Looking to buy a gaming PC

Osiake · Dec 30, 2015

Hi, I live in Canada, Surrey BC and I have about $1100-1200 CAD I can spare for a gaming PC.
If possible, I'd like to purchase a prebuilt one that can run WoW and Final Fantasy XIV on max settings comfortably. If anyone could link me one that ships to Canada and is within my budget, or help me pick out custom parts from a website that would build it for me, I'd really, really appreciate it so much!

Thank you so much for all your help and support!

imsqam · Jan 9, 2016

Your system requirements for playing these games is not very high so no problem there.

http://www.game-debate.com/games/index.php?g_id=70&game=World%20of%20Warcraft
http://www.game-debate.com/games/index.php?g_id=6242&game=Final%20Fantasy%20XIV:%20A%20Realm%20Reborn#systemCheck

Do you need a monitor, OS, keyboard, mouse, etc? If you have anything let me know.

imsqam · Jan 9, 2016

Okay, here is build. Really hard to keep it below 1200, just doesn't seem to be a build that works in that range without dropping down the CPU and GPU. This build likely will be able to be upgraded in the future should you so wish.

PCPartPicker part list: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/rWRs99
Price breakdown by merchant: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/rWRs99/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($195.46 @ NCIX)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z170-HD3 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($158.37 @ NCIX)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($73.43 @ NCIX)
Storage: A-Data Premier SP550 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($62.13 @ NCIX)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($77.95 @ NCIX)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 380 2GB Video Card ($273.78 @ NCIX)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($88.12 @ NCIX)
Power Supply: Corsair CSM 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($112.97 @ NCIX)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-14 DVD/CD Writer ($29.35 @ NCIX)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit) ($152.53 @ NCIX)
Total: $1224.09
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-01-09 16:14 EST-0500

Osiake · Jan 9, 2016

imsqam :

Hello, first of all thank you so much for your help!! But I managed to raise my budget up from $1200~ to about $1600 CAD which is roughly $1150 USD. If you could help me out with a newer build, I'd appreciate it so much!

I was taking a look at this one: http://www.cybertronpc.ca/customkititems.asp?kc=GMSHKWVX6925GN

But I have no idea if it's worth the price. I'm honestly at a loss as this is my very first gaming PC ever, and I'd like to be able to use it a couple years down the line, upgrading if I have to.

imsqam · Jan 9, 2016

I am Canadian so CAD is no problem for me. Much better price point. Buying canned pre-builts leaves you open to getting all sorts of low grade components. Better to order the components from NCIX and simply have them build it for you before they ship it. I think it is about 50 CAD for the build and you tend to get better value for your money when you pick your own components. Give me a little time to do another build, later tonight I think.

They have a warehouse in Richmond so close to you.

Osiake · Jan 9, 2016

imsqam :

Hello! Thanks so, so much for helping out! I took the time to try and get the parts, if you see anything wrong here, or any different pieces I should use instead, please don't hesitate to say so! I'm completely new to this kinda thing, and I'll 100% trust your opinion over mine, but nonetheless, please give me your thoughts on this: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/8sWZ6h

stl522013 · Jan 9, 2016

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($308.50 @ shopRBC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($37.05 @ Vuugo)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($189.95 @ Vuugo)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($95.99 @ NCIX)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($68.75 @ Vuugo)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 390 8GB Nitro Video Card ($465.50 @ Vuugo)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($144.99 @ NCIX)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit) ($123.00 @ shopRBC)
Total: $1433.73
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-01-09 21:52 EST-0500
This build can max out anything you need to at 1080p 60 fps. It has a high quality PSU which comes with a 10 year warranty from EVGA. The motherboard supports overclocking. The CPU is more than capable of playing any game out right now. And I have the same GPU, and it is a really good GPU. It can max out games like BF4 at 80 fps.
There is plenty of money left over for a case. And if you don't mind spending more, an SSD would still probably fit within your budget. An SSD (I recommend a Samsung 850 Evo) would greatly improve boot times and system responsiveness.

imsqam · Jan 10, 2016

Okay, the build below is sourced entirely from NCIX. I checked the total cost including assembly, shipping and taxes, all in it is $1546. I was trying to get a better video card but couldn't find anything to fit within the $1600 cap. To order just go the the NCIX website, pick out all the components and click the assembly option during the checkout process. FYI, I would have them ship it with the video card out (there is an option), it is pretty easy to install video cards. Your choice.

This build is not meant for overclocking but I somehow suspect that will not be something you will do. It will power through just about any current game. It is the most current CPU platform should it should be good for the future and upgrades. If you have any issues or questions, let me know.

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

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($327.68 @ NCIX)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($45.18 @ NCIX)
Motherboard: ASRock Z170 Pro4 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($183.71 @ NCIX)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2666 Memory ($104.78 @ NCIX)
Storage: A-Data XPG SX930 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($124.28 @ NCIX)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 380 4GB SOC Video Card ($312.68 @ NCIX)
Case: Fractal Design Core 2500 ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.41 @ NCIX)
Power Supply: Antec Green 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($120.88 @ NCIX)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24F1ST DVD/CD Writer
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit) ($152.53 @ NCIX)
Total: $1471.13
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-01-10 13:08 EST-0500

stl522013 · Jan 11, 2016

Why not go with a Has well i5 (almost no performance difference) and an R9 390?

kwa-e · Jan 11, 2016

Best bang for buck at your budget, Went for a Xeon 1241 V3 which is just as fast as an i7 and a 390 which should run games ultra without much sweat.

(USB installation of windows is necessary with the case I went with though, Which is the only con I can see.)

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1241 V3 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($339.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M PRO4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($89.75 @ Vuugo)
Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($53.11 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Intel 535 Series 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($145.98 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($68.75 @ Vuugo)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 390 8GB PCS+ Video Card ($411.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Case: NZXT S340 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($97.05 @ Vuugo)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA GS 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($124.06 @ DirectCanada)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit) ($123.00 @ shopRBC)
Total: $1453.67
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-01-11 08:45 EST-0500

imsqam · Jan 11, 2016

Please read the original post, the requestor wanted a pre-built computer. By only buying from NCIX he is able to get the computer assembled and tested as opposed to buying an iBuyPower or CyberpowerPC or such.

As far as using a Haswell vs a Skylake, the processor price only increase by $20-30 and you get free shipping for the entire order, so you make up the difference and get a brand new platform. As well, despite what PCPartPicker says, their costs don't always capture all the costs. I tried to downgrade the CPU in favour (Canadian thing) of a better GPU but I couldn't make it work. Another $100 and you can get the R9 390.

stl522013 · Jan 11, 2016

But Skylake mobos and RAM are also more expensive.

imsqam · Jan 11, 2016

Well, yes in general, but you have to look at the whole package when pricing the build. I tried to do a Haswell build but it was just not working, nothing wrong with the build itself except perhaps the "k" is probably not appropriate. Just didn't work price wise. I tried a Xeon build with a 1231 but that didn't work either. You cannot take PCPartPicker's pricing as gospel. I priced on the NCIX website and went to checkout to see all costs.

Last, the requestor is not a builder and I wanted to give some longevity to the build.

kwa-e · Jan 11, 2016

Well, Just wanted to put a build out there so OP knows what he can get if he builds it himself.

To be honest it doesn't really take much to put a PC together by hand if you're patient enough.

Though in a few hours I'll try and see what parts I can fit in at his budget purely from NCIX, but it would probably pale in comparison to the DIY build I posted above.

kwa-e · Jan 11, 2016

Went for it, Though the results really isn't that bad as I though it would be.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($282.98 @ NCIX)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M PRO4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($114.99 @ NCIX)
Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury Blue 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($57.99 @ NCIX)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($68.99 @ NCIX)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 390 8GB SOC Video Card ($439.99 @ NCIX)
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($57.99 @ NCIX)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($117.98 @ NCIX)
Total: $1140.91
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-01-11 21:04 EST-0500

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