mattthegamer's first "real" build: Case Arrival!

Nope, doesn't look like it. Only thing they have for shipping address is a ZIP code box.

 

I'm no expert on Canadian shops, but look at http://www.tristatecamera.com/home.php

They have the EVGA 680i for a lot less then $300 (got to it through nextag.ca)

 

Yes but if I were to buy that board I want to get it from a local retailer so that if I have problems with it like many people, I can walk in and get it replaced rather than sending it in or being left out in the cold altogether. Plus tigerdirect is in canadian dollars, that site is in US dollars, so $273 ends up equaling $320 CAD, plus shipping. No savings in the end.

 

best in canada is ncix, shoprbc, and tiger.

yea. Not particularly awesome.

 

It has come to my attention that XFX released this cheaper 8800GTS with 320mb of RAM and a factory OC, and its beating the stock 640mb GTS cards.

http://common.ziffdavisinternet.com/util_get_image/15/0,1425,sz=1&i=152621,00.gif

Can someone please explain this to me? Apparently the extra RAM is only good at massive resolutions, and at anything lower than 1600x1200 its irrelevant. Is this true? What should I do? My monitor is native 1280x1024 so I really don't need that high res ability.

 

That's pretty much true, if you are only running at 1280x1024 more ram doesn't make very much difference like it does at higher res. If you want to same some money for other things, then the 320mb is probably a better buy for your monitor.

 

Well, at the end of the article they state that the card may have a limitation with future DX10 games, because htey will need more RAM and for nearly all the DX10 cards it will be 640 or 768mb that they can play with. Right now I'm thinking the 640mb is a better and safer buy. I could be wrong though.

 

at your resolutions you will surely be fine with any games in the near future. if you dont see yourself upgrading your monitor in the next year or longer, id go with the 320 mb if you need to save some money...if not, go for the 640...

 

MUHAHAHAHAHAH!

Ahem,

I ordered my case last night, a Lian-Li PC-7B PLUS black anodized aluminum with Lian-Li windowed side panel. Hopefully it will arrive within about 2 weeks, its coming all the way from florida at a cost of $36.50 US. I can't wait though its such a nice case. All the mods... mmmm.

Spent so far:

$163.50 CAD ($141.50US)

 

When's that?

 

Case arrived today, and I wasn't too pleased to see a $58.56 charge for GST and brokerage fees!!! Turns out in the end that going with an american company instead of a different Canadian retailer, it ended up costing me $40. Thats $220 Canadian in total. I'm really pissed that I spent this much on my case, but I can't fix it now. Damn. Anyway, pics;









No complaints so far, its a very nice case. One thing though;

Already after touching it there are some noticeable fingerprints, and they don't want to wipe off with a tissue. What should I use to clean them off? I don't want to damage the anodized coating.

Spent so far:

$222.06 CAD

 

Anodized coatings are pretty tough - something like a baby-wipe will probably remove them easily enough.

Anything that's non-abraisive shouldn't damage the coating - you'll only damage it by scratching it off and hurting the Aluminum/Steel underneath.

 

oopps, never mind

 

I have a question about something a worker at the Tigerdirect store told me. He said that the difference in Corsair TWINX DDR2 800, 667 and 533 mhz models is like 1% performance increase. He said all it does is change the freuqency and latency times, but that its not worth it if your on a budget. I was skeptical of what he was saying, but he seemed knowledgeable. Is this true? Would I be better off going with a 667mhz modules?

 

sure, the performance difference is mostly "noticeable" on benches, but if you ever want to overclock, you will need the higher speeds...

 

Well when you put it that way, 800mhz it is!


Thanks for the help.

 

no problemo

 

Sucks about the customs. Pro tip: NEVER EVER EVER use ups for america-->canada orders. they charge you $20 brokerage fee, on top of your stinking customs fees.

 

hell...ups sucks for america-->america orders lol

 

Sucks about the extra costs from cross border shopping - I only did that once (whatever happened to "free trade")

In Canada I've used tigerdirect.ca, ncix.com, & bigfootcomputers.com all with good experience.

UPS = Uncaring Package Smashers (in my experience)