Teach Me the Ways of the First Build ($750 - $900 CAD Budget)

Ryusukeee

Reputable
Jan 4, 2015
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4,510
Hey Guys,

I know it's been posted just about a bajillion other times, but I need help building a new computer, well more like my first computer. I have been lugging around an i7 Asus X53E for nearly 3 years now and am looking to upgrade to a full size desktop.

As far as experience on building or choosing components, I have neither. I did try to do a little bit of research before asking to show that I did attempt to figure out this tech-talk. I did use the search function, but I didn't really find anything similar to my situation, that or I missed it by a mile.

I read/skimmed Proximon's guide if that helps:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/355046-31-guide-choosing-computer-parts

Anyway, here I go:

Approximate Purchase Date: Soon would be awesome cause now I'm all excited but I can be patient.

Budget Range: I'm looking at possibly $750 - $900 CAD, I'm looking to make it last more than the average 2 years, but don't want to spend too much.

System Usage from Most to Least Important:
- Light gaming for example:

  • League of Legends on high settings
    Counter Strike 60 fps on high settings
    Splinter Cell: Blacklist on high settings
Nothing like BF4, Far Cry 4 or Crysis on like ultra really, just needs to play higher than low quality and 30+ fps and I would be happy

- Programming - not really the most extensive thing here, but I'll put it up anyway.
- Browsing, Netflix and whatnot

Parts Not Required:
Keyboard, Mouse, Headphones, Monitor
I don't know if I should upgrade the power supply, I found this from an old computer:
http://www.ncixus.com/products/?sku=45038

Preferred Website(s) for Parts:
Any credible sites that ship to Canada for a low cost.
NCIX.ca, Newegg.ca and Amazon.ca come to mind.

Country: Canada

Parts Preferences:
A small tower if possible, something like the Bitfenix Prodigy, but hey I have no idea what I am talking about, so I leave that all to you guys.

Overclocking: No, I don't think so.

SLI or Crossfire: Nope. Unless an HD5450 graphics card is really worth doing that with, I guess so, but I have to look for it.

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional Comments:
- I assume if I do spend $750 on a rig I can run dual monitors on it.
- OS wise, I think I'm looking at Windows 7, unless someone presents a good argument for Windows 8.
- A simple tower with USB connections, mic and headphone jacks up front.
- A quiet PC would be nice too


I am eternally grateful to anyone who attempts to even help me produce a mish-mash of a rig. Additionally, if you guys are not too bothered, can you explain why you picked the parts that you picked? It would be much helpful to this kid who is blind in the world of computer building.
 
This will handle any game you are looking to play. The more hardware intensive titles, like BF4 and Crysis 3, you will still be able to play at medium to high settings.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($211.75 @ Vuugo)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M PRO4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($104.95 @ Vuugo)
Memory: Team Zeus Yellow 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($75.33 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.75 @ Vuugo)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 280 3GB TWIN FROZR Video Card ($229.64 @ TigerDirect Canada)
Case: Deepcool TESSERACT SW ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Power Supply: EVGA 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($70.84 @ DirectCanada)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-14 DVD/CD Writer ($17.01 @ DirectCanada)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($99.98 @ DirectCanada)
Total: $898.24
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-08 11:23 EST-0500
 


I noticed on other builds that G.Skill memory is often used, why Team Zeus in this case?
 
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($211.75 @ Vuugo)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M PRO4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($79.95 @ Vuugo)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($76.15 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.75 @ Vuugo)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 280 3GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($209.99 @ NCIX)
Case: Cougar Spike MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($34.99 @ NCIX)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($67.98 @ NCIX)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-14 DVD/CD Writer ($17.01 @ DirectCanada)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($99.98 @ DirectCanada)
Total: $856.55
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-09 01:03 EST-0500
 


Pretty much all ram comes from a few select factories, and companies slap their sticker on them. I use Gskil as well, normally, as it is usually the best priced memory. I went for price, and the fact that red ram on a blue and black board looks kinda tacky.