Modded Minecraft Java for Kids - Pre-Built V iGPU

UnrealMacaw on 14/04/2025 - 13:31

Hi all, I've spent hours on this but I'm hoping for some confirmation from ozbargain experts.

Short question: For lightly modded minecraft java (including a shader), with minimal tinkering and maintenance, is the best option to wait for a $700 pre-built with a 4060 from someone like techfast, or to get a mini-pc with a radeon 780m?

Also curious about msi claw with egpu, but probably too much tinkering and complexity.

Background:

10yo and 8yo kids play Minecraft java. Currently using Galaxy Tab s9 with samsung dex and pojavlauncher, using external monitor and peripherals. Performance is surprisingly great.

Now they're asking for mods. In theory mods work in pojavlauncher / zalithlauncher but my early experiments on the s25u are hitting compatibility issues.

I would love to build pcs with kids from scratch, but I don't have any experience and minimal time.

It seems like the 4060 pre-builts might be the only viable $700 option that provides great performance and minimal tinkering. However some of the videos and articles on 780m mini-pcs show some pretty great minecraft performance, but I can't find one that uses a light shader and a few mods. I suspect the 780m wouldn't cope, but I want to be sure because the mini-pc is appealing for simplicity and easier maintenance.

Really appreciate confirmation from anyone who knows the answer in the context of the Australian bargain landscape!

Computing Video Game Xbox Game Studios

Comments

  • Boioioioi on 14/04/2025 - 13:51
    +2

    Don't get the all in one. It sounds like they're into gaming and moddnig, I am sure they will appreciate the upgradability of a regular PC, as well as being able to play other games.

  • scrimshaw on 14/04/2025 - 14:17
    +3

    Modded minecraft is much more CPU intensive than vanilla minecraft, and depending on the shaders used you could even require hardware that is capable of Ray-tracing and need at least 8G RAM. But that's really the exception than the norm, most shaders don't require any high spec GPU's and run perfectly fine on Radeon 780m / Intel Alchemist ARC.

  • jugsy on 14/04/2025 - 14:26
    +2

    Get a techfast prebuilt, ask them to ship it unassembled. Best of both worlds

    • UnrealMacaw on 14/04/2025 - 14:41

      Interesting - would they really do that?

      • jugsy on 14/04/2025 - 14:52

        They used to, I've had 2x delivered like that. Honestly, they need a rebuild anyway, rushed little monkeys pinch cables and miss steps all the time

      • Boioioioi on 14/04/2025 - 14:56

        Yeah I got them to do that. They shipped it faster, AND I got to use a good power supply and case I already had. Back in the day techfast used poopoo power supply

  • CrispyChrispy on 14/04/2025 - 16:27
    +1

    I suspect the 780m wouldn't cope, but I want to be sure because the mini-pc is appealing for simplicity and easier maintenance.

    Mini PCs ≠ easier maintenance. Quite the opposite.

    Unless you really need the smaller size, which I'm assuming you don't, a prebuilt is so much better value and will offer a better experience overall.

    • UnrealMacaw on 14/04/2025 - 16:58

      I figured with an igpu I would spend less time dealing with shaders not using the correct gpu, or more time selecting drivers, or something like that, but are they just as easy/hard as each other?

      (I'm convinced on the pre built anyway)

      • scrimshaw on 14/04/2025 - 20:15

        I figured with an igpu I would spend less time dealing with shaders not using the correct gpu, or more time selecting drivers, or something like that, but are they just as easy/hard as each other?

        On machines that have both iGPU and dedicated GPU, you simply go into the BIOS and find the setting to disable the integrated graphics.

        https://www.elevenforum.com/attachments/aorus-gigabyte-png.7…

        When an iGPU is working, a little bit of the system RAM has to be 'reserved' or allocated as video memory, so disabling the iGPU actually frees up RAM usage.

        Note some Ryzen CPU's don't even have an iGPU, e.g any Ryzen CPU with an "F" suffix or some of the older generation Ryzen 5000 series (without G Suffix). If you are buying a budget system from Nebula or Techfast, they usually use AMD CPU's that lack iGPU's, so a graphics card is mandatory in these scenarios.

        • UnrealMacaw on 14/04/2025 - 22:51

          Damn, I've read a lot, but clearly still so much more to learn :)

  • AustriaBargain on 14/04/2025 - 19:34

    One of those mini PCs might be a good buy. They are simple, pretty cheap relatively, powerful, and can always be downgraded to a piracy box or retro game station in the future.

  • Roddi on 14/04/2025 - 23:42

    Full size PC sounds better.
    I got the techfast high $600 Ryzen 5500 deal that was here a while ago.
    Build was OK, but the anonymous motherboard and PSU were trash tier (but worked OK).
    I wasn't unhappy with the purchase, but now I'd spend maybe $100 more for a Nebula PC builds that come and go.
    The Nebula website says what brand each component is so you can check reviews.
    On their cheap systems Techfast tend to to be vague eg "H610 motherboard (brand/model may vary)".
    Life it too short for pot luck.

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