First PC build for my son

[done12many2]

So I'm about to order the parts for my son's first PC.  I'm not sure who's more excited about this, but either way we're going to have some fun.  At this point in time, he plays mostly browser based online games, Minecraft and some WoT.

 

I believe I've put together a fairly decent system for a 7 year old, but wanted to sanity check this before ordering the parts tomorrow.

 

He probably won't need a Z170 board, but I was able to find an ASRock Z170M Pro4S for $94.99 along with a $25.00 rebate.  Additionally, if you purchase the motherboard with a qualifying CPU, you get an additional $30 off bringing the total for the board to $39.99 before taxes.  The CPU is probably a bit more than he needs, but it is the lowest CPU that qualifies for Micro Center's $30 MB/CPU combo discount and it has a decent iGPU to get him started.

 

The EVGA 850w PSU is also overkill, but after all rebates it's only $64.99 and it's semi modular and should work out much better for cable management.  I figure between the Z170 motherboard and PSU, should we choose to toss in a faster CPU and add a GPU later, he should be set.

 

The memory was cheap and I figured that it could only help the iGPU in certain situations.

 

Any input is greatly appreciated.

 

 

Intel Core i3-6100 SkyLake     $99.99 + Tax = $105.99

http://www.microcenter.com/product/454898/Core_i3-6100_SkyLake_37GHz_LGA_1151_Boxed_Processor

 

ASRock Z170M Pro4S     $94.99 (-$30.00 with CPU purchase/-$25.00 rebate) $39.99 + Tax = $43.89

http://www.microcenter.com/product/452121/Z170M_Pro4S_LGA_1151_mATX_Intel_Motherboard

 

Micronet M600 128GB SATA III M.2 SSD     $28.99 + Tax = $30.73

http://www.microcenter.com/product/467510/M600_128GB_SATA_III_M2_SSD

 

GeIL EVO FORZA DC 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4 3000 (PC4 24000)     $44.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820158069

 

DIYPC Cuboid-R Black / Blue Gaming Micro-ATX Case     $54.89 (-$5.00 for promo/-$15.00 rebate card) $34.89

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811353073

                                       

EVGA 850 GQ 80+ Gold PSU   210-GQ-0850-V1     $99.99 (-$5.00 for promo/-$30.00 rebate card) = $64.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438061  

 

Rosewill RNX-AC1300PCE WiFi Adapter     $44.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833166124&ignorebbr=1               

 

Total w/ taxes before rebate = $482.27

Total w/ taxes after rebates = $370.47

 

[Bajantechnician]

2 minutes ago, done12many2 said:

So I'm about to order the parts for my son's first PC.  I'm not sure who's more excited about this, but either way we're going to have some fun.  At this point in time, he plays mostly browser based online games, Minecraft and some WoT.

 

I believe I've put together a fairly decent system for a 9 year old, but wanted to sanity check this before ordering the parts tomorrow.

 

He probably won't need a Z170 board, but I was able to find an ASRock Z170M Pro4S for $94.99 along with a $25.00 rebate.  Additionally, if you purchase the motherboard with a qualifying CPU, you get an additional $30 off bringing the total for the board to $39.99 before taxes.  The CPU is probably a bit more than he needs, but it is the lowest CPU that qualifies for Micro Center's $30 MB/CPU combo discount and it has a decent iGPU to get him started.

 

The EVGA 850w PSU is also overkill, but after all rebates it's only $64.99 and it's semi modular and should work out much better for cable management.  I figure between the Z170 motherboard and PSU, should we choose to toss in a faster CPU and add a GPU later, he should be set.

 

The memory was cheap and I figured that it could only help the iGPU in certain situations.

 

Any input is greatly appreciated.

 

 

Intel Core i3-6100 SkyLake     $109.99 + Tax = $116.59

http://www.microcenter.com/product/454898/Core_i3-6100_SkyLake_37GHz_LGA_1151_Boxed_Processor

 

ASRock Z170M Pro4S     $94.99 (-$30.00 with CPU purchase/-$25.00 rebate) $39.99 + Tax = $43.89                                                                                                                                         

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820158069

 

Micronet M600 128GB SATA III M.2 SSD     $28.99 + Tax = $30.73

http://www.microcenter.com/product/452121/Z170M_Pro4S_LGA_1151_mATX_Intel_Motherboard

 

GeIL EVO FORZA DC 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4 3000 (PC4 24000)     $44.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811353062

 

DIYPC Cuboid-R Black / Red Gaming Micro-ATX Case     $54.98                                                                                                                                            

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438061

                                       

EVGA 850 GQ 80+ Gold PSU   210-GQ-0850-V1     $99.99 (-$5.00 for promo/-$30.00 rebate card) = $64.99  

http://www.microcenter.com/product/467510/M600_128GB_SATA_III_M2_SSD

 

 

Total w/ taxes before rebates = $411.17

 

Total w/ taxes after rebates = $356.17

 

 

 

only thing i would change is from 2x4gb to 1x8gb

also the m.2 brand is one i have never heard of. Get a hdd, as an ssd isnt essential for this build and budget. However, if you can, get a pny or sandisk ssd and a hdd(wd/seagate)

[done12many2]

Just now, Bajantechnician said:

only thing i would change is from 2x4gb to 1x8gb

 

I'll check it out.  Thank you.

[Bajantechnician]

Just now, done12many2 said:

 

I'll check it out.  Thank you.

 

No prob. I also edited the last post

[Guest]

4 minutes ago, Bajantechnician said:

only thing i would change is from 2x4gb to 1x8gb

also the m.2 brand is one i have never heard of. Get a hdd, as an ssd isnt essential for this build and budget. However, if you can, get a pny or sandisk ssd and a hdd(wd/seagate)

It has 4 dimm slots though so another 2x4 would not be a problem 

[Bajantechnician]

4 minutes ago, done12many2 said:

 

I'll check it out.  Thank you.

 

damn, just saw. Youve got a beast of a rig

[done12many2]

3 minutes ago, Bajantechnician said:

only thing i would change is from 2x4gb to 1x8gb

also the m.2 brand is one i have never heard of. Get a hdd, as an ssd isnt essential for this build and budget. However, if you can, get a pny or sandisk ssd and a hdd(wd/seagate)

 

The M.2 SATA SSD is $28.99 before taxes for a 128GB.  I'll be buying that from the local Micro Center so if there's any problems, returns are easy enough.  I didn't recognize the brand either, but I figured it was worth a shot for the money and ease of return.

[SCHISCHKA]

yep that'll get him minecrafting

[Bajantechnician]

Just now, deXxterlab97 said:

It has 4 dimm slots though so another 2x4 would not be a problem 

but he would max out at 16gb. Later ( probably not, but just saying) if he needs more ram, he can add to a total of 32gb without maxing out dimms.

 

and the prices of ram are basicly the same(1x8gb/2x4gb) (difference of 5,6 USD, so why not,, might as well

[Bajantechnician]

1 minute ago, done12many2 said:

 

The M.2 SATA SSD is $28.99 before taxes for a 128GB.  I'll be buying that from the local Micro Center so if there's any problems, returns are easy enough.  I didn't recognize the brand either, but I figured it was worth a shot for the money and ease of return.

 

I see. Just dont put too much imortantdata on it

and get a hdd, that 128gb ssd wont last you long

[done12many2]

1 minute ago, deXxterlab97 said:

It has 4 dimm slots though so another 2x4 would not be a problem 

 

That's what I was thinking.  I know dual channel doesn't help out much, but I figured the dual channel and DDR4 3000 might help the iGPU out for a while until we determine he needs a big boy GPU.  Not to mention that the 2 x 4 set listed was cheaper than any 1 x 8 that I could find.

[Guest]

5 minutes ago, Bajantechnician said:

but he would max out at 16gb. Later ( probably not, but just saying) if he needs more ram, he can add to a total of 32gb without maxing out dimms.

 

and the prices of ram are basicly the same(1x8gb/2x4gb) (difference of 5,6 USD, so why not,, might as well

Not sure what kind of 7 year old uses 32 gb of ram other than chrome /s

[done12many2]

Just now, Bajantechnician said:

I see. Just dont put too much imortantdata on it

and get a hdd, that 128gb ssd wont last you long

 

Haha.  How much important data does a 7 year old have.  I just realized I typed his age wrong in the OP.  Great dad, huh?

 

He's going to be tied into the Synology NAS so he'll have all the Terabytes he needs.  If he needs more local storage, I have a ton of old SSDs to hook him up with.

[done12many2]

2 minutes ago, deXxterlab97 said:

Not sure what kind of 9 year old uses 32 gb of ram other than chrome /s

 

Even better, I'm an idiot and mistyped his age.  He's 7.  

[Albatross]

After having many PSU fail on me I have to say going all out or for EVGA on the PSU is never a bad idea.

 

Anyways, good build for your son. It'll definitely get him playing Minecraft and WoT (iGPUs have come a long way).

[Guest]

1 minute ago, done12many2 said:

 

Even better, I'm an idiot and mistyped his age.  He's 7.  

Edited

[done12many2]

5 minutes ago, Bajantechnician said:

but he would max out at 16gb. Later ( probably not, but just saying) if he needs more ram, he can add to a total of 32gb without maxing out dimms.

 

and the prices of ram are basicly the same(1x8gb/2x4gb) (difference of 5,6 USD, so why not,, might as well

 

I could also keep the 2 x 4 and add 2 x 8 in later for 24 GB total.  I've gone that route a few times.

[done12many2]

I think it's cool that he'll have a z170 board.  He's always helping me out with my rigs, so maybe one day I'll get him watercooled and overclocked as well with a K series.

[Bajantechnician]

19 minutes ago, done12many2 said:

 

Haha.  How much important data does a 7 year old have.  I just realized I typed his age wrong in the OP.  Great dad, huh?

 

He's going to be tied into the Synology NAS so he'll have all the Terabytes he needs.  If he needs more local storage, I have a ton of old SSDs to hook him up with.

 

lol, how many ssds do you have

14 minutes ago, done12many2 said:

I think it's cool that he'll have a z170 board.  He's always helping me out with my rigs, so maybe one day I'll get him watercooled and overclocked as well with a K series.

Good idea

[Festive]

Those links are totally in the wrong order for me lol. Build looks good. I always thought you were like 18-25, well you could be, but your son is 7. Tell him Festive says hi, or dont.

[done12many2]

16 minutes ago, Bajantechnician said:

lol, how many ssds do you have

 

I don't even know.  A lot.  There's 4 sitting on my desk.  9 in my main rig.  Two in each laptop.  One or two in every computer in the house.  We'll find one for him if he runs out of space.  

 

13 minutes ago, Festive said:

Those links are totally in the wrong order for me lol. Build looks good.

 

Thanks bud.

 

I fixed the links.

 

Quote

I always thought you were like 18-25, well you could be, but your son is 7. Tell him Festive says hi, or dont.

 

I feel like I am.  My kids keep me that way.  I take care of them, they take care of me.  Our system works. 

 

I'll pass on the greetings.  

[Simon771]

39 minutes ago, Festive said:

Those links are totally in the wrong order for me lol. Build looks good. I always thought you were like 18-25, well you could be, but your son is 7. Tell him Festive says hi, or dont.

I knew he was over 25 years old, but didn't know hee have a kid.

It's good to hear that new memebers are recruited to PC master race  

 

That build looks great! I like that headroom from PSU, so he can later upgrade to 2x Titan X Pascal or GTX 1080 Ti.

 

And about RAM ... 16GB should be more than enough. I'm using that, and it never gets over 10GB usage even when gaming with tons of programs runing in background.

And if he need more you can just add 2x8 to have 24GB like you said before.

If he uses more than that, you should keep an eye on what's playing in those chrome tabs lol

 

Dual chanel might not bring much more performance, but it looks better than just 1 RAM stick all alone with no friend to hang out ...

 

About future water loop: Will you build new loop for him, or you will just use one long tube to connect from your current PC, to his, and cool down his PC with your loop  ? That would be sick!

[done12many2]

5 hours ago, Simon771 said:

I knew he was over 25 years old, but didn't know hee have a kid.

It's good to hear that new memebers are recruited to PC master race  

 

Believe it or not, I actually like them better than my cars and computers.  

 

5 hours ago, Simon771 said:

 

That build looks great! I like that headroom from PSU, so he can later upgrade to 2x Titan X Pascal or GTX 1080 Ti.

 

Thanks and holy shit!!  That kind of thinking will break the bank!

 

Seriously though, I could see hooking each up with a 1080 from my current build when I upgrade myself to a Titan XP SLI or 1080 Ti SLI.  

 

5 hours ago, Simon771 said:

And about RAM ... 16GB should be more than enough. I'm using that, and it never gets over 10GB usage even when gaming with tons of programs runing in background.

And if he need more you can just add 2x8 to have 24GB like you said before.

If he uses more than that, you should keep an eye on what's playing in those chrome tabs lol

 

I plan to keep a real close eye on him.

 

5 hours ago, Simon771 said:

About future water loop: Will you build new loop for him, or you will just use one long tube to connect from your current PC, to his, and cool down his PC with your loop  ? That would be sick!

 

His build will remain in his room so that might be one awkwardly long tube.   

 

I've got enough WC parts on hand to build him a nice small loop, but I want to get him started with the basics.  This gives us some follow on projects in the future.

[LukeS]

What monitor are you planning on? Depending on your budget, I'd upgrade that RAM. Also, upgrade the Memory to a 256 SSD, if he will be using the PC for anything else. If you want to spoil him rotten, what peripherals will you add on? 

[done12many2]

14 minutes ago, LukeS said:

What monitor are you planning on?

 

I'll by him a 1080p screen in the area of 24 to 28 inches.

 

14 minutes ago, LukeS said:

Depending on your budget, I'd upgrade that RAM.

 

I think we're going to keep it at where it's at for now.  I still need to get him a bunch of other Christmas presents along with the other kids.    I'll use the two free slots if it becomes an issue in the future.

 

14 minutes ago, LukeS said:

Also, upgrade the Memory to a 256 SSD, if he will be using the PC for anything else.

 

He's going to be tied into the NAS.  If he needs more local storage, I have tons of SSDs.  I can easily hook him up if I find that he's actually using it that much.

 

14 minutes ago, LukeS said:

If you want to spoil him rotten, what peripherals will you add on? 

 

I've got a Logitech G710 keyboard in a box somewhere along with some Logitech speakers.  I just need to grab him a mouse and a monitor and he should be set.

 

Thanks