How can I cut down my PC build costs?

[pckid]

Alright here is my build. Note, I will be using this computer for mainly gaming mostly skyrim :lol: Also I will be overclocking
Motherboard 279.99 http://tinyurl.com/7tdjuzd
Cpu 269.99 http://tinyurl.com/cnt5rc5
Gpu 109.99 http://tinyurl.com/cbsd43a
tower 129.99 http://tinyurl.com/ct6jykq
RAM 44.98 http://tinyurl.com/d2gt82b
DVD Drive 18.99 http://tinyurl.com/cq333s6
Watercooling 86.26 http://tinyurl.com/cr6xfrq
Hard drive 69.81 http://tinyurl.com/cnr72wa
Psu 61.24 http://tinyurl.com/c95xcwb 600 watt
Windows 7 119.99

Thanks. also The links are tinyurl because the links are way too long.
Sorry If this is in the wrong place Im new to the forums...

 

[TheBigTroll]

easy (too easy)

1: drop the motherboard down to a gigabyte z77x-ud3h or ud5h depending on what features you want. they are 149.99 and 169.99-179.99 respectively

2; down grade to a i5 3570k if you are only gaming. it is usually 214.99-229.99

3: if you really like the phantom, you can get a phantom 410 and save some cash there since the 410 is just the same but a bit smaller and cheaper. if you dont mind switching to a even cheaper case, a antec 302 is a very well constructed case that sells for 59.99 most of the time

4:the memory is incompatable. get something like gskill ares 2x4gb 1600mhz cl9 at newegg for 44.99. they are doing a promo right now

5:the h80 isnt very good for the price. get either a hyper 212 evo for 29.99 (performs better than a h60 anyday), or a noctua nh-14 (performs like a h100). the noctua is around 79.99 on sale

6:get something like a WD caviar black 1tb 64mb at newegg for 109.99. much better drive anyways

7:you need to spend a little more on the GPU to get more performance, i recommend the asus 7850. they sell for 249.99 and perform like a 560ti448core while using half the power

8: a pc power and cooling mk3 600w sells for 49.99 after 20 dollar MIR at microcenter. much better unit and cheaper

at this price range, id definitly spring for a SSD like a crucial m4 128gb, sandisk etreme 120gb, or a samsung 830 128gb. whichever one is cheaper. it really makes your system feel like a thousand dollars well spent

 

[pckid]

Ill have to check out the stuff you recommended! thanks for the quick reply

 

[jerreddredd]

I have to agree with most of what Troll said.

The Phantom is a HUGE full tower case, the 410 looks the same but is Mid tower.

you definitely want a better HDD for Skyrim as it seems to continuously load the map as you travel, and you don't want stutter... unless you go the SSD route and install skyrim there.

I noticed you linked a GTX 560 as a GPU, but listed as $109, when it the linked card is $175. the 560 is full capable of playing Skyrim, but the 7850 that Troll suggested is a good value/performance pick if it fits you budget.

I also do recommend a 128-256 GB SSD, I have both Crucial M4's and Samsung 830's in all my systems and I love them.

for the MB, I would go with one of THG's $160 or less Z77 picks
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/z77-express-ivy-bridge-benchmark,3254.html
my choice would be the ASROCK or the Gigabyte

the CPU a i7 is overkill, go with the i5 3570K

the Aries G skill that troll suggested are a good buy, the ones you posted are SoDIMMS and are not compatible (they are for laptops)

and lastly liquid cooling is overrated. a good Noctua or the CM hyper 212 like Troll suggested.

 

[pckid]

I have to agree with most of what Troll said.

The Phantom is a HUGE full tower case, the 410 looks the same but is Mid tower.

you definitely want a better HDD for Skyrim as it seems to continuously load the map as you travel, and you don't want stutter... unless you go the SSD route and install skyrim there.

I noticed you linked a GTX 560 as a GPU, but listed as $109, when it the linked card is $175. the 560 is full capable of playing Skyrim, but the 7850 that Troll suggested is a good value/performance pick if it fits you budget.

I also do recommend a 128-256 GB SSD, I have both Crucial M4's and Samsung 830's in all my systems and I love them.

for the MB, I would go with one of THG's $160 or less Z77 picks
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/z77-express-ivy-bridge-benchmark,3254.html
my choice would be the ASROCK or the Gigabyte

the CPU a i7 is overkill, go with the i5 3570K

the Aries G skill that troll suggested are a good buy, the ones you posted are SoDIMMS and are not compatible (they are for laptops)

and lastly liquid cooling is overrated. a good Noctua or the CM hyper 212 like Troll suggested.

this is going to be my first computer build which is why its probably really bad and also if i only get an ssd can i use it as my main storage space?

 

[zooted]

^You will run out of space fast.

 

[pckid]

^You will run out of space fast.

But i still can right? like install windows 7 on the ssd and later on buy a bigger drive?

 

[obsama1]

You buy an SSD and hard drive. You put the OS (Windows) and your commonly used apps on the SSD. Then, put your music, movies, etc. on the HDD. You can get a small SSD. 90GB-128GB is a good spot. 64GB is a bit too small.

 

[zooted]

If you are trying to cut cost I would start with just a mechanical hdd. You can then add a ssd down the road. The only benefit that you will have performance wise is faster load times and faster boots. It will not benefit frame rates at all.

 

[pckid]

You buy an SSD and hard drive. You put the OS (Windows) and your commonly used apps on the SSD. Then, put your music, movies, etc. on the HDD. You can get a small SSD. 90GB-128GB is a good spot. 64GB is a bit too small.

Oh so its like using 1hdd and 1ssd at the same time right? sorry for the n00b questions its my first computer build.

 

[obsama1]

Yes, you set them up as 2 drives. You can use a HDD, but later add an SSD. But, it isn't as important as a good CPU/GPU.

 

[pckid]

Yes, you set them up as 2 drives. You can use a HDD, but later add an SSD. But, it isn't as important as a good CPU/GPU.

I think i got it just wondering is there a good guide where it tells me how to piece it together and install everything.

 

[obsama1]

Yup. Newegg has a tutorial.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPIXAtNGGCw

 

[pckid]

Yup. Newegg has a tutorial.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPIXAtNGGCw

Oh this forum has been really helpful! thanks

 

[obsama1]

NP!

 

[TheBigTroll]

honestly, id start off with a ssd in the first place such as the crucial m4 128gb or the samsung 830 128gb. most people dont fill up their space that fast and when you do, just add a hard drive. hard dries are still pretty expensive so id hold that off

 

[Wisecracker]

In a gaming rig you should spend more on your GPU than your mobo/CPU.

_

 

[jerreddredd]

this is going to be my first computer build which is why its probably really bad and also if i only get an ssd can i use it as my main storage space?

not sure what you budget is, but with the suggestions troll and i gave you, you should be able to do one of these:

SSD only and add a Storage drive later:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148530
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147164

or go with the 500gb drive you listed above and one of these for the OS,apps and a few games:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211596
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148529
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211602
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147163

 

[pckid]

Best answer selected by pckid.