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posted in Hardware
1
#1
0 Frags +

So my brother's laptop broke and he wants to get a new desktop and he asked me to get the parts together and help him build it.

His budget is ~$1000 CAD
After some recommendations I got something else together

RAM: 60.93
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=16950BD9401&vpn=CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9B&manufacture=OTHERS

Storage Drive: 66.22
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=1508116455S&vpn=WD10EZEX&manufacture=WESTERN%20DIGITAL%20-%20DESKTOP%20DIRVE

SSD: 129.79
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=26490DR2643&vpn=VTX4-25SAT3-128G&manufacture=OCZ%20TECHNOLOGY

CPU: 224.97 (214.97 w/ coupon)
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2373004&SRCCODE=CANWSHOPBOT&cm_mmc_o=2mHCjCmtB5_BfCjCVqHCjCdwwp&cpncode=31-140281322-2

Motherboard: 89.99
http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=26_722&item_id=056427

Cooling: 34.99
http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=8_129&item_id=044952

Case: 69.99
http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=6_112&item_id=049199

GPU: 214.97
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7542561&SRCCODE=CANWSHOPBOT&cm_mmc_o=2mHCjCmtB5_BfCjCVqHCjCdwwp&cpncode=31-140314751-2

PSU: 34.97
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7906002&SRCCODE=CANWSHOPBOT&cm_mmc_o=2mHCjCmtB5_BfCjCVqHCjCdwwp&cpncode=30-176648547-2

Total incl. tax: 1047.31

total incl shipping and tax: 1052.42

I'm pretty new to building computers so if any of this doesnt make sense or isnt as good for something thats cheaper, then please for the love of god tell me.
He doesn't need a monitor since hes taking my old one and he already has his peripherals (mice, keyboard, pad) from before.

Thanks in advance!

So my brother's laptop broke and he wants to get a new desktop and he asked me to get the parts together and help him build it.

His budget is ~$1000 CAD
After some recommendations I got something else together

RAM: 60.93
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=16950BD9401&vpn=CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9B&manufacture=OTHERS

Storage Drive: 66.22
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=1508116455S&vpn=WD10EZEX&manufacture=WESTERN%20DIGITAL%20-%20DESKTOP%20DIRVE

SSD: 129.79
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=26490DR2643&vpn=VTX4-25SAT3-128G&manufacture=OCZ%20TECHNOLOGY

CPU: 224.97 (214.97 w/ coupon)
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2373004&SRCCODE=CANWSHOPBOT&cm_mmc_o=2mHCjCmtB5_BfCjCVqHCjCdwwp&cpncode=31-140281322-2

Motherboard: 89.99
http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=26_722&item_id=056427

Cooling: 34.99
http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=8_129&item_id=044952

Case: 69.99
http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=6_112&item_id=049199

GPU: 214.97
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7542561&SRCCODE=CANWSHOPBOT&cm_mmc_o=2mHCjCmtB5_BfCjCVqHCjCdwwp&cpncode=31-140314751-2

PSU: 34.97
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7906002&SRCCODE=CANWSHOPBOT&cm_mmc_o=2mHCjCmtB5_BfCjCVqHCjCdwwp&cpncode=30-176648547-2

Total incl. tax: 1047.31

total incl shipping and tax: 1052.42

I'm pretty new to building computers so if any of this doesnt make sense or isnt as good for something thats cheaper, then please for the love of god tell me.
He doesn't need a monitor since hes taking my old one and he already has his peripherals (mice, keyboard, pad) from before.

Thanks in advance!
2
#2
3 Frags +

Get cheaper RAM

Get cheaper RAM
3
#3
0 Frags +

I got a zalman z9 a little while ago for the case, it cost me around 70 euro so that should be cheaper and it does everything you want a case to do...
You could probably use the extra money on a better graphics card. If you managed to get a 7850 that would be perfect.
I'm also not convinced that you need a 650W power supply. Do the math but I'd say 500 or 550 is enough, you can save a bit on that too. (unless you plan on doing SLI or something...)
You might want to consider getting 2TB instead of one because it's not much more expensive although that's up to you on if you'll use it.
The rest seems fine, good luck!
EDIT: I don't know about price of RAM because I don't know the prices in Canada but in general look up similar hardware and see if it's overpriced like the RAM

I got a zalman z9 a little while ago for the case, it cost me around 70 euro so that should be cheaper and it does everything you want a case to do...
You could probably use the extra money on a better graphics card. If you managed to get a 7850 that would be perfect.
I'm also not convinced that you need a 650W power supply. Do the math but I'd say 500 or 550 is enough, you can save a bit on that too. (unless you plan on doing SLI or something...)
You might want to consider getting 2TB instead of one because it's not much more expensive although that's up to you on if you'll use it.
The rest seems fine, good luck!
EDIT: I don't know about price of RAM because I don't know the prices in Canada but in general look up similar hardware and see if it's overpriced like the RAM
4
#4
0 Frags +

unfortunately i cant seem to find cheaper ram in canada, maybe in states its cheaper but the shipping and customs costs dont really make it worth the cheaper price 90% of the time

tornados2111I got a zalman z9 a little while ago for the case, it cost me around 70 euro so that should be cheaper and it does everything you want a case to do...

is a mid-size tower big enough for the fan? i have a mid-size tower (i think) and the same cooler and its too big for the case so i have to leave the lid off.

unfortunately i cant seem to find cheaper ram in canada, maybe in states its cheaper but the shipping and customs costs dont really make it worth the cheaper price 90% of the time

[quote=tornados2111]I got a zalman z9 a little while ago for the case, it cost me around 70 euro so that should be cheaper and it does everything you want a case to do...
[/quote]

is a mid-size tower big enough for the fan? i have a mid-size tower (i think) and the same cooler and its too big for the case so i have to leave the lid off.
5
#5
1 Frags +

You can get a 3570k for like 20 dollars less from other websites. I got mine for 205 from TigerDirect when they had a 20 dollar off coupon. You could also save like 60 on the case if you opted for a good mid tower instead, but that's really up to you. I'd put more money into the gpu, really.

You can get a 3570k for like 20 dollars less from other websites. I got mine for 205 from TigerDirect when they had a 20 dollar off coupon. You could also save like 60 on the case if you opted for a good mid tower instead, but that's really up to you. I'd put more money into the gpu, really.
6
#6
1 Frags +
delpoYou can get a 3570k for like 20 dollars less from other websites. I got mine for 205 from TigerDirect when they had a 20 dollar off coupon. You could also save like 60 on the case if you opted for a good mid tower instead, but that's really up to you. I'd put more money into the gpu, really.

ill check some more prices before i make sure, but when i was checking websites earlier (newegg, tigerdirect, canadacomputers) TD almost always cost 5-10 $ more

edit: derp, forgot about shopbot.
amazon.ca has it for 20 cheaper nice call

[quote=delpo]You can get a 3570k for like 20 dollars less from other websites. I got mine for 205 from TigerDirect when they had a 20 dollar off coupon. You could also save like 60 on the case if you opted for a good mid tower instead, but that's really up to you. I'd put more money into the gpu, really.[/quote]

ill check some more prices before i make sure, but when i was checking websites earlier (newegg, tigerdirect, canadacomputers) TD almost always cost 5-10 $ more

edit: derp, forgot about shopbot.
amazon.ca has it for 20 cheaper nice call
7
#7
0 Frags +
downpourdelpoYou can get a 3570k for like 20 dollars less from other websites. I got mine for 205 from TigerDirect when they had a 20 dollar off coupon. You could also save like 60 on the case if you opted for a good mid tower instead, but that's really up to you. I'd put more money into the gpu, really.
ill check some more prices before i make sure, but when i was checking websites earlier (newegg, tigerdirect, canadacomputers) TD almost always cost 5-10 $ more

edit: derp, forgot about shopbot.
amazon.ca has it for 20 cheaper nice call

If you are able to go instore, TD has a $10 off coupon on a 3570k http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2373004&SRCCODE=CANWSHOPBOT&cm_mmc_o=2mHCjCmtB5_BfCjCVqHCjCdwwp&cpncode=31-140277363-2

[quote=downpour][quote=delpo]You can get a 3570k for like 20 dollars less from other websites. I got mine for 205 from TigerDirect when they had a 20 dollar off coupon. You could also save like 60 on the case if you opted for a good mid tower instead, but that's really up to you. I'd put more money into the gpu, really.[/quote]

ill check some more prices before i make sure, but when i was checking websites earlier (newegg, tigerdirect, canadacomputers) TD almost always cost 5-10 $ more

edit: derp, forgot about shopbot.
amazon.ca has it for 20 cheaper nice call[/quote]

If you are able to go instore, TD has a $10 off coupon on a 3570k http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2373004&SRCCODE=CANWSHOPBOT&cm_mmc_o=2mHCjCmtB5_BfCjCVqHCjCdwwp&cpncode=31-140277363-2
8
#8
0 Frags +

after some help from this thread i changed some parts around.
thinking of actually putting the HDD back down to 1TB and getting an SSD along with it
thoughts?

after some help from this thread i changed some parts around.
thinking of actually putting the HDD back down to 1TB and getting an SSD along with it
thoughts?
9
#9
0 Frags +

Change the 660 ti to a 7870, downgrade the HDD to 1 TB, and go for an SSD. They're well worth the price IMO, and a 7870 = 660 Ti in gaming, for almost 100$ less.

Change the 660 ti to a 7870, downgrade the HDD to 1 TB, and go for an SSD. They're well worth the price IMO, and a 7870 = 660 Ti in gaming, for almost 100$ less.
10
#10
0 Frags +

yep^^ ellie is right. The 7870 is in almost all cases more performance than the 660Ti. A 7850 costing around 200 bucks is satisfactory to be honest. By getting a card more expensive than the 7850, you are paying more than the fps you are actually getting out of it, so I wouldn't although that is your choice.
And sure, go with an SSD although I can't help you with that one, I have no experience on what's a good SSD but I hear only good things of the loading times. Not sure about evo fitting in the case actually... that's a good point

yep^^ ellie is right. The 7870 is in almost all cases more performance than the 660Ti. A 7850 costing around 200 bucks is satisfactory to be honest. By getting a card more expensive than the 7850, you are paying more than the fps you are actually getting out of it, so I wouldn't although that is your choice.
And sure, go with an SSD although I can't help you with that one, I have no experience on what's a good SSD but I hear only good things of the loading times. Not sure about evo fitting in the case actually... that's a good point
11
#11
0 Frags +

updated op with 7870 and SSD

updated op with 7870 and SSD
12
#12
0 Frags +

Tiger Direct is sorta pricey iirc, if you got a Canada Computers or NCIX I would go there.
Edit: Woops assumed you were getting all the parts from Tiger Direct.

Tiger Direct is sorta pricey iirc, if you got a Canada Computers or NCIX I would go there.
Edit: Woops assumed you were getting all the parts from Tiger Direct.
13
#13
2 Frags +

Remember that NCIX and memory express are bros and will pricematch. NCIX will simply match the price, and are very easygoing about it. MemEx will beat it by ~25%, but its harder to get them to price match. NCIX will also assemble the PC for 49.99, and they have nice cable management.

Remember that NCIX and memory express are bros and will pricematch. NCIX will simply match the price, and are very easygoing about it. MemEx will beat it by ~25%, but its harder to get them to price match. NCIX will also assemble the PC for 49.99, and they have nice cable management.
14
#14
0 Frags +

Get a better power supply. That one is basically a 450W unit being sold as a 550W unit. It would be fine if he doesn't plan to overclock, but judging by the parts you chose it looks like overclocking is a consideration and thus I doubt that power supply can handle it.

Unfortunate part is that power supplies seem to be more expensive in Canada than the US. But a good power supply will go a long way so it's worth it to spend the money on a reputable brand/model.

The best deal I've seen on various sites is this 550W Corsair Enthusiast, $30 off. Pick this up before it runs out of stock.
http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=33_442&item_id=015941

Get a better power supply. That one is basically a 450W unit being sold as a 550W unit. It would be fine if he doesn't plan to overclock, but judging by the parts you chose it looks like overclocking is a consideration and thus I doubt that power supply can handle it.

Unfortunate part is that power supplies seem to be more expensive in Canada than the US. But a good power supply will go a long way so it's worth it to spend the money on a reputable brand/model.

The best deal I've seen on various sites is this 550W Corsair Enthusiast, $30 off. Pick this up before it runs out of stock.
http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=33_442&item_id=015941
15
#15
0 Frags +

If he's going to use it for games other than TF2, consider staying with the Nvidia card. The 7870 is a good card but Radeons in general can't handle PhysX very well. Then again, if he doesn't care about PhysX effects too much, I would go with the Radeon.

If he's going to use it for games other than TF2, consider staying with the Nvidia card. The 7870 is a good card but Radeons in general can't handle PhysX very well. Then again, if he doesn't care about PhysX effects too much, I would go with the Radeon.
16
#16
0 Frags +

If you're getting a 3570k, I'd recommend buying one from TD now. After coupon it's $205. http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2373004&Sku=

If you're getting a 3570k, I'd recommend buying one from TD now. After coupon it's $205. http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2373004&Sku=
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