I'm working on a gaming PC build aimed at single-player gaming at 2560x1440p with at least 60 fps on high to ultra settings, and I may also do a bit of audio editing. Right now, my budget is sitting around $2000. While I'm okay with that price, I'd like to get it below $2000 after taxes; I've been so deep into this project that I'm worried I might have overdone it. I'm buying everything in the US, and I have a Micro Center nearby if that helps. Here's the current part list from PCPartPicker: **[PCPartPicker Part List](https://pcpartpicker.com/list/tvYw4p)**. My total comes to about $2031.76. Any obvious suggestions for saving money?
4 Answers
If you stick to Micro Center, the deals can really offset your costs. The i5 14600K combo is priced well and would give you solid performance for gaming and audio work. Plus, you could swap out your cooler for something a bit cheaper but effective, like the Phantom Spirit SE, for just a dollar more.
You could definitely downgrade your PSU. An 850W power supply will be sufficient for your build and could save you around $90. Check local stores like Walmart too; they might have specials on CPUs that could help lower your costs further!
I agree about the CPU; those older models might not be worth it right now. If you can go to Micro Center, they often have great deals on bundled parts. You might be able to switch your current CPU and motherboard for a combo deal that lands you near your budget and keeps performance up.
Buying a Windows license separately might seem costly, but if you’re looking to cut corners, you could explore free operating systems or check for discounted licenses online. It’s also worth considering switching to an AMD option like the Ryzen 5, which is just as capable as your current CPU choice, and it might save you a good chunk of change.
That’s a good point! I’ll look into AMD's options.