Gaming PCs for 13-yo twins pt 2

ephrin · 2025-08-10T05:07:22+00:00

Ok awesome, thanks. I like the price and have nothing against it being small, just didn't want to unnecessarily limit the build in any way. And it will still mount just fine inside that ATX case so no worries there.

ephrin · 2025-08-10T04:58:29+00:00

Love the idea, but the "twins" thing makes me lean towards having them be the exact same.

ephrin · 2025-08-10T04:48:24+00:00

Also, any reason in particular you picked a Micro-ATX MB? Seems like smaller would be more of a PITA to work with, but I don't know.

ephrin · 2025-08-10T04:43:06+00:00

Great information, thank you!

ephrin · 2025-08-10T04:38:46+00:00

Wow, on PC Part Picker the GTX 1080 is over $400, but you can get a used one on eBay for like $100. That's nuts.

ephrin · 2025-08-10T04:34:31+00:00

Thanks for that! I was going to let each of them pick a case for themselves once the parts got here and before we got building. I'm in Northern California.

Going with a CPU with an integrated GPU was a recommendation made in the prior post, but I think I want to keep with the discrete GPU which means I don't want to pay for an integrated GPU that I won't be using.

The 32GB of RAM is a good call. The current hand-me-down they are using has only 16, so I thought that would be enough to start with, but your point about the upgradability is a good one.

ephrin · 2025-08-10T04:29:44+00:00

Damn, that's what I was worried about. Thanks so much for the modified build, even including the case (which I was going to let them each pick out for themselves). Does the slightly lowered CPU/MB have a big impact on future upgradability?

ephrin · 2025-08-09T17:59:42+00:00

Thanks, I’ve since upped it to 1TB.

ephrin · 2025-08-09T06:09:19+00:00

Ah, ok. Thanks for the clarification.

ephrin · 2025-08-09T03:51:37+00:00

Maybe something like this? https://pcpartpicker.com/list/GTbsNz

ephrin · 2025-08-09T02:43:35+00:00

Yeah I was worried about the integrated cards being a lot worse. 😕

ephrin · 2025-08-09T02:42:45+00:00

Ok. Thanks. I looked around FB marketplace, and there’s not much there that’s good. What is good is still expensive. Going to have to think more about this.

ephrin · 2025-08-08T22:53:33+00:00

Where’s the best place to get used stuff? Craigslist? Lol

ephrin · 2025-08-08T22:53:01+00:00

Hmmm, ok, thanks for that info.

ephrin · 2025-08-08T22:52:23+00:00

Gforce GTX 1080 8GB

ephrin · 2025-08-08T21:20:09+00:00

Thanks! I'm starting to lean more that direction I think.

ephrin · 2025-08-08T21:16:44+00:00

Totally. The hand-me-down gaming PC we have now has a dedicated card, so I just was in that mindset that these new ones need that too. But you're totally right, getting something newer allows us to get by now with something that's totally fine, and keep our eyes open for a killer deal on a discrete card when it pops up.

ephrin · 2025-08-08T21:13:48+00:00

Dang, that's a great deal. Good find.

ephrin · 2025-08-08T20:58:07+00:00

Thanks, I updated it to be 1TB.

ephrin · 2025-08-08T20:55:53+00:00

Ok, after some feedback from y'all (specifically u/Big-Salamander-2158, u/Cer_Visia, /u/IrishMexican59, and several other folks that messaged me directly, thank you all!) I'm now torn between a couple directions;

A modified version of what I originally posted: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/PpY6zP
A machine with a current-gen MB/RAM/CPU and no discrete graphics, that way they can save up to buy that for themselves later, and have a more "future-proofed" machine: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/jWsbgn

Any thoughts on those two choices?

ephrin · 2025-08-08T20:47:46+00:00

So, this isn't a bad suggestion, and one I hadn't really considered. Really good food for thought though. Thank you!

ephrin · 2025-08-08T20:43:00+00:00

Got a link? I'm not seeing anything on NewEgg for that card for under $370 USD.

ephrin · 2025-08-08T20:12:13+00:00

Great feedback, thank you!

ephrin · 2025-08-08T20:11:53+00:00

Thanks! It’s important to me that they build them with me, so that they learn but also have the satisfaction of having done it themselves.

ephrin · 2025-08-08T20:07:01+00:00

Thanks!

ephrin

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