Consider how to set up AdviceHelp for creating two desktop computers simultaneously for children.
Consider how to set up AdviceHelp for creating two desktop computers simultaneously for children.
Approximate Purchase Date: Considering Cyber Monday for potential savings, but open to exploring alternative approaches.
Budget Range: $1000-1100 per desktop, flexible if cost-performance balance is right.
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Mainly gaming with children; schoolwork and YouTube are secondary needs.
Are you buying a monitor: Yes, I’ll reuse an existing one.
Parts to Upgrade: Currently owning a mouse/keyboard combo, so one more set required.
Do you need to buy the operating system: Yes
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Likely Newegg and Amazon
Location: Washington State
Parts Preferences: Not particularly focused. Some caution with Intel following recent CPU problems.
Overclocking: No
SLI or Crossfire: No
Monitor Resolution: 19x1080 as a starting point.
Additional Comments:
For a budget of one thousand dollars, I chose the Ryzen 7600 and Radeon RX 7800XT as the main components. These items offer good value and strong gaming capabilities. In gaming, this setup will be exceptional, while for schoolwork it should handle any standard Chromebook assignments effectively.
Here’s the complete list:
As previously noted, if these devices are mainly used for gaming, the Ryzen 7600 provides solid performance for its price. At just two hundred dollars, it's a great offer, and the AM5 socket allows for future upgrades.
Since the focus is on gaming, I opted for the most affordable B650 model that included WiFi. Priced at one hundred twenty dollars, it offers solid input/output capabilities and BIOS flashback features—more than sufficient for typical needs.
The memory setup followed a similar pattern to the motherboard. Instead of starting with the B650 as the base, this kit required higher speeds and specific CAS latency settings. The 32GB Corsair Vengeance kit met those requirements perfectly. It also includes a First Word latency of ten, enabling the Ryzen CPU to perform optimally.
For storage, I chose a reasonably priced 1TB GM7000 SSD. It’s affordable, features fast speeds, and includes a 5-year warranty with a 750TBW rating.
The video card presents a challenge. The Radeon 7800XT delivers strong performance for its cost at five hundred dollars. If you’re on a tighter budget or prefer older games, the 7700XT is a better choice—especially if you don’t plan to upgrade your monitors to 1080p. However, if you intend to upgrade soon or play newer titles, stick with the 7800XT. But the situation becomes more complex. If you’re willing to invest over six hundred dollars, go for the RTX 4070 Super. Anything under that price from Nvidia is likely to be outperformed by AMD options beyond this threshold.
The case is unremarkable and can be swapped for something that better suits your preferences. It features a single USB 3.0 port, includes three pre-installed fans, and costs less than fifty dollars. This should suffice.
This Corsair RM750 case is budget-friendly, comes with one USB 3.0 port, and includes three fans—perfect for basic needs.
The PSU isn’t particularly impressive, but it’s sufficient for years of use, even if you plan to add more fans, storage, or RAM later. If you find a cheaper 650W model in stock, consider adding it for savings.
For future upgrades, it would be wise to check if an AM5 platform suits your needs. AM4 is no longer viable. A few years from now, when they decide to upgrade, you may have to revisit the platform choice. Personally, the benefit of AM4 today depends on whether you already have one. There’s no compelling reason to commit to that platform right now.
Consider alternatives for your AM5 CPU/MOBO that could support future upgrades for your children's education.
Some reflections: What are their ages? I’d aim to include them in the process. Maybe let them pick the case. I’d set up using the platform you currently use—either AMD or Intel. If it’s Intel, I wouldn’t stress about 13/14 generation. The problem is fixed and warranties are extended. The only thing to note is having a recent BIOS. For AMD, keep an eye on RAM compatibility. Becoming part of the support team will be simpler if you have common components. This also holds true for NVIDIA or AMD graphics. Costs and performance should match. Invest in a solid PSU that can handle future upgrades. A good PSU comes with a 10-year warranty. Generally, plan to spend about twice the CPU cost on the graphics card. Here’s a useful chart of GPU capabilities:
At this stage, choosing AM4 isn't the best option unless you're focused on minimizing expenses for the entire setup. It doesn’t support future CPU upgrades and restricts connectivity choices. This is merely a starting point suggestion:
PCPartPicker Part List
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 7600 3.8 GHz 6-Core Processor
Price: $192.97 (Newegg)
Memory: TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30
Price: $85.99 (Amazon)
Storage: Klevv CRAS C925 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME SSD
Price: $66.98 (Amazon)
Case: Montech AIR 903 BASE ATX Mid Tower Case
Price: $65.00 (B&H)
Power Supply: NZXT C750 (2022) 750 W, 80+ Gold Certified, Fully Modular ATX
Price: $84.95 (Amazon)
Total Estimated Cost: $495.89
Includes shipping, taxes, and applicable discounts
Generated by PCPartPicker
Date: 2024-10-27 17:32 EDT-0400
Motherboard suggestions based on desired expandability and connectivity:
Motherboard: ASRock B650 Steel Legend WiFi ATX AM5
Price: $179.99 (Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock B650M Pro RS Micro ATX AM5
Price: $129.99 (Newegg)
Video Card options – aiming for strong raster performance:
ASRock Challenger OC Radeon RX 7800 XT 16 GB
Price: $469.99 (Amazon)
PNY XLR8 Gaming VERTO EPIC-X RGB GeForce RTX 4070 12 GB
Price: $499.00 (Walmart)
Acer Nitro OC Radeon RX 7700 XT 12 GB
Price: $379.99 (Newegg)
PCPartPicker has compiled a list of components for your build.
CPU options include an Intel Core i5-12400F at 2.5 GHz with six cores, available for $111.35 on Amazon.
For cooling, the ID-COOLING SE-214-XT ARGB model offers 68.2 CFM airflow and costs $18.98 on Amazon.
The ASRock B760 Pro RS/D4 ATX motherboard is priced at $109.99 on Amazon.
Memory choices feature Silicon Power XPOWER Turbine with 32 GB of DDR4-3200 CL16 RAM for $45.97 on Amazon.
Storage recommendations include the Silicon Power UD90 2 TB M.2-2280 NVME drive at $97.97 on Amazon.
For graphics, the Gigabyte GAMING OC Radeon RX 7700 XT card provides 12 GB of video memory and is available for $399.97 on Amazon.
The recommended case is the Phanteks XT PRO ULTRA ATX mid tower model at $75.98 on Newegg.
The MSI MAG A750GL power supply, rated PCIe5 750W and 80+ Gold certified, costs $69.99 on Newegg.
A suitable monitor is the MSI G244F E2 23.8" display with 1920 x 1080 resolution at 180 Hz for $109.99 on Amazon.
The total estimated cost comes to $1040.19, covering shipping, taxes, and applicable discounts.
Prices reflect the best available options based on your criteria.
This list was generated by PCPartPicker on October 27, 2024 at 17:54 EDT-0400.
I didn't think the 7600 was over 200 dollars. Remember, you'll have to pay an extra 50 to 100 dollars for an AM5 setup, but if you're okay with some trade-offs, having a current platform is perfect as others have pointed out. The 7600 also includes a box heatsink, allowing you to save on the cooler cost. For the motherboard, stick to something simple yet capable—pick one that offers the features you need, like WiFi or many USB ports. I modified the parts list I shared to create a system with better upgrade options, though it means sacrificing some value.