< $950 Gaming/Multi-task PC

[iSync]

Hey guys, I'm planning on getting a new computer because my current computer is about 4~5 years old. It runs Pentium 4 with 512MB RAM (wow).


APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Sometime in the next few weeks
BUDGET RANGE: $500~950
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming/Multi-task
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Mouse, Keyboard, Monitor (maybe), Speakers
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: anitec.ca, ncix.com
PARTS PREFERENCES: I would like to use an Intel Processor.
OVERCLOCKING: Maybe
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe (Don't really know)
MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1024x768 (maybe)
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I would like a quiet PC

Any suggestions/bad compatibility/part substitutions/etc would be nice :]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I've found one pre-built, looks okay, but not the best, $799.99 Computer: http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10124870&catid=

My Build: (I've tried building one using Anitec.ca) $964.55 Computer

Case - ACT SK608 Mid Tower Case w/Front USB & Audio Ports
http://www.anitec.ca/viewproduct.aspx?id=12472

Power Supply - Cooler Master eXtreme Power 550W Power Supply
http://www.anitec.ca/viewproduct.aspx?id=9807

Motherboard - Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R - Intel P45 (Core 2 Duo/Quad) PCI-E Socket 775 Motherboard
http://www.anitec.ca/viewproduct.aspx?id=12468

Processor - Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 (3.0 GHz) Dual-Core Socket 775 Processor
http://www.anitec.ca/viewproduct.aspx?id=10244

Memory - Patriot Memory Extreme Performance Viper PC2-6400 Low Latency - 4.0GB Dual-Channel Kit
http://www.anitec.ca/viewproduct.aspx?id=11171

Additional Memory - Patriot Memory Extreme Performance Viper PC2-6400 Low Latency - 4.0GB
Dual-Channel Kit
http://www.anitec.ca/viewproduct.aspx?id=11171

Hard Drive - Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB SATA II 16MB Cache 7200RPM Hard Drive -
Single Platter
http://www.anitec.ca/viewproduct.aspx?id=12593

Optical Drive - Samsung SH-222A (Black) 22x IDE DVD±Writer *FREE Verbatim DVD+R 3-Pack* - OEM
http://www.anitec.ca/viewproduct.aspx?id=13112

Video Card - Sapphire Radeon HD 4870 1.0GB PCI-Express 2.0
http://www.anitec.ca/viewproduct.aspx?id=12219

 

[gkay09]

That pre built system is OK but not good for gaming...
The config that you have build is good but I feel the price is way too much for that setup...
For your price range, you should consider the AMD CPUs as they offer very good Price/ Performance compared to the intel counterparts...

X4 955 - Very powerful compared to the E8400
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=38047&vpn=HDZ955FBGIBOX&manufacture=AMD

Mobo -
Gigabyte GA-MA770T-US3P
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=40118&vpn=GA%2DMA770T%2DUS3P&manufacture=Gigabyte

RAM - You wont need more than 4GB of RAM
Mushkin EM3-10666 4GB 2X2GB DDR3
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=39688&vpn=996585&manufacture=MUSHKIN

Graphics card - XFX 4890 1GB
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=37431&vpn=HD489AZDEC&manufacture=XFX&promoid=1042

CASE - Far better one...
ANTEC 300
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=29812&vpn=THREE%20HUNDRED&manufacture=Antec&promoid=1042

PSU - Better than the exteme PSU...
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=33041&vpn=OCZ600MXSP&manufacture=OCZ%20Technology

HDD and DVD - Same

Total - CAD 950 - This PC would be more powerful than you setup...

 

[goony20]

+1 for antec 300 or coolermaster centurion 5 (about same price)
I'd also take a look at corsairs tx line of psus, especially the 650tx, leaves more room for upgradeability/crossfire.

 

[goony20]

forgot to add, newegg has an antec300/650wattpsu combo for a nice price. Don't think they ship internationally, but not sure whether they consider canada domestic or international/intercontinental.

 

[gkay09]

^ check www.newegg.ca

 

[iSync]

X4 955 - Very powerful compared to the E8400
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=38047&vpn=HDZ955FBGIBOX&manufacture=AMD

Will it have a big difference from the E8400? Because currently the E8400's price is $219

An anitec/ncix store is pretty near me, is it possible if anyone could make a build for me @ anitec.ca/ncix.com?

Oh and other than gaming, I also photoshop, sony vegas, etc, guess that's multi tasking too xD

EDIT: K nvm, the x4 955 looks a lot better than the E8400

 

[gkay09]

Yes it will have a big difference in multitasking...
And if you check my post, I have listed the build using ncix.com

 

[gkay09]

But if you want to go more cheaper, then the X4 940 is a very good alternative...

CPU - X4 940
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=35467&vpn=HDZ940XCGIBOX&manufacture=AMD

Mobo -
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=36856&vpn=GA%2DMA790X%2DUD4P&manufacture=Gigabyte

Some good DDR2 RAM

 

[iSync]

Well I just realized that I still need to buy an OS for the computer (can't believe i forgot). So now I'm kind of thinking buying the pre-build for $800. Because the build at the moment + the OS will probably be over $1,000. Any suggestions?

 

[Squadfer]

Go with windows 7, its free right now. Save up the cash that it will take to buy it when it does come out for purchase only.

 

[ahslan]

dont go for the prebuilt computer...ur going to get soo much more bang for ur buck if you build it yourself...the prebuilt has too much ram, and not enough power in the gpu region...

go with gkay09's build...its pretty damn solid...

...and use Window 7 RC for now since its free

 

[iSync]

So should i go with the X4 955 or the X4 940? How long will the processor be around? Because I'm planning to be able to use this computer for 3 years at least.

 

[AMDThunder]

Whatever you buy now will be old news in 3 years. The 940 will be more than fine, especially when you're on a tight budget. It is definitley not a budget processor.

 

[ahslan]

I'm pretty sure purchasing any quad core is a solid investment that will last you three years...and maybe even more...quad cores used to not be as good as dual cores in gaming because they didnt run at very high frequencies, but now, they are running just as fast as any dual core available...and not to mention they multitask SOO much better than anything else...shoot, my friend owns an AMD Phenom 9550 and he loves the multitasking capability on it (he doesnt use it for gaming)

 

[iSync]

Okay, so the build looks like this atm.

$58.99 Case - Antec Three Hundred Mini Tower Gaming Case 300 ATX 3X5.25 6X3.5INT No PS Front USB & Audio
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=29812&promoid=1042

$239.52 Processor - AMD Phenom II X4 940 Black Edition Quad Core Processor AM2+ 3.0GHZ 8MB Cache 125W 45NM Retail Box
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=35467
OR
$286.47 Processor - AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Quad Core Processor AM3 3.2GHZ 8MB Cache 125W 45NM Retail Box
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=38047

$105.37 Mobo - Gigabyte GA-MA770T-US3P ATX AM3 DDR3 AMD770 PCI-E16 4PCI-E1 2PCI SATA GBLAN Motherboard
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=40118

$92.57 PSU - OCZ ModXStream Pro 600W ATX 20/24PIN SLI Ready Modular Cables 135MM Fan Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=33041&promoid=1042

$239.99 Graphic Card - XFX Radeon HD 4890 XT 1GB 875MHZ 1GB 3.9GHZ GDDR5 PCI-E 2XDVI HDTV Video Card
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=37431&promoid=1042

$76.21 RAM - Mushkin EM3-10666 4GB 2X2GB DDR3-1333 CL9-9-9-24 240PIN DIMM Dual Channel Memory Kit
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=39688&promoid=1042

$79.34 Hard Drive - Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500GB SATA2 3.5IN 8.5MS 7200RPM 16MB Hard Drive OEM *3YR MFR Warranty*
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=36050

$31.08 DVD - Samsung SH-S223F Black 22X DVD Writer SATA OEM
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=38115

Total (CDN) - $923.07 or $970.02

I might just pay the extra $100 something to get Vista plus optional Windows 7 Updrage :/ and also get X4 955 instead of X4 940 if I can. Will there be a noticeable difference between the 940 and 955?

EDIT: But i guess anything would be better than my Pentium 4 2.80GHz, 512mb RAM at the moment with Windows XP Home and integrated 82915G/GV/910GL Express Chipset... -.-

Since I have my old computer, does anyone think that I can bring it into ncix and reuse my DVD writer/ CD drive and case? and maybe the hard drive (220gb)?

 

[ahslan]

if im not mistaken, if you end up getting the 940, you will have to get an AM2+ mobo and DDR2 ram...i think thats how it goes...i might be mistaken...

you can definitely reuse ur dvd burner and your hard drive...

 

[smithereen]

You're not mistaken.

 

[ahslan]

well there ya go...so if you end up going with the 940, then you are most likely going to save even more money because usually AM2+ boards are a little cheaper and DDR2 is much cheaper than DDR3

 

[iSync]

So you're saying if i go with the 940, i'll have to use DDR2 and if i go with the 955, i'll have to use DDR3? Would it be worth it to just get 955 and go with DDR3, since I heard DDR3s are the future. It's only $970 for the build with 955, excluding the OS.

EDIT: I'm also planning on paying the extra $50 for warranty + Installation/testing. I'm absolutely no pro when it comes to computers.

Mushkin EM3-10666 4GB 2X2GB DDR3-1333 CL9-9-9-24 240PIN DIMM Dual Channel Memory Kit
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=39688&promoid=1042
$76.21
or
Corsair XMS3 DHX TW3X4G1600C9DHX 4GB 2X2GB PC3-12800 DDR3-1600 CL9-9-9-24 240PIN Memory Kit
http://secure.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=28942
$89.99 (combo deal)

 

[Orion ZyGarian]

From the research I've been doing, DDR3 obviously IS the future, but if you're purchasing it soon, than purchase things for NOW..DDR2 is much less expensive, since its not just one part but a series. The mobos are cheaper, the processors are cheaper, and the RAM is cheaper.

IMO in this price range, its just not worth the jump up to DDR3. Anything more than 4 gb of RAM isnt going to boost anything but your ego/bragging rights...plus DDR3-1333 just isnt as big of a jump over DDR2-1066 as 1066 is from 667 or lower clock speed RAM. The processors are also much more expensive and yield the same or even less performance, plus the additional cost of the mobo.

I'm still piecing everything together for my own build as well, but this is what I've found to be true.

 

[iSync]

I see, we'll ill take a look at the DDR2 940 processor build and comparing it to the DDR3 955 build, price, performance, etc. It's actually not me buying the computer, but I'm the one building it, my mom's paying for it

 

[iSync]

Okay so the 940 DDR2 build including installation, OS and tax comes to about $1139 CDN. While the 955 DDR3 one including everything comes to about 1190 CDN. This is excluding the Hard drive and DVD writer, which i plan to have taken out of my computer atm and placed into the new computer. Is this worth it?

 

[smithereen]

Either way.