Can Someone Help Making This Build Cheaper?

CyanWool · May 2, 2014

Some great people on Tom's Hardware helped me find parts for a gaming build, but it was a little over budget. Is there any suggestions on changing parts to make the build cheaper, without sacrificing performance? Thanks!

Here's the link.

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/CyanWool/saved/4uBA

damric · May 2, 2014

I was messing around earlier and made a super low power rig:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($113.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI H81M-E33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($44.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: G.Skill AEGIS 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ Vertex 460 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 750 1GB Video Card ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Inwin Dragon Slayer MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($59.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 300W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($39.99 @ Mwave)
Total: $538.92
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-02 00:57 EDT-0400)

I think there is a rebate on the XFX PSU at Tiger Direct so it's actually $26 AR.

PsychSC2 · May 2, 2014

Change to FX6300 CPU and R7 250 GPU.

CyanWool · May 2, 2014

Is it as good as the first one?

CTurbo · May 2, 2014

What's the budget?

CTurbo · May 2, 2014

This is a lot better for right at $1000

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3Cn9J
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3Cn9J/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3Cn9J/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4570 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B85M-D2V Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($59.79 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($68.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($239.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Cougar Solution (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($37.99 @ Mwave)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($50.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24F1ST DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus VS228H-P 21.5" Monitor ($129.99 @ Best Buy)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm Quick Fire TK Wired Gaming Keyboard ($79.24 @ B&H)
Total: $1006.93
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-02 01:11 EDT-0400)

CTurbo · May 2, 2014

and here is a cheaper version of your build with zero performance loss

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3Cnl6
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3Cnl6/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3Cnl6/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($154.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-DS3P ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($74.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($68.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 270 2GB Double Dissipation Video Card ($159.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($50.99 @ TigerDirect)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit) ($94.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus VE248H 24.0" Monitor ($144.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm Quick Fire TK Wired Gaming Keyboard ($79.24 @ B&H)
Other: Anker 5000 DPI Gaming Mouse ($35.99)
Total: $990.10
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-02 01:19 EDT-0400)

hans_pcguy · May 2, 2014

My suggestion can save you 80%. BUY USED PARTS. It's just like buying cars, only with computers you save a much bigger percentage than you do buying a used car.

CyanWool · May 2, 2014

Thank you so much again CTurbo! I have one question, is there a case that looks nicer/cooler and does the same job? Sorry for asking this but it does mean something to me.

CTurbo · May 2, 2014

I have one question, is there a case that looks nicer/cooler and does the same job? Sorry for asking this but it does mean something to me.

What do you mean? Compared to the 300R?

CyanWool · May 2, 2014

I mean is there a computer case that isn't straight black that has good air flow and accessibility?

CTurbo · May 2, 2014

You could always slap some LED fans in there! haha

I'm more of a straight black with great airflow case kind of guy

chargeit · May 2, 2014

Here's a option...

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3CoxC

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3CoxC
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3CoxC/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3CoxC/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($84.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($68.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 270 2GB TWIN FROZR Video Card ($174.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Rosewill REDBONE U3 ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit) ($94.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus VX238H-W 23.0" Monitor ($157.58 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Microsoft SIDEWINDER X4 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($49.99 @ Mac Mall)
Other: Anker 5000 DPI Gaming Mouse ($35.99)
Total: $902.45

Largest changes GPU to R9 270, CPU fx6300, case to a Rosewill redbone (I'm assuming you like the red?), and dropped that mechanical keyboard to go with a siderwinder x4 (Mechanical keyboards are over rated).

***Get that $159 R9 270 the other guy listed. I didn't notice that one.

CyanWool · May 2, 2014

Is the Zalman Z9 a good case?

CyanWool · May 2, 2014

Or Zalman Z9 Plus

chargeit · May 2, 2014

CyanWool :

It looks good to me. Has strong ratings and it's large enough to fit a aftermarket cooler. No front USB 3.0 ports, but that isn't a large issue if you ask me.

chargeit · May 2, 2014

This is the case I used to build my ol'ladys system. It looks really good in person, and fits a aftermarket cooler. It was easy to work with also.

Antec GX500
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129191

Don't let the pictures throw you off, it is really a good looking case.

CyanWool · May 2, 2014

Ok thanks charge it!

I have one more question. Is a ssd needed for a computer? Thanks.

chargeit · May 2, 2014

CyanWool :

A ssd is very nice to have, however, I wouldn't pick a 120gb SSD, over a 1tb hdd if I only used one drive.

I'd personally suggest that you only get a SSD if you can get one that is over 300GB, or, you have a HDD for installing games on.

Now, if you buy your system now, put in a 120gb SSD, and then less then a month later add a HDD for games/data, then sure, get the SSD now, just realize that you will be very limited on space.

I love my SSD, but I've also got 2 HDD for games/data.

I put a Hybrid in my ol'ladys system, and it works great since she only plays "DDO", and "GW2".

chargeit · May 2, 2014

Oh, and you really should consider getting that "Microsoft Sidewinder x4" keyboard instead of a Mechanical if you're tight on cash.

I got that keyboard for my ol'lady and have been really impressed with it. The key presses feel really good and solid, and it looks good too with its red LED.

CyanWool · May 2, 2014

But a ssd is not needed?

chargeit · May 2, 2014

CyanWool :

No. However, I do suggest getting one later on. But I wouldn't go out of my way to get one.

I say,

120GB ssd now, and 1tb HDD in a month or less.

Or,

1tb HDD now, and a SSD whenever you can afford it.

A SSD is very, very nice to have but not worth it as a single drive unless you get a very large one that would cost about 1/3 the price of the system you're wanting to build right now.

A 120gb SSD as the only drive in your system just doesn't make sense. You'd be so space starved that you'd regret it quickly without adding a hdd quickly..

***What is your total budget? How much money do you want to spend on everything?

CyanWool · May 2, 2014

My total budget is around $1000. But less is better.

CyanWool · May 2, 2014

Also the second option sound better for my situation.

CyanWool · May 2, 2014

(also thanks for replying to my other question )

Can Someone Help Making This Build Cheaper?

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