First Build - $1,100 CAD - Need Advice!

Mobo: Asus P7P55D-E Pro $200. It's more future proof with USB 3/SATA III ports for less.

GPU: HD 5770 $167. Cheaper, relatively same performance, cooler, quieter, more future proof and more efficient. If you're partial, you will get a worse machine than you could have.

RAM: For a few bucks more (I think it's $105), you can get CAS Latency 7 sticks which will be a lot better.

HDD: WD sucks right now. Grab a Samsung Spinpoint F3 1 TB (if you can). If you can't find one on Newegg or elsewhere, the Seagate 7200.12 is the next best thing. Both are faster, quieter, cooler and cheaper. I don't know Canadian prices, but in the US the F3 is $25 cheaper (so probably $30-40 CAN).

PSU: I'd stick to Corsair, Antec Earthwatts or OCZ. OCZ's StealthXStream 700W is super cheap right now.

My changes will probably put you under $1,000 CAN.

You're fine on cooling if you're not overclocking.

No compatibility issues.

600W is way more than you'll need, but I suggest the 700W because it's so darn cheap right now.

ZombieBob, why are you even getting a last-gen GPU? A mid-end at that. If it is GTX 275/285, then it's better. Still ATI won the GPU war. There's no reason to go nVidia right now UNLESS your games scream for it. i.e. Crysis. Or if you run Linux exclusively.

my cart:
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Sony Optiarc DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model AD-7241S-0B LightScribe Support

Sony Optiarc DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model AD-7241S-0B LightScribe Support - OEM
Item #: N82E16827118032
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy



$28.49

select item 2 quantity of item 2


Antec Sonata III 500 Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply

Antec Sonata III 500 Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply - Retail
Item #: N82E16811129024
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

-$50.00 Instant


$159.99
$109.99

select item 3 quantity of item 3


Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5

Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822136284
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy



$114.99

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ASUS EAH5850/2DIS/1GD5 Radeon HD 5850 1GB 256-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

ASUS EAH5850/2DIS/1GD5 Radeon HD 5850 1GB 256-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814121361
Return Policy: VGA Standard Return Policy

-$10.00 Instant


$325.49
$315.49

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OCZ Gold Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G10664GK

OCZ Gold Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G10664GK - Retail
Item #: N82E16820227346
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy



$78.99

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GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD3 LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD3 LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813128412
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy



$149.99

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Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I5750

Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I5750 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115215
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy



$219.99

Subtotal: $1,017.93
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This will beat the crap out of your original build in terms of gaming. The mobo is a budget ATX board with USB 3 & SATA 6. You need ~$1400 CAD for a build with a better board like the ASUS, case & PSU.

The downside to p55ibexpeak's build is that the motherboard only has one PCI-E slot, so you wouldn't be able to crossfire. What I would do to retain that possibility is get one of the cheaper mobos that has two slots at x8 or above. Also change the PSU, as I have read that the Cooler Master Silent Pro line isn't very good when it is asked to support more than one video card, the OCZ StealthXStream would be the perfect choice and a lot cheaper, so bringing you back under budget and still having a very good system with upgradeability in the video card area.

Second what Silvune said. In addition, the OCZ StealthXStream 700W has a Newegg combo with the HAF 922 for $100 after rebates. Or at least they did yesterday...

EDIT: Forgot that this was a Canada thread. The combo was on the US side, and the price may be a little different.