Need help lowering the price on a build

[AlexRD]

Hey guys, i just created a new gaming PC Build, problem is its too expensive. That, and i have to pay 30% taxes over the final price.

I have the following setup in mind:
VGA: Newegg.com - EVGA 03G-P3-1584-AR GeForce GTX 580 (Fermi) 3072MB 384-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
PSU: Newegg.com - CORSAIR Professional Series Gold AX850 (CMPSU-850AX) 850W ATX12V v2.31 / EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
RAM: Newegg.com - CORSAIR DOMINATOR GT 12GB (3 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2000 (PC3 16000) Desktop Memory with Air Fan Model CMT12GX3M3A2000C9
Motherboard: Newegg.com - ASUS Maximus IV Extreme-Z LGA 1155 Intel Z68 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Extended ATX Intel Motherboard
CPU: Newegg.com - Intel Core i7-2700K Sandy Bridge 3.5GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623i72700K
2x SSD: Newegg.com - Crucial RealSSD C300 CTFDDAC256MAG-1G1 2.5" 256GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

I made this build without price in mind, but i actually really liked it, just wanted some help making it a little bit more affordable.

Also, is liquid cooling really worth the effort? Bare in mind i don't live in USA, which makes it really hard to get the parts, so if i make a mistake its like a month lost.


Thanks,
Alex.

 

[profdlp]

As for the liquid cooling, unless you are into overclocking as a hobby it is a lot of money and effort for very little payback, in my opinion. A good compromise is one of the self-contained systems like the Hydro Series. I have one of those and it is well worth the difference in price between that and a decent aftermarket heat sink & fan combo.

As to getting the price down, it would help if you told us what the total price is for the items you've listed and also give us an idea as to how much you'd like to shave off of that. Telling us what you'll use the system for would help, too.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

What I have read about gaming is that it is much more dependent on graphics than on the CPU and RAM. With that in mind, you could cut the RAM down to 4 or 8 and the CPU down to 2400, 2500, or 2600. I don't think many games benefit from 8 or 12 gigs.

3 sticks of 4 gigs each is an odd combination for dual-channel RAM. I'd expect to see 4, 8, or 16, but not 12.

Why 2 SSDs of 256 GB each?

Why an 850 watt PSU for a build with a single graphics card?

If you are not going to overclock, why a K processor and a Z68 motherboard?

If money is no object, then go hog wild with your plan as stated. However, your post implies that cost is a consideration. I assume you chose the particular listed parts for some reason--maybe just a wish list, ignoring budget?

 

[AlexRD]

What I have read about gaming is that it is much more dependent on graphics than on the CPU and RAM. With that in mind, you could cut the RAM down to 4 or 8 and the CPU down to 2400, 2500, or 2600. I don't think many games benefit from 8 or 12 gigs.

3 sticks of 4 gigs each is an odd combination for dual-channel RAM. I'd expect to see 4, 8, or 16, but not 12.

Why 2 SSDs of 256 GB each?

Why an 850 watt PSU for a build with a single graphics card?

If you are not going to overclock, why a K processor and a Z68 motherboard?

If money is no object, then go hog wild with your plan as stated. However, your post implies that cost is a consideration. I assume you chose the particular listed parts for some reason--maybe just a wish list, ignoring budget?

Exactly.

I had originally chosen 4x2 Sticks of RAM since 1155 is dual-channel, but apparently NewEgg doesn't sell the corsair dominator in 2x4. I am now looking for a new, good memory with good timing and over 2000mhz.

Also, i was reading about the z68 and it turns out its kind of useless to get it, since the only difference is the possible use of integrated graphics ( which i won't use ) and SSD Caching ( which will be useless if i have a sizeable SSD ).

Regarding the K thing, isn't it better to have fully unlocked processor? It's not just about overclocking is it? I think i will choose the 2600k, its 50$ cheaper then the 2700k and the only difference is 100 MHz. Not worth it imo.

 

[badger906]

unless you have a 3 channel mobo, you ram combo wouldnt work.

id drop one of the SSD's.. if you want large capacity get a hybrid drive, about 60% the speed of an SSD.

also your choice of mobo is massively overkill. youll never use all of the features, the asus p8z68 deluxe or pro would easily be good enough.

 

[AlexRD]

What do you think would be a good memory?

Is there a big difference between 1866 MHz and 2000 MHz ?

 

[badger906]

for gaming no, for day to day desktop stuff then possibly but its marginal at best. i have 1866mhz ram, but ive overclocked it to 2133mhz.

 

[essenbe]

I'm not sure what you will use the system for, but 2 X 256GB SSDs should not be necessary for most people, The crosshair board seems like overkill too. There are a lot of other boards out that are just as good, and if you are not going to use the additional features, why a Z68? There are some good P67 boards out and coming out with PCIe 3.0 that can future proof your GPUs for later. Also, take a look at some good PSU calculators to make sure you need that size. I really don't think you do.

 

[profdlp]

I'm in complete agreement with the SSD recommendations made so far. One 256GB drive is plenty for a Boot/Programs drive. Get a good 2TB or even 3TB drive (with a UEFI BIOS) and you should be covered for storage.

Memory performance peaks for most people at 1600. Unless you have a special memory-intensive program which benefits from it you are wasting your money after that. Go for better timings and don't sweat the extra few MHz.

 

[Wishmaster]

What do you think would be a good memory?

Is there a big difference between 1866 MHz and 2000 MHz ?

No. Not really.
For Gaming only, 4GB is enough for most.
8GB would be ideal, as it gives alot of headroom.

More than that, it will really depend on what you are doing, and if you can make use of it.
Multiple VMs for example would benefit.

I would go with something like this:
Newegg.com - G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 (PC3 14900) Desktop Memory Model F3-14900CL9D-8GBXL
or even the 1600 which is a bit cheaper.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428

As for the Motherboard, boards like the Maximuss Extreme and Evga FTW are really meant to run multiple GPUs. And very good at 3way setups.
That, and heavily focused on OCing.
The eVGA Z68 FTW or P67FTW may be worth looking into as well if interested in the higher end Z68 boards, and are a bit cheaper than the ASUS.

So, if multiple GPUs (2 or even 3), and heavy Ocing are of interest to you, it may be a good choice.

However, you can save a lot of money here on other boards that will offer 2way Xfire/SLI and good OCing as well.


For the GPU you could go with a 570 Superclocked. theres a 2560MB version, and its not too far behind the 580 in performance.
And for the price of the 580, you could just about get SLI 570s, or even go with SLI 560s.

I would go with a single 570 now .. and then later add a second one if you feel its needed.


Oh, and the 850W PSU is a good choice if you do want SLI in the near future.
If you do not, its too much. Get a good 650W, or possibly a 750 although it may not be needed.

 

[Big Tom]

i would do an AMD based build if the intel cost too much. also skip that corsair RAM, and order something from crucial. you could get this for $200 less and you could overclock it 4Ghz easy if you like Newegg.com - AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Desktop Processor HDZ980FBGMBOX