I'm a mom who's never built a PC before, but I'm good at figuring things out. My 10-year-old twin boys are really into Minecraft and Fortnite, but their old laptops can't handle Fortnite at all. They've been participating in an e-sports league that's both in-person and online, but our current setup is falling short. I want to give them a nice PC for Christmas, something they can enjoy and learn from. I have a list of parts that I've ordered, but I want to make sure I'm making the right choices. Everything is mostly bought, but I'm waiting on a couple of GPUs. Should I buy more to ensure I have them in time for Christmas? I'm also a bit lost on the motherboard choice. Any advice on my parts list and any replacements that will deliver by Christmas without breaking the bank would be appreciated!
6 Answers
Awesome setup! I have a similar build, and it runs everything smoothly. Just a tip: if you can, get a 27" 1440p monitor for a great upgrade down the line!
Your choice of parts is great and leaves room for future upgrades in CPU and GPU. If you’re considering buying two more GPUs to ensure Christmas delivery, that could be a smart idea. Just remember you could always return the late arrivals if they come through eventually.
Great build overall! Just keep an eye on the cooler and memory. They might be a tight fit in the micro ATX motherboard, but you should be fine. If you want alternatives, let me know your budget!
I didn't realize I was opting for micro ATX! I was totally overwhelmed when ordering—so many options! Any suggestions for a good motherboard instead?
This build looks solid! The setup should definitely handle Minecraft and Fortnite with no issues, plus it has the power for more demanding games if they want to explore. You really can't go wrong with those GPU and RAM choices—they’ll be good for years to come. Just a heads up, it’s a bit overkill for just those two games, but that's not a bad thing if they branch out into other software or gaming later!
Totally agree! I was aiming for a long-lasting setup too, especially since they mentioned wanting to try Blender for some creative projects. I wanted something that wouldn't become obsolete too soon.
This build should comfortably run games in 1080p, and it has the oomph for 1440p as well. Nice choices! Just keep an eye on that cooler—upgrading it later is an option if it gets too hot.
Thanks for the reassurance! I was worried about my cooler choice since I just picked one quickly. What specs should I consider for a better one?
You're doing a great job! Everything is compatible and should work well together. I personally prefer full-size motherboards, but what you've chosen is high quality. Nice work!
They currently have 27" curved 1080p monitors. Is that a big enough jump to make it worth it for their birthdays?