Building new $800 CND computer

Hey guys. I am looking to build a new computer for around $800 CND. I am not currently up-to-date on the latest hardware, so I was wondering if you guys can tell me what the best CPUs and GPUs are currently. I am thinking Intel i7 920 for the CPU and either an ATI 4890HD or nVidia 280.

I also need a really good motherboard. :)

CPU:

The top dogs for CPU are easily the i7's.

MOBO:

I recommend an ASUS P6T

GPU:

The GTXs are all very solid cards, pick based on your price, but if you wait till dx11 cards are out they will be cheaper.

PSU:

Pick based on your GPU. Take it from someone with experience, buy brand name on the PSU, I bought an offbrand for my last PC and it crapped out after only a couple years. Well below the 50000 hours some of the good brand name PSUs are good for.

Hey guys. I am looking to build a new computer for around $800 CND. I am not currently up-to-date on the latest hardware, so I was wondering if you guys can tell me what the best CPUs and GPUs are currently. I am thinking Intel i7 920 for the CPU and either an ATI 4890HD or nVidia 280.

ISuperGamerI

Do you guys recommend that I buy a 9800GTX for now until the new cards are released in October? And this compter that I am building is actually for my uncle, I already built a gaming PC about a year ago. My own computer has an Intel Q6600, nVidia 8800GT, 6GB RAM, Asus P5N-D and Corsair VX PSU.

I personally wouldn't play the waiting game. The 5850/5870 will be around $300/400 USD when they release, and the 57xx will probably retail between $150-250 USD. I'm guessing performance on the 57xx parts won't be too much greater than the 4870/4890, and the 4870/4890 can be had for good prices now. Possibly one of the only benefits of waiting for 57xx would be reduced power consumption since they'll be 40nm parts.

Grab a 4850/4870/4890 for cheap now if you don't want to wait till October.

CPU - Intel Core i7 920 ($339.99 Canada Computers)

http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=020622&cid=CPU.840

GPU - Either ATI 4890 or nVidia 280.

Hard Drive - Seagate Barracuda (ST3500320AS) 500GB 32MB Cache ($65.99 Canada Computers)

http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=014525&cid=HDD.443.877

--OR--

Hard Drive - Western Digital Caviar Green (WD10EADS) 1TB 32MB Cache ($97.99 Canada Computers)

http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=020398&cid=HDD.443.877

Motherboard - Asus P6T Socket 1366 Intel X58 ($284.99 Canada Computers)

http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=021131&cid=MBD.303

RAM - Looking around 2GB to 4GB.

PSU - Haven't decided. How much Watt would I need to power everything? I am thinking around 500W.

I would pick the 4890 over the 280.

Hard drive would be your preference. If you can live with 500gb to shave off some from your budget, then go for it. However, it seems like the sweet-spot for price/gb is the 1tb-1.5tb range.

I can't really comment on the motherboard as I haven't looked into X58 setups, but it looks kinda expensive. Depending on your needs you might be able to get something cheaper.

500w should be enough depending on how many drives you'll have in it. If you're gonna load up on multiple hard-drives, then you might need something with more wattage.

And while 2gb of RAM of DDR3 would be the cheaper option, I highly suggest you go for 4Gb (2x 2Gb) as that is becoming standard nowadays.

I would pick the 4890 over the 280.

Hard drive would be your preference. If you can live with 500gb to shave off some from your budget, then go for it. However, it seems like the sweet-spot for price/gb is the 1tb-1.5tb range.

I can't really comment on the motherboard as I haven't looked into X58 setups, but it looks kinda expensive. Depending on your needs you might be able to get something cheaper.

500w should be enough depending on how many drives you'll have in it. If you're gonna load up on multiple hard-drives, then you might need something with more wattage.

And while 2gb of RAM of DDR3 would be the cheaper option, I highly suggest you go for 4Gb (2x 2Gb) as that is becoming standard nowadays.

s0matic

Is there something wrong with the 280? Just wondering.

Yeah, 500GB should be enough, at least for now. And I am already a bit over-budget, and I haven't even included the GPU and Case.

It will only be one HDD with everything else that I listed.

Oh yeah, I forgot about DDR3 haha, because back when I built my own PC, everyone bought DDR2s since they were a lot cheaper.

Go for the core I5 you can build a I5 rig for that price and the i5/P55 motherboards are the latest and their priced really well! Pick up the Evga P55 LE motherboard, 4gb ram kit from G Skill, Ati 4890, and the p55 motherboards has crossfire support along with sli. I also heard the I5 performs just like the I7 920 just a bit slow without the Hyper Threading. Hekynn

I really want an i7 though, haha. Maybe, I am just influenced by the hype. :P

The 4890 outperforms the 280, check benchmarks here, in addition to that the 4890 can be had for cheaper than 280. That's the situation here though, so I'm unsure if it's any different up there.

500w will be plenty then, assuming it's from a reputable brand (Corsair, Antec, OCZ, etc.)

And also if you find yourself way overbudget still, you can always spring for a i5/LGA1156 like Hekynn suggested. For less money you'll get great performance in games thanks to Lynnfield's Turbo mode.

Oh, I see and yeah, I might go with the i5. What do you guys think about this CPU/RAM/Motherboard combo?

http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowBundle&cmd=pd&pid=025881&cid=CPU

Unless you'll be doing heavy overclocking, that RAM is overkill. If you won't be overclocking you can settle for cheaper DDR3 1066.

Unless you'll be doing heavy overclocking, that RAM is overkill. If you won't be overclocking you can settle for cheaper DDR3 1066.

s0matic

Yeah, I know but I am just wondering if the price for the combo is good or whether or not the Motherboard is good.

If you won't be doing heavy overclocking you should be able to settle for a cheaper motherboard and pair of RAM sticks, even if they aren't in a combo.

There isn't much in terms of P55 motherboard reviews out as of yet, so as long as you pick a reputable motherboard brand, you'll be fine.

If you won't be doing heavy overclocking you should be able to settle for a cheaper motherboard and pair of RAM sticks, even if they aren't in a combo.

s0matic

Well, do you know any good motherboards for an i5? Someone on this topic said a P55 and another person said a P6T (but I think that is for an i7).

[QUOTE="s0matic"]

If you won't be doing heavy overclocking you should be able to settle for a cheaper motherboard and pair of RAM sticks, even if they aren't in a combo.

ISuperGamerI

Well, do you know any good motherboards for an i5? Someone on this topic said a P55 and another person said a P6T (but I think that is for an i7).

P6T goes for I7 only.

Given the site you have linked, I think any of the cheaper options on this page will be fine. The cheaper options lack a dual-video card option, so unless you'll be doing that, you should be ok with the cheaper models.

Given the site you have linked, I think any of the cheaper options on this page will be fine. The cheaper options lack a dual-video card option, so unless you'll be doing that, you should be ok with the cheaper models.

s0matic

Okay sweet. I don't think I will SLI or Crossfire any GPUs for another year or two.

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=43240&promoid=1021 It's a lot cheaper than on CC, since the MSI G65 is worth 245 on CC and 170 @ NCIX

If you add the 1333 4GB ripjaws it comes to a total of 480 after tax.

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=43240&promoid=1021 It's a lot cheaper than on CC, since the MSI G65 is worth 245 on CC and 170 @ NCIX

If you add the 1333 4GB ripjaws it comes to a total of 480 after tax.

WWII_Warrior

That's true, but I didn't bother looking at NCIX because I need everything by Saturday so I can build the computer.

Then I'm guessing your gonna pick it up in store ?WWII_Warrior

I thought NCIX was only an online store, similar to Newegg.

Oh yeah, I meant your going to CC to get your parts?WWII_Warrior

Yep, and maybe a few parts from TigerDirect.

Okay, so I made a new list but its still over-budget. I need to shave off at least $150 or $200. Can you guys help me please?

CPU - Intel Core i5 750 Processor ($244.99 Canada Computers or $229.97 TigerDirect)

GPU - MSI R4890-T2D1G-OC ATI Radeon HD 4890 Video Card ($224.99 Canada Computers)

--OR--

GPU - XFX Radeon HD 4890 XT Video Card ($229.97 TigerDirect)

Hard Drive - Western Digital Caviar Green (WD10EADS) 1TB 32MB Cache ($97.99 Canada Computers)

Motherboard - Asus ASUS P7P55D PRO Socket ($199.99 Canada Computers)

RAM - G.SKILL Ripjaws Series DDR3 1333MHz (PC3-10666) 4GB ($104.99 Canada Computers)

PSU - ThermalTake / PurePower W0100RU / 500-Watt Power Supply ($80.99 TigerDirect)

TOTAL = $1060.97 (Including TAX)

EDIT: If I get this bundle and the same GPU/HDD/PSU, it will be $1099 (including TAX)...nevermind, lol.

Okay, so I made a new list but its still over-budget. I need to shave off at least $150 or $200. Can you guys help me please?

CPU - Intel Core i5 750 Processor ($244.99 Canada Computers or $229.97 TigerDirect)

GPU - MSI R4890-T2D1G-OC ATI Radeon HD 4890 Video Card ($224.99 Canada Computers)

--OR--

GPU - XFX Radeon HD 4890 XT Video Card ($229.97 TigerDirect)

Hard Drive - Western Digital Caviar Green (WD10EADS) 1TB 32MB Cache ($97.99 Canada Computers)

Motherboard - Asus ASUS P7P55D PRO Socket ($199.99 Canada Computers)

RAM - G.SKILL Ripjaws Series DDR3 1333MHz (PC3-10666) 4GB ($104.99 Canada Computers)

PSU - ThermalTake / PurePower W0100RU / 500-Watt Power Supply ($80.99 TigerDirect)

TOTAL = $1060.97 (Including TAX)

ISuperGamerI

Make the card GTX280.

I think the nVidia 280GTX is more expensive. Thus, the only thing I can really think of to make the list cheaper is to downgrade to a 9800GT/GTX (or even a 260C) and get DDR2 RAM instead.

Try these:

OCZ (OCZ2B10664GK) DDR2 PC2-8500 1066MHz Blade Series Dual Channel Kits 4GB
MSI P55-CD53 Socket 1156 Intel P55 Express Chipset Dual-Channel DDR3 2133/2000/1800/1600/1333Mhz 1x PCI-E X16 7.1-Ch HD Audio 6x SATAII GigaLAN ATX
or Asus P7P55D LE Socket 1156 Intel P55 Chipset CrossfireX Dual-Channel DDR3 2000(O.C.)/1600/1333/1066Mhz GigaLAN 8-Ch HD Audio 2 x PCI Express 2.0 x16 Slots 6x SATA + 1x eSATA 3Gb/s 14x USB 2.0 ATX

Corsair / VX450W / 450-Watt / ATX / 120mm Fan / SATA-Ready / Power Supply, 80Plus

Spring for a smaller hard-drive, maybe a 750gb or a 640gb.

If you have to get a 4870 instead of a 4890.

I think the nVidia 280GTX is more expensive. Thus, the only thing I can really think of to make the list cheaper is to downgrade to a 9800GT/GTX (or even a 260C) and get DDR2 RAM instead.

ISuperGamerI

Scratch the RAM, it's DDR2, you'll need DDR3. For some reason the site listed those under DDR3 1066.

Edit: Look at these, they have a $30 mail-in rebate.

I am not really looking for MIRs because I always forget to mail the receipt and everything, lol.

[QUOTE="ISuperGamerI"]

I think the nVidia 280GTX is more expensive. Thus, the only thing I can really think of to make the list cheaper is to downgrade to a 9800GT/GTX (or even a 260C) and get DDR2 RAM instead.

-GeordiLaForge-

Okay, here is the updated list. I think this one is really good and thank you everyone for your contributions. :)

CPU - Intel Core i5 750 Processor ($244.99 Canada Computers or $229.97 TigerDirect)

GPU - EVGA GeForce 8800 GTS ($99.97 TigerDirect)

Hard Drive - Western Digital Caviar Green (WD10EADS) 1TB 32MB Cache ($97.99 Canada Computers)

Motherboard - Asus P7P55D PRO Socket ($199.99 Canada Computers)

RAM - G.SKILL NQ Series DDR2 1066MHz (PC2-8500) 4GB ($74.99 Canada Computers)

PSU - Ultra LSP550 550-Watt Power Supply ($67.99 TigerDirect)

Case - Ultra X-Blaster ATX Black Mid-Tower Case ($39.97 TigerDirect)

TOTAL (without case) = $770.90 + TAX = $871.11

TOTAL (with case) = $810.87 + TAX = $916.28

i5s are a bit slower, but you get good bang for your buck there.

I take back the advice on the P6T, I just learned they plan on phasing out 1366 to mainstream i5/i7 on 1166 socket.

i5s are a bit slower, but you get good bang for your buck there.

I take back the advice on the P6T, I just learned they plan on phasing out 1366 to mainstream i5/i7 on 1166 socket.

MajorGamer531

Haha, its okay. :P