Canadian Gaming Rig

[H4x3r]

Hey guys, I'm putting together a lower budget gaming rig for a friend of mine up in Canada. This is what i have picked out so far. Tell me what you think Btw the budget for this rig is $1000

Newegg.ca - Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases
Newegg.ca - Western Digital Caviar Blue WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Newegg.ca - XFX GS250XZDFU GeForce GTS 250 1GB 256-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards
Newegg.ca - CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Power Supplies
Newegg.ca - G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL8D-4GBHK - Desktop Memory
Newegg.ca - Intel Core i5-660 Clarkdale 3.33GHz 4MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 73W Dual-Core Desktop Processor - Processors - Desktops

I had thought of going with a Q9400, but she said she might like to upgrade to the i7 on down the road. Thanks!

(also she already has a dvd-rw)

 

[dirkpitt45]

Would you consider AMD?

Newegg.ca - Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases
Newegg.ca - Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Newegg.ca - CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Power Supplies
Newegg.ca - G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10600CL8D-4GBHK - Desktop Memory
Newegg.ca - POWERCOLOR AX5770 1GBD5-H Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 CrossFireX Support Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards
Newegg.ca - GIGABYTE GA-790FXTA-UD5 AM3 AMD 790FX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard - AMD Motherboards
Newegg.ca - AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops

Ends being $1051.81 shipped to me. I think the 955 would be better then a dual core i5, plus a 5770 though its the same price as the gts 250 you got there, and SATA 6gbs and USB 3.0. Switch the the motherboard and save another 80, or go with a cheaper case, or cheaper power supply, like an antec or something.

Should also check out NCIX.com. For canada, atleast in my experiences, far better then newegg shipping wise. I get stuff I order on mondays friday, and vice versa if I order friday before noon. Price match too so you can match newegg's prices, occasionally NCIX has some pretty solid deals though.

 

[H4x3r]

Need to stay with Intel if i can...not a huge AMD boy. Also she will be upgrading the GFX card some time to either a GTX 260 c216 or a 285...so wanted to leave the amperage headroom with the TX.

 

[orihS ‪‪‪Shiro]

Ditch that i5 660, get either an i3 530 or an i5 750.

If you overclock an i3 530 you get equal performance to the 660/650.
Also, nobody really needs the i5 660/650 unless you plan on using the integrated GPU.
You said she might want to upgrade to an i7 down the road?
Then get a P55 motherboard which was made for the i7 860/870.
Those CPUs with integrated GPUs weren't really made for P55 motherboards, so I'm a little confused at your build, also you don't have a motherboard selected?

Also, why stay with Intel?
AMD far surpasses Intel in price/performance.
Especially later this year when the Phenom II X6's release.

Newegg.ca - Rosewill Blackbone Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases
Also, I recommend that case over that ungodly overpriced three hundred.

 

[Muffin Man]

so is the budget just for the tower? OS included?

what do you think about going with an ati gpu? you can get a faster 5770 for almost the same price.

 

[farinha]

Agree! Since you won't be using the integrated gpu get the i5 750. And get the ATI 5770 since it supports DX11, has better performance and it costs the same. Buying Nvidia is a waste of money right now... for the same price you can get a ATI card with better performance.

 

[patonb]

Okay, 1.. you don't have a mobo, and so its hard to fully price, but...
At ncix.com I've priced it at 778, with no mail ins, or price matching. Plus if she's not in BC, or Maritimes, she'll save the pst too...
Plus shippings cheaper and faster.

 

[dirkpitt45]

Ah yeah sales taxes makes everything exspensive, every thing's gonna get more expensive here in ontario now. Stupid harmonized sale tax, swear our government comes up with the stupidest ideas ever.
NCIX needs to update their site IMO. Newegg is just so much nicer and easier to navigate through. Usually end up finding stuff on newegg then buying said stuff off of NCIX now.

Also a 550w corsair is gonna be able to power anything, even xfire 5770s. Unless you're gonna crossfire 5870s or gt270s. Tbh only reason I got my 750w was cause it was on sale for $99.99 at the time, same as the 550w.

 

[aliasaid]

I agree with whoever suggested getting an i5 750. That way you can eventually upgrade to an i7 8xx. I also agree with whomever suggested the 5770 - only $5 more than the gts250 you had there but a lot better.

Newegg.ca - XFX HD-577X-ZNFC Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

Get this memory kit instead:
Newegg.ca - G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL - Desktop Memory

You could save more money by getting this power supply instead:
Newegg.ca - Antec NEO ECO 620C 620W Continuous Power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Power Supplies

Good Luck.