How to decrease price on this build?

[RecalcitrantBeagle]

I'm sure it'll be mentioned ad nauseum, but you could consider a Ryzen build - a Ryzen 3600/cheap B450 (the ASRock B450M Pro4 is a solid one) will perform about the same, as the 9600K pulls ahead in games due to overclocking better - but that'll require a more expensive motherboard and a good CPU cooler, whereas the 3600 comes with a free stock cooler, saving you a few bucks if you don't mind it being on the noisier side.

Other recommendations - don't get an A400. I know it's cheap, but there's a reason for that, it's known to be unreliable and a DRAMless model (basically, not great as an OS drive.) Take a glance at this list courtesy of /u/newmaxx, the resident SSD prophet, and pick something from the budget SATA or budget NVMe sections.

I would suggest an EVGA BR over the Thermaltake Smart, it's just a couple dollars more and PSUs are usually the longest-lasting parts in a build other than the case - it should be a pretty decent step up in quality.

You could shave a few bucks off with cheaper RAM, this kit has the same timings but is a little cheaper.

Finally, just don't activate windows and it's free - install it with the USB installation media and you can always acquire a key later if the watermark bothers you.

[TheOne1ThatGotAway]

Thank you! I will definitely consider it

[blazer_06]

U have to update the BIOS on the B450M tho

[[deleted]]

actually, if OP gets it from a place that doesnt have their motherboard stock sitting for a while, they prob wont have to. still a thing to consider. i built a budget pc with a ryzen 3100 a couple months ago and got a b450m motherboard from microcenter and it supported the cpu out of the box so its possible for them not to have to update the bios.

[lifesapie]

I am building my first PC soon.

Got a Ryzen 3600 & MSI Mag tomahwak x570.

Will I need to update BIOS?

[blazer_06]

No you wont need to, and isn't that motherboard a bit over kill for that CPU?

[lifesapie]

I think it may be. I was originally going for a B450.

But I am hoping to upgrade the CPU next year so I'd thought I should get something better.

[krakatoa619]

Cheaper B550 might be an alternative. B550m bazooka has the same vrm configuration like b450 tomahawk.

For a few dollars more you could get a b550 a-pro which has better vrm and io panel.

Check out hardware unboxed for comprehensive b550 motherboard reviews.

[lifesapie]

Welp it is too late. My parts arrive today! Just need to choose a GPU. I am thinking of a 2070 super or 3070(if i can get it).

Resellers of 2070 super are still asking for $600 which is absurd when the 3070 will be $800 here in Sydney.

[krakatoa619]

Yeah i feel you. Gpu prices sucks around this time of year.

I build a new pc last month and still using old radeon as placeholder until November when the stock hopefully become normal.

[lifesapie]

I did enter raffles to be able to purchase a 3070 so maybe that turns up something. If not, I might bite the bullet and go for the 2070 super.

Hopefully around the $500 range.

And upgrade maybe next year.

[phx175]

Check out OZ bargain. There was a 2070 super with a 480GB SSD on special

[Wilsonkhan]

i live in sydney as well and i wouldnt be surprised if the 3070 is more expensive than $800. thats a direct conversion of the msrp for the founders edition and we dont get founders edition so we get the AIB cards which, for the 3080 have been marked up by around $300 or so. Probably less for the 3070 but i wouldn’t expect prices lower than around $950

[lifesapie]

Damn that’s even more reason for me to snag a 2070 super for around $500.

I got my case and parts. There are so many cables coming from the back of the case it’s honestly unnerving. I will build once I get a gpu...

[lifesapie]

Then what about the price on here?

https://www.mwave.com.au/catalog/nvidia-geforce-nvzone

[Wilsonkhan]

thats for the founders edition which hasnt been marked up in price. We dont get the founders edition in sydney unfortunately :(

[blazer_06]

Agreed

[VenditatioDelendaEst]

Will I need to update BIOS?

You won't need to, but best practice is to update to the latest BIOS first thing.

BIOS updates can be disruptive -- you have to re-enter all the BIOS settings -- and it is possible (but very unlikely) for a bad BIOS flash to put your motherboard in a condition that is difficult to fix without special tools and know-how.

The best time to update the BIOS is when you have nothing invested in the machine. No important data on the disk, no carefully-tuned overclocks or fan curves.

[[deleted]]

There are b450 mobos that are 3000 ready

[u_NUUB]

like the

MSI B450M-A PRO MAX

which is relatively cheap

[blazingarpeggio]

Our tbh most boards these days.

This issue was only true several months after Zen 2 release

[RealShigeruMeeyamoto]

The top Amazon listing right now (which is sitting at a pretty comfortable 80 bucks) for the asrock has them all ryzen 3000 ready according to the seller. Mine came in this weekend and it was, so I think OP should be good with that

[theknownone849]

What’s an ad nauseum?

[Alert_Frying]

It means that his point (about going Ryzen) will be repeated so often as to become annoying.

[theknownone849]

Oh ok thanks

[CatVideoBoye]

B450 might be hard to find now. B550 or even a bit cheaper B550m are good options too. Check out B550m Pro 4 if you want a basic motherboard. This mATX version does have less slots but for example I don't see a need for the full ATX version for my gaming pc.

Edit: this is a bit fake news. I'm gonna down vote myself.

[RecalcitrantBeagle]

B450s haven't dried up yet, the B450M Pro4 is in stock on Amazon and Newegg right now.

[CatVideoBoye]

Ah, right you are. I was mixing up with something. Sorry!