Need help shaving off money on new build.

[jjesco5]

Hi,
I am new to building computers. I am looking to make a build that can handle most games at medium/high graphics settings smoothly. I am trying to keep the rigs price at or below $875 but my current plan for parts is at ~$925. Are there any areas of my build that I can/should change to save money?

ASRock Z77 Extreme4 134.99
EVGA GeForce GTX 460 FPB 139.99
INTEL i5 2500k 219.99
COOLER MASTER HAF 912 59.99
Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" 74.99
OCZ Agility 3 60GB SATA III 64.99
Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2x 4GB), PC3-12800, DDR3-1600MHz, 9-9-9-24 49.99
Corsair Enthusiast Series TX550M Modular Power Supply - 550W 94.99
Rosewill RNX-N300X IEEE 24.99
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus 29.99
ASUS 24X DVD Burner 17.99
Cooler Master Silent Fan 120 SI2 - Case fan - 120 mm (4 pack) 12.99

Thanks!

-Justin

 

[fullmetall]

Only thing I can think of to do is drop the i5 2500k to a i5 2400 Sandy Bridge, and the SSD Isn't needed.

 

[azeem40]

Do NOT get an SSD on a sub $1200 build - put the $ into the GPU cuz that is where you will see benefits. Get the 560ti. It uses less power, performs better, and generates less heat.

 

[aznshinobi]

Check out my $850 build here:
http://www.squidoo.com/electronicandmore
Although you don't get an SSD that's not what's most important for a build. You can add the SSD if you'd like but at this budget, the money is better towards a better GPU.

The 7850 in my build can run games much more smoothly. Also, uses less power, runs cooler and also after overclocks can perform at the level of a GTX 580. The best part about the overclocking on the 7850, the 7850 can overclock easily by just downloading the AMD drivers and just sliding the sliders in the drivers menu in the OS.

But I don't include the heatsink, wifi and dvd burner so that's something. A bonus to my build, you'll be able to Crossfire with the 7850.

 

[Outlander_04]

CPU to the i5 3550
RAM to 2 x2 gig . More than 4 gig wont improve gaming
The modular psu is really expensive .
drop the SSD
buy a decent graphics card

 

[jjesco5]

ok, and if I get rid of the ssd and then get a 560ti will the hdd also included be fine for a boot/storage drive?

 

[aznshinobi]

Wouldn't suggest the 560 Ti. The 7850 is around the same price, overclocks better, lower power consumption and temps as well as better stock performance (obviously).

Yes 7200 RPM HDD drives are fine for boot.

 

[Ironslice]

Drop the SSD.
Drop the extra fans.
Get a GTX 560 ti: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130604
Get this Power Supply: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341017&Tpk=ocz%20600w

 

[jjesco5]

Damnit, it looks like it would cost more to get the 7850 and it is barely even for the 560 ti, Would say the 460 superclocked be a cheaper part?

 

[Ironslice]

The 560 ti is literally years ahead of the 460. Don't skimp on a graphics card, its the most important component.

 

[Ironslice]

Wouldn't suggest the 560 Ti. The 7850 is around the same price, overclocks better, lower power consumption and temps as well as better stock performance (obviously).

Yes 7200 RPM HDD drives are fine for boot.

The HD 7850 is $50 more expensive than the GTX 560 ti...

 

[aznshinobi]

The 560 Ti you suggested is $235 before rebates. That's only $5 more for a 7850. If dropped down from the Extreme4 to the Extreme3 Gen3 Z68 here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271
Switch the PSU to this one
http://www.amazon.com/Antec-EarthWatts-EA-650D-Green-BRONZE/dp/B004NBZAES%3FSubscriptionId%3D19BAZMZQFZJ6G2QYGCG2%26tag%3Dsquid1240995-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB004NBZAES
Saves you $25 for 100w more.
And you drop the SSD, you can afford the 7850.

 

[Ironslice]

The cheapest (decent) HD 7850 there is costs $250, and why wouldn't you coun't rebates.

Also, if you want to got that in depth then you must compare the warranties and therefore get the KR version of the 560 ti which is $200 (after rebates).

But w/e, this argument is pointless.

 

[Ironslice]

Also, OP what you can do is try to get Combos off Newegg or Amazon, they usually can save you up to $50 total.

 

[aznshinobi]

The cheapest 7850 is $240:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131473
Also, you don't count rebates because there is always a chance that you don't get the rebate. I understand EVGA is reputable but MIR's are not money that you immediately get back.

Either way it is OP's decision.

 

[Outlander_04]

You'd still drop the SSD to pay for the better graphics card

and chosing the i5 3550 saves more too , as does trimming the RAM to 2 x2 gig

and ditching the extra fans , and expensive psu

 

[cobra5000]

aznshinobi is right.
560 ti old,
7850 new,
Yes, Ironslice. By your own earlier statement on the 460, this argument is pointless.

 

[Ironslice]

I never said the 560 ti was better than the 7850. The 7850 is obviously the better card, but the whole point of this thread is lowering the cost.

 

[Outlander_04]

I never said the 560 ti was better than the 7850. The 7850 is obviously the better card, but the whole point of this thread is lowering the cost.

The cost can be lowered by running on the integrated graphics , so its really about lowering the cost for a given performance , or [even better] lowering the cost and increasing the performance

 

[AdvisableOwl]

Check Microcenter for an i5 and Mobo combo. Should drop the cost by a decent amount.

 

[jjesco5]

I don't have a microcenter anywhere near me =/,

And with the increased cost for the 7850/560 ti, even if I drop the mobo down the 3 it would still break even/be more expensive.

 

[jjesco5]

would the ZOTAC AMP! ZT-50302-10M GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 1GB work? its fairly cheap from compusa

 

[aznshinobi]

Could you post the link...

Also, if you dropped down the motherboard and PSU down to the ones I stated you'd have saved $38 right there. Dropping the SSD you'd be $103 in savings. So... That's enough to get the 7850?

The PSU I suggested would give you the ability to Crossfire/SLI the 7850 and the motherboard is still more than enough since you're just getting the i5 2500K. Also, the PSU will save you money and more power.

 

[jjesco5]

http://www.compusa.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1781498&CatId=3669

ok, I am planning on using http://www.compusa.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4362114 since I will be ordering it before the sale is over.

 

[Outlander_04]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102986 $250