Need some opinions on new Home PC

[sam1]

Hi all Im a Canadian currently living in Quebec.

Now I'm planning to buy a new computer for home use. My mom surfs everyday and sometimes runs some heavy office applications. Myself will be surfing everyday as well and play non 3D games like Starcraft Friday afternoons, and usually play some intensive 3D games in weekends. I often download movie, music and watch & listen to them. Most importantly, I will play lots of games during holidays when I can.

The budget will be $900 CAD at most (monitor not included, all other necessary parts included), but it's the best to keep the money under $800 CAD.

Online shopping & shipping will be the best method for purchasing. If not, local stores in Montreal is also good.

Here is a list of parts I've found in Canadian online sellers (cheapest possible):

Athlon64 s939 3200+ venice Retail Box----------------- PC4Canada ----------------- 179.00
A8N-E ----------------- NCIX ----------------- 117.30
Western Digital Caviar SE16 - 250GB - 7200RPM, 16MB Cache, *SATA II* (OEM) ----------------- Anitec ----------------- 126.95
Sapphire Radeon X800GTO 256M GDDR3 (Lite Retail, PCI-E, TVO/DVI) ----------------- CTY Computer Inc ----------------- 199.00
OCZ PC-3200 DDR400 Premier Series 1GB (2x512MB) Dual Channel Kit CAS2.5 (OCZ4001024PDC-K) ----------------- Canadacomputers ----------------- 118.00
LOGITECH X230 2.1 SPEAKER white box ----------------- Logic Computer House ----------------- 38.99
Logitech (967453-0403) Office Pro Black Keyboard PS/2 (OEM) ----------------- Canadacomputers ----------------- 11.99
Just4PC 747 ATX Mid Tower Computer Case with Front USB and 425Watt Power Supply - Black ----------------- Tigerdirect ----------------- 53.99
LG GSA-4167 Black 16x DVD +/-R/RW/RAM Dual layer IDE OEM w/Software ----------------- Canadacomputers ----------------- 46.99
Logitech (953688-0403) Wheel Mouse Optical PS2 Black (OEM) ----------------- Canadacomputers ----------------- 8.00

Current Total: $900.21

I just want some opinions on whether this system is good or not (cost effective), OR you have better parts. If any of the above sellers has high shipping costs/no shipping please tell me. Thanks.

 

[godlyatheist]

Just4PC 747 ATX Mid Tower Computer Case with Front USB and 425Watt Power Supply

I dono how good their PSU are, most of the cheap ones in the case either die or catch on fire. Besure to have a friend with a fire extinguisher and another one with a phone right next to you.

Spend at least 50-60 for the PSU and you wont regret it

Drop the Memory to "Value" RAms, Patriot has good and cheap rams.

Tigerdirect is known for skimming money off of shipping, beware!!

How much gaming do you do?? If you want eye candy, the 6800 GS is tad bit slower but supports more visual effects. It should cost the same.

Does the ASus a8n-e have SATA II support?? you need to check that

 

[sam1]

For the PSU, I have been using my old computer for more than 3 years and the PSU is still good no problems! I bought the computer from a random store and the case w/PSU is not even branded. If I'me ever gonna spend 50-60 on a PSU, can u recommend a good one?

I went to asus.com and found specs for A8N-E, it says it supports SATA2.0 on the overview page, and then SATA 3GB/s on the specification page. I'm not sure whether they mean SATA II or SATA2.0.

I didn't choose X800GTO for a reason. My friend recommended it.

For the RAM, OCZ, Corsair, and Kingston are the best manufacturers IMO. I don't really know if other manufacturers' products are good or not.

 

[kittle]

Keep in mind that if you choose to skimp on your power supply, it could take the rest of your system with it when it goes (note I said _when_ not if).

Visit some of the other forums here & check out the power supply calculator so you can get a good idea how much you need.

It sounds like you got lucky with your old case & wound up with a good PSU.

 

[godlyatheist]

If you don't oc much then no need for the big name brands. well, their value Ram is only a few bucks more expensive....

the x800gto is a beast OC'er, it only lacks support for new visual effects

I bought the ASpire CW-500WP4 for $30 (cheap) but it works great. however it is from newegg, which is in the US. I think the FSP has one for $50, link here.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104954
See if you can find the same model in canada

 

[purelithium]

Check out Premier Computer Canada.

www.pccanada.com

They have really great prices, and usually are the first in canada to have new components. I deal almost exclusively with them. They just don't have as much variety in items as other stores like tigerdirect.ca or something. Plus, if you live in the GTA, you can visit their store on Lakeshore in Etobicoke

 

[sam1]

Actually, I'll just go buy a PSU, I'm not risking my new pc. Also, is it good to cut down the price on the video card? I've never played games like Doom 3, NFS9, Quake3, AOE3, etc, because of my old integrated Intel Extreme Graphic card. Will X700Pro be enough for these games?

 

[sam1]

That's gonna cost more money, which I don't have too much. If I spend money on a PSU I guess I have to cut down the money on the video card. Any suggestions for a cheaper one?

 

[purelithium]

That's gonna cost more money, which I don't have too much. If I spend money on a PSU I guess I have to cut down the money on the video card. Any suggestions for a cheaper one?

I got a great ASUS 6600 128mb for 140 at PC Canada. I think they have the GT for 210.

The 256mb isn't too much more than the 128mb versions.