A Father trying to build a PC
Posted by Boreo19@reddit | buildapc | View on Reddit | 38 comments
Hey yall,
I'm trying to build a pc for the first time with absolutely no knowledge. I'm a father so I don't really got all the time to research and go visit the places I need to, to gather the knowledge so can I get some help?
My (divorced) Wife had a computer that I used to play video games on. Things like Battlefield 6, Tekken 8, and Marvel rivals are my main games and I'd like to comfortably run them.
I got a budget of about $3000(can go over I just don't want to push that range much cause then it might be overbuilt) for the actual pc, I also need a monitor and mouse/keyboard but that's a seperate budget. I have money for it I just don't know where to start.
I do have a Micro Center 4 minutes away from my house. The people there seem nice and helpful but I figured I'd ask the internet for help and see if it lines up.
Sorry for the bloated post, plz help gangus
Full_Engineering3734@reddit
micro center has very good priced prebuilts, if you just want to plug and play id recommend grabbing one of those and a 1440p oled monitor, both pcs will leave you with more than enough for everything else
https://www.microcenter.com/product/698738/powerspec-g729-gaming-pc?storeid=205
https://www.microcenter.com/product/698875/powerspec-g730-gaming-pc
https://pcpartpicker.com/list/w737W9 if you want to build one. this uses the 9800x3d bundle and $700 9070 xt from micro center leaves probably around $1000 for a oled and kbm after taxes. you could also replace the 9070 xt with the 5070 ti if you want a nvidia gpu
Boreo19@reddit (OP)
That's what I was thinking. I had a group of about 3 worker's (and one customer lol) tell me I should just get the pre builts due to the ram prices and also my lack of knowledge. The one they all seemed to agree on being best for me is this.
https://www.microcenter.com/product/702408/powerspec-g760-gaming-pc?storeid=045
Does this one look like it can run Battlefield 6 on some good settings and not lock me to low fps or quality. I have like no clue what is all required or honestly what these specs mean.
AzureBat@reddit
Don't get that G760. Not that it's bad or anything. But the G730 linked above is much more preferred. The 9800X3D is only slightly better than the 7800X3D and honestly does not make that big of a difference. Instead, paying the same price but getting the 5070 Ti over the 9070XT is much much better. You only go AMD if you need to save some budget, but you do not have that worry.
For monitors, I recommend getting a 27" 1440p monitor. Anything from $200-350 will be enough, there's no need to spend that much on them. Acer Nitro generally has good models (Though they do vary from model to model!) and is within that price range. I do not recommend going 4k because there's a huge hit in performance. I rather get smooth gameplay with superb graphics on a 27" screen (It's not small either) than having to fiddle with settings for 4k.
For keyboards, just get whatever you like. I've been using office keyboards for over 2 decades now without any problem. Though best to get a full keyboard.
You do want to get a good mouse, though it doesn't need to be crazy expensive. Anything from $50-150 is plenty. You do want to try to touch some to see how they feel in your hand because that's what matters the most. How many buttons etc are very subjective. I'm perfectly happy with my Razer Deathadder V3 ($45) and Essential ($20).
Boreo19@reddit (OP)
I appreciate the insight! what's the difference between AMD and the one you say I should get?
As for monitors, I had been looking at this one in store when I went. It just looked really nice on my eyes. Not sure if there's a reason or not. Just wasn't digging the super stretched and curved monitors. If you have any recommendations I'd love to hear!
https://www.microcenter.com/product/706046/asus-rog-strix-oled-xg27aqdmes-265-2k-qhd-(2560-x-1440)-240hz-gaming-monitor
Ndgtr@reddit
If you have the desk space, I'd definitely recommend a second monitor. It makes it a lot easier to do other stuff while you game (like looking up a puzzle solution if you're stuck etc) and gives you more space to work with if you're doing productivity tasks. Even a super cheap office monitor will do it since you won't be running games on it.
Hetstaine@reddit
Ultrawide 34" curved. Tge rig you linked will smash it out of the park and you will thank yourself later you didn't get a flat small screen.
AzureBat@reddit
Nvidia (aka Team Green) vs AMD (Red) are the two major companies producing graphics cards (Think Ferrari vs Porsche) and this component is the biggest determining factor in how good your games can look (CPU and to a lesser extent RAM determine how smooth your games can be, though the graphics card needs to be able to keep up too).
AMD basically has fewer features but provide good performance for the cost. Nvidia typically costs more (\~20%) but makes up for it with better features. The biggest one is DLSS which basically allows games to run much smoother than normal by using AI tech. This has already been in use for around 5-7 years. AMD has something similar called FSR4 but way fewer games have implemented it. Meanwhile DLSS could be found in almost every game. Nvidia also has better ray tracing, path tracing if that's what you like but you need a good graphics card to even think about using them (The 5070 Ti can). That's why if you can, just go Nvidia instead of AMD (For reference, Nvidia dominates the market at over 90% market share). AMD is the pick for budget options but Nvidia is the go to if you have the cash.
That monitor looks pretty good. It has a glossy screen so may suffer from reflections, you'll have to see for yourself if that affects you. It will definitely have great colors because it's OLED. Don't think you can go wrong with that pick.
I'm much more of a cheapskate when it comes to monitors. For example I would be looking at the Acer Nitro XV272U or AOC Q27G3XMN instead.
Hetstaine@reddit
That will do everything..but honestly, if you are going to drop a couple of k you can afford a few hours basic research on components and watch a few build videos on said components.
Aranxi_89@reddit
That's pretty much perfect for you.
artnok@reddit
Beast of a pc. Great price. Grab that, a 1440p oled monitor, some speakers/headset, Keyboard and a vxe r1 pro mouse and you’re set! Should be just under $3k for everything.
shipshaper88@reddit
I’d get one with a 5070 ti, a better card than the 9070 xt. Same price. G729 or G730.
Full_Engineering3734@reddit
it’ll play basically everything without issues on high settings, 9800x3d is the best gaming cpu available, 9070 xt will have no problem at 1440p. should last you 5 years minimum without issues
LanguageOpening9338@reddit
That should run just about anything you want with above decent FPS
Grindycore@reddit
It will run like a charm.
miroljubni-rom@reddit
With that kind of budget you should be able to get a pretty good pc even with today's ram and storage prices.
TopExplanation138@reddit
This build is a high end bmgaming beast and will do 4k native at high settings, however if you want to save some money get the 9070 xt or 5070 ti instead as both are much cheaper than a 5080 and only around 15% maybe 20% slower.
PCPartPicker Part List
Grindycore@reddit
My only gripe is the 4k monitor at just 27 inches, rather a waste imo just for gaming,1440p is plenty and far easier to run. That's just my opinion. Also Costco got this OLED monitor for 350 https://www.costco.com/p/-/acer-predator-x27u-a1-27-qd-oled-wqhd-2560-x-1440-280hz-003ms-freesync-premium-pro-gaming-monitor/4000393092
TopExplanation138@reddit
I just chose the 4k one because the 5080 is supposed to be a 4k card.
akshaysura@reddit
This is a solid PC you can go with.
J3D1@reddit
You forgot to leave money for the keyboard/mouse
GeassAye@reddit
In the post, OP said that he has a separate budget for mouse/keyboard/etc
PearlJamTenGoat@reddit
why does it matter if you are a father and divorced ? people are so fucking weird on the internet.
This is a subreddit to help people, even if they have 24 hours of the day free, no need to explain all your personal life.
Start by gathering a 5080 and a 9800x3d and buld from there.
HankThrill69420@reddit
repost to r/buildapcforme and use their questionnaire
buildapc-ModTeam@reddit
Full build requests are allowed here now.
Op's post has sufficient info:
Budget : $3k
Location: 4mins from micro center = US
Usecase: Gaming
Games: BF6, Tekken 8, Marvel Rivals
X-wifes PC = no parts to use from previous build.
Peripherals = obviously needed.
buildapc-ModTeam@reddit
Hello, your comment has been removed. Please note the following from our subreddit rules:
Full build requests are allowed here now.
Op's post has sufficient info:
Budget $3k
4mins from micro center = US
Usecase: gaming
Games: BF6, Tekken 8, Marvel Rivals
X-wifes PC = no parts to use from previous build.
Peripherals = obviously needed.
^(Click here to message the moderators if you have any questions or concerns)
gmar424@reddit
If you have no knowledge of how to build a PC and don't have the time to learn, I would honestly go to Micro Center and have them help you pick out a prebuilt. There might be some advice here that's better than the Micro Center guy, but you admittedly don't have the background knowledge to filter out all the bad advice.
Mattm334@reddit
Totally thought you were building a PC for a kid.
Boreo19@reddit (OP)
No she's too young for that. This is dad's turn to have my fun lol. I just am kinda stupid when it comes to this.
Sea-Donkey-3671@reddit
Technology changes so fast … remember that when you are planning your build
ballisticclown92@reddit
Long shot here, but I am selling an Alienware Aurora R15 with a 4090, Alienware keyboard, Alienware mouse, Alienware headset, a 28 inch 4k Samsung monitor with stand and monitor arm, and some weird one handed keyboard mouse thing that I have no idea what is called
ballisticclown92@reddit
Also some speakers come with. Specs: i913900k, 32gb ddr5 ram, rtx 4090, 1 tb m.2, 1 tb ssd. Computer has been used less than 20 hours. Everything in great condition.
lamsndbhaujamjsshukd@reddit
I built a PC without any knowledge prior, your best bet is YouTube. There are a ton of great videos for beginners building a PC. If you don't have the time or patience to watch a 30 minute video then idk what to say.
shipshaper88@reddit
https://www.microcenter.com/product/698875/powerspec-g730-gaming-pc
It’s hard to beat this deal right now. Way under your budget - plenty of cash left over for a nice monitor and peripherals.
Attackist2@reddit
Go microcenter ask for prebuilt or if you are set on building ask what you need
VincitHermit@reddit
$3k is a hell of a budget, even with current ram prices. I'd trust the Micro Center employees I've met, and it's probably your best bet. You could use pcpartpicker to compare parts but pre-builts seem more cost effective at the moment.
yoooncyy@reddit
https://www.microcenter.com/site/content/custom-pc-builder.aspx?load=80becae3-2ec5-49e9-8115-1eaab83cde46
Take a look at this microcenter build for 2200. Includes a 1440p monitor and will play any game at 1440p ultra at high FPS without any problems.
Buildthehomelab@reddit
Bud 3k is too much to spend on a PC, to just play that.
Some small things, 16gb is starting to get bare minimum for gaming. You want more system ram than gpu ram. So 16gb cards amazing performance to price ratio.
So 32gb ram
16gb gpu - 5060 ti 16gb / 9060xt
Newer games are huge and windows sucks ass, so unless you going to linux for gaming. You need over 100gb just for windows. Games can also be over 100gb installs.
1TB min hdd if you dont want to swap out all the time.
600-700w psu will handle both those cards with room to spare.
Most people like amd CPU's for gaming.
AMD 7600X is the budget king atm
That means AM5 motherboard.
If you want small case you will be paying ITX tax and everything will be more expensive because reasons.
SpaceAce256@reddit
Micro center will definitely help. I recommend watching some Linus Tech Tips videos on the newer tech that is out there and putting together a list. After that, I would go to micro center and see what they think about it and if there are any good combo deals you could get.