Working on a PC build... need to drop the price

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1

Hello! I've done quite a bit of PC building over the last 10 years... but I'm not as tuned in to current prices/performance as I used to be. I'm helping a buddy work on a steam box build... and i'm stuck. Can't really seem to get the price where I want it for the performance.

He has 1k set aside and ready to go, but he owns nothing in terms of monitor/keyboard/OS/etc. i'm currently throwing 300 at that stuff, leaving us 700 to do the build with.

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/oblivionv/saved/#savedbuild_517257

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1uyBG

Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1uyBG/by_merchant/

Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1uyBG/benchmarks/

 

CPU: AMD FX-6350 3.9GHz 6-Core Processor ($129.99 @ Newegg)

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Microcenter)

Motherboard: Asus M5A99FX PRO R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($119.98 @ Outlet PC)

Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($56.99 @ Newegg)

Storage: Kingston HyperX 3K 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ Newegg)

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ Outlet PC)

Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7870 2GB Video Card ($203.98 @ Newegg)

Wireless Network Adapter: Rosewill RNX-N600UBE 802.11a/b/g/n USB 2.0 Wi-Fi Adapter ($29.99 @ Amazon)

Power Supply: Raidmax 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ Amazon)

Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ Outlet PC)

Monitor: Asus VS238H-P 23.0" Monitor ($119.99 @ Newegg)

Keyboard: Rosewill RIKB-11001 Wired Slim Keyboard ($12.98 @ Newegg)

Mouse: Logitech G500 Wired Laser Mouse ($49.42 @ Amazon)

Total: $1035.25
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-08-21 17:57 EDT-0400)

Note: Forgot the case! He likes the NZXT Phantom 410 for $85

A few thoughts: He really wants to OC (hence the Hyper 212). I've already sugested that we shift to a 6100 or the Phenom II X4 965 Black to save a little bit.

The SSD is... well I couldn't live without mine. Makes everything soooooo much better. But it would be a quick way to drop the 100. Thoughts?

Finally the GPU, I really wanted to put a sizable chunk into this, as his main goal for this machine is to play games. Is there a better option out there? should I spend more?

Thanks for your thoughts and insight! I just wanna give him the best machine possible!

 

2

the ssd is the only thing i would even think about dropping :\

3

Drop ssd and get a better brand psu.

Asus Vs series are very good for the price so don't change that.

Get an intel wireless adapter,it must be around the same price.

4

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1uH3A

This is what I would do but it looks like a good build.

5

Any recomendations on PSU? I've used Raidmax before without much issue... but I know they are not the best. Biggest thing is keeping it on the cheap end.

As for the adapter... something like this? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833106163&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-_-pla-_-Wireless+Adapters-_-N82E16833106163&gclid=CLDO0d7Jj7kCFdAWMgodXAkAwg#top

I've not heard good things about wireless adapters in terms of signal strengh. The usb one I have shown I personally own and works great and at only 30 bucks... just not sure its worth it for something else.

6

Interesting. The thought behind the selected mobo was to give him a bunch of expandibility and upgradeability (ie crossfire and FX chipset) 

7

gpu: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202026&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

psu: corsair builder / cx are cheap and good enough by most standards

ssd: if you're $300 overbudget... would you rather have an ssd or a processor

cpu: do not get a 6100, if he "really want's to overclock" a hyper 212 isn't good enough, a 6300 should clock up to a 6350 fairly simply with the 212 maybe with the stock cooler

mobo: if you're not going to add a second gpu and you're trying to shave costs just get a m5a97

8

Something like this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833106135,the one you linked was a mini pcie card.

AFAIK this is the cheapest modular psu made by one of the 3 manufacturers you can trust.http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151095,You could look at Enermax or Superflower made psu's as well.

9

You never said you wanted multi gpu capable system and I dont really think sli and crossfire are that good unless you are getting enthusist grade components(780/7970) single card is best.  The m5a97 is basicly the best 970 chipset board and unless you get some beast cooling will not be limiting your overclock

10

I honestly would ditch the SSD. If he really wants one, he can save up another 100 bucks and put one at a later time. That's exactly what I'm doing. I just built my PC, but an SSD was out of budget, so I will get one sometime in the near future.