this as a better performer overall:

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/wxkVzM

Reasons:

8 Gb memory.

The Kaby Lake Pentium tends to perform better in most gaming benchmarks than the FX series (higher per core performance)

Decent entry level gaming vid card (GTX 1050) performs much better than older AMD card in the referenced system.

Low power usage.

Hybrid HDD gives useful performance improvement over pure mechanical HDD for small premium.

Ways it could be cheaper - 1 Tb WD Blue HDD instead of hybrid (-$15). Radeon RX 550 (- $20) or Geforce GT1030 (-$40) instead of GTX 1050 will still outperform the R7-240 on the referenced system.

 

 

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883221401&cm_re=Aus_desktop-_-83-221-401-_-Product

I think this is a great option. 

 

 

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883221401&cm_re=Aus_desktop-_-83-221-401-_-Product

I think this is a great option. 

 

Been looking into getting my son who is 4 almost 5 a computer. Right now we only have 1 computer and with my other son who is 10 they like to fight over the computer.. I was going to build one but when adding up parts it was like $700 for a computer that could be bought for $440...  which is this one..

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883230100&cm_re=CyberPower_PC-_-83-230-100-_-Product

 

 

 

You can build one of equal spec for around the same money. The main disadvantage with building low budget systems is the need to purchase a Windows license, which takes up a large part of the budget. The large OEM's don't pay the same prices.  If you're using Linux or have a spare Windows license available, then less of an issue.

 

I recommend 8 Gb minimum now.  4 Gb is OK just, but larger programs or games will want more.

 

For example, this is approx the same spec as the one you've picked out:

 

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/G7FR3F

 

I'd suggest something like this as a better performer overall:

 

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/wxkVzM

 

Reasons:

8 Gb memory.

The Kaby Lake Pentium tends to perform better in most gaming benchmarks than the FX series (higher per core performance)

Decent entry level gaming vid card (GTX 1050) performs much better than older AMD card in the referenced system.

Low power usage.

Hybrid HDD gives useful performance improvement over pure mechanical HDD for small premium.

 

Ways it could be cheaper - 1 Tb WD Blue HDD instead of hybrid (-$15). Radeon RX 550 (- $20) or Geforce GT1030 (-$40) instead of GTX 1050 will still outperform the R7-240 on the referenced system.

 

Nothing would be over kill as I would use this computer as well. Thanks for the suggestions

 

 

 

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883221401&cm_re=Aus_desktop-_-83-221-401-_-Product

I think this is a great option. 

 

I actually have that one in my Newegg cart right now, that and this one

 

 

 

 

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883221401&cm_re=Aus_desktop-_-83-221-401-_-Product

I think this is a great option. 

 

I actually have that one in my Newegg cart right now, that and this one

 

I have this one in my newegg cart right now.. and this one

I have that one in my newegg cart right now and this one https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA6BM5GT1320

CPU shows that the A12 9800 looks quite a bit better than the I5-4460

However the GPU is much better in the Asus

The R7 will all the games they have as of now

I can always add a GTX 960 later, and put the R7 in the computer they share right now that has 1GB of DDR3 GPU..

setting aside the GPU which would be better

Edited by MasseyMan65560, 16 July 2017 - 02:27 PM.

I have that one in my newegg cart right now and this one https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA6BM5GT1320
CPU shows that the A12 9800 looks quite a bit better than the I5-4460
However the GPU is much better in the Asus
The R7 will all the games they have as of now
I can always add a GTX 960 later, and put the R7 in the computer they share right now that has 1GB of DDR3 GPU..
setting aside the GPU which would be better

I agree, the i5 is a more powerful CPU than the A12-9800.  In some applications I think you'd be looking at 50%+ better performance on the i5.  https://uk.hardware.info/reviews/7207/amd-a12-9800-bristol-ridge-apu-socket-am4-review