🎄 Holiday 2025 PC Guide: Comparing Graphics Cards to Gaming Consoles in Canada
Note: This article is part of Our special FRIDAY BLOG SERIES for BLACK FRIDAY. We still have WEEKLY SIMPLY SMART SATURDAY Blogs every saturday at 1PM EST. Our special friday blogs will release 9AM EST every Friday UNTIL AFTER BOXING DAY!
The Holiday 2025 season is here, and the big question for gamers across Canada is: "What's the best value for my money? A console or a new PC?"
It’s confusing. You see a PS5 Pro on the shelf, but then you see prebuilt gaming PCs with parts like an RTX 5070 or RX 9070 XT. How do they compare? Which one is a "console killer"?
At Simply Smart, we believe buying a custom gaming PC should be simple. Forget confusing benchmarks and technical jargon. We built our entire system to answer one question: "How does it compare to a console?"
This is our Holiday 2025 guide to help you find the perfect gaming rig.
🛡️ Our Core Promise: New Parts, Total Transparency
Before the list, our guarantee: When you order a custom PC from Simply Smart, you’re not getting leftover parts. You’re getting fresh, factory-new components where it counts. We use brand new hard drives, RAM, and power supplies almost every single time.
Your new PC deserves a fresh start, especially during the holiday season. We don't gamble with your data or performance by using old, refurbished parts in critical places.
💰 Our Transparent Pricing Promise: We Don't Profit from the Heart of Your PC
This is what makes us different from any big-box prebuilt PC store in Canada.
Most stores silently tack $300–$500 onto the real wholesale price of a graphics card. We think that’s backwards.
At Simply Smart, the price you see for the GPU is the cost we pay our supplier, plus a small, necessary fulfillment fee. This single, transparent fee covers safe shipping, Canadian customs, and our premium lifetime build warranty. We refuse to use the GPU as our main profit center.
Our goal is simple: get you the most power for your money, allowing you to build a true console killer PC for a fair price.
🎮 The Simply Smart Holiday 2025 GPU Tier List
We make choosing simple. We sort our GPUs into clear Performance Tiers so you can match your PC’s power to your budget. To ensure you know exactly what to expect, we translate everything into console equivalents.
LOW TIER (Great for light gaming, eSports, older AAA titles)
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AMD R7
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NVIDIA GTX 750 Ti (4GB) – PS4 / Xbox One (C$30)
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NVIDIA GTX 1030 (for SLIM Builds) – PS4 / Xbox One (C$30)
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NVIDIA GTX 1050 (2GB) – Xbox One S (C$50)
MID TIER (Solid 1080p gaming with medium/high settings)
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GTX 960 – Xbox One S to PS4 Pro (C$70)
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AMD R9 380 – Xbox One S to PS4 Pro (C$70)
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NVIDIA GTX 1050ti – Xbox One S to PS4 Pro (C$70)
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NVIDIA GTX 1650 – Xbox One S to PS4 Pro (C$100)
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NVIDIA GTX 1060 – PS4 Pro (C$100)
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RX 580 – PS4 Pro (C$100)
HIGH TIER (1080p Ultra or entry 1440p gaming)
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NVIDIA GTX 1660 – PS4 Pro to Xbox One X (C$150)
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NVIDIA GTX 1660 SUPER – Xbox One X to Series S (6 TFLOPs, solid 1080p ultra) (C$200)
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NVIDIA RTX 2060 – Almost a PS5 (1440p gaming + basic ray tracing) (C$250)
ULTRA TIER (1440p Ultra or high-end 4K gaming)
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NVIDIA RTX 3060 – PS5 (1440p + better ray tracing + AI) (C$400)
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NVIDIA RTX 4060 – PS5-level performance, smooth 4K 60fps in most 2024 games, plus DLSS 3 / Frame Gen (+C$450)
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AMD RX 7600 – PS5 / Series X equivalent (C$550)
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AMD RX 9060 XT (8GB) - Better than PS5 / Series X (C$650)
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AMD RX 7800 XT – PS5 Pro equivalent (C$850)
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NVIDIA RTX 5070 – Beyond PS5 Pro, high-end 1440p/4K PC gaming (C$1000)
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AMD RX 9070 XT – Ultra-tier 4K Gaming Beast (C$1,300)
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NVIDIA RTX 5080 – Maximum 4K Gaming Performance (C$1,900)
An RTX 5090 is overkill since its over $3500 and DEFINITELY not TWICE the performance of a RTX 5080.
RX 9070 XT & 9060 XT are the two sweet spots with Ryzen Builds while RTX 4060 & RTX 5070 are the sweet spots for Intel builds!
NVIDIA RTX has better AI framerate generation and upscaling while AMD RX is better raw performance AND syncs with AMD Ryzen CPU using their special software.
💰 Why This Matters: Total Value Over Component Markup
By selling GPUs at near-wholesale cost, we let you spend your budget where it actually counts: on more VRAM, faster processors, and larger, brand-new SSDs.
While our competition quietly marks up every component—leading to an equivalent RTX 5070 prebuilt gaming PC costing $3,499 + tax—our business model ensures your final, custom-built rig is hundreds, or even thousands, less. We use that savings to give you a reliable PSU, better RAM, and a superior case/cooling setup for free.
Our business is built on trust, performance, and repeat customers—not on wringing every extra dollar out of a single sale.
Your Holiday PC Questions, Answered
Q: Why do these console comparisons matter so much? A: Because "benchmarks" are confusing. Telling you a card gets "115 FPS at 1440p" doesn't mean much. Telling you it's "better than a PS5 Pro" gives you an instant, real-world understanding of the power you're buying. We make tech simple.
Q: Are the GPUs brand new or reconditioned? A: We source new cards whenever possible. If a card isn't new (especially in the Low/Mid Tiers), it goes through our full professional reconditioning process—new thermal paste, new pads, and stress-tested. The performance and reliability are guaranteed, giving you peace of mind.
Q: Can I upgrade this PC later? A: Absolutely. That’s the beauty of a custom PC over a console. We design all our builds to be upgrade-friendly. You can start with a "PS5 equivalent" RTX 3060 today and swap in an RTX 5070 in a year using our at-cost upgrade path.
🎁 Extended Holiday 2025 Deep Dive: Your Top Questions, Answered
Part 1: The Black Friday "Deals" & Competitor Traps
Q: I see a "Black Friday PC Deal" at Best Buy / Canada Computers. Their total price looks low. Why is your build a better value?
A: This is the most important question you can ask. Those "door-crasher" prebuilt PCs are designed to lure you in with a single good part (like the GPU) while cutting corners on everything else.
Here's the data-driven truth. We see shoppers complaining this week about buying these builds and discovering:
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A "Ketchup & Mustard" Power Supply: They use a cheap, non-modular C-tier power supply with ugly, unmanageable cables. This is the #1 component that can fail and take your whole system with it.
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A Single Stick of RAM: They'll advertise "16GB RAM," but use one 16GB stick. Running RAM in "single channel" like this cripples CPU performance by 20-30% right out of the box.
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A "Mystery" SSD: They'll list "1TB NVMe SSD" but use a slow, DRAM-less drive from an unknown brand.
We only use high-quality, named-brand PSUs (like Corsair, EVGA, Seasonic), always use dual-channel (2x sticks) RAM for maximum performance, and use fast NVMe drives from brands we trust. Our builds are performance-tuned from day one.
Q: I bought a prebuilt from Dell/HP/Alienware last year and now I can't upgrade it. Are your builds different?
A: Yes. This is the single biggest scam in the prebuilt industry, and our #1 reason for existing.
Those companies (even on their 2025 Aurora R16 models) use proprietary parts. This means:
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The motherboard is a weird shape that only fits their case.
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The power supply has custom connectors that won't work with a new one.
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The BIOS is locked to prevent you from upgrading.
It's not a PC; it's e-waste designed to be ungradable. We despise this practice.
We only use standard ATX, mATX, and ITX parts. Every component in our build is fully modular, swappable, and future-proof. You can upgrade your GPU, add more RAM, or even move the whole system to a new case in five years. We build PCs, not disposable appliances.
Q: I saw the RTX 5070 on Amazon for C$100 less. Why is your C$1,200 price a better deal?
A: You're right to ask! This is the core of our transparent promise. Our listed price isn't just for the card in a box; it's our total fulfillment cost.
That C$100 difference you see at a massive retailer like Amazon doesn't include:
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Sourcing & Stock (The Holiday Rush): We have dedicated supply chains to get RTX 5070 stock in Canada for our builds. We're seeing DIY builders this week panic because Black Friday deals are "disappointing" and stock is vanishing. We handle the stress so you don't have to.
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The "Tax & Customs" Bill: Our C$1,200 is our total price. A retail listing of C$900 + 13% tax (C$117) + shipping means your "cheaper" card is already C$1,000+, before you've even found it in stock.
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The "Dead on Arrival" Risk: When you buy from Amazon, you are the warranty holder. If a part is dead, you have to diagnose it, ship it back, and wait weeks for a replacement. With us, your PC arrives 100% stress-tested and working, backed by our single, simple warranty.
That fulfillment fee is how we cover this entire white-glove service, and our total build price is still $1000+ less than competitors.
Q: I'm tracking Black Friday deals, and many "sales" just look like they're using older, worse parts. How do I spot a fake deal?
A: A "fake" Black Friday deal is easy to spot. It usually involves a huge discount (e.g., "Save $700") on a PC that uses an old CPU (like 10th-gen Intel or an older Ryzen 3/5) paired with a new GPU. They cut the original price, but the core parts are years old. Always check the generation. Our tiers focus on modern performance equivalents, giving you the best price-to-performance ratio.
Q: I see a "Black Friday PC Deal" at Best Buy / Canada Computers. Their total price looks low. Why is your build a better value?
A: This is the result of the "Hero Part" scam. They lure you in with one good part while cutting corners on every other component—especially the Power Supply (PSU), RAM, and Motherboard. To hit that low price, they use parts that are a fire risk, unstable, and cripple your CPU performance. We build balanced systems using high-quality components for every single part, ensuring superior long-term value.
Q: I'm a DIYer, but Google Trends shows DDR5 RAM prices are insane right now. Is it actually cheaper to have you build it?
A: Yes. For the first time, it is often cheaper to have us build your PC than to build it yourself. Due to supply shortages and high demand for AI, a 32GB DDR5 kit that cost C$120 in September is now C$220-C$300+ at retail. Since we buy our components in bulk at wholesale, we can secure 32GB of high-speed DDR5 RAM for our builds at a price you simply cannot get as a DIY builder right now.
Part 2: Component Quality, Warranty, and Upgradability
Q: Why are there so many reviews online about prebuilt PCs from big stores failing or 'blowing up' after a few months?
A: This is almost always due to that cheap, unbranded, C-tier Power Supply (PSU). That component is responsible for delivering clean, stable power to your entire system. When big box stores cut corners on the PSU, it causes instability, electrical damage, or catastrophic failure. We do not gamble with this component. We only use high-quality, named-brand PSUs to ensure the safety and longevity of your build.
Q: I've read horror stories on Reddit about 'proprietary parts.' Can I actually upgrade the PC I buy from you?
A: Yes, absolutely. Companies like Dell/Alienware use proprietary parts (custom motherboards, custom PSUs) to intentionally prevent you from upgrading. We only use standard ATX, mATX, and ITX components. This means you can upgrade your GPU, add more RAM, swap your power supply, or even move the entire system to a new case years down the road.
Q: Are these GPUs brand new?
A: We aim to source new GPUs where possible. However, especially in the Low to High tiers, if a card isn’t brand new, it goes through our professional reconditioning process—we re-paste the GPU die, replace thermal pads, and run stress tests to ensure top benchmark performance.
Q: Does re-pasting and replacing thermal pads really help?
A: Yes. Thermal paste and pads age and dry out. Fresh thermal material reduces operating temperatures, which improves sustained performance (less thermal throttling), reduces fan noise, and extends the component's lifespan. We make sure each card is thermally optimized before it goes into a customer build.
Q: Is there any warranty on these GPUs?
A: Yes. All GPUs, whether new or reconditioned, are supported by our standard warranty and the SmartSwap policy. If a GPU fails or doesn’t perform as expected, we handle diagnostics, warranty claims, or swap options quickly.
Part 3: Console Comparison & Buying Guidance
Q: I'm torn between a PS5 Pro and a PC. What's the real value comparison for a Canadian buyer this holiday?
A: A PS5 Pro costs over C$950 after tax. It's a fantastic, optimized gaming machine, but it’s still just a game box. Its performance is comparable to our C$1,000 RX 7800 XT tier. For similar money, a Simply Smart PC offers far superior performance (especially at the RTX 5070 tier), access to DLSS/Frame Generation, the ability to upgrade, and the ability to do everything else (work, stream, modding).
Q: How do the console comparisons help me choose?
A: They translate PC performance into familiar terms. You don't need to hunt benchmark spreadsheets. By knowing a GTX 1660 SUPER is an "Xbox One X to Series S" equivalent, you know exactly what resolution and framerate to expect without the guesswork.
Q: What is the real sweet spot in your list for Holiday 2025?
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The 1080p Sweet Spot: The GTX 1660 SUPER or RTX 2060 (High Tier). Perfect for competitive eSports and high-refresh 1080p gaming.
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The 1440p Sweet Spot: The RTX 4060 or RX 9060 XT (Ultra Tier). The best balance of price, new features (DLSS/FSR), and power for high-frame 1440p gaming.
Part 4: Logistics and Post-Sale Support
Q: What if I forgot to select an upgrade or GPU option at checkout?
A: Simply contact us or leave a note with your order immediately. We'll personally review your order and update it before we begin the build process.
Q: Do you install drivers and test the GPU before delivery?
A: Absolutely. Every build gets the latest stable drivers, OS updates, and stress/benchmark testing to verify real-world performance. You receive a system that is verified to run at expected performance levels out of the box.
Q: Can I upgrade later if I buy a lower-tier card now?
A: Yes. We design upgrade-friendly builds and offer our at-cost pricing for future GPU swaps. We’ll quote trade-in/upgrade options when you're ready.
Q: How long does it take from order to build/shipment?
A: Build and delivery times vary by component availability and current queue. We’ll give an estimated lead time at checkout and keep you updated.
✅ Every Simply Smart PC is hand-built, fully stress-tested, and backed by our SmartSwap Guarantee — Canada’s most flexible, customer-first upgrade policy.
💬 Get Your Custom Build Quote Before the Holiday Rush
Ready to build your dream console killer PC? Whether you want a simple PS5 Pro equivalent rig or a 4K beast ready for 2026, we’ll design the perfect build for your budget.
No confusing extras. No hidden markups. Just simple, honest, and powerful PCs.
📩 Contact Simply Smart today for a free custom PC quote — and see why we're the smartest choice for custom PCs in Canada this holiday season.
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