discussion Budget Gaming Build (update: video card upgrade)

[chrisk]

Edit April 23:
The kid is still looking and has started buying parts.
He just purchased this based on @JD recommendation from Best Buy:

Corsair 3000D Computer Case with Pre-Installed RM850e Power Supply & SP120 RGB Fan Kit - Black​

Any really good deals continue to send this way...I'll post in here when the machine is done and I'll post pics as well.

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original post

Hey everyone;
I'm going to help a friend's son build a PC that he wants to use for gaming.

Looking for build suggestions. See below and thanks again!


1. What YOUR PC will be used for.
- mostly gaming. The list of games I got from him are:

Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Subnautica
Portal 2
Phasmophobia
Undertale
Dredge
Satisfactory
Roblox

2. What YOUR budget is.
- approx $1200, I believe this would include taxes.

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
- parts will be bought in Whitby, just east of Toronto. Canada Computers is most likely, but Amazon.ca for some parts is fine.

4. IF YOU have a brand preference.
- no brand preference

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
- he already has a keyboard and mouse. Sounds like he has a monitor as well.

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
- I have reviewed other builds but wanted a check on our specific criteria

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
- don't plan to overclock.

8. WHEN do you plan to build it?
- over the coming weeks

9. What resolution and settings do you use?
- he was able to tell me only his monitor size...likely a 27in standard aspect ratio monitor.

10. Are there any specific technologies you want?
- none. Would like an upgrade path, though.

 

[sswilson]

That's a really tight budget for new.

Quick glance at CC suggests an RX 7600 / RTX 4060 ($360 - $425) paired with a $550 mb bundle which doesn't leave a lot of room left for PSU/case/storage.

The other options would be prebuilt 4060 PCs and/or 4060 laptops for somewhere around $1100, but those won't have any upgrade paths.

I don't think I'd recommend anything lower than those two vid cards if a person wants to game on the PC.

 

[great_big_abyss]

A modern APU laptop should be capable of running most of those games.... I think decade old hardware will be plenty on a desktop.

For reference, my daughter's i7 3770K and GTX1060 can easily handle those titles. Could probably build a computer to those specs for $500-$600.

 

[chrisk]

Thanks guys. I think something that at least has an upgrade path would be ideal.

 

[great_big_abyss]

How about something with an APU:
https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/TzLYb2

That APU will easily be able to play the games listed. In the future, adding in a GPU will add significant gaming performance. A B650 board is compatible with the current 9000 series AMD processors, and probably even a generation or two to come, so lots of future proofing there.

 

[great_big_abyss]

You COULD maybe away with using a Ryzen 7 9600X. It's got IGP, although the IGP is significantly lower than the 8700G. The CPU, on the other hand, is much stronger than the 8700G when being paired with a video card. So I would consider it much more future-proofed.

https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/JqGw8Q

This list has an upgraded 650W powersupply if the intent is to add a GPU relatively quickly.

If the aim is to build a basic PC RIGHT now and then add in a GPU in a couple of months, I think the 9600X would be the way to go.

If the intent is to build a basic PC and defer any upgrades (including GPU) for a few years, then the 8700G would be the best option.

 

[JD]

I suppose the other question would be does it have to be new? What's he using now?

Satisfactory is probably the heaviest game on that list, and I think CPU bound depending how large of a factory he's building.

$1200USD is feasible, but CAD is pretty challenging.

 

[Caldezar]

I would definitely recommend peering through the used markets. Some people are way out to lunch, but there's also some really decent deals to be had.

If it needs to be new, then going with the aforementioned 8700G is a reasonable option for 'medium' 1080p gaming. And that leaves him with upgrade options to drop in a GPU down the road if/when they ever come back to earth.

Outside of this, it's going to be really tough for a new gaming build. The PC market is in a sad state these days.

 

[moocow]

There is a R5 9600X mobo + memory bundle at CC for $500 before tax. Add a decent PSU that's another $100 and I would source the GPU and Case in the used market. I wonder if a RX5700XT would be able to handle those games or try to get a 3060Ti or 3070.

 

[Bond007]

This was my son’s build log from October that totalled right around $1100 after factoring in the few parts from Christmas as well. Not sure if you will be be able to manage similar deals this time of year though, so you may not have the same luck. All parts were new except the GPU.

My boy’s first build

So my son (13) has been using my old laptop for gaming connected to a monitor that I got him for Christmas last year. He has saved a reasonable amount of money over the last year or so, and has decided he wants to get a desktop. The goal is a roughly $1k all in build…let the challenge begin. I...

hardwarecanucks.com

Solid case, psu, cooling, ryzen 7600, 32gb ddr5 6000, 1TB nvme, rtx3060.

In that price range you will be forced to deal hunt, accept compromises, or buy an onsale pre-built.