Pre-AM2 Mid-Range Buyers' Guide, May 2006
by Jarred Walton on May 9, 2006 6:30 AM EST- Posted in
- Guides
System Summaries
Amazingly, we're actually under the $1500 budget with both systems this time. Some of you might argue that $1500 is still too much for a midrange system, but considering that you get everything other than the software and applications, we think that's a pretty reasonable cost. Drop the keyboard, mouse, display, and speakers and you're down to $1000, but of course you need to add in $90-$150 for Windows XP. All told, you may not get the same level of service that you get with a prebuilt OEM system, but the quality of components and performance offered will almost certainly be higher - much higher should you choose to go the overclocking route. Here are the system summaries, but if you're looking for additional options remember to check out the individual component pages where we have listed some alternatives.| AMD Mid-Range System | ||
| Hardware | Component | Price |
| Processor | Athlon 64 X2 3800+ 2x512K 2.0GHz (939) - Retail | 297 |
| Motherboard | DFI nForce4 SLI Infinity | 115 |
| Memory | Patriot PC-3200 2x1024MB EPLL (2-3-2-5-1T) | 190 |
| Video Card | EVGA GeForce 7600GT CO 256MB (580/1500) | 184 |
| Hard Drive | Western Digital SATA3.0Gbps 250GB 7200RPM 16MB Caviar SE16 | 95 |
| Optical Drive | NEC 3550A (OEM) | 37 |
| Case | COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW | 61 |
| Power Supply | ENERMAX Liberty ELT400AWT ATX12V 400W | 86 |
| Display | BenQ 20 inch 8ms Widescreen LCD FP202W | 325 |
| Speakers | Logitech X-530 5.1 70W Speakers | 62 |
| Keyboard and Mouse | Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000 B2L-00047 | 32 |
| Bottom Line | 1484 | |
| Intel Mid-Range System | ||
| Hardware | Component | Price |
| Processor | Pentium D 930 2x2MB 3.0GHz (775) - Retail | 212 |
| Motherboard | ASUS 945P P5LD2 Deluxe | 151 |
| Memory | G.Skill PC-5300 2x1024MB Extreme LA (4-4-4-12) | 148 |
| Video Card | EVGA GeForce 7600GT CO 256MB (580/1500) | 184 |
| Hard Drive | Western Digital SATA3.0Gbps 250GB 7200RPM 16MB Caviar SE16 | 95 |
| Optical Drive | NEC 3550A (OEM) | 37 |
| Case | COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW | 61 |
| Power Supply | ENERMAX Liberty ELT400AWT ATX12V 400W | 86 |
| Display | BenQ 20 inch 8ms Widescreen LCD FP202W | 325 |
| Speakers | Logitech X-530 5.1 70W Speakers | 62 |
| Keyboard and Mouse | Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000 B2L-00047 | 32 |
| Bottom Line | 1393 | |
If you're looking for a system that can do just about anything well, both of these qualify. Without any extra tweaking, the AMD system will usually be faster, but the Intel system certainly isn't bad. If you're looking for more performance from the Intel side of things, you might want to try the Core Duo + AOpen + Overclocking route, or else wait for Core Duo 2 to launch. Both systems as configured currently lock you into an "outdated" platform, but we don't generally recommend building systems for upgradeability. You end up spending more money for the potential to upgrade, and when the time comes to finally upgrade you often find that it's better to simply build a new system and sell off your old one.
As always, comments and questions are welcome - either via email or in the comments section. There is no such thing as a "one-size-fits-all" computer, so naturally it is possible to tweak the component choices in order to improve performance in the areas that you need it most. Upgrading the graphics card and downgrading the CPU, for example, is something to consider for gamers. I would still rather just spend the money on a faster GPU and go a bit over budget, however, because I really like my dual core systems.
If you're looking for something significantly cheaper, our next Buyers' Guide will be covering the budget sector, followed by a high-end Buyers' Guide once AMD AM2 platforms have begun shipping. We may also look at doing an HTPC Buyers' Guide in the future - let us know if you're interested in that one.
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APKasten - Tuesday, May 9, 2006 - link
Or you could just get this low latency G-Skill RAM that's on sale over at Newegg.com for $45 less. ;)http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82...">http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82...
JarredWalton - Tuesday, May 9, 2006 - link
Well, I mentioned the $55 MIR on the RAM. If you don't want to deal with MIRs, I suggested several alternatives. :) The G.Skill should work, yes.SexyK - Tuesday, May 9, 2006 - link
Shouldn't that be Core 2 Duo?peternelson - Tuesday, May 9, 2006 - link
"choice of components is also going to be limited - mostly in the motherboard area"So, you expect a limited number of AM2 motherboards? Well there is a choice of several ATI and NVIDIA chips.
As for motherboard manufacturers with AM2 products, I know of (at least): ABIT, Asrock, Asus, Biostar, DFI, ECS, Epox, Foxconn, Gigabyte, MSI.
Many of these have several different boards, not just one, but I will not post all the model numbers for brevity.
I'm just saying I don't think choice of boards will be a big problem there are SLI/non-SLI etc. Single or dual lan etc.
JarredWalton - Tuesday, May 9, 2006 - link
I'm talking about availability at launch. In a few months, the selection should be quite good. At launch, it will be FAR fewer in terms of options than socket 939. That's pretty much a given. Cost is the big question, of couse, and I don't know what AM2 chip or mobo cost is going to be just yet.peternelson - Tuesday, May 9, 2006 - link
Ah yes, that is somewhat down to distribution.
I figured if you can get your hands on AM2 cpus, you can probably find at least one board to put it in from the same shop/channel.
I guess first motherboard makers to market could own the market so they may be falling over themselves to get them out on time. Early launch times like this are premium prices thus one of the most profitable times to be selling boards.
Obviously there are loads of 939 boards but older ones are less desirable now.
For AM2 all will have up to date features.
ChillBoy - Tuesday, May 9, 2006 - link
Yes, I'd be interested in the HTPC guides. As the home is moving more integrated This would be an asset. May I suggest silence, HDCP support, optical media and media server be options explored for the hardware options. Thank you.policy11 - Tuesday, May 9, 2006 - link
I would definitely be interested in an HTPC buyers' guide.CKDragon - Tuesday, May 9, 2006 - link
I'd love to read an Anandtech HTPC guide as well. Hey, I'd settle for just a HTPC case roundup. I know there are other sites that have similar information, but none of them seem to be updated frequently enough for my liking. A solid, professional AT review would be great.CK
kleinwl - Tuesday, May 9, 2006 - link
YES!!!