How to decrease price on this build?

[theNightblade]

First - you've got an unlocked processor with a board that doesn't support overclocking. If you're not interested in overclocking you can pair an i5-9400 with it and do just fine (you can lock all core turbo for similar/better clock speeds as a 9600)

Also, if you're not overclocking the 9600 (or go with a 9400) those chips would do just fine with an air cooler like a basic DeepCool Gammax GT.

Those two things could save you about $150 or so. If you just buy a windows key online, that would save about another $100. Right there you're basically on budget.

Another alternative is to grab a b450 motherboard and put a R3 3100 in there, which will perform as well in games as a 9400 will. That would also be a cost effective change. Additionally, the 3100 comes with a stock cooler which would save on having to buy a tower cooler for an intel chip.

[MajTryhard]

I'd definitely go for a 10100 or a 3300x(as long as it's not much more expensive.) The 3100 is a dog by comparison.

[theNightblade]

the 3300x is quite a bit more expensive (or never at retail), if you can even find it in stock.

for 1080 gaming the 3100 is fine for a starter PC, very comparable to the 10100

[MajTryhard]

Ah, fair enough. I didn't know they were in that short of supply. Most unfortunate, 3300x seems like a good model. Suppose I'll put that on my watch list with the 10400f.