Need Cost Saving Advice

[Mashkal]

Sorry about the previous post. I think I tried to insert a tab, and ended up selecting the post topic button.

 

Anyway, on to the actual question.

I am building a PC for a friend, with a budget of about $1500 CAD.

The computer will be used almost exclusively for gaming, at least in terms of heavy workloads. The games are relatively recent.

I will be using a single 120 or 144hz 1080p monitor.

The price of the monitor is included in the build.

I am planning for a conservative overclock.

My friend wants a black/blue of black/red colour scheme.

 

The build (PC Part Picker):

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($219.88 @ OutletPC) 

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($28.75 @ OutletPC) 

Motherboard: Asus MAXIMUS VII HERO ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($209.99 @ Amazon) 

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($73.97 @ OutletPC) 

Storage: Crucial MX100 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($62.99 @ Amazon) 

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($49.88 @ OutletPC) 

Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB ACX 2.0 Video Card  ($329.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Case: Fractal Design Define R5 ATX Mid Tower Case  ($114.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Power Supply: Corsair CX 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($69.99 @ Newegg) 

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit)  ($89.98 @ OutletPC) 

Monitor: Asus VG248QE 144Hz 24.0" Monitor  ($269.99 @ NCIX US) 

Wireless Network Adapter: Asus USB-AC53 802.11a/b/g/n/ac USB 2.0 Wi-Fi Adapter  ($38.35 @ Newegg) 

Total: $1558.75

 

I am trying to cut down on cost, and at this point, to me, it seems like a cheaper motherboard would be a good first candidate. 

Should I try to save elsewhere? Can anyone recommend me a cheaper motherboard? Will a cheaper motherboard have any significant drawbacks?

I know that a cheaper motherboard would have an almost intangible effect on performance, but will it affect other parts of the build/building experience? 

Mostly flexibility and expansion potential, right?

 

I would like to cut down the cost by about $100 to $200 dollars, to leave some room for peripherals.

[Spirit_Hunter]

I originally wanted to include an Asus MAXIMUS VII HERO in my build too, but after looking around for a bit I decided to go with the MSI Z97 Gaming 3 board. It still included the features that i needed without the extra features that i wouldn't use. 

 

It also matched the red and black color scheme of the Hero board. 

[Swndlr]

you could op to download windows 10 for now, but eventually later youll have to pay for it

[Spirit_Hunter]

you could op to download windows 10 for now, but eventually later youll have to pay for it

Steam OS is also an option!!