Build recommendations? 1200 budget

[morgilroka]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($258.32 @ TigerDirect Canada)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($34.99 @ Memory Express)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-SLI ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($124.99 @ NCIX)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($86.99 @ Memory Express)
Storage: Seagate 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Hybrid Internal Hard Drive ($87.98 @ DirectCanada)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card ($424.99 @ Memory Express)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($129.99 @ Memory Express)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 520W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($88.98 @ Amazon Canada)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($22.05 @ Vuugo)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($108.34 @ TigerDirect Canada)
Total: $1367.62
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-04 21:17 EST-0500


That's what i got so far. The price is a little over budget (these are canadian prices keep in mind). Any suggestions on saving a few bucks and/or swapping out something? Would like to keep the overclock capabilities. Anything you guys would swap out performance wise?

Thanks for taking a look.

 

[M0j0jojo]

I was able to reduce the price by $40. Went with a Blue themed build as it is Intel hope you like it

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($258.32 @ TigerDirect Canada)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($34.99 @ Memory Express)
Motherboard: MSI Z97-G55 SLI ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($126.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($80.34 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($57.98 @ DirectCanada)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE 3X Video Card ($408.10 @ TigerDirect Canada)
Case: Rosewill RISE Glow ATX Full Tower Case ($139.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ Memory Express)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($22.05 @ Vuugo)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($108.34 @ TigerDirect Canada)
Total: $1327.08
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-04 21:26 EST-0500

 

[morgilroka]

Every little bit helps. I do like the blue theme. This build is actually for a friend. My build is blue themed but i notice you can no longer get your hands on the Intel masters ram (which matches exactly to the blue-chrome on most mobos).

Thanks for the input, looks good. I'll look into the changes and discuss.

 

[M0j0jojo]

Every little bit helps. I do like the blue theme. This build is actually for a friend. My build is blue themed but i notice you can no longer get your hands on the Intel masters ram (which matches exactly to the blue-chrome on most mobos).

Thanks for the input, looks good. I'll look into the changes and discuss.

I would definitely go with the GPU and HDD I suggested, they brought the price down a lot. Would be wise to get a cheaper case too, but thats upto ur friend.

 

[morgilroka]

Yeah for sure on the GPU! Is the Hybrid drives worth it? I hear they're fairly close in terms of speed to an SSD, without dropping another 100+, and it's 1TB of space. I've never used them before.

 

[M0j0jojo]

Yeah for sure on the GPU! Is the Hybrid drives worth it? I hear they're fairly close in terms of speed to an SSD, without dropping another 100+, and it's 1TB of space. I've never used them before.

Ive actually never used a Hybrid HDD either so I can't say. But seeing the Prices in Canada are insanely high I suggest go with a Single 1TB HDD or tell him to get a cheaper Computer Case and spend the saved money on a Hybrid Drive or a small 64Gb SSD for the OS and a couple of games.

 

[morgilroka]

True about the prices lol!

Any suggestions on some cheaper cases w/ decent airflow? Don't want it to be too basic either though. I've got an old antec 300 he may use anyway.

 

[Jezza1]

If you or your friend are students (includes highschool/college/uni) you can save around $45 on the OS. Microsoft has a student deal to get the OS for nearly half price. I think this only applies to windows 8.1 though, so you may be out of luck.