Planning on getting a new computer, could use help. $900 CAD budget. - Hardware & Software

For gaming of course. Now, here's where I'd like some advice. Should I get pre-built or not? The main reason why I'm leaning more towards a pre-built is because I'm not very good with this kind of shit and would really feel a lot better knowing I have a warranty.

Building it yourself is extremely easy and newegg offers cheap extended warranties on any part you get for around 2.5%-5% more. Decide if you want Intel or AMD CPU, AMD or NViDia GPU. Decide if you plan on upgrading it in the future. Decide if you're going to tinker and/or overclock your PC. Decide if you're willing to sacrifice performance for mobility or silence. Decide if you want a system that'll last longer or run faster. Then and only then will I recommend a build for you. EDIT: I don't want to have to throw my opinion in but honestly, even if Intel is a godawful company it makes superior CPUs. NViDia behaves similarly in the GPU market. AMD is good for budget builds, nothing more.

[QUOTE=Whalen207;39137164] Decide if you want Intel or AMD CPU, AMD or NViDia GPU. [B]I have no idea. You choose.[/B] Decide if you plan on upgrading it in the future. [B]Considering I'm not spending very much money currently, I'll most likely upgrade it later.[/B] Decide if you're going to tinker and/or overclock your PC. [B]I will not be.[/B] Decide if you're willing to sacrifice performance for mobility or silence.[B]Performance is most important.[/B] Decide if you want a system that'll last longer or run faster. [B]I have to choose? I guess I'd want it to last longer.[/B] [/QUOTE]

Okay, I've had quite a few friends clamoring for a decent Intel/NVID build for ~1k lately so I'll start you off with that they got. Within: CPU, GPU, MOBO, RAM, PSU, HDD, DVD, CASE. [wip] =============================================================================== CPU - Intel i5 3570k ($209.99)* [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504[/url] GPU - NViDia GTX 660 ($209.99)* [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125443[/url] MOBO - ASUS P8Z77V-LK ($133.99)* [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131837[/url] RAM - CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB ($39.99)* [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233144[/url] PSU - CORSAIR TX Series 750W ($89.99)* [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005[/url] HDD - WD CBlack 500GB 7.2kRPM ($84.99) [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822236345[/url] DVD - ASUS DRW-24B1 ($19.99) [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204[/url] CASE - Antec 300 Illusion Black Steel MidSize ($54.99) [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066[/url] NOTES: 1. This does not include your OS, likely to be Win7 which goes for a good $100. 2. If you need peripherals you're going to need to cash up some more. 3. Expect to run any game excellently. I make little/no concessions in this deal -- All products are of the highest calibre. 4. This build, properly build and maintained, should last a good two to four years before you should upgrade. UPGRADE PLANS: 1. Get more fans for your case. 2. Pop in some shiny LEDs! 3. Get an aftermarket heatsink (e.g: H212 EVO) for the CPU. 4. Get faster (not more) RAM. 5. Get an SSD to boot off of. 6. Grab a second GTX 660 and SLI. *comes with promotional offer or discount on newegg atm [[ GRAND TOTAL = ($843.92) with all rebates. ]] =============================================================================== Of course, make some room for cables -- HDMI, Ethernet, eSATA, etc. Wait- hold on a minute. You said you were thinking of getting a prebuilt. Does that mean you'll need to shop for peripherals (mouse, keyboard, monitor) too? That's set you back at least $200.

[QUOTE=Whalen207;39138676]Okay, I've had quite a few friends clamoring for a decent Intel/NVID build for ~1k lately so I'll start you off with that they got. Within: CPU, GPU, MOBO, RAM, PSU, HDD, DVD, CASE. [wip] =============================================================================== CPU - Intel i5 3570k ($209.99)* [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504[/url] GPU - NViDia GTX 660 ($209.99)* [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125443[/url] MOBO - ASUS P8Z77V-LK ($133.99)* [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131837[/url] RAM - CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB ($39.99)* [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233144[/url] PSU - CORSAIR TX Series 750W ($89.99)* [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005[/url] HDD - WD CBlack 500GB 7.2kRPM ($84.99) [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822236345[/url] DVD - ASUS DRW-24B1 ($19.99) [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204[/url] CASE - Antec 300 Illusion Black Steel MidSize ($54.99) [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066[/url] NOTES: 1. This does not include your OS, likely to be Win7 which goes for a good $100. 2. If you need peripherals you're going to need to cash up some more. 3. Expect to run any game excellently. I make little/no concessions in this deal -- All products are of the highest calibre. 4. This build, properly build and maintained, should last a good two to four years before you should upgrade. UPGRADE PLANS: 1. Get more fans for your case. 2. Pop in some shiny LEDs! 3. Get an aftermarket heatsink (e.g: H212 EVO) for the CPU. 4. Get faster (not more) RAM. 5. Get an SSD to boot off of. 6. Grab a second GTX 660 and SLI. *comes with promotional offer or discount on newegg atm [[ GRAND TOTAL = ($843.92) with all rebates. ]] =============================================================================== Of course, make some room for cables -- HDMI, Ethernet, eSATA, etc. Wait- hold on a minute. You said you were thinking of getting a prebuilt. Does that mean you'll need to shop for peripherals (mouse, keyboard, monitor) too? That's set you back at least $200.[/QUOTE] Nah, I don't need any peripherals. I may get a monitor down the road, but there is no need to account for it right now. Thanks for the help.

No problem.