Reducing cost of PC build but maintaining performance

Keithstone Kim

Reputable
Oct 4, 2014
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4,510
Hello,

Right now I am putting together parts for a $700 gaming PC. My problem is that I am over budget and don't really know what to cut back in order to maintain the overall performance and reduce cost. I'm just wondering if there are cheaper products out there that will perform at the same level or better than the parts I have already chosen.

http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/partlist/

If there is nothing I can do to make it less expensive I am fine with that, I just want to see if I have more options.

Thanks!!
 
Link shows your account part list so we can't see any builds (that's your account !) so we see our account's bart list not yours :)
to show us that list : open that Part list > export > Copy that code > Paste in Here
 
You can by faster 2133 / 2400 RAM for less money ... 1st one may hit ya cooler.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226345
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226525

50% faster driver for less money
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822178381
http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/hdd-charts-2013/-17-PCMark-7-Gaming,2915.html

The GFX card is defective
http://www.guru3d.com/news-story/evga-geforce-gtx-970-acx-has-misaligned-gpu-vs-heatpipes.html

Other component and cooling issues detailed here, grab the MSI
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/graphics/2014/09/19/nvidia-geforce-gtx-970-review/1


 
AMD Build:

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/krsY23
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/krsY23/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($139.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Thermaltake CLP0608 99.1 CFM CPU Cooler ($49.50 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($104.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($78.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 280 3GB TWIN FROZR Video Card ($195.91 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake Commander MS-I Epic Edition (Black/Red) ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($15.00 @ Newegg)
Total: $704.33
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Intel Build:

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/kQvKNG
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/kQvKNG/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($225.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI Z97 PC MATE ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($89.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($78.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 760 2GB TWIN FROZR Video Card ($184.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake Commander MS-I Epic Edition (Black/Red) ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $724.90
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available


I also included a nice surprise, an awesome black/red colour scheme, and it did not impact on the cost or performance of your build at all so don't worry about that. There would be no cost difference if I didn't have the colour scheme so I thought since it would be the same price may as well have an awesome colour scheme build.
 
Sorry, this is my first build so I am still pretty new to all this information 😛

[PCPartPicker part list](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/8WBgZL) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/8WBgZL/by_merchant/)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i54460) | $187.89 @ OutletPC
**Motherboard** | [Gigabyte GA-H81M-S2PH Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-motherboard-gah81ms2ph) | $61.97 @ OutletPC
**Memory** | [GeIL EVO Leggara Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/geil-memory-gel38gb1600c9dc) | $82.99 @ Newegg
**Storage** | [Crucial MX100 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/crucial-internal-hard-drive-ct128mx100ssd1) | $72.99 @ Amazon
**Storage** | [Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wd10ezex) | $54.98 @ OutletPC
**Video Card** | [Gigabyte Radeon R9 280 3GB WINDFORCE Video Card](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-video-card-gvr928wf3oc3gd) | $194.99 @ Newegg
**Case** | [Rosewill CHALLENGER ATX Mid Tower Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/rosewill-case-challenger) | $39.99 @ Newegg
**Power Supply** | [Antec Neo Eco 520W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/antec-power-supply-neoeco520c) | $58.24 @ Amazon
**Optical Drive** | [Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/samsung-optical-drive-sh224dbbebe) | $14.99 @ Amazon
**Wireless Network Adapter** | [TP-Link TL-WN781ND 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/tp-link-wireless-network-card-tlwn781nd) | $14.99 @ Mwave
| | **Total**
| Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available | $784.02
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-05 12:17 EDT-0400 |
 
I've adjusted a few things and here is what I have so far.

[PCPartPicker part list](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/RwrVLk) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/RwrVLk/by_merchant/)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i54690k) | $225.98 @ SuperBiiz
**Motherboard** | [MSI Z97 PC MATE ATX LGA1150 Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-motherboard-z97pcmate) | $89.99 @ Micro Center
**Memory** | [Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/mushkin-memory-997164) | $76.99 @ Newegg
**Storage** | [Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wd10ezex) | $54.98 @ OutletPC
**Video Card** | [MSI GeForce GTX 760 2GB TWIN FROZR Video Card](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-video-card-n760tf2gd5oc) | $184.99 @ Newegg
**Case** | [Rosewill CHALLENGER ATX Mid Tower Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/rosewill-case-challenger) | $39.99 @ Newegg
**Power Supply** | [EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-power-supply-120g10650xr) | $49.99 @ Newegg
**Optical Drive** | [Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/samsung-optical-drive-sh224dbbebe) | $14.99 @ Newegg
**Wireless Network Adapter** | [TP-Link TL-WN781ND 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/tp-link-wireless-network-card-tlwn781nd) | $14.99 @ Mwave
| | **Total**
| Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available | $752.89
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-06 15:15 EDT-0400 |
 
Generally I want this build to be able to handle games like Diablo 3, Borderlands 2, and the Witcher 2 on max settings or at least close to that. I've been gaming on a 4 year old laptop so the frame rates on the newer games is really crappy. Also, do you think I will be able to find sales and good components towards Christmas time and New Years?
 
I think that build will be better that the selected case doesn't have front USB 3.0 headers, and I've changed the GPU too to another one better performance and at the same price

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($225.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI Z97 PC MATE ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($76.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 280 3GB Dual-X Video Card ($184.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WN781ND 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($14.99 @ Mwave)
Total: $752.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-06 20:52 EDT-0400
 


Not the extreme difference you think !
and you can also get additional fan for about 10$
 
Would it be cheaper to build sooner rather than later? I was thinking of waiting till around Christmas time and black Friday to start the physical building process to see if I could get some deals on parts, but would it just be better to start now? Also, here's what I currently have so far.

[PCPartPicker part list](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/zGRkbv) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/zGRkbv/by_merchant/)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i54690k) | $234.95 @ OutletPC
**Motherboard** | [MSI Z97 PC MATE ATX LGA1150 Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-motherboard-z97pcmate) | $84.99 @ Micro Center
**Memory** | [Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/mushkin-memory-997164) | $76.99 @ Newegg
**Storage** | [Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wd10ezex) | $54.98 @ OutletPC
**Video Card** | [Sapphire Radeon R9 280 3GB Dual-X Video Card](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/sapphire-video-card-100373l) | $183.98 @ Newegg
**Case** | [Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-case-200r) | $38.98 @ NCIX US
**Power Supply** | [EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-power-supply-120g10650xr) | $64.99 @ NCIX US
**Optical Drive** | [Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/samsung-optical-drive-sh224dbbebe) | $15.98 @ OutletPC
**Wireless Network Adapter** | [TP-Link TL-WN781ND 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/tp-link-wireless-network-card-tlwn781nd) | $14.99 @ Mwave
| | **Total**
| Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available | $770.83
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-12 17:30 EDT-0400 |
 
It's same my build but little bit expensive .... hmmmm I guess it will not be much higher but no on knows the future so I prefer buying now .... Can I ask something ?

Would you prefer OCing ? if no we can get much much better Gaming PC, and can you raise it a little ???
 
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: MSI B85-G41 PC Mate ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($79.19 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($70.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 280 3GB TWIN FROZR Video Card ($195.91 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($78.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WN781ND 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($14.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $720.01
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-18 23:04 EDT-0400
 
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4440 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($174.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($64.78 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($73.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 280X 3GB Double Dissipation Video Card ($219.60 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WN781ND 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($14.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $698.30
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-20 18:55 EDT-0400