Best computer build under $300 canadian

cppc123 · Sep 16, 2015

A few days ago I asked best upgrades for my moms old computer and most people told me to just build or buy a new computer. So I decided to build one. I need all new parts, and windows 10. The main use for this computer is watching videos and checking Facebook. I may be able to salvage an old hard drive but for the list of parts include an ssd.

Sapphire Thunder · Sep 16, 2015

http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/yxMCRB

This here is great build for such workload.

CPU :
Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor
$85.99 NCIX

Motherboard :
Asus H81M-E Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard
$74.00 Vuugo

Memory :
G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
$60.99 NCIX

Storage :
Kingston HyperX Fury 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive
$67.63 DirectCanada

Total: $288.61

Of course, can't possibly fit OS in there, but you can get the Activation Keys for just some 30$ while using any installation file you can find.

Also: the H81 motherboard most likely WILL need a BIOS update in order to work with Haswell cpu.

Ray Tsou · Sep 16, 2015

Sapphire Thunder :

No point in a G3258 in a facebook machine. I recommend snatching a cheap APU such as this:
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/qkBqZL
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/qkBqZL/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD A6-6400K 3.9GHz Dual-Core Processor ($54.98 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus A78M-E Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($27.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill I3-397-BK MicroATX Mini Tower Case w/400W Power Supply ($52.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $188.94
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-09-16 18:28 EDT-0400

Keep in mind that this is in USD

Sapphire Thunder · Sep 16, 2015

Ray Tsou :

The problem with that build is that the A series APUs get quite hot. It will need an aftermarket cooler when used on mATX board. Also, 4Gb is NOT enough even if only doing stuff like what OP said.
I know because I built one exactly like that for my parents. 4Gb just wasn't enough + A6 gets really hot with stock cooler + the cores are far too weak. Makes the pc lag just from opening the browser.

Other choice is:

http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/vCXRmG

CPU :
AMD 5350 2.05Ghz Quad-Core Processor
$59.75 shopRBC

Motherboard :
Gigabyte GA-AM1M-S2H Micro ATX AM1 Motherboard
$46.05 Vuugo

Memory :
Kingston HyperX Fury Red 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory
$56.95 NCIX

Storage :
Corsair Force LS 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive
$58.88 Canada Computers

Total: $221.63

+Case :
Cooler Master Elite 342 (Black) MicroATX Mini Tower Case w/400W Power Supply
$69.74 DirectCanada

Total: $291.37

Ray Tsou · Sep 16, 2015

Sapphire Thunder :

Well, as long as it doesn't shut down....XD
Plus, It's about 250CAD when converted. A cheap cooler for $15 can be found quite easily.

cppc123 · Sep 16, 2015

Well right now she is using an athlon 64 x2 5000+ and it is starting to show its age.
Also I dont mind getting something like a 212 evo or a ets t40 if i really need it

giantbucket · Sep 16, 2015

buy a laptop. done deal. cheap, includes everything. i bought a refurb dell on ebay from dell's own store for just under $300 incl shipping and i think taxes. or maybe just north of 300 after taxes. still, around that. win7pro included, of course. i'm using it right now to post this.

cppc123 · Sep 16, 2015

I dont want to get it used and it if i get a new one then it would hardly be an upgrade from what she has right now

MasterMace · Sep 16, 2015

I don't know who told you that it was possible to get a PC + Windows for under CA$300, but they are an idiot.

Here's the closest I could get, including paying for Windows 10. If you have windows on the OS (either Win 7 or 8), you can upgrade to Windows 10 and save CA$122. *edit* if you need the full version of Windows 10 (copy and all), you can spend an extra $10 for the full 32/64bit version with the USB.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD A4-6300 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($45.50 @ shopRBC)
Motherboard: Asus A78M-A Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($58.88 @ Canada Computers)
Memory: Patriot 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($24.99 @ Memory Express)
Storage: Sandisk Solid State Drive 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($49.88 @ Canada Computers)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit) ($122.00 @ shopRBC)
Total: $301.25
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-09-16 19:58 EDT-0400

giantbucket · Sep 16, 2015

yeah, so MOST of these builds are assuming you're using a piece of toilet paper as a case, and are powering it using the air or just karma. no case? no power supply? no ssd that the guy wanted? and no Win10 of course since that's FREE but we all INSIST on going LEGIT here... facepalm anyone? a "build" using just 4 parts, eh....

yes, LOLOMGWTFBBQ!!1 is in order here.

for tree hundred bones, you ain't gettin' nut-n-honey!

buy used, a laptop, a tablet, or rob a bank.

Sapphire Thunder · Sep 16, 2015

giantbucket :

EXCEPT the guy can utilize the old pc's case. There is no need to get a new one if there is already one. Same goes for the psu (though it might be low quality but that's all this kind of pc needs).
There is MUCH more you can refurbish from the old pc than just HDD, you know?
Heck, you can get one for free if you know the right people. Or at least pay some 5-10 bucks.

Win10 can legitly be obtained by buying an Win7/8/8.1 Product Key out of "gray-market" such as G2A or G2Play for 10$ and then using ANY installation file/device. You can just torrent the installation DVD ISO, install the OS and use the key you bought. Then all you need is just upgrade those into WIn10 FOR FREE.

giantbucket · Sep 16, 2015

1 - since when does "I need all new parts" mean "i just need a few parts, since i can reuse the case, power supply, hard drive / ssd, fans, etc"? if you assume he can reuse the old case and power supply, he can reuse the old ram too, and cpu, and motherboard, and....

2 - sure, he can buy an ILLEGAL copy for $20 and convert it to an ILLEGAL copy of Win10 for free, but then what's the first thing he's going to hear when he asks for help? oh, right - WE CANNOT HELP YOU WITH PIRATED SOFTWARE.

giantbucket · Sep 16, 2015

i dunno man, the guy says he wants ALL NEW parts, so if he actually is OK using old parts for half of the build and going pirated, then that's a whole other kettle of tilapia.

cppc123 · Sep 16, 2015

I might able to get a free case from a friend and maybe a power supply as well

Ray Tsou · Sep 16, 2015

cppc123 :

There's no way you can get a pc with windows 10 and an ssd with only 300CAD.
But if you are willing to pay a bit more, here's a modified version of my build that will accomodate:

PCPartPicker part list: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/QTmLmG
Price breakdown by merchant: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/QTmLmG/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD A6-5400K 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($47.99 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A68M-DG3+ Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($50.00 @ Vuugo)
Memory: Patriot 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($24.99 @ Memory Express)
Storage: Sandisk Solid State Drive 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($49.88 @ Canada Computers)
Case: Rosewill R363-M-BK MicroATX Mid Tower Case w/400W Power Supply ($79.98 @ Amazon Canada)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (32/64-bit) ($107.92 @ shopRBC)
Total: $360.76
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-09-16 22:55 EDT-0400

The PSU is included with the case. I'm not sure about the quality of the motherboard, but it's cheap and should work just fine with such low end hardware. Also, just get windows 8.1 and upgrade to windows 10, it's a cheaper alternative.

Sapphire Thunder · Sep 17, 2015

giantbucket :

1: "New parts" usually mean motherboard, ram, cpu and gpu (if needed). Case is not exactly "a part". It's simply a casing that HOLDS the parts. Also, that old pc most likely has something like DDR2. Maybe even DDR1.

2: It's not illegal copy. They are completely legit. It's fine to download the installation files. It doesn't make the Windows "pirated". What makes a Windows pirated and illegal, is when the product key is cracked one.
When you buy Windows, it's not the files you are paying for. It's the product key. It doesn't matter how you acquire the installation.

giantbucket · Sep 17, 2015

2 - um, G2A is known for selling NON-legit keys, as are most places that sell Win keys for $20 or so.

Sapphire Thunder · Sep 17, 2015

giantbucket :

Yes, some keys end up being non-legitly obtained. But usually you get a legit one that is being resold. Though they are often OEM keys and might be usable only once. So it needs to be repurchased if the Windows has to be re-installed. Luckily you rarely need to do that.

EDIT: also, if it turns out the key doesn't work or something, if you have the site's paid Buyer Protection (usually about +1$ to the price) they either give you a new copy or you get your money back in form of site credit which you can then use on new copy.

giantbucket · Sep 17, 2015

yeah, you could get credit to buy another fake/cracked key, and repeat the aggravation of having your OS go wonky every few weeks/months, or the OP's mom calling him to complain that windows is broken again come fix it.

Sapphire Thunder · Sep 17, 2015

giantbucket :

They are more often proper keys than fake or cracked ones. + just having a fake key won't make OS go "wonky" anyway.

nzrajput · Sep 17, 2015

I am trying to make a Build for you. Since you need all new parts, SSD, and Windows 10 OS, It's nearly impossible to suggest a Build in 300 CAD.
This is the best I can suggest without adding any bad quality parts.
There is no OS in this.

PCPartPicker part list: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/bC7w4D
Price breakdown by merchant: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/bC7w4D/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Celeron G1820 2.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($61.50 @ Vuugo)
Motherboard: ASRock H81M-DGS R2.0 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($49.50 @ Vuugo)
Memory: Crucial 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($46.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($87.50 @ shopRBC)
Case: Apex SK-393-C ATX Mid Tower Case ($33.49 @ DirectCanada)
Power Supply: Antec EarthWatts Green 380W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($56.25 @ Vuugo)
Total: $335.22
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

cppc123 · Sep 17, 2015

If i were to increase the budget to around $350 or $375 will that make it any easier?

Sapphire Thunder · Sep 17, 2015

cppc123 :

http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/GHmxBm

If using this build, it is possible.

CPU :
AMD 5350 2.05Ghz Quad-Core Processor
$59.75 shopRBC

Motherboard :
Gigabyte GA-AM1M-S2H Micro ATX AM1 Motherboard
$46.05 Vuugo

Memory :
G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
$59.99 NCIX

Storage :
Corsair Force LS 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive
$58.88 Canada Computers

OS:
Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit
$122.00 shopRBC

Total: $346.67

Still can't fit the proper PSU though.

Ray Tsou · Sep 17, 2015

lol was my comment completely ignored?
http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/QTmLmG

nzrajput · Sep 18, 2015

cppc123 :

It's the OS part which makes it impossible to have a build in 300 CAD with all new parts including SSD, PSU, RAM, Motherboard, Intel CPU. If you increase your budget to 375, all I can do is suggest you a better Intel CPU / Motherboard / Case. It will still be tough with an OS included. As Windows 8/10 nearly cost around 110 to 120 CAD.

I don't prefer AMD over Intel, therefore I won't recommend you one either.

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