Gaming and video editing for my eight-year-old son

[Chris0306]

Tldr; $500 USD, for my 8year old doesn't need to be a powerhouse but I would like to support both screen recording, face cam and whatever game my son is playing usually Roblox or Minecraft. I'd like to be able to do 720 or 1080p video editing without frame rate issues from the capture. I'd really like some sort of an upgrade path for when his game selection branches out fortnite and other things like that and at least a medium or medium high quality. I'm fine with buying used components especially partially built machines if anyone can suggest something that would be great. I just worry compatible parts and pieces that would be especially helpful.

1. Budget & Location budget $500 US I'd really like to spend less but I feel like 500 is the safe spot I can go and still have some moderate upgradability in the future

2. Aim this PC is going to be for my 8 year old son some of his favorite gamea to play are Roblox, bendy and the ink machine, and Minecraft. He also enjoys making YouTube videos which he does moderate editing an OBS Studios, the games aren't very graphically intensive, but I'd like to allow for upgradability future if he ever plays something like fortnite, rocket league or anything else that the kids are loving these days. I also don't want him to run into issues capturing the screenplay the sceen plan and facecam for his videos. I haven't had problems finding someone how to make a budget gaming PC but I want to make sure that that gaming PC can also support the screen recording and editing that he wants to do afterwards again budget-friendly doesn't have to be a high-class but I'd like him to be able to record videos without the frames rate drop in the screen capture. Not looking for 4K editing and gaming. Just trying to get it looking good, maybe 720 or 1080 without frame drop in the recording.

3. Monitors I've already purchase LG UltraWide Full HD IPS Monitor 29  1080p 75  hrz h

HDMI: Yes (ver1.4)
DisplayPort: Yes (ver1.2)
USB-C: Yes (DP Alt. Mode)

4. Peripherals

I got most of these side items covered but I'll need an OS I'll go with Windows 10 since that's what my son's used to, if anyone has a recommendation on where to buy it for cheap I'll take that. I'll list the only request I have for the case itself because it's for an 8 year old unfortunately Aesthetics are important I don't need the shiniest, but a little RGB or something in the way of red and black or blue and black for my son would go a long way.

5. Why are you upgrading?

So my eight year old son has been using my wife's 5 year old home budgeting / download music/ browse the web laptop for  the last year it works fine for most of the stuff he does but he knows that he can get a better experience out of the things he does with a better computer. He's got his own YouTube channel he's got over a thousand subscribers. We've done small things to upgrade him so far better mic  better camera things like that to make for better experience but on the computer side there's not a whole lot we can do to make it better as far as frame rate drop and screen capturing. One of the things I really need out of this is something easy to build I haven't build a PC myself and 20 years oh, I watched enough build videos in last 6 months I don't think I'll have a problem but when I told my son I was going to build him a gaming PC heal it up and I suggested we build it together and he was the most excited I've ever seen him. To help elaborate on this my son is on the spectrum he's been diagnosed autism since he was 3 1/2 and he's not very social and even with his mom and me it's always at arm's length, the people he's not at arm's length with are his subscribers on YouTube and his friends on Roblox like he's a whole different kid and it's pretty special so it's his therapy and if he's excited by me getting him and me wanting to build it with him then I'm all about it by the money to make him a $2,000 gaming 4K editing rig I prolly would. I just don't want to mess it up. 

[flashiling]

for the win10 key just go to instantgaming or kinguin you get them for around 25$ probably less than that.

 

other than that i'd suggest maybe waiting for singles day 11/11 (not sure if it's a world wide thing but it's a thing in denmark) many computer components go on sale then.

and if he's not in a hurry then black friday is only 23 days away as of writing

[Bruno_A]

Just now, flashiling said:

for the win10 key just go to instantgaming or kinguin you get them for around 25$ probably less than that.

 

other than that i'd suggest maybe waiting for singles day 11/11 (not sure if it's a world wide thing but it's a thing in denmark) many computer components go on sale then.

and if he's not in a hurry then black friday is only 23 days away as of writing

eBay. They go for £2, and the ones you see at G2A and Kinguin, which cost a lot more, are the exact same types of keys.

[Meganter]

Hello,

 

It's a really entry level PC but it will be enough :

 

 

PCPartPicker Part List

Type	Item	Price
CPU	AMD Ryzen 3 3200G 3.6 GHz Quad-Core Processor	$93.99 @ Amazon
Motherboard	MSI B450-A PRO MAX ATX AM4 Motherboard	$99.99 @ Amazon
Memory	Team T-FORCE VULCAN Z 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory	$54.99 @ Newegg
Video Card	XFX Radeon RX 570 8 GB Video Card	$139.99 @ Amazon
Case	Fractal Design Focus G ATX Mid Tower Case	$59.99 @ Newegg
Power Supply	Corsair CX (2017) 450 W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply	$49.99 @ Corsair
	Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
	Total	$498.94
	Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-11-06 09:34 EST-0500

 

And don't worry, this motherboard is Zen 2 ready

[seon123]

Buying used is always an option. For new parts, you can get something like this. You can add RGB strips if you wish, I think there should be enough left for that. You can easily add more storage. You can get a cheap 2TB 7200RPM HDD for $30. In the future, you should be able to upgrade to e.g. the 2600 or 3600, and add a GPU.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 2400G 3.6 GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($119.00 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 RGB Black Edition 57.3 CFM CPU Cooler  ($38.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI B450 Gaming Plus ATX AM4 Motherboard  ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Team T-FORCE VULCAN Z 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory  ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: HP EX900 500 GB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive  ($56.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Rosewill CULLINAN ATX Mid Tower Case  ($64.98 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair CX (2017) 450 W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($49.99 @ Corsair)
Total: $464.93
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-11-06 09:35 EST-0500

[seon123]

12 hours ago, Genwyn said:

Dude what’s with these builds lmao

 

R3 1200, 8gb of any ddr4, literally any AM4 motherboard, average psu, case and storage, used RX 570 on eBay.

Whole system shouldn’t be over 300$.

Yall are either really underestimating the capabilities of those component suggestions or you’re really overestimating how demanding minecraft and Roblox are. 

I think you're overestimating how much an 8 year old will care about performance vs care about aesthetics. If you aren't knowledgeable enough to choose a decent motherboard or PSU etc by yourself, you can of course get the cheapest and hope that it's decent. That might not be the case for everyone.

If you completely ignore who's going to use the PC, and go for a more performance oriented build, you can get e.g. a 2600 and an RX 570.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 2600 3.4 GHz 6-Core Processor  ($117.68 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock B450M PRO4 Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard  ($79.98 @ Amazon)
Memory: Team T-FORCE VULCAN Z 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory  ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: HP EX900 500 GB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive  ($56.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: XFX Radeon RX 570 4 GB RS XXX Video Card  ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Rosewill FBM-X1 MicroATX Mini Tower Case  ($26.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX (2017) 450 W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($49.99 @ Corsair)
Total: $511.61
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-11-06 22:27 EST-0500

[Chris0306]

I just wanted to say thank you everyone for the suggestions. I honestly couldn't be more appreciative

On 11/6/2019 at 8:43 AM, seon123 said:

Buying used is always an option. For new parts, you can get something like this. You can add RGB strips if you wish, I think there should be enough left for that. You can easily add more storage. You can get a cheap 2TB 7200RPM HDD for $30. In the future, you should be able to upgrade to e.g. the 2600 or 3600, and add a GPU.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 2400G 3.6 GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($119.00 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 RGB Black Edition 57.3 CFM CPU Cooler  ($38.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI B450 Gaming Plus ATX AM4 Motherboard  ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Team T-FORCE VULCAN Z 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory  ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: HP EX900 500 GB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive  ($56.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Rosewill CULLINAN ATX Mid Tower Case  ($64.98 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair CX (2017) 450 W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($49.99 @ Corsair)
Total: $464.93
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-11-06 09:35 EST-0500

So I didn't look it up which is my fault but I'm assuming the core on this one has an integrated graphics processor? Would that prevent any sort of upgrades in the future by having the integrated and a possible external later on? Sorry if this is noob question. 

[Chris0306]

On 11/6/2019 at 8:53 AM, Genwyn said:

Dude what’s with these builds lmao

 

R3 1200, 8gb of any ddr4, literally any AM4 motherboard, average psu, case and storage, used RX 570 on eBay.

Whole system shouldn’t be over 300$.

Yall are either really underestimating the capabilities of those component suggestions or you’re really overestimating how demanding minecraft and Roblox 

It's not just about what he does now. What he does now his mom 5 year old laptop can do. I really want to make it better than what it's been allow for him to branch out in what he's playing. I also want to make sure that its upgradable I dont want to blow $300 today and only be able to upgrade RAM. Then have to spend another $500 to build a pc that will handle Rocket League. I do appreciate the input. I just think we need a bit more than the absolute base.

[boggy77]

5 minutes ago, Chris0306 said:

It's not just about what he does now. What he does now his mom 5 year old laptop can do. I really want to make it better than what it's been allow for him to branch out in what he's playing. I also want to make sure that its upgradable I dont want to blow $300 today and only be able to upgrade RAM. Then have to spend another $500 to build a pc that will handle Rocket League. I do appreciate the input. I just think we need a bit more than the absolute base.

This is actually the most upgradable system. the AM4 motherboard, RAM, storage, case and psu can stay and when the need/money come, only the GPU and then CPU need upgrading and will be compatible. AM4 is a good platform for upgradability and with a good entry level AM4 board you can start with ryzen 3 1200 ($50) and go all the way up with successive updates to a ryzen 7 3700 ($400). Also, the GPU doesn't care on which motherboard is installed.

[seon123]

28 minutes ago, Chris0306 said:

I just wanted to say thank you everyone for the suggestions. I honestly couldn't be more appreciative

So I didn't look it up which is my fault but I'm assuming the core on this one has an integrated graphics processor? Would that prevent any sort of upgrades in the future by having the integrated and a possible external later on? Sorry if this is noob question. 

Yes, the CPU has an iGPU. The performance isn't amazing, roughly comparable to a GT 1030 or 750 Ti. Should be fine for 720p gaming, and you can add a GPU if you feel the need, in the future. You can't run SLI with that CPU, but that really shouldn't be an issue.

[GenericFanboy]

Just an honest qeustion, and this isnt supposed to direct any hate to you but. Should you really let an 8 year old kid go online on YouTube and all that? Should you even give him a PC in the first place? sounds kind of unhealthy to me. Before people start calling me a boomer, i'm still under 20. 

[steelo]

A RX 570 or 580 paired with something like a Ryzen 5 2600 will be more than enough for your 8 year old son for a few years 

 

I built a machine for myself about 1 year ago for around $500. Initially thought integrated graphics with the R5 2400g would cut it but wanted to experience VR and ended up purchasing a RX 570 a month later.

 

[steelo]

5 minutes ago, GenericFanboy said:

Just an honest qeustion, and this isnt supposed to direct any hate to you but. Should you really let an 8 year old kid go online on YouTube and all that? Should you even give him a PC in the first place? sounds kind of unhealthy to me. Before people start calling me a boomer, i'm still under 20. 

I'm sure he will be supervised and there is plenty of parental control software out there that will limit where he can go and what he can watch.

[GenericFanboy]

1 minute ago, steelo said:

I'm sure he will be supervised and there is plenty of parental control software out there that will limit where he can go and watch.

Ofcourse. but then there's stuff like him becoming entitled, or him figuring out how to unlock it. Plenty of problems with that. Easiest solution for that; dont give them stuff like that.

[steelo]

7 minutes ago, GenericFanboy said:

Ofcourse. but then there's stuff like him becoming entitled, or him figuring out how to unlock it. Plenty of problems with that. Easiest solution for that; dont give them stuff like that.

We have a son and I have all inappropriate sites blacklisted on our router and his computer. We give him 1 hour a day on the computer (only after he proves his homework is done) and even if he's in the middle of a game shut it down after his time is up. 

 

I'm not saying these solutions are perfect (or that we are the 'perfect' parents) as kids will always find a way to bypass measures and get into trouble

[GenericFanboy]

3 minutes ago, steelo said:

It's all about regulating what content is available. We have a son and I have all inappropriate sites blacklisted on our router and his computer. We give him 1 hour a day on the computer (only after he proves his homework is done) and even if he's in the middle of a game shut it down after his time is up. 

 

I'm not saying these solutions are perfect as teens will always find a way to bypass protective measures and get into trouble

i mean, sure at some point its fine to give a pc/laptop/whatever to a kid sometime. but i think 8 is.. a bit too young? 10-13 sounds better to me¿

[steelo]

2 minutes ago, GenericFanboy said:

i mean, sure at some point its fine to give a pc/laptop/whatever to a kid sometime. but i think 8 is.. a bit too young? 10-13 sounds better to me¿

I have nephews who are 6 who have internet capable kids tablets...of course I think it's set up to allow them to go to maybe 3 websites.

[CreativeName6426]

I'm 13 and I just got my first computer dedicated to gaming. When I was 8, I had an iPod. That's all I needed. I recommend scraping the idea of getting him anything dedicated to gaming until he 12 at least. You can get Minecraft and Roblox on a tablet. I hate seeing kids that are 7 or 8 addicted to video games. As for video editing and screen recording, there are screen recorders available in the app store

[steelo]

12 minutes ago, J4C0B 4W3S0M3 said:

I'm 13 and I just got my first computer dedicated to gaming. When I was 8, I had an iPod. That's all I needed. I recommend scraping the idea of getting him anything gaming until he 12 at least. You can get Minecraft and Roblox on a tablet. I hate seeing kids that are 7 or 8 addicted to video games. You do whatever you want, but I will not contribute to this.

I don't see the harm as long as the parents set STRICT guidelines and make their kids understand priorities. School always comes before video games and time limits need to be set and followed.

[GenericFanboy]

Even if its strict. its gonna end up in them wanting more time to play online and not going outside and getting the vitamins and experience he needs.

[steelo]

1 hour ago, GenericFanboy said:

Even if its strict. its gonna end up in them wanting more time to play online and not going outside and getting the vitamins and experience he needs.

It's a wonder any of us '80s' kids survived with the advent of the NES and 'personal computer'... 

 

He'll be fine. I'm sure his father understands the importance of stressing what truly is important.

[Chris0306]

23 hours ago, GenericFanboy said:

Ofcourse. but then there's stuff like him becoming entitled, or him figuring out how to unlock it. Plenty of problems with that. Easiest solution for that; dont give them stuff like that.

Like on another poster mentioned we do have age gated restrictions set on the router there's only so much that can be done. 

 

My son was not verbal autistic until he was 5 we used specialized apps on a tablet to help him verbalize. Hes gotten better but some of the things that have helped have videos of family playing games togther like FGTV, or just kids like EthanGamerTV. Like a kid watching sports and wanting be the next super star. Hes able to look at this and say I can so that. Hes still has in person struggles with finding the right words and the right expressions but his actual youtube channel is his best outlet. 

23 hours ago, GenericFanboy said:

Just an honest qeustion, and this isnt supposed to direct any hate to you but. Should you really let an 8 year old kid go online on YouTube and all that? Should you even give him a PC in the first place? sounds kind of unhealthy to me. Before people start calling me a boomer, i'm still under 20. 

Like another poster mentioned we do have age gated restrictions and times restrictions set on the router there's only so much that can be done. Routine plays major part in my son's day we have to have a planned out in a scheduled routine or things will fall apart so for being entitled and wanting  more for now and the foreseeable future wont happen hes isnt wired that way.

 

My son was not verbal autistic until he was 5 we used specialized apps on a tablet to help him verbalize. Hes gotten better but some of the things that have helped have videos of family playing games togther like FGTV, or just kids like EthanGamerTV. Like a kid watching sports and wanting be the next super star. Hes able to look at this and say I can so that. He still has in person struggles with finding the right words and the right expressions but his youtube channel is his best outlet. He never feels pressured he never feels judged his anxiety is gone and yes comments are 100% disabled.

 

My thought wasnt that you were a boomer it was heres someone who doesn't have a kid ..because everyone is a perfect parent until you are one.  Everychoice you make is seconded guessed by yourself a hundred times before anyone else. Woukd I rather my son be taking karate lessons like I did. Yes I would. Would i rather him be interested in football. Yes I would. Are there a hundred other things I wish he was doing yes. But for right now I have an eight-year-old son that uses OBS Studio like a pro, I have a son that communicates to the world better than he communicates and his family. I'm going to help my son do what he does best and do it better.