Help Putting Together a Computer Build

[Zawmbeez]

I know you probably hate threads like this, but I need help.

So my family (I'm 16) is buying a new computer. The budget is $1000 Canadian. Currently it will probably be a pre-built computer from Best Buy. I've asked for suggestions on other forums, and I'll I get is the pre-builts shot down and suggestions to build my own computer. So I've decided to turn to Anand in hope of getting some real help on what to buy for a new family computer.

Like I said before, the budget is $1000. But we need to buy a new monitor and an operating system. Windows 7 is gonna cost $100. So that drops the budget to $900. A monitor is also a concern, so can any one recommend a good and reasonable priced monitor? This LG looked good.

Okay, moving on to the actual computer. The budget is about $750 after the OS and monitor. My family will use the computer for watching a few videos/movies, browsing the internet and checking their e-mails. I also want to be able to run some games at reasonable specs. I don't need to run games at highest quality with 32x AA. Just enough to look alright and be playable.

I'd like a quad core processor. Something like the AMD Phenom II x4 seems to be within my budget. 4GB of RAM should be enough for me right? I really need suggestions on the video card. It doesn't have to be that great. Is the 5750 good? Anywhere from 500GB to 1TB is fine for the hard drive. I'd prefer WD for the brand. For the power supply I don't really know. Of course it needs to power what I have, but a little extra for possible upgrades in the future would be nice.

So please please please suggest some builds for me. Please use Canadian sites (Tiger Direct is the site I'll probably buy from.) If you read everything and give suggestions, thank you so so much. I know its a lot to read. Thanks.

 

[mfenn]

From NCIX:
Phenom II X4 955 + M4A78T-E combo $263 AR
G.Skill DDR3 1333 4GB $87
ASUS 5770 1GB $150
WD Black 500GB $67
LG DVD Burner $26
Corsair 430CX $40
Antec Three Hundred $60
Total: $693 AR

 

[Zawmbeez]

That looks like a very good build. You hit the price point directly Everything looks good.

Why should I get the Black over the Blue? I have two 500 GB Blues in a toaster right now for external storage and my parents work back ups and I'm loving them.

I've never hand any experience with NCIX though... Have you bought from them? They seem to beat Tiger Direct's prices. But I love the service of Tiger Direct. Except they are about 70 dollars more expensive.

The video has the huge price difference. Why?

From Tiger Direct:
Phenom II X4 955 + MSI 785GM-E51 $271.97
Corsaid DDR3 1333 4GB $99.97 > $89.97
Asus 5770 1GB $212.99 > $192.99
WD 500GB Blue $40.97
LiteOn DVD Writer $21.97
Corsaid 430CX $54.97 > $34.97
Thermaltek V3 Black Edition Mid Tower Case $62.99 > 52.99

The arrows mean I can do a mail in rebate.
Subtotal : $765.83

 

[Mr. Pedantic]

Blacks have lower random access latency, it should help, especially if your OS is on that drive.

 

[Zawmbeez]

Blacks have lower random access latency, it should help, especially if your OS is on that drive.

Okay thanks. I guess for $20 more I should go for it. Brings the total to $784.84 on TigerDirect.

Any idea why the gfx from Tiger Direct is so much more then then one from NCIX?

With everything (all components, a monitor and win7) the total is $1042.79. This is a little over budget, but I don't see where I can cut costs. :hmm: I hate how 13% tax brings it up to a twelve hundred D:

 

[Davidh373]

Any idea why the gfx from Tiger Direct is so much more then then one from NCIX?

TigerDirect Canada has a 5770 for $139.97 while NCIX has one for $149.99. There isn't a huge price difference there... It is $10 difference, but ultimately that isn't all that much. Prices waver all the time on these sites. If you want a better deal on the cards, why not wait until ATI launches the 6xxx series. People are likely to see drops in prices within' the next month.

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...536&CatId=3669

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=55770

 

[Zawmbeez]

TigerDirect Canada has a 5770 for $139.97 while NCIX has one for $149.99. There isn't a huge price difference there... It is $10 difference, but ultimately that isn't all that much. Prices waver all the time on these sites. If you want a better deal on the cards, why not wait until ATI launches the 6xxx series. People are likely to see drops in prices within' the next month.

But they are different brands? The same (as far as I could tell) Asus 5770s were about 40 dollars different...

What is a good brand for the 5770?

 

[mfenn]

But they are different brands? The same (as far as I could tell) Asus 5770s were about 40 dollars different...

What is a good brand for the 5770?

I'm an American, so I've never personally ordered from NCIX. I have ordered from the American branch of TD though, and the experience was thoroughly meh. I've only head positive things about NCIX.

Most brands of 5770 are going to be the same, so just get whichever one is cheapest (making sure that it still has 1GB of GDDR5, of course!). ASUS, Sapphire, HIS, and Gigabyte are all good.

 

[Zawmbeez]

I'm an American, so I've never personally ordered from NCIX. I have ordered from the American branch of TD though, and the experience was thoroughly meh. I've only head positive things about NCIX.

Wow interesting. Like I've said, Tiger Direct has always been good to me. Only small things though. Mice, Hard Drives etcetcetc. I've never heard of NCIX, but if they do have better service and better prices it makes sense to go with them.

Most brands of 5770 are going to be the same, so just get whichever one is cheapest (making sure that it still has 1GB of GDDR5, of course!). ASUS, Sapphire, HIS, and Gigabyte are all good.

Okay. That's what I thought. Thanks.