Parts List Competition

[BingoFishy]

I hope I'm not breaking any rules. I also hope this is in the right section.

Anyways! I thought it would be fun to do a little competition to see who can make the best build under a certain budget. Winning build lists (and their "owners") will be posted here.

The builds will be chosen with gaming in mind, as that's the easiest to pick parts for (imho). But there are a few rules. 

 

The breaking of rules may result in your build not being chosen, even if it is superior to another. Follow every rule as closely as possible.

RULES

1) The CPU may not bottleneck the GPU in any measurable way. This means that you can't partner a Celeron with a Titan.
2) The builds may not contain Windows, monitors, or peripherals.
3) You must use PCPartPicker to organize the parts. If you do not live in the US, please adjust to US Currency by changing PCPP settings. And please, don't use a link. And hide it with a spoiler.

4) No "troll" builds. Make sensible builds. Don't put together the aforementioned Celeron and Titan and pretend you won the $1200 contest.
5) You must have a good power supply. Check STRMfrmXMN's whitelist here for a PSU that will perform well.

6) You're allowed up to $10 over budget. But only in shipping and handling charges.

7) Everything matters. Two builds are identical but one has better case fans? The case fans one will win. Same goes for cooling, even though the next note will apply.

8) No overclocking (bear in mind a stock 4790k will beat a regular 4790, etc.). However, factory overclocked GPU's do count. Also, if you have an overclockable CPU, use a motherboard that supports it.

9) You don't have to actually build it. This is a parts LIST competition.

10) Yes, prices will fluctuate! This will be based on current prices. If winning lists have changed significantly, notify me in your post.

11) Stay on topic! If you want to say something, take it to PMs.

12) NO rebates. Some companies' are pretty flaky.

13) Have fun!

Want to suggest rules (or anything else)? PM me.

 

Anyways, here are the brackets:

$350

Spoiler

"Absolute Minimum" by Aereldor

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($65.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Motherboard: Biostar B85MG Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($37.98 @ Newegg) 
Memory: Crucial 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($26.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($45.89 @ OutletPC) 
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card  ($94.99 @ Amazon) 
Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($24.99 @ NCIX US) 
Power Supply: SeaSonic 350W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($32.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Total: $329.82
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-11 16:30 EDT-040

$500

Spoiler

"The Compromise" by Aereldor

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4170 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($119.88 @ OutletPC) 
Motherboard: Biostar B85MG Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($37.98 @ Newegg) 
Memory: Crucial 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($26.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($45.89 @ OutletPC) 
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 380 4GB NITRO Dual-X OC Video Card  ($189.99 @ Newegg) 
Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($24.99 @ NCIX US) 
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($53.98 @ Newegg) 
Total: $499.70
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-11 16:53 EDT-0400

$800

Spoiler

"The Floppy-Wanded Dementor Buggerer" by Aereldor

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($194.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H110M-A Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($51.89 @ OutletPC) 
Memory: Avexir Budget Series 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory  ($26.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: A-Data Premier SP550 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($56.97 @ NCIX US) 
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($65.89 @ OutletPC) 
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 390 8GB Video Card  ($299.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($45.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 520W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($55.98 @ Newegg) 
Total: $798.69
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-11 17:03 EDT-0400

$1100

Spoiler

"The Showpiece" by Aereldor (I see you've won a few battles, heheh)
 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($215.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H110M-A Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($51.89 @ OutletPC) 
Memory: Avexir Budget Series 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory  ($26.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: A-Data Premier SP550 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($56.97 @ NCIX US) 
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($45.89 @ OutletPC) 
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB Video Card  ($569.99 @ Newegg) 
Case: Thermaltake Core V21 MicroATX Mini Tower Case  ($58.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Power Supply: XFX TS 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($71.98 @ Newegg) 
Total: $1098.69
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-11 18:43 EDT-0400

$1400

Spoiler

"The Ignition" by Aereldor
 

Description- Two MSI R9 390s in crossfire, a red RAIJINTEK water cooler to compliment the red colour theme, all in a micro-ATX form factor with a side-panel window. I've even left $13 for red case LEDs.
 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($230.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
CPU Cooler: RAIJINTEK TRITON RED 100.5 CFM Sleeve Bearing Liquid CPU Cooler  ($79.99 @ Newegg) 
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z170M-D3H Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($109.97 @ Amazon) 
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory  ($29.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: PNY CS1311 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($59.99 @ Amazon) 
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($65.89 @ OutletPC) 
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 390 8GB Video Card (2-Way CrossFire)  ($329.98 @ SuperBiiz) 
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 390 8GB Video Card (2-Way CrossFire)  ($329.98 @ SuperBiiz) 
Case: Corsair Carbide SPEC-M2 MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($49.99 @ Newegg) 
Power Supply: Ultra X4 Special Edition 1000W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($99.95 @ Amazon) 
Total: $1386.72
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-12 17:19 EDT-0400

$1700

Spoiler

The Colossus" by You-know-who
 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($230.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler  ($72.73 @ Amazon) 
Motherboard: MSI Z170-A PRO ATX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($79.99 @ Amazon) 
Memory: G.Skill NT Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory  ($56.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($87.77 @ OutletPC) 
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($65.89 @ OutletPC) 
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 Fury 4GB Video Card (2-Way CrossFire)  ($469.99 @ Amazon) 
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 Fury 4GB Video Card (2-Way CrossFire)  ($469.99 @ Amazon) 
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro M ATX Mid Tower Case  ($74.99 @ Amazon) 
Power Supply: Antec HCG M 850W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($89.99 @ Newegg) 
Total: $1699.32
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-12 16:57 EDT-040

$2500

  Hide contents

"The Olympus"  by Aereldor

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-5820K 3.3GHz 6-Core Processor  ($369.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
CPU Cooler: NZXT Kraken X61 106.1 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($114.99 @ B&H) 
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-X99-SLI ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard  ($168.98 @ Newegg) 
Memory: G.Skill NT Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory  ($55.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: Kingston Predator 240GB PCI-E Solid State Drive  ($139.99 @ Amazon) 
Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($150.99 @ Newegg) 
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 Fury X 4GB Video Card (2-Way CrossFire)  ($599.99 @ Micro Center) 
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 Fury X 4GB Video Card (2-Way CrossFire)  ($599.99 @ Micro Center) 
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case  ($99.99 @ Amazon) 
Power Supply: Ultra X4 Special Edition 1000W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($99.95 @ Amazon) 
Case Fan: Corsair Air Series AF140 Quiet Edition 67.8 CFM 140mm  Fan  ($17.48 @ OutletPC) 
Case Fan: Corsair Air Series AF140 Quiet Edition 67.8 CFM 140mm  Fan  ($17.48 @ OutletPC) 
Case Fan: Corsair Air Series AF140 Quiet Edition 67.8 CFM 140mm  Fan  ($17.48 @ OutletPC) 
Case Fan: Corsair Air Series AF140 Quiet Edition 67.8 CFM 140mm  Fan  ($17.48 @ OutletPC) 
Case Fan: BitFenix BFF-SPRO-20025KK-RP 148.7 CFM 200mm  Fan  ($17.99 @ Newegg) 
Total: $2488.76
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-13 23:36 EDT-0400

[Unhelpful]

Neat. I'll contribute later when I get home  

 

Remember that due to how hardware prices fluctuate, there will never be an actual winner, except for a specific day.

[Hackentosher]

When this is done, this needs to be posted on the create an account screen for new coming users looking for build advice.

[BingoFishy]

12 minutes ago, JoeyDM said:

Neat. I'll contribute later when I get home  

 

Remember that due to how hardware prices fluctuate, there will never be an actual winner, except for a specific day.

That's true. I can't have things actively change, so I guess I'll just go for when the build was posted.

1 minute ago, Hackentosher said:

When this is done, this needs to be posted on the create an account screen for new coming users looking for build advice.

I would love that!

[Unhelpful]

2 minutes ago, Hackentosher said:

When this is done, this needs to be posted on the create an account screen for new coming users looking for build advice.

That's a bad idea due to the below statement:

 

14 minutes ago, JoeyDM said:

Remember that due to how hardware prices fluctuate, there will never be an actual winner, except for a specific day.

Because of that, "go-to" builds are semi-pointless.

[Hackentosher]

Just now, BingoFishy said:

 

I would love that!

Am I the only one that gets a bit irritated only seeing the the same few threads recreated and reposted about 50 times a day?

[BingoFishy]

2 minutes ago, JoeyDM said:

That's a bad idea due to the below statement:

 

Because of that, "go-to" builds are semi-pointless.

True, true.

But let's either take this to PMs, or get back on topic.

[Hackentosher]

Just now, JoeyDM said:

That's a bad idea due to the below statement:

Well as parts progress, but there are always equivalent parts by price bracket. Like how a 2600k is similar to a 6700k because of their similar retail prices. I think all the new comers should just see a guide so they can do it themselves.

 

How many times have you told someone to swap out a 6600k for a 6600 because their motherboard doesn't support overclocking, or tell them to get a 390 over a 970 for like 5% more performance at 1080?

[Unhelpful]

2 minutes ago, Hackentosher said:

Well as parts progress, but there are always equivalent parts by price bracket. Like how a 2600k is similar to a 6700k because of their similar retail prices. I think all the new comers should just see a guide so they can do it themselves.

 

How many times have you told someone to swap out a 6600k for a 6600 because their motherboard doesn't support overclocking, or tell them to get a 390 over a 970 for like 5% more performance at 1080?

Exactly. And those threads are necessary on an individual basis, as such a "go-to" parts lsit is pointless. That's why I still answer the same questions after over 3 years, because the answers can change day-to-day.

 

Not even as parts progress, but as sales popup every day / week.

 

Let's not stray too far off of topic.

[Aereldor]

This is a great idea. Nothing like a little competition to find the most optimized build possible. I'll try and contribute to a few categories. Are we factoring in build aesthetic and the building experience as well? Or is this just raw compute and thermal performance?

 

18 minutes ago, JoeyDM said:

Remember that due to how hardware prices fluctuate, there will never be an actual winner, except for a specific day.

This might be an interesting periodically recurring community event to keep the lists updated. I update the $330 value build in my signature from time to time, where it moves about both in terms of price and component performance.

[Hackentosher]

1 minute ago, JoeyDM said:

Exactly. And those threads are necessary on an individual basis, as such a "go-to" parts lsit is pointless. That's why I still answer the same questions after over 3 years, because the answers can change day-to-day.

 

Not even as parts progress, but as sales popup every day / week.

 

Let's not stray too far off of topic.

But this is the off topic section  the biggest thing for me is I feel that a lot of the threads I see could be resolved if the OP just did a bit of independent research. But why do that when you have a community of people to do that for you?

[Unhelpful]

1 minute ago, Aereldor said:

This might be an interesting periodically recurring community event to keep the lists updated. I update the $330 value build in my signature from time to time, where it moves about both in terms of price and component performance.

Agreed! I would like to see this monthly  

[Aereldor]

3 minutes ago, JoeyDM said:

Agreed! I would like to see this monthly  

And voila; we already have better community events than SWTOR and Star Wars: Battlefront.

Take that, EA.

[BingoFishy]

You three! Take this to PMs! And invite me!

@JoeyDM@Aereldor @Hackentosher

[Aereldor]

Request: new category- Complete with example build.
Price point: $330
Codename: Absolute Minimum

 

Spoiler

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($65.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Motherboard: Biostar B85MG Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($37.98 @ Newegg) 
Memory: Crucial 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($26.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($45.89 @ OutletPC) 
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card  ($94.99 @ Amazon) 
Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($24.99 @ NCIX US) 
Power Supply: SeaSonic 350W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($32.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Total: $329.82
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-11 16:30 EDT-0400

A 750 Ti, unlocked Haswell Dual-Core, 8GB of RAM, a Fractal Design case with USB 3.0, and a Seasonic power supply, all fr $330- the very definition of barely adequate.

 

[Hackentosher]

5 minutes ago, BingoFishy said:

You three! Take this to PMs! And invite me!

@JoeyDM@Aereldor @Hackentosher

I'm good, arguing on the forums make me uncomfortable. I'd be happier to agree to disagree.

[BingoFishy]

7 minutes ago, Aereldor said:

Request: new category- Complete with example build.
Price point: $330
Codename: Absolute Minimum

 

  Hide contents

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($65.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Motherboard: Biostar B85MG Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($37.98 @ Newegg) 
Memory: Crucial 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($26.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($45.89 @ OutletPC) 
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card  ($94.99 @ Amazon) 
Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($24.99 @ NCIX US) 
Power Supply: SeaSonic 350W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($32.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Total: $329.82
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-11 16:30 EDT-0400

A 750 Ti, unlocked Haswell Dual-Core, 8GB of RAM, a Fractal Design case with USB 3.0, and a Seasonic power supply, all fr $330- the very definition of barely adequate.

 

Done and added. (come back in the next five minutes)

EDIT: Done.

[Aereldor]

Price point: $500

Codename: The Compromise

 

Spoiler

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4170 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($119.88 @ OutletPC) 
Motherboard: Biostar B85MG Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($37.98 @ Newegg) 
Memory: Crucial 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($26.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($45.89 @ OutletPC) 
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 380 4GB NITRO Dual-X OC Video Card  ($189.99 @ Newegg) 
Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($24.99 @ NCIX US) 
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($53.98 @ Newegg) 
Total: $499.70
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-11 16:53 EDT-0400

 

[BingoFishy]

Just now, Aereldor said:

Price point: $500

Codename: The Compromise

 

  Hide contents

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4170 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($119.88 @ OutletPC) 
Motherboard: Biostar B85MG Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($37.98 @ Newegg) 
Memory: Crucial 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($26.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($45.89 @ OutletPC) 
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 380 4GB NITRO Dual-X OC Video Card  ($189.99 @ Newegg) 
Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($24.99 @ NCIX US) 
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($53.98 @ Newegg) 
Total: $499.70
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-11 16:53 EDT-0400

 

Okie dokie

[Aereldor]

@BingoFishy- ban rebates. They're ephemeral and aren't honoured half the time.

[Unhelpful]

1 minute ago, Aereldor said:

They're ephemeral and aren't honoured half the time.

If you follow the guidelines? I've never had one fail.

 

I do agree with banning them though, just because they require an initial higher amount that you are then paid back, but not always in the form of cash.

[Gwen]

>Must have a good power supply

>Uses Corsair CX as an example

 

lmfao

[Aereldor]

Price point: $800
Codename: The Floppy-Wanded Dementor Buggerer

 

Spoiler

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($194.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H110M-A Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($51.89 @ OutletPC) 
Memory: Avexir Budget Series 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory  ($26.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: A-Data Premier SP550 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($56.97 @ NCIX US) 
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($65.89 @ OutletPC) 
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 390 8GB Video Card  ($299.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($45.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 520W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($55.98 @ Newegg) 
Total: $798.69
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-11 17:03 EDT-0400

 

[Aereldor]

5 minutes ago, Gwen said:

>Must have a good power supply

>Uses Corsair CX as an example

 

lmfao

 

1 hour ago, BingoFishy said:

5) You must have a good power supply. My terminology of a good PSU is a Corsair CS or Silverstone SFX unit or better. It must be something you'd (or I guess I'd) use yourself.

 

He appears to have used the Corsair CS series as an example. They're actually pretty solid power supplies.

[BingoFishy]

1 hour ago, Aereldor said:

Price point: $800
Codename: The Floppy-Wanded Dementor Buggerer

 

  Hide contents

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($194.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H110M-A Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($51.89 @ OutletPC) 
Memory: Avexir Budget Series 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory  ($26.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: A-Data Premier SP550 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($56.97 @ NCIX US) 
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($65.89 @ OutletPC) 
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 390 8GB Video Card  ($299.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($45.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 520W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($55.98 @ Newegg) 
Total: $798.69
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-11 17:03 EDT-0400

 

Ha I beat you:
$800
Codename: Man-eater

Spoiler

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-8300 3.3GHz 8-Core Processor  ($119.99 @ Newegg) 
Motherboard: Asus M5A78L-M/USB3 Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard  ($54.49 @ NCIX US) 
Memory: *Crucial 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($26.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: PNY CS1311 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($59.99 @ Amazon) 
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 Fury 4GB Video Card  ($469.99 @ Amazon) 
Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($24.99 @ NCIX US) 
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($39.98 @ Newegg) 
Total: $796.42
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
*Lowest price parts chosen from parametric criteria
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-11 17:59 EDT-0400

EDIT: The motherboard is SATA II and the SSD is SATA III. I might update this list to include a pcie card. 

EDIT: Never mind. Too expensive. It'll still be noticeably faster than a regular hard drive.