~ $800 Canadian first build

[achoj]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: This week. BUDGET RANGE: <$800

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Starcraft 2, surfing internet, watching movies

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: OS

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: www.newegg.ca COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Canada

PARTS PREFERENCES: don't really have a preference, but was leaning towards an AMD build just because of cost.

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1440x900?

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: starting from scratch here since i've always used mac products before. I've already selected parts just wanted to make sure they're compatible and if anybody has any suggestions.

Sony Optiarc Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD/CD Rewritable Drive - OEM

COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UB Black /Blue Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Hanns·G HW-191APB Black 19" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 700:1 Built in Speakers - Retail

XFX PVT98GYDLH GeForce 9800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

OCZ StealthXStream OCZ600SXS 600W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Retail

OCZ Fatal1ty Edition 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory (The Official Memory of the Championship Gaming Model OCZ3F13332GK - Retail

ASUS M4A79XTD EVO AM3 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail and AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition Callisto 3.1GHz Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core Processor Model HDZ550WFGIBOX - Retail combo

what do you think?

 

[Proximon]

I realize it's the Canadian dollar but the title pretty much says Computer Automated Drafting. People build CAD machines all the time you see.

This would be the better hard drive:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

You are getting a crossfire board so get a crossfire card. This 4670 is similar performance to the 9800GT, but costs less and you can add a second one later.
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102854


Get 4Gb not two:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231275
This is also faster memory

This Mushkin is even faster and comes with a rebate:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146868

From there I might upgrade to this case if I could afford it:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137

 

[nocteratus]

If you're from Canada you're better buying from www.ncix.com or www.directcanada.com.

I saw somewhere that you have to pay tax and duty from newegg.ca since they're base in the US, I don't know if that change.

Depending where you live in Canada you might pay only 1 sale tax if you buy from directcanada or ncix. NCIX also have a price match feature that works great.

Directcanada offers free shipping on orders over $300.

And you're better with ATI videocard since the motherboard you choose supports Crossfire, so you can buy a videocard now and add a second later.

 

[number13]

if you are running a 32 bit OS anything above about 3G of Mem is a waste, only 64 bit OS's can use above 2.5G of Ram, A standard 32-bit integer can handle -2,147,483,648 through 2,147,483,647.

 

[achoj]

I'll take the advice about the video card and hard drive then I'll see if I could stretch the budget for the ram or case. I'll also have to look into other websites to see about the whole shipping and taxes thing. Thanks guys

 

[achoj]

if you are running a 32 bit OS anything above about 3G of Mem is a waste, only 64 bit OS's can use above 2.5G of Ram, A standard 32-bit integer can handle -2,147,483,648 through 2,147,483,647.

Oh ya that's right. I will be using 32 bit so I guess I can forget the 4gb ram until I upgrade to windows 7.

 

[overshocks]

If you're from Canada you're better buying from www.ncix.com or www.directcanada.com.

I saw somewhere that you have to pay tax and duty from newegg.ca since they're base in the US, I don't know if that change.

Depending where you live in Canada you might pay only 1 sale tax if you buy from directcanada or ncix. NCIX also have a price match feature that works great.

Directcanada offers free shipping on orders over $300.

And you're better with ATI videocard since the motherboard you choose supports Crossfire, so you can buy a videocard now and add a second later.

^Totally agree with this guy, use ncix or directcanada instead of newegg.ca. but use ncix to pricematch directcanada, overall use ncix because directcanada doesn't have all the parts

 

[overshocks]

if you are running a 32 bit OS anything above about 3G of Mem is a waste, only 64 bit OS's can use above 2.5G of Ram, A standard 32-bit integer can handle -2,147,483,648 through 2,147,483,647.

Oh really?, my 32bit OS can handle 3.5gb RAM.

 

[FREERAVEN]

ya use ncix they beat alot of newegg.ca prices and the cross border shipping will cause them to hold your package until taxes are paid at pick up! NCIX has been great for customer service and why buy american they wont buy canadian. damn yankee's protectionism!