Help Reduce the cost of this Rig

swapdroid

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Jan 16, 2013
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Hi ! I want to build a gaming PC for $1,000, I will play at 1080p. I have selected all the parts but the total is coming at $1,107. Please suggest something that will reduce the cost by $100 but performance would be the same.

Note : I have the read the 'Build your own $1,000 PC' article on Tom's but I am not satisfied with that build, I want more.

Well, here's the components I have selected :

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.69 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($139.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($124.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($62.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($299.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 922 ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 520W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($70.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1106.58
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-26 06:12 EDT-0400)
 
Solution
Yes get a 770. I didn't know you had a 144Hz monitor. That changes things a lot. If you want to reach 100fps on Ultra in games you need a powerful GPU, and the 770 is really impressive in tests.

A 7950 is good for 1080p 60Hz monitor. but you got a 144Hz monitor so that changes everything.

I made one change. You need more power for the 770. It is recommended to get a 600W PSU or greater. The one I chose is modular so it will help with cable clutter in case.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($196.48 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @...

swapdroid

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No, there is no Microcenter in my vicinity and I DO plan to overclock, that's why I have selected i5 3570K over the regular i5 3570 and a Z77 MoBo over an H77 one

 

swapdroid

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Do I really have to do that ? I have never used an SSD before but I have read that it is the best possible upgrade you can do to your PC to make it screaming fast

 

swapdroid

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Well I have NCIX nearby, but I always order online from Newegg or Amazon whichever is cheaper

 
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.69 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.82 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Kingston HyperX 3K 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($104.17 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($62.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB Video Card ($269.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 922 ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1004.60
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-26 06:43 EDT-0400)

For everyday use, you won't notice difference between this Kingston SSD and Samsung one. Also, the 660ti is similar in performance but $30 less. PSU, 550W is plenty, and XFX PSUs are made by Seasonic. The Asus mobo is a great choice and $30 less.
 

swapdroid

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I really want to stick with the 7950 because 660 ti is only 192 bit and 7950 is 384 bit and also has 3GB VRAM

 

swapdroid

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Is this Sapphire Vapor X 7950 or stock one ? there is no picture available on PC Part Picker. If its Vapor X then only I will buy it

 
Dual-X but it is still good. Not as good as the Vapor-X. I wouldn't exactly say no to it. It is still better than your Gigabyte one.

But if you really want a Vapor-X one:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.74 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-D3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($114.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($51.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Plextor M5S Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($103.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($62.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($322.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1006.64
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
 

swapdroid

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No I really don't want Vapor X that bad and I'll take Dual X because I don't want the subpar case you suggested, Corsair 200R

 

swapdroid

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So many of you have suggested Plextor M5S 128GB SSD. What's so special about it and how does it hold against Samsung 840 Pro 128GB I have selected. Is 840 Pro overpriced ??
 
This one includes the 7950 Vapor.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.69 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.82 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Kingston HyperX 3K 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($104.17 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($62.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($322.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 922 ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1057.59
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-26 07:24 EDT-0400)
 

Nothing is special about it. And it does not contend with the Samsung 840 Pro because the Samsung 840 Pro is the best SSD on the market. And no, it is not overpriced.
 

No doubt it is the fastest at the $130ish price range. And incredibly reliable. However, a lot of evidence is coming out that suggests people that build rigs for gaming and day to day use won't benefit from the fastest SSD. Rather, a good SSD that is cheaper, but reliable, will suffice.

I feel like the Kingston or Plextor SSD, for $20 less, will help OP meet budget better.
 

swapdroid

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Jan 16, 2013
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Ohh Really ?! Thanks a lot for this info. So what should I go for, Gigabyte or Sapphire Dual X ?

 

caydn12

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Mar 8, 2013
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I have the dual-X and it overclocks like a champ (1175core/1575mem)
Idk about the gigabyte. ive never used one.