Build Your Own Computer
A beautiful thing about computers is that component prices are always dropping. For those of us who like to build our own rigs, there’s never been a better time to start a new machine. Parts that are just a year old have dropped extensively; memory is at an all-time low. What does this mean? GOOD, CHEAP GAMING MACHINES. With a little shopping around, you can find components that make playing games, going online or watching TV on your PC great. All you have to do is buy the parts & put it together yourself. We came up with two machines that should do a great job with games, audio & video. First we put together a budget system that’s functional & flexible enough to handle what we need. Then we put together a higher-end system that would set us back a lot, but would rock enough to be worth it. All of these parts can be picked up at the links below. Stick any suggestions or criticisms you have in the comments.
OUR BASIC “GET THINGS DONE” PC:
- Case: Ultra ULT33179 X-Blaster ATX Case
- Motherboard: Asus M2V
- Processor: AMD Athlon 64 3500+ 2.2GHz
- CPU Cooler: Antec 77099
- Hard Drive: Hitachi H3500B72P Deskstar 500GB
- Memory: PNY 512MB DDR
- Graphics Card: ATI Radeon 9250
- TV Tuner: Pinnacle PCTV PRO TV Tuner Card
- Audio Card: Creative Labs X-Fi Xtreme Audio
- CD/DVD Combo Drive: Sony CRX320AE/U 52x
- Operating System: Windows XP
- Audio: Inspire P7800 7.1 System
- Monitor: Gateway 19″ LCD
- Keyboard: Saitek Eclipse
- Mouse: Logitech MX 518
- Card Reader: Fuji DCR2-161 Card Reader with USB Hub
- Mousepad: Steelpad
GRAND TOTAL: $1259.70 (not incl. taxes)
OUR “LET’S WASTE A COUPLE MONTHS’ RENT” FANTASY:
- Case: Coolermaster STC-T01
- Motherboard: ASUS M2N32-SLI Wireless Deluxe
- Processor: AMD Athlon 64 X2 5200+ Windsor 2.6GHz
- Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 750GB
- Memory: PNY 512MB DDR memory (two, for 1GB total memory)
- Graphics Card: ATI Radeon X1600 Pro
- TV Tuner: VBox AMP0637 Cats Eye
- Audio Card: Creative Labs SB073A Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme
- Power Supply: Ultra ULT33183 XVS Power Supply
- DVD Reader/Writer: Sony DRU830A DVD+R Double Layer Combo
- Monitor: Samsung 225BW 22″ Widescreen
- Keyboard: Logitech G15
- Mouse: Razer Copperhead
- Headset: Plantronics Multimedia Headset
- Audio: Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 System
- PC Remote: Logitech PC Remote
- Mousepad: Steelpad
GRAND TOTAL: $2448.67 (not incl. taxes)
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March 16, 2007 at 3:53 pm
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