Gaming PC Build Advice for Novice Builder

LWalterM on 19/11/2021 - 18:23
Last edited 19/11/2021 - 21:34 by 1 other user

Hey OzB's and computer experts, my 14 yo son wants to build his own gaming PC, budget ~$1500. Neither of us have any expertise in how to go about this but it would be a great project to do together if feasible.

I would appreciate any advice about firstly whether this is a remotely sensible idea, and if so, a good resource we could use to put it together.

The plan is for him to buy the components as he can afford them (again, possible a bad idea?). Obviously a quick Google on the subject brings up plenty of hits (but nothing I could find on OzB forums), however I am worried about the reliability of them given I have no experience in the area.

Any advice or pointers in the right direction greatly appreciated.

Computing Computer Desktop Computer

Comments

Hybroid on 19/11/2021 - 18:29

+6

https://au.pcpartpicker.com is a good place to start configurating the build if he wants to get components and build himself.

There's a couple of $1,500 pre-made selections to consider/upgrade on.

AMD: https://au.pcpartpicker.com/guide/fTgXsY/modest-amd-gaming-b…

Intel: https://au.pcpartpicker.com/guide/nRxFf7/modest-intel-gaming…

Alternatively you can get a ready pre-built from something like below but expect long waits and warranty claims can be hit or miss:

https://techfast.com.au/collections/cheap-pre-build-gaming-p…
- WalterM on 19/11/2021 - 22:35
  
  Thanks Hybroid, perfect…a place to start is exactly what I need!
pharkurnell on 19/11/2021 - 18:41

+3

What games does he play???

Most modern GPU's will nearly clean his budget alone if hes building his own..
- WalterM on 19/11/2021 - 22:39
  
  He currently doesn't play PC games (no hardware), but best I can tell the games he plays on Xbox will be the ones he wants to play on PC (I assume the experience is better somehow?). No mans sky, fortnite, stellaris are his go tos currently, but I reckon he has a whole new world of gaming in mind for the PC
Slippery Fish on 19/11/2021 - 18:46

+2

5600g, about the equivalent of a 1050 onboard. Buy gpu later when prices drop…
- WalterM on 19/11/2021 - 22:40
  
  Thanks Slippery Fish, once we've had a look at some of these links I'm sure this will make sense to me!
wojaus on 19/11/2021 - 19:18

+1
To answer your first question; yes it is absolutely feasible. Many people, including myself, have been putting together their own computers from early teenage years.

Once you've made sure that you have bought compatible components (eg A motherboard with the correct CPU slot for the brand of CPU you bought - AMD vs Intel), the main steps for assembling them are really pretty basic. The only real complexity comes with arranging cables in tight spaces I think.

Screw your mother…board…into the case, screw in the power supply and any DVD/BLURAY/CD drives and Hard Drives into the case as well. Connect power supply to whatever needs power, and data cables to motherboard. (You may also need to ensure the motherboard jumper pins have been set correctly - see you motherboard information for more on this)

Plug in your CPU (and CPU heatsink+fan - make sure you use the included paste between CPU and cooling system), RAM, graphics card and any other components into the motherboard. Again, connect power supply cables to anything that needs them (CPU fan power cable usually connects directly to a point on the motherboard near the CPU).

Troubleshoot. Nah, that's pretty much it, but for your first time though I wouldn't be surprised if one or two issues arise.

Install Windows or whatever.
- WalterM on 19/11/2021 - 22:45
  
  Thanks wojaus for the run through and optimistic outlook on our chances of success! So do most current gaming builds include a disc option for DVD,etc? I assumed the games were downloaded direct to hard drive like Xbox.
  - Twix on 19/11/2021 - 22:54
    
    Nah most modern PC cases don't have room for a DVD player. There are external USB DVD players. Games are downloaded through Steam, Origin, Xbox Game Pass and so on.
Twix on 19/11/2021 - 20:24

+1

First watch YouTube build guides and get familiar with the build process.

I'm not a fan of non modular PSUs and the excess cables that can't be removed. I recommend purchasing a fully modular or semi modular PSU so you use only the cables you need.

NVMe SSDs are faster than SATA SSDs. NVMe SSDs plug right into the motherboard and don't need cabling where as SATA SSDs are placed in the PC case drive cage or behind the motherboard tray and need power and SATA data cables.

Plug in the the RAM into slots 2 and 4 for Dual Channel.

Purchase a 16GB or larger USB3 drive and install Windows 10 November 2021 update or Windows 11 off that. Run Windows Update after that. Windows installs the basic drivers but it's recommended to install the most up to date drivers for the AMD or NVIDIA graphics card and motherboard. Install programs and games last.

Both of you should read this account security tips article and enable Steam Guard.

Once a month or so remove the dust from the PC case front, top and power supply dust filters and CPU fan and case fans.

Keep the motherboards plastic CPU socket cover. You need to put it back on if you ever have to use warranty.

ULTIMATE RGB PC Build Guide 2021
First Person View PC BUILD Guide! (POV)
How to build a computer
Common PC Building Mistakes that Beginners Make!
Guide: What to do AFTER building your computer…
- WalterM on 19/11/2021 - 22:49
  
  +1
  
  Thanks twix, really helpful to have good reference info i can look back on once we've had a look at the YouTube clips.
  - Twix on 19/11/2021 - 22:56
    
    It will make more sense after you have watched the YouTube build guides.
    
    Ask for feedback on here once you put a part list together.
    - WalterM on 19/11/2021 - 22:57
      
      +1
      
      Great idea, will do
- md333 on 20/11/2021 - 12:14
  
  Plug in the the RAM into slots 2 and 4 for Dual Channel.
  Is this a general rule? I recently added some RAM and could not find anything in the motherboard documentation about which slots to use. (Suspect no benefit for me due to mixed RAM, but annoyed that I couldn't find any instructions).
  - Twix on 20/11/2021 - 12:58
    
    That is the general rule.
MagicMushroom on 19/11/2021 - 20:26

+1

It's a terrible time to build considering the GPU prices but other parts are priced quite good especially with black Friday coming soon.

If you want any half-decent GPU, prebuild is probably offers the best price-performance. Also, imagine getting defective parts out of the box if you build your own. Good luck finding the defective item.
- WalterM on 19/11/2021 - 22:55
  
  Thanks MagicMushroom. Yes, I appreciate its all fun until something goes wrong with this sort of thing. We'll have a look at the options after going through the resources provided and definitely consider your advice re prepaid. He's a little ways from being in a position to purchase much hardware just yet and I think will be a while doing the research as well (which is a big part of the whole project)
AndyC1 on 19/11/2021 - 20:40

+1

For starters your son will run rings around you on youtube if he is like my son. Use this to your advantage in respect of getting him to lookup videos that compare computer parts or how to build a PC from parts.

The next thing I would advise is get your son to use a spreadsheet, which he may already know about or you may have to show him how to use one to make sure you stick to the budget. BUT BUT before looking get your some to come up with what components he thinks should make up a PC and put that into the spreadsheet. Make sure you remember he has to put everything in there otherwise he will not be able to use it. I would not help with the components until he says that he has finished as he can google or use youtube to check. The advice is not to say you forgot xyz, but say how are you agoing to do ABC that requires XYC. As an example is the PC list may not include a monitor, so say how are you going to see what is on the screen….. Or if there is not a mouse say how are you going to move the cursor around the screen.

The main things you will stumble with is the CPU and graphics. These are not easy to decide on for people who have not been involved in PC's for a number of years… My advise is to think of what the most complex things your son will need in up to and including the end of year 10 (programming <STEM>, could be blender (look it up) or 3D printer apps) and then go onto toms hardware guide and check out the CPu reviews to see what may be okay for the next few years, but it may not last that far into the future…. As for graphics do you have any friends who have children in yr10 then ask them what GPU they have in the PC they are using. If your budget allows for the GPU then grab it otherwise get one that will do until the chip shortages are resolved (min 12 to 18 months IMHO for GPU, but it could be late 2022)

Once you figure out the list of components DO NOT buy them one at a time as component prices drop and sometimes depending on what you buy first you the other components may not be available when you have enough money as they have been superseded. Wait until you have the money to buy everything (okay if you have spare bits use them and then replace them when you can, for example say you have a 17" monitor use it until you have the money to buy a 24" monitor as the 17" is effectively free).

Do not be afraid of buying as per the previous post say a AMD 5600G, but then in say two years get a dedicated GPU or buy a 5600X and a cheap GPU as a stop gap measure. Be aware that both Intel and AMD CPU with built in GPU usually have slower clock rates or internally run slower that CPU's without a GPU, but a CPU with built in graphics is normally cheaper that a CPU and a separate GPU of the equivalent.

Once you have got eh component list and the money come back to Oz bargain and post the components list and the budget and ask if there are any better solutions that come in under the budget and ignore people who want you to buy a $2K GPU or get 32GB of ram as allot of people ignore the budget people have when responding.

I would also check if you can get some a cheaper than retail Windows license via some Microsoft educational deal. I have no idea where to look for this.
- WalterM on 19/11/2021 - 23:09
  
  That's super helpful AndyC1, really appreciate your detailed and clear advice, many thanks. Great idea with the spreadsheet, will def do this. Also checking out what his mates are using is a cracking idea.
  We'll get started on it this weekend and hopefully have a parts list to share once he's ready to spend!
WalterM on 19/11/2021 - 22:33

+1

That's awesome guys, I really appreciate all your advice. It's great to know it's feasible and the sources and advice you have given us is exactly what I was hoping for.
I'm looking forward to working together with him to make it happen.
md333 on 20/11/2021 - 12:19

Great thread OP, my son has just asked me the same thing!
Actually hardest part is getting his mother to agree.

We are starting by scavenging parts from colleagues into gaming and verge collections (probably nothing useful, but might find a case or power supply. I once scored a top end graphics card a few years old out of a skip bin from an office cleanout).

Gaming PC Build Advice for Novice Builder

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