Help me buy a computer for my kid

Started by Threviel, Today at 05:44:01 AM

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Threviel

So, my kid has saved for a computer for a good while and has saved up about 19k SEK, which is aboutish 1.9k €.

I have had a Mac since 2008, I don't know much about modern computers. I'm looking into a pre-built computer during this years holiday sales, hoping to spend max 12-13k on the computer and then he'll have something left for keyboard, bluetooth headset, monitor and games.

He's 12 right now and has no concept of graphics or frame rate and so far most of his friends have hand me downs so I think any new computer will be ok in his mind. What I'm looking for is something upgradeable, it does not have to have 32 Gb RAM right now, or the best GPU, but I want to be able for the kid to upgrade it in three years or so if he wants to. So more important with a good motherboard and processor than the best GPU.

So, is this okish?

https://www.webhallen.com/se/product/386209-Webhallen-Config-Core-i5-14400F-RTX-5060-16GB-1TB-Win-11

https://www.webhallen.com/se/product/390071-Webhallen-Config-Core-i5-14400F-RTX-5060-16GB-1TB-Win-11

Or would this more costly one be more bang for the buck?

https://www.webhallen.com/se/product/386212-Webhallen-Config-Core-R5-7500F-RTX-5060Ti-16GB-32GB-2TB-Win-11

Norgy

I would say they all offer good value for money (with prices being what they are nowadays).

I've had 32 GB RAM or more since 2010, but RAM isn't the amazing fix it once was.

The RTX 5060 will keep quiet and cool and nVidia still are better with drivers than AMD. What I might change, is a 2TB m.2 drive instead.
Just to point out this: The RTX 5060 will not manage 4k/UHD. Which will go a long way towards saving on a monitor. 1080p ones are reasonably cheap.

A minor niggle is the air cooling, I am not up to date on how warm the I5s run nowadays, but air cooling might be a bit noisy.


Threviel

Thanks. The kid wants a curved screen which seems like a sensible future proof choice. Is that a problem? I was thinking this https://www.webhallen.com/se/product/391493-AOC-CU34G4-34-VA-3440-x-1440-180-Hz-0-5ms-2xHDMI-DP

Norgy

At that price, it is almost a steal.  :)

Threviel

Excellent, thank you. I'm leaning towards the 15 k one, every component seems better and it has DDR5 RAM instead of DDR4, feels more future proof if he wants to upgrade it with better graphics sometime.

Norgy

What kind of games does the kid like?

Threviel

He's just into Fortnite right now, I haven't been able to figure out what kind of other games he likes. He's not into Paradox games unfortunately.

viper37

Quote from: Threviel on Today at 06:18:20 AMThanks. The kid wants a curved screen which seems like a sensible future proof choice. Is that a problem? I was thinking this https://www.webhallen.com/se/product/391493-AOC-CU34G4-34-VA-3440-x-1440-180-Hz-0-5ms-2xHDMI-DP
You want to buy a monitor that supports only AMD Freesync with an Nvidia GPU that only offers G-Sync.  That technology will not be supported for your monitor. 
Also, not too sure about the brand.  And the technology (VA), for gaming. IPS is better.  OLED is freaking expensive.

Some comments here:
https://www.reddit.com/r/ultrawidemasterrace/comments/1mmjzw2/aoc_cu34g4_opinions/?show=original

Not the exact same model, but review of a similar model by the same brand:
https://www.rtings.com/monitor/reviews/aoc/cu34g2x

I dislike ultra wide monitors for gaming, they all seem buggy, but if it's what your son wants, try looking at these:
Dell AW3423DWF
Dell AW3425DWM  (Budget, last resort)
Samsung Odissey G8 34".

Ideally, I'd go for a curved 32".
This site is excellent for reviews of electronics:
https://www.rtings.com/monitor/reviews/best/curved-gaming-monitors
I don't do meditation.  I drink alcohol to relax, like normal people.

If Microsoft Excel decided to stop working overnight, the world would practically end.

viper37

16gb is enough for Fortnite.  However, there is a ram shortage.  And prebuilt aren't as affected as ordinary consumers.  I'd go for 32gb now if I were you, if you aren't too stretched in your budget.

Also, I double checked the specs for the first one.  It's the 8gb 5060.  The 16gb 5060ti will last a little longer with it's 16gb vram.  At 8gb vram, the 5060 is already struggling in many modern games, even at 1080p.
I don't do meditation.  I drink alcohol to relax, like normal people.

If Microsoft Excel decided to stop working overnight, the world would practically end.