$1,000 CAD gaming PC

[feverro]

Hi guys, my friend wants to buy a gaming computer and he is clueless. He keeps asking me if he should buy either completely trash builds or way overpriced and old parts --> I don't want him to waste his money! I have built several builds myself, but I live in Europe, and my friend is from Canada. It is hard for me to make specific suggestions for him because I'm not familiar with the Canada prices or the best stores. I first recommended buying at least some of the parts used, but it is difficult to help with that when I don't know where he should look.

 

Budget: $1,000 CAD - Canada

 

Aim: Gaming in 1920x1080 resolution, best performance possible

 

Monitors: Not included in the budget - but if you know a nice deal for a good 23-24" IPS 1920x1080 monitor suitable for gaming, that would be nice to know. For example, a Dell U2414H etc.

 

Peripherals: None

 

Upgrading: Replacing laptop with a desktop PC for gaming

 

 

Help is much appreciated!

[DarkBlade2117]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($249.74 @ DirectCanada)
CPU Cooler: be quiet! PURE ROCK 51.4 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($44.71 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H97M-HD3 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($115.00 @ Vuugo)
Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury Black 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($57.99 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($68.75 @ Vuugo)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 380 4GB Video Card  ($299.00 @ Canada Computers)
Case: NZXT Source 210 Elite (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($71.50 @ Vuugo)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($94.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Total: $1001.67
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-01-14 09:43 EST-0500

 

Something around these lines would be good

[Chrysolite]

For a moment, I thought this build would be used for AutoCAD or FreeCAD, judging from the title

[HKZeroFive]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($249.74 @ DirectCanada)

Motherboard: ASRock H97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($87.98 @ NCIX)

Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury Black 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($57.99 @ DirectCanada)

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($68.75 @ Vuugo)

Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 970 4GB Video Card ($398.49 @ Newegg Canada)

Case: Corsair SPEC-01 RED ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.00 @ shopRBC)

Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($94.98 @ Newegg Canada)

Total: $1026.93

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-01-14 09:51 EST-0500

[feverro]

SSD is a must, and the prices having dropped in the last month, 250GB model should be available for around this budget. Any suggestions for one?

 

Is the R9 380 a better budget choice compared to a GTX 970?

[Daveeede]

PCPartPicker part list: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/PPLdK8

Price breakdown by merchant: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/PPLdK8/by_merchant/

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($262.22 @ DirectCanada) 

Motherboard: MSI B85M-E45 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($95.55 @ DirectCanada) 

Memory: Team Dark 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($47.97 @ Newegg Canada) 

Storage: Crucial BX200 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($102.93 @ DirectCanada) 

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($73.48 @ NCIX) 

Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 960 4GB Video Card  ($308.97 @ Newegg Canada) 

Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($60.88 @ NCIX) 

Power Supply: Cooler Master 650W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($84.98 @ NCIX) 

Total: $1036.98

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-01-14 10:10 EST-0500

 

I think getting a GTX 970 into your build is a bit of a stretch. Unless you're willing to sacrifice the SSD for now. I chose a 4Gb GTX 960 instead, it offers great 1080p performance and since it's a 4gb VRAM model it actually has more VRAM than a GTX 970!

[RedBlack234]

**CPU** | [AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/amd-cpu-fd8320frhkbox) | $189.05 @ Vuugo

**CPU Cooler** | [Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-cpu-cooler-rr212e20pkr2) | $39.75 @ Vuugo

**Motherboard** | [Asus M5A97 PLUS ATX AM3+ Motherboard](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-motherboard-m5a97plus) | $105.57 @ NCIX

**Memory** | [G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f312800cl9d8gbxl) | $55.84 @ DirectCanada

**Storage** | [A-Data Premier SP550 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/a-data-internal-hard-drive-asp550ss3120gmc) | $54.99 @ NCIX

**Storage** | [seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/seagate-internal-hard-drive-st1000dm003) | $63.05 @ Vuugo

**Video Card** | [XFX Radeon R9 380X 4GB DD BLACK EDITION OC Video Card](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-video-card-r9380x4285) | $346.98 @ Newegg Canada

**Case** | [NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/nzxt-case-s210001) | $64.98 @ Newegg Canada

**Power Supply** | [EVGA 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-power-supply-100b10600kr) | $79.98 @ Newegg Canada

| *Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts* |

| **Total** | **$1000.19**

| Generated by [PCPartPicker](http://pcpartpicker.com) 2016-01-14 10:38 EST-0500 |

[feverro]

Thank you for fast replies! I suggested he would invest in GTX 970. He just told me that he has an extra Samsung 840 EVO 250GB ssd drive, so that helps staying closer to the budget. The build looks like this at the moment:

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($249.74 @ DirectCanada)
CPU Cooler: be quiet! PURE ROCK 51.4 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($44.71 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($87.98 @ NCIX) 

Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury Black 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($57.99 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($68.75 @ Vuugo)
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 970 4GB Video Card ($398.49 @ Newegg Canada) 

Case: Friend is looking for one that he likes.
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($94.98 @ Newegg Canada)

 

Total: 1,003$ + whatever the case costs

 

If you have any ideas on this, please share.

[UnadulteratedFlapjack]

I'm currently planning a very similar build to you (my first but I've had a lot of help with it already). I was just about to make a thread to ask for feedback but since they're so similar I'll post it here. Apart from the graphics card power supply and CPU cooler, all the other components have been mentioned above at least once. I've also got a Samsung 840 EVO 512GB SSD which I'll be moving over from my laptop, again very similar to your build. 

 

PCPartPicker part list: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/thwm6h

Price breakdown by merchant: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/thwm6h/by_merchant/

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  (£177.00) 

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  (£24.89 @ Aria PC) 

Motherboard: ASRock H97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  (£69.53 @ Amazon UK) 

Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury Blue 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  (£30.95 @ More Computers) 

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  (£38.97 @ Amazon UK) 

Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card  (£266.46 @ Amazon UK) 

Case: Fractal Design Define S ATX Mid Tower Case  (£58.96 @ Aria PC) 

Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA GS 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  (£64.99 @ Aria PC) 

Total: £731.75

 

EDIT: The CPU is also a slight upgrade from the 4460 people have been suggesting. I'm not sure if it's really beneficial but my friend has talked me into it for now.

[Djole123]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($445.00 @ Canada Computers)

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H110M-A Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($74.98 @ Newegg Canada)

Memory: Crucial 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($53.99 @ DirectCanada)

Storage: Toshiba Product Series:DT01ACA 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($63.69 @ DirectCanada)

Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 960 4GB Video Card ($288.19 @ Amazon Canada)

Case: Apex SK-393-C ATX Mid Tower Case ($36.25 @ DirectCanada)

Power Supply: EVGA 400W ATX Power Supply ($39.48 @ DirectCanada)

Total: $1001.58

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-01-14 11:36 EST-0500

[feverro]

The only concern I have with your build: i5 4690k is perfect for gaming, but the increased value of it comes from overclocking compared to the i5 4460. Is that motherboard capable for overclocking? If not, or you just don't want to overclock at all, for any reason, then I'd probably stick with the i5 4460. At least, if you are looking for a budget build.

[RedBlack234]

**CPU** | [AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/amd-cpu-fd8320frhkbox) | $189.05 @ Vuugo

**CPU Cooler** | [Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-cpu-cooler-rr212e20pkr2) | $39.75 @ Vuugo

**Motherboard** | [Gigabyte GA-970A-DS3P ATX AM3+ Motherboard](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-motherboard-ga970ads3p) | $103.00 @ Vuugo

**Memory** | [G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f312800cl9d8gbxl) | $55.84 @ DirectCanada

**Storage** | [seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/seagate-internal-hard-drive-st1000dm003) | $63.05 @ Vuugo

**Video Card** | [Gigabyte Radeon R9 390 8GB SOC Video Card](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-video-card-gvr939g1gaming8gd) | $426.99 @ Newegg Canada

**Case** | [Corsair SPEC-02 ATX Mid Tower Case](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-case-cc9011051ww) | $79.99 @ Canada Computers

**Power Supply** | [seaSonic S12II 620W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/seasonic-power-supply-s12ii620bronze) | $94.98 @ Newegg Canada

| *Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts* |

| **Total** | **$1052.65**

| Generated by [PCPartPicker](http://pcpartpicker.com) 2016-01-14 12:07 EST-0500 |

I would suggest getting either a 970 or 390. The 390 beats out the 970 by a bit in games.

[Caine]

i would get nothing less than this build:

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($275.25 @ shopRBC) 

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H170M-DS3H Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($117.41 @ DirectCanada) 

Memory: Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory  ($57.00 @ shopRBC) 

Storage: Samsung 850 EVO 120GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive  ($92.44 @ DirectCanada) 

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($63.05 @ Vuugo) 

Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 380 4GB Video Card  ($299.00 @ Canada Computers) 

Case: Corsair 100R ATX Mid Tower Case  ($61.98 @ NCIX) 

Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($99.98 @ NCIX) 

Total: $1066.11

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-01-14 13:25 EST-0500

[feverro]

Caine, what do you mean by nothing less than that?

 

It seems that your build has considerably weaker GPU. Also, I can never recommend these seagate HDDs over a WD one. SSD was not needed at all, he already has one. 620W will be far more than enough for a GTX 970 in the system, so why is this PSU better option? Lastly, what benefits does this processor & motherboard combo give compared to the other one? It is quite significantly more expensive I would say.

 

Thanks for your reply, I would gladly hear why you recommended those parts.