First Time Build $800-$1000 CAD

[yobo4321]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: This week BUDGET RANGE: $800-$1000 CAD

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: PC Games mostly

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: I need Everything

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: ncix.com, newegg.ca (if there are good deals, but it costs a lot for taxes)

PARTS PREFERENCES: I don't know which way to go, a cheaper AMD CPU or more expensive Intel CPU.

OVERCLOCKING: Yes SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: Any monitor 19" and above

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I also need an operating system, but Vista costs a lot. Does anyone know how I can use Windows 7 RC for free on a new computer?

Thank you all, any build suggestions would be fine

 

[Proximon]

You say everything, but then you list a monitor resolution, making me think you already have a monitor. Which is it?

 

[yobo4321]

Sorry, I meant it doesn't matter what monitor resolution it is. I just want monitor to be 19" and above. I'll edit the first post

 

[Proximon]

CM 690 case -90 Very high quality well cooled case.
EA500 PSU -95 Enough for now. High quality but not enough for crossfire.
MS KB + mouse -35 Pretty good deal
--
AMD X3 720 -175 Good bang for the buck. You can buy a better CPU cooler later and OC
ASUS M4A78-E ATX 790GX Socket AM2+ DDR2 -145 Very nice board.
OCZ XTC Platinum Edition PC2-8500 DDR2 4GB 2X2GB -85 A bit pricey but fast
--
XFX 4850 -128 Good card, great warranty.
Asus 20" monitor -155 It's an odd resolution but a great price.
--
WD 320GB -62
Samsung SH-S222A/BEBE 22X Dual Layer DVD Writer -31


Wow, we pretty much nailed the budget

There are hefty rebates in there though that will lower the cost in the end.

 

[yobo4321]

Thank you very much. I found some good deals on newegg.ca though, such as the AMD X3 720 which is

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103649

Do you think I should buy that instead? Also, I've heard Intel CPUs are more reliable, is that true? Thank you very much.

 

[Proximon]

You betcha, get this combo:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.201076

With the money you save there upgrade to a better PSU:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005&Tpk=650TX

That way you can add a second 4850 in a few months for crossfire.

No, there is no reliability difference. I'm not an AMD fanboy or anything, I'll always try to get you the best system for your money... these days lower budget systems are usually AMD. 6 months ago the best low budget systems were Intel.

 

[yobo4321]

Wow thanks, I think I have a pretty good idea now about my build. Do you think I can just install Windows 7 RC after I download it and burn it on a CD?

 

[Proximon]

I don't see why not.

 

[yobo4321]

Thank you very much for your help. I just have one more question: Should I buy this 4850 instead since it's cheaper or is XFX better quality? http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102837&cm_sp=DailyDeal-_-14-102-837-_-Product

I've heard there were some noise/heat issues with Sapphire cards, but this one is cheaper and it has 1 gb VRAM

 

[Proximon]

You would be happy either way. The XFX has the better warranty and service, but the Sapphire is very good too. I use Sapphire myself. The 1GB is probably not going to be important in a 4850 running at your resolutions, but it might get you some extra frames in a few games.

 

[yobo4321]

Thank you very much. I think I'll go with the Sapphire. Do you know how I can check to see if these parts are compatible or not? I've read over their specifications but they do not tell you things like the length of connector cords on the Power Supply

 

[Proximon]

I don't see any problems there. The 4-pin CPU power might be a stretch and you might need an extension cable for it.... it will probably reach, but will be a direct run over the top of everything and you'll want extra length to route it more discretely.

This would help:
http://www.svc.com/cbl-extend-12v.html

 

[yobo4321]

I'll get it if I need it. Thanks. Do you think I'll need more case fans or a CPU cooler if I am planning on crossfiring and/or overclocking? Also, should I get a seperate sound card or speaker if I want better sound or is the monitor good enough right now? Thank you!

EDIT: Sorry for another question, but does anyone know if there is MIR for Newegg.ca for products that say "X amount of MIR in USD", or is it in USA only? Much appreciated

 

[yobo4321]

On NCIX there are some pretty good deals because of Canada Day on July 1st, so I think I'll reconfigure my system a little:

Open Box/Refurbished Coolermaster cm 690 Mid Tower Black ATX Case 5X5.25 5X3.5INT No PS Front USB Sound Firewire & eSATA

$76.32

Western Digital WD7500AADS Caviar Green 750GB SATA 32MB Cache 3.5IN Hard Drive OEM

$69.99

G.SKILL F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK PC2-8500 4GB 2X2GB DDR2-1066 CL5-5-5-15 240PIN Dual Channel Memory Kit

$63.99

nGear ANTI-STATIC Wrist Strap

$5.99

Samsung SH-S223F Black 22X DVD Writer SATA OEM

$22.99

XFX Radeon HD 4850 1GB DDR3 PCI-E Dual DVI-I HDCP HDTV Out Video Card

$119.99

ASUS VH202T 20IN Widescreen LCD Monitor 1600X900 20000:1 5ms VGA DVI Speakers

$138.99

Ideazon Gaming Pack Includes Merc Gaming Keyboard GH-100 Gaming Headset & GM-200 Gaming Mouse

$29.99

AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor Model HDZ720WFGIBOX - Retail

$169.00

Seasonic SS-650HT 650W EPS12V 20/24PIN ATX Power Supply Active PFC 80PLUS 6PIN PCI-E 120MM Fan OEM

$98.58

Open Box/Refurbished Gigabyte MA790X-UD4P ATX AM3 AMD790X DDR2 CrossFireX 2PCI-E 2PCI SATA2 Sound GBLAN Motherboard

$110.28



TOTAL:

$943.16

How does it look? Also here is the link to the sale:
http://www.ncix.com/promo/promosale.php?webid=canadaday2009

Thank you guys!

 

[yobo4321]

There also see to be some good deals on Intel processors and their corresponding motherboards. Do you think it is better to buy an Intel Duo/Quad processor instead? Would quad cores also require a CPU cooler or something? Thanks

 

[Proximon]

If you went with the E8400 and UD3P:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=27784&vpn=BX80570E8400&manufacture=Intel&promoid=1078
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=34003&vpn=GA-EP45-UD3P&manufacture=Gigabyte
That would be pretty nice.

You could save a bit on RAM as well:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=33651&vpn=F2-6400CL4D-4GBPI-B&manufacture=G.Skill
Intel builds don't need 1066 RAM. This is very good 800mhz.

The thing with the dual core is it won't keep you happy quite as long, as more and more games will be quad core optimized. You want to snap up a quad core in about a year before the LGA 775 quads are all pulled off the market. Other than that it would be fine.

 

[yobo4321]

Thanks. It's been decided then, I'll go with the triple core. I still have some money left, do you think I can upgrade to this video card?:

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150329&cm_sp=DailyDeal-_-14-150-329-_-Product

The reviews say its big, about 10.5". Will that even fit my case and not block other slots and stuff? (although my motherboard is better for crossfire) Also, DDR3 memory seems to be pretty cheap right now, do you think it'll work with my motherboard? Thank you, and sorry for all the questions, I just don't want to make irrational decisions

 

[Proximon]

WOW, XFX GTX 260 core 216.
Lifetime warranty, COD5 and Far Cry 2 all for 200 loonies. Nice.


You can't add a second Nvidia card to that board, it's not SLI. It will fit in the case and on the board just fine.

The board you have chosen is a DDR2 board, not DDR3.

If you want to keep that card and get a DDR3 board, then you can get this board:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=40118&vpn=GA-MA770T-US3P&manufacture=Gigabyte

 

[yobo4321]

I know it's a good offer, but I've already bought the computer already. Thank you for all you help!