Computer upgrades in a weak CDN dollar

[ChrisxParkinson]

Hey guys, this is more of a discussion rather than a question; im interested to see if any of my fellow Canadians are holding off on any major PC upgrades until the dollar rebounds.... I was watching pauls hardware's monthly builds the other day and the skylake processor (i5 6600k) that I was considering upgrading to was a full 100 dollars cheaper in the united states! 

 

I mostly just play DOTA 2, and I have a decent graphics card (290x) but I threw it in an older system equipped with a fx 8350 as I didn't have the money to build a brand new computer at the time (it was youthful ignorance that made me decide i needed to ball out that hard on a gpu when i had a cpu that couldn't keep up.... In hindsight I'm well aware it was a stupid decision lol). So, I do want to upgrade to intel's new platform so I can get the full performance of my GPU in newer/more demanding FPS games, but im not willing to spend 350 bucks on an i5 cpu..... 

 

So ya, I was wondering if any of you guys felt the same way? or is the need to upgrade your PC something that you are willing to take a bit of a financial hit on? 

[WaterproofBeanie]

In Australia, we have a similar problem. I am waiting for now. It is a shame, but the cheapest Z170 motherboard costs around $100 more than the cheapest Z97 did twelve months ago. And some things (such as NZXT's cases) have all gone up in price.

[AdamH96]

Most likely our dollar is not going to rebound in a Loooong time, so I just look around trying to take advantage of any good sales. Sucks though 

[Adreyu]

I'm waiting for black friday to get a new monitor. seems like the only time ill be able to afford anything until the dollar stabilizes. Also if you just play dota you super dont need to upgrade, unless you have other more demanding titles.

[ChrisxParkinson]

I'm waiting for black friday to get a new monitor. seems like the only time ill be able to afford anything until the dollar stabilizes. Also if you just play dota you super dont need to upgrade, unless you have other more demanding titles.

 

yea man, I know I don't need the upgrade... also in university so I'm really not trying to spend $$.. but at the same time I do wanna get my star wars on so if any black friday deals are appealing enough of black friday or any other major sale I might yolo 

[Adreyu]

yea man, I know I don't need the upgrade... also in university so I'm really not trying to spend $$.. but at the same time I do wanna get my star wars on so if any black friday deals are appealing enough of black friday or any other major sale I might yolo 

okay, its the upgrade itch I get it lol

[crowndroyal]

Most likely our dollar is not going to rebound in a Loooong time, so I just look around trying to take advantage of any good sales. Sucks though 

 

 

Only going to get worse with the TTP bill that everyone wants to pass.

[ChrisxParkinson]

Only going to get worse with the TTP bill that everyone wants to pass.

 

they all said the same thing about NAFTA... were gonna lose our "average joe jobs" regardless of if we want to be smart about creating higher level ones (through TPP and other forms)... to not sign on to the TPP would in my opinion be covering our ears and saying "la la la la la la !! globalization isn't a thing I cant hear you la la la la la la" 

[ApolloX75]

I lucked out with my system and scored a lot of stuff used for cheap.

Haven't been so lucky lately. Even prices on ebay are absolute shit, especially from the states.

I've still got the upgrade bugs but I'm fighting them off til better sales come up or our dollar stops tanking. Whatever comes first.

[techguru]

buy the parts in the us and ship them to a us pick up point..then just go pick them up

I do this all the time with stuff

and if the item is small enough..you can just hide it or w/e so you don't have to pay customs

[crowndroyal]

buy the parts in the us and ship them to a us pick up point..then just go pick them up

I do this all the time with stuff

and if the item is small enough..you can just hide it or w/e so you don't have to pay customs

 

 

and if you get caught you get slapped with a big fine and do not get your items.

[techguru]

and if you get caught you get slapped with a big fine and do not get your items.

nah..they usually just ignore it

unless its a major priced item

and if its a big item..you probably wouldn't be able to hide it anyway

in those cases..I usually just say I already had it in the car...just never take it out

[Cheddle]

 

Hey guys, this is more of a discussion rather than a question; im interested to see if any of my fellow Canadians are holding off on any major PC upgrades until the dollar rebounds.... I was watching pauls hardware's monthly builds the other day and the skylake processor (i5 6600k) that I was considering upgrading to was a full 100 dollars cheaper in the united states! 

 

I mostly just play DOTA 2, and I have a decent graphics card (290x) but I threw it in an older system equipped with a fx 8350 as I didn't have the money to build a brand new computer at the time (it was youthful ignorance that made me decide i needed to ball out that hard on a gpu when i had a cpu that couldn't keep up.... In hindsight I'm well aware it was a stupid decision lol). So, I do want to upgrade to intel's new platform so I can get the full performance of my GPU in newer/more demanding FPS games, but im not willing to spend 350 bucks on an i5 cpu..... 

 

So ya, I was wondering if any of you guys felt the same way? or is the need to upgrade your PC something that you are willing to take a bit of a financial hit on? 

 

 

same thing happened in AUS - our dollar tanked against the US, shifted by around 40% in a few years... I sold my i5-4690 for more than I paid for it because the retail price went up by 40% in 12 months...

 

Your best bet is second hand parts, the BEST bang for buck is an X58 motherboard with a 32nm-gulftown 6-core CPU, either an i7 980x/990x or a xeon W3670 / W3680 / W3670 - you should be able to get both for $300-400 AUD ($250 USD) 

 

here is a 980x @ 4.4ghz getting 14,912 physics score in firestrike - http://www.3dmark.com/fs/6155046

 

here is an i5-6600 @ 4.7ghz getting 10,407 physics score in firestrike - http://www.3dmark.com/fs/6427038

 

Here is an ebay listing for a 6-core 32nm xeon - http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/INTEL-XEON-SIX-CORE-W3670-LGA1366-PROCESSOR-SLBVE-12M-3-20-Up-To-3-46-GHz-/371482307102?hash=item567e122a1e:g:qzAAAOSw5ZBWNnOg

[TechGod]

Here in NZ we always get screwed over...

[ChrisxParkinson]

 

 

 

 

same thing happened in AUS - our dollar tanked against the US, shifted by around 40% in a few years... I sold my i5-4690 for more than I paid for it because the retail price went up by 40% in 12 months...

 

Your best bet is second hand parts, the BEST bang for buck is an X58 motherboard with a 32nm-gulftown 6-core CPU, either an i7 980x/990x or a xeon W3670 / W3680 / W3670 - you should be able to get both for $300-400 AUD ($250 USD) 

 

here is a 980x @ 4.4ghz getting 14,912 physics score in firestrike - http://www.3dmark.com/fs/6155046

 

here is an i5-6600 @ 4.7ghz getting 10,407 physics score in firestrike - http://www.3dmark.com/fs/6427038

 

Here is an ebay listing for a 6-core 32nm xeon - http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/INTEL-XEON-SIX-CORE-W3670-LGA1366-PROCESSOR-SLBVE-12M-3-20-Up-To-3-46-GHz-/371482307102?hash=item567e122a1e:g:qzAAAOSw5ZBWNnOg

 

ahahahh thats nuts that you sold your chip for more than you bought it for eh ! 

[Cheddle]

ahahahh thats nuts that you sold your chip for more than you bought it for eh ! 

 

yep :-P and it was still $120 under retail...