Smart PC shopping list - october/november 2007
Mon, 10/29/2007 - 21:25 — J. Walterstein
In smart PC shopping list, we guide you through actual offer of Desktop Computers. You are starting to read October/November
overview of Desktop Computers narrowed by prices in categories up to $450, $600, $900, $1200 and category no price limit.
PC $450
For this configuration I decided for quite common Athlonom 64 X2 4000+ EE processor with maximal consumption only 65W. Biostar's motherboard with AMD 690G chipset has sufficient integrated graphics X1250. The 2GB RAM is the same choice as previous month, only again a bit cheaper. It doesn't really matter what brand will you decide for, any of DDR2 800 CL5 are going to be a good deal. I advice to buy drive smaller than 160GB only in case your budget is really limited. Samsung products are good standard among high quality DVD±RW Writers. I wouldn't recommend any savings regarding computer case and power-supplies. If you have chance, go for very effective GLN line of Fortron's power supplies.
PC $600
The Biostar TF 560 A+ motherboard features nForce 560 chipset, which can be cooled in the passive way. The 2GB RAM is already a good standard for gamers, and regarding their favourable prices, there is no reason to go under this level. It's been some time that Radeon X1950PRO has been the best choice among mainstream cards on the market. What is more, this ASUS card is really silent. If you're not afraid of changing your cooler, than slightly underclocked Sapphire X1950GT, might be good option for a bargain price. However, here I recommend exchanging original cooling system for great performing AC Accelero S1 passive cooler. PC games require sufficient storage capacity, that's why I decided for 320GB hard drive, one of new AAKS series made by Western Digital. As there's no problem to make an upgrade in the future, it worth to buy Fortron's 400W version power supply.
PC $900
After overclocking, Intel Core 2 processor can be a perfect match for 320MB GeForce 8800GTS graphic card. If you're owner of high native resolution LCD (over 1280x1024) and you're planning to play games in the future, I recommend to buy the 640MB version of GeForce 8800GTS or 512MB version of Radeon X2900XT. In case that you'll not use RAID set up, GA-P35-DS3 motherboard is a good choice, otherwise you should go for slightly more expensive Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R. Regarding memories, it's good to trust approved brands as OCZ, Corsair, A-DATA Vitesta, Kingston HyperX or Patriot. WD2500YS drives are suitable for 24/7 application in RAID arrays. High quality case 6A34, made by Compucase is suitable for set up of very silent configuration, and is available for a very good price. If you like silence, I would advice to purchase Seasonic S12 series power supply.
PC $1200
Overclocked version of high end GeForce 8800GTX card, made by MSI, forwards this configuration to ULTRA category. Budget allows us to add Intel Core 2 Duo processor, the cheapest version with clock speed 2Ghz and 2MB cache. However, there is no big difference between 2MB and 4 MB, and you can higher the clock speed by its overclocking. Overclocked Core 2 Duo needs good cooling system. Here I recommend Noctua NH-U9F cooler or bigger and more expensive Noctua NH-U12F. Other options are Scythe coolers: SCNJ-1100P NINJA Plus rev. B or SCINF-1000 INFINITY. Great performing PC needs great performing power supply, here I guess Fortron Blue Storm II, the 500W version will do its job perfectly.
PC for demanding users
Core 2 Duo E6850 is the high clock speed processor. For this configuration I recommend purchasing of Kingston DDR2-800 CL3 memory module. Two 500GB drives set up in RAID trim will create capacity, which satisfies most of users. ASUS's Xonar sound card has futuristic design and features great sound quality. Master Stacker Tower RC-831 cooler is a good looking and great performing cooler. SeaSonic S12-650 Energy plus power supply is silent, even after overloading, and it is a good solution for two high end graphic cards and high clock speed processor. As additional accessories for this configuration I chose Silentmaxx(r) HD-silencer rev.2 silencer box and ZALMAN ZM-MFC2 front panel device.
PC $450
For this configuration I decided for quite common Athlonom 64 X2 4000+ EE processor with maximal consumption only 65W. Biostar's motherboard with AMD 690G chipset has sufficient integrated graphics X1250. The 2GB RAM is the same choice as previous month, only again a bit cheaper. It doesn't really matter what brand will you decide for, any of DDR2 800 CL5 are going to be a good deal. I advice to buy drive smaller than 160GB only in case your budget is really limited. Samsung products are good standard among high quality DVD±RW Writers. I wouldn't recommend any savings regarding computer case and power-supplies. If you have chance, go for very effective GLN line of Fortron's power supplies.
PC $600
The Biostar TF 560 A+ motherboard features nForce 560 chipset, which can be cooled in the passive way. The 2GB RAM is already a good standard for gamers, and regarding their favourable prices, there is no reason to go under this level. It's been some time that Radeon X1950PRO has been the best choice among mainstream cards on the market. What is more, this ASUS card is really silent. If you're not afraid of changing your cooler, than slightly underclocked Sapphire X1950GT, might be good option for a bargain price. However, here I recommend exchanging original cooling system for great performing AC Accelero S1 passive cooler. PC games require sufficient storage capacity, that's why I decided for 320GB hard drive, one of new AAKS series made by Western Digital. As there's no problem to make an upgrade in the future, it worth to buy Fortron's 400W version power supply.
PC $900
After overclocking, Intel Core 2 processor can be a perfect match for 320MB GeForce 8800GTS graphic card. If you're owner of high native resolution LCD (over 1280x1024) and you're planning to play games in the future, I recommend to buy the 640MB version of GeForce 8800GTS or 512MB version of Radeon X2900XT. In case that you'll not use RAID set up, GA-P35-DS3 motherboard is a good choice, otherwise you should go for slightly more expensive Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R. Regarding memories, it's good to trust approved brands as OCZ, Corsair, A-DATA Vitesta, Kingston HyperX or Patriot. WD2500YS drives are suitable for 24/7 application in RAID arrays. High quality case 6A34, made by Compucase is suitable for set up of very silent configuration, and is available for a very good price. If you like silence, I would advice to purchase Seasonic S12 series power supply.
PC $1200
Overclocked version of high end GeForce 8800GTX card, made by MSI, forwards this configuration to ULTRA category. Budget allows us to add Intel Core 2 Duo processor, the cheapest version with clock speed 2Ghz and 2MB cache. However, there is no big difference between 2MB and 4 MB, and you can higher the clock speed by its overclocking. Overclocked Core 2 Duo needs good cooling system. Here I recommend Noctua NH-U9F cooler or bigger and more expensive Noctua NH-U12F. Other options are Scythe coolers: SCNJ-1100P NINJA Plus rev. B or SCINF-1000 INFINITY. Great performing PC needs great performing power supply, here I guess Fortron Blue Storm II, the 500W version will do its job perfectly.
PC for demanding users
Core 2 Duo E6850 is the high clock speed processor. For this configuration I recommend purchasing of Kingston DDR2-800 CL3 memory module. Two 500GB drives set up in RAID trim will create capacity, which satisfies most of users. ASUS's Xonar sound card has futuristic design and features great sound quality. Master Stacker Tower RC-831 cooler is a good looking and great performing cooler. SeaSonic S12-650 Energy plus power supply is silent, even after overloading, and it is a good solution for two high end graphic cards and high clock speed processor. As additional accessories for this configuration I chose Silentmaxx(r) HD-silencer rev.2 silencer box and ZALMAN ZM-MFC2 front panel device.
