Advice for best possible gaming PC for $900 - $1300 (Canadian)

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mistasho

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Jul 25, 2013
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Hi. I'm looking for the best possible gaming PC for about $900 - $1300. I don't know how to build one but if any of you could pick all the parts for me, I would be willing to watch videos on how to build my machine. Please note that, if I am to build one, it would be from scratch. I would like to have it up and within the next 3 weeks.

I heard about pcpartpicker.com but I don't know the first thing about picking parts. What i do know is, I am looking for:

An intel i7 build.

OS: Windows 7

Has to be able to run flawlessly on a 37" Sharp HDTV.

Country: Canada

Everything else is up to you since you ladies and gents, are much more knowledgeable about the specs, than I am.

Btw. I don't know what overlocking means or how to change the settings so I would really prefer if everything worked as is.

I do not need to buy a monitor, keyboard or mouse or speakers.

The more info you give me, the better. I would be even more grateful if all the parts were picked for me.

Thanks in advance.
 
Solution
Maxime506
If u don't wanna overclock...

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1kATi
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1kATi/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1kATi/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: MSI B85-G41 PC Mate ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($78.24 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ Microcenter)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($403.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Corsair Carbide Series 300R Windowed ATX...
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Maxime506

Maxime506

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Apr 22, 2013
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I think, except u run huge programming or video editing/making software, there is no need for a i7 CPU, the difference between i5 and i7 is just 4 more threads (but the number of CPU cores remained unchanged, still 4 cores in i7) and the price difference is $100. I don't think it worth it.

I'll start from another post to give u my suggestion of the build. I'm a Canadian, too. lol

BTW, I think Windows 8 performs better than win7, u wanna choose it?
 
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smorizio

smorizio

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Jan 22, 2010
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PCPartPicker part list: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/1ktdt
Price breakdown by merchant: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/1ktdt/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/1ktdt/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($239.99 @ NCIX)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.79 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($139.75 @ Vuugo)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($86.98 @ NCIX)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.79 @ DirectCanada)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB Video Card ($239.99 @ NCIX)
Case: Inwin GT1 Black ATX Mid Tower Case ($62.64 @ DirectCanada)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($94.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($16.79 @ DirectCanada)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($97.99 @ NCIX)
Total: $1072.70
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-25 07:33 EDT-0400)
 
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Maxime506

Maxime506

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Apr 22, 2013
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Here is my thought:

PCPartPicker part list: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/1ktfl
Price breakdown by merchant: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/1ktfl/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/1ktfl/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($239.99 @ NCIX)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.79 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87X-UD3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($162.00 @ Vuugo)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($55.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.79 @ DirectCanada)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($389.99 @ Memory Express)
Case: Corsair Carbide Series 300R Windowed ATX Mid Tower Case ($74.99 @ Canada Computers)
Power Supply: OCZ ModXStream Pro 700W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($84.99 @ Memory Express)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($16.79 @ DirectCanada)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($97.99 @ NCIX)
Total: $1216.31
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-25 07:36 EDT-0400)

Your machine is more powerful than mine. Well, budget matters. ;)
 
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mistasho

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Jul 25, 2013
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I hope you will direct me to that thread, when you post your specs. :)

As for Windows, I just heard so many people complain about Windows 8. I thought high power gaming required more power than video editing. I will take your i5 advice into great consideration...especially since it will save me money. I just don't want to have to upgrade anything for 3-5 years.
 
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mistasho

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Jul 25, 2013
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Haha. As you can see, I was writing my reply, as you were typing your specs. you can disregard my first sentence.
 
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Maxime506

Maxime506

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Apr 22, 2013
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Actually I was choosing and pasting the specs haha.

Windows 8 is a controversial OS. Compared with Windows Vista (Vista is considered to be the second failure since Windows 95 era, the first biggest failure is Windows ME), it has much faster response speed than any other system, it optimizes better but it has some compability issues with old software and older games like Crysis 1,2. It depends on u. Windows 8, I think, is better for your future usage.
 
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mistasho

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Jul 25, 2013
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Maxime506 and smorizio, thank you both so much. I ran your specs by one of my more tech savvy friends and he doesn't see any issues with your choices. (He was just too busy to actually do the research for me). The fact that most of your choices are similar to one-another is extra insurance for me. I also appreciate how you both made the effort to post canadian vendors for as many parts as you could. You two were straight to the point and extremely detailed. If I could give you both, the top answer, I would. I'll just give it to whomever cares about it so if you want me to pick your answer as top honors, just let me know. I'll just pick the first one to reply, just to be fair.
 
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Cpt Underpants

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Jun 29, 2013
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waaaaaait a minute there buddy. Did your tech savvy fail to realize that the cpu and motherboard recommended by both posters were unlocked and extreme versions for overclocking?? You can buy the cpu heatsink (CM Hyper 212 evo, great coice) if you just want things to run cooler, it is amazing value for money. But if you want things to "work as is", and do not intend to overclock - as you indicated you barely know anything about it - than it is completely wasted cash getting the 4670K cpu and Z87 mobo.

Consider a regular 4570 along with an H87 mobo for less cost and absolutely no difference in performance in order to work as is.
 
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Maxime506

Maxime506

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Apr 22, 2013
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Maybe he'll change his mind. Notify that he doesn't want to change parts for 3-5 yrs, only -K version CPU can fulfill his need by overclocking in the future, it's worthwhile to pay the money on overclockability and a good mobo.
 
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mistasho

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Jul 25, 2013
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I can understand both your points. Does over clocking really makes that much of a difference...so much, as to justify the higher price? If I do get the cheaper model, will it be sufficient when I decide to upgrade my memory etc.? If it will save me from getting a headache in the future I don't mind spending the extra $100 (total for all the components). However, if it makes little to no difference, I would just get the cheaper option.
 
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smorizio

smorizio

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Jan 22, 2010
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I don't know if you talked a lot to your tech friend. With pc today new parts ie gpu and CPU are dropping about ever 12 months now from both amd and intel. The older ib CPU are now end of life and were only dropped last year.
Haswell CPU in next 12 months or so there the Broadwell refresh. There are two groups of pc builders...one that need to have the newest gear when it drops...other like myself build a pc and use it till it can't run. My last pc I had for four years a 775 CPU and gigbyte mb. Gave the pc to a friend that blew the CPU off the mb trying to work on it himself after he had pc for about a year. Here in the us right now the 4670k is the hottest chip and most places like micro center and newegg have great combo deals.
Haswell CPU right now max safe oc been just over 4g so it not much more speed then the stock 3.2 speed chip. with any oc you may shorten the life of a part. That why most good mb have large vrm and heat sinks.
When this pc does need to be replaced you can turn it into media server or backup server. In some states here in the us there are non profit corps that take your old pc give it to low income family or school needing pc.
You get a tax write off on the old pc. In few years the old parts may be worth some cash to a recycling comp.
 
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Maxime506

Maxime506

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Apr 22, 2013
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If u don't wanna overclock...

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1kATi
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1kATi/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1kATi/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: MSI B85-G41 PC Mate ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($78.24 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ Microcenter)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($403.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Corsair Carbide Series 300R Windowed ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: OCZ ModXStream Pro 700W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($83.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.74 @ Amazon)
Total: $1110.87
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-25 15:58 EDT-0400)


 
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mistasho

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Jul 25, 2013
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The site says there's a compatibility issue with the memory so I will probably get the Corsair Vengeance LP 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory. The only thing is, there is only one left on Amazon so I might have to get something else when i'm ready to buy everything.
 
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Cpt Underpants

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Jun 29, 2013
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^+1

Something new coming out does not negate how effective the last "current" technology was. Haswell runs much hotter and it's true you won't be able to OC it very much, especially not relative to its IB predecessor. The reality is if you plan on running at completely stock settings with no OC, go with haswell as it is [ever so slightly] faster than Ivy Bridge at stock. But if you plan to OC go with Ivy Bridge, not just because you can get higher stable overclocks, but the fact that it runs cooler will help it last longer under said overclocking conditions too.
 
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mistasho

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Jul 25, 2013
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Maxime506, I'm picking most of the items on your latest list, with a couple from smorizio's recommendations. Thank you Cpt Underpants, for allowing me to shave a few dollars of the total price.
 
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