System Summaries
We have now listed a ton of options that could be used in a variety of ways. Hopefully, you have some idea of what you want. Here, we present complete Intel and AMD configurations, with prices and optional equipment listed below. Both systems come relatively close to our $1250 target, and this is for a complete setup, not counting an Operating System. You can subtract the cost of items that you already have to get the price down, of course. The AMD socket 939 system ends up costing a little more, but the performance is also better in most instances, and $30 in the price difference can be attributed to the use of a faster graphics card.
| AMD Athlon 64 System |
| Hardware |
Recommended Component |
Price |
| Processor |
AMD Athlon 64 3200+ 512K 2.0 GHz 90 nm (939) |
$215 |
| Heatsink |
Spire KestrelKing III |
$20 |
| Motherboard |
MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum |
$131 |
| Memory |
2x512MB Mushkin PC3200 2.5-4-4 |
$150 |
| Video Card |
Sapphire Radeon 9600 Pro 128MB |
$108 |
| Hard Drive |
Samsung 160GB SATA 7200RPM 8MB Model SP1614C |
$95 |
| Optical Drive |
NEC DVD+/-RW Drive Model 3500A |
$73 |
| Computer Case & Power Supply |
Antec SLK3700-BQE with 350W PSU |
$91 |
| Display |
NEC/Mitsubishi FE991SB-BK 19" |
$274 |
| Speakers |
Logitech Z-640 5.1 |
$53 |
| Keyboard & Mouse |
Microsoft Natural Multimedia and Intellimouse Optical |
$53 |
| Bottom Line |
$1263 |
| Intel Pentium 4 System |
| Hardware |
Recommended Component |
Price |
| Processor |
Pentium 4 540 3.2 GHz 1MB Cache |
$216 |
| Motherboard |
Abit AG8 i915P Chipset |
$129 |
| Memory |
2x512MB Mushkin PC3200 2.5-4-4 |
$150 |
| Video Card |
Sapphire Radeon X300 128MB |
$85 |
| Hard Drive |
Samsung 160GB SATA 7200RPM 8MB Model SP1614C/td>
| $95 |
| Optical Drive |
NEC DVD+/-RW Drive Model 3500A |
$73 |
| Computer Case & Power Supply |
Antec SLK3700-BQE with 350W PSU |
$91 |
| Display |
NEC/Mitsubishi FE991SB-BK 19" |
$274 |
| Speakers |
Logitech Z-640 5.1 |
$53 |
| Keyboard & Mouse |
Microsoft Natural Multimedia and Intellimouse Optical |
$53 |
| Bottom Line |
$1219 |
| Alternative Equipment |
| Hardware |
Recommended Component |
Price |
| Processor |
AMD Athlon 64 3200+ 512K 2.2 GHz (754) |
$200 |
| Motherboard |
MSI K8N Neo Platinum |
$122 |
| SOLTEK SL-915GPro-FGR i915G Chipset |
$144 |
| Memory |
2x512MB OCZ EL 2-3-2-6 1T |
$224 |
| Video Card |
eVGA 6600GT 128MB PCIe |
$207 |
| Hard Drive |
Western Digital Raptor 74GB SATA 10000RPM 8MB Model WD740GD |
$173 |
| Maxtor 300GB SATA 7200RPM 16MB Model 6B300S0 |
$209 |
| Optical Drive |
Lite-On 16X DVD-ROM Model SOHD-167T |
$30 |
| Case & Power Supply |
Thermaltake VA3000 Dream Tower Tsunami with 400W PSU |
$135 |
| SFF Case |
Shuttle XPC SN95G5 (AMD socket 939) |
$299 |
| Display |
ViewSonic VX715 17" LCD 25ms |
$369 |
| Sound Card |
M-Audio Revolution 7.1 |
$92 |
| Speakers |
Logitech Z-5300e 5.1 THX Certified |
$159 |
| Video Capture |
Hauppauge PVR-250 |
$128 |
| Operating System |
Windows XP Home with SP2 |
$95 |
| Windows XP MCE |
$140 |
| Windows XP Professional with SP2 |
$147 |
If you want something closer to the $1000 price point of old, we offer this configuration. Any parts not listed in this Guide can be found in our Entry Level Guide. Socket 754 provides the best solution for cutting costs, and so it is our choice.
| $1000 Mid-Range System |
| Hardware |
Recommended Component |
Price |
| Processor |
AMD Athlon 64 3000+ 512K 2.0 GHz (754) - Retail |
$158 |
| Motherboard |
MSI K8N Neo Platinum |
$122 |
| Memory |
512MB Mushkin PC3200 2.5-4-4 |
$75 |
| Video Card |
Sapphire Radeon 9600 Pro 128MB |
$108 |
| Hard Drive |
Samsung 160GB SATA 7200RPM 8MB Model SP1614C |
$95 |
| Optical Drive |
NEC DVD+/-RW Drive Model 3500A |
$73 |
| Computer Case & Power Supply |
Antec SLK3700-BQE with 350W PSU |
$91 |
| Display |
NEC FE771SB-BK 17" |
$184 |
| Speakers |
Logitech Z-640 5.1 |
$53 |
| Keyboard & Mouse |
Microsoft Natural Multimedia and Intellimouse Optical |
$53 |
| Bottom Line |
$1012 |
Conclusion
There are a lot of choices to be made when purchasing a new computer system and some people may feel overwhelmed. Hopefully, we have helped to narrow down the choices somewhat, but just like with the purchase of a car or a house, different strokes for different folks. This has been a rather long article, taking a look at what is arguably the largest and most competitive segment of PC hardware. Was it too long? Did we simply contribute to the information overload? Let us know in the comments section, as these Buyer's Guides are for you!
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hh - Friday, October 22, 2004 - link
#8/gimper48> Very good. I am impressed. However, are we
> going to see benchmarks in these anytime soon?
Benchmarks are merely a tool to try to determine whats better/worse/"equivalent" for its price.
And I do realize that this may be somewhat contrary to the general intent of the article, but we do have to recognize that DIY'ing falls into two basic motivational catagories: those who do it because they enjoy it (hobby) and those who want to save money vs. OEM (value).
For the latter, it comes down to cost:performance. As a example, taking the $1250 system upgraded to the 17" LCD monitor and XP/P OS puts us at roughly $1500. Now suppose that we could get an "equivalent" system (performance) but someone else did the assembly, optimization and compatibility hassles, performed the OS installation, and gave us a warranty. Clearly, that PC build wouild be worth more, but how much more?
One OEM example to consider is the Apple iMac 1.6Gz G5 17" at $1300 + 1GB aftermarket RAM upgrade +$250, which puts us at a $1550 pricepoint.
For this example, the value-added extras of hardware assembly, optimization/compatibility/debug, the OS install and a system warranty is only $50 more. YMMV if this is small enough for many value-oriented people would be willing to pay for (IMO, yes).
The remaining question is if such a $1550 OEM system is/isn't "equivalent" to the $1500 DIY system to conclude which is the better overall consumer value.
And because of the Apple here, the "equivalency" question is a huge gaping hole. That's no accident: I did it on purpose because my intent is to look at this more rhetorically to as to illustrate the philisophical, not to introduce a Mac performance debate (so please don't). Yes, I could have chosen a Dell or Gateway, but I loathe their websites and they typically have too many hardware variables that would only drag us down into the weeds instead of seeing the basics of the big picture first.
This article was interesting reading. Thanks again.
-hh
draazeejs - Friday, October 22, 2004 - link
Why did they change the HDD recommendation from Seagate to Samsung? Does anyone have experience with how loud those drives are? I have a Barracuda IV, 40GB, and that one is totally silent. As far as I have heard the new Barracudas are much louder. Why is that so?PrinceGaz - Friday, October 22, 2004 - link
If the NEC ND-3500A lives up to the standards of the previous ND-2500A/2510A, then its likely to be the best drive in its class with standard firmware. The quality and value of those drives was unbeatable.Hacked firmware to add more media types or higher burn speeds with them is a nice bonus for those who want it, but is totally optional. The drives are still excellent straight out the box.
deathwalker - Friday, October 22, 2004 - link
#28..I don't think recommendations for a Optical drive should be based on "hacked" firmware...I'm sticking with my original thought that the Pioneer drive would have seemed like the likely choice based upon there recent review..having said that though, I'nm sure the NEC drive is a fine drive also.MustISO - Friday, October 22, 2004 - link
Looking at the memory chart, RAM is really going up. That sucks!iversonyin - Friday, October 22, 2004 - link
logitech > MS when it come to mouseMIDIman - Friday, October 22, 2004 - link
> The NEC is a little curious though, given the> glowing review of the Pioneer a few weeks
> ago...
I think the point here might be post hacked firmware. After flashing my 3500a, its quite incredible what its capable of, and its possible that anandtech has already done an NEC article and just hasn't put it up quite yet.
Murmandamus - Friday, October 22, 2004 - link
Great guide!I'm considering setting up an HTPC. So I would sure like to see a htpc guide from you guys.
Thanks!
JarredWalton - Friday, October 22, 2004 - link
Let's just say I have insider information from Kristopher. Blame him. ;)gherald - Friday, October 22, 2004 - link
> #5 - Posted on Oct 21, 2004 at 1:34 PM by PrinceGaz wrote:> I've just finished reading it and amazingly, I can't fault any of your recommendations!
I have to agree! In particular it's great to finally start seeing good case/PSUs from Antec and Shuttle.
The NEC is a little curious though, given the glowing review of the Pioneer a few weeks ago...