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PCSTATS May ShoppingList Assistance

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We know how confusing it can be choosing the right components for a new computer system, or an upgrade to an existing one. That's why we've assembled the PCSTATS ShoppingList as a guide to help you get good gear. Below you'll find one of the three ShoppingList's which you can print out and bring to your local retailer, or use as a general set of guidelines. We cover the basic components needed to assemble a full system, with monitor, and list the average $USD price each part retails for. Use the ShoppingList as a guide to build a better "white box" system, or follow our recommendations to the letter - it's totally up to you.

The ShoppingList is updated on the 1st of each month so as prices drop, and new computer hardware is released it will reflect the changes. However, just because something newer and faster may have come to market doesn't mean it's worth getting right away! Be sure to read the "Notes:" section at the base of each PCSTATS ShoppingList for a brief explanation of why some hardware made it onto the list, and why other gear didn't.

  • The $449 Budget PC System
  • The $999 Mainstream PC System
  • The $2000 High-End Performance/Gaming System

    The PCSTATS ShoppingList covers three different types of desktop computers to reflect differing consumer budgets, and requirements. Each system contains a full list of most important hardware you'll need which is widely available in stores, or online. If you've every wanted to ask "what should I get", then the PCSTATS ShoppingList is your answer. Each list contains recommended hardware that we would actually consider getting ourselves. When we've reviewed the hardware in question, we'll also include a link so you can get an in-depth perspective.

  • PCSTATS.com Shopping list Assistance

    $449 Budget System Parts List

    April 2008
    Avg. Price* Description / Model No. Review
    $99 Intel Core 2 Duo E4400 Socket 775 Processor Get $ Price -
    x $55 Asrock Wolfdale 1333-D667 945GC Motherboard Get $ Price -
    x $52 ASUS EAH2400PRO/HTP/256MB RADEON Videocard Get $ Price
    x $23 1GB Kingston ValueRAM PC2-3200 CL3 Memory Kit Get $ Price -
    $49 160GB Hitachi Deskstar 7K160 SATA Hard Drive Get $ Price -
    $20 Lite-On 20x DVD+/-RW Burner LH-20A1P-185 Get $ Price -
    x $33 Amazing P4 ATX Middle Tower Case w/500W PSU Get $ Price -
    $145 17" Acer AL1706AB LCD Monitor Get $ Price -
    ($119) Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Operating System OEM
    - Also Consider: Keyboard, Mouse, 3.5" Floppy Drive, 56K Modem, Speakers.
    $476 Estimated Overall Price
    * All prices are approximations and are listed in $USD for simplicity.

    Notes: This month's entry level is slightly over budget but much faster than last month's system. Continuing this month is the Intel Core 2 Duo E4400 processor along with a new Asrock Wolfdale Motherboard. This System is also using a Radeon 2400 video card from Asus to get a bit more power than an integrated Intel 945G graphics bring to the table.

    PCSTATS.com Shopping list Assistance

    $999 Mainstream Parts List

    April 2008
    Avg. Price* Description / Model No. Review
    $197 Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Processor Get $ Price Here
    x $114 Asus P5N-E SLI nVidia nF650i SLI Motherboard Get $ Price -
    x $51 2GB OCZ PC2-5400 Memory Kit Get $ Price -
    x $150 BFG GeForce 8600GTS OC2 PCI-E Videocard Get $ Price -
    x $97 500GB Hitachi SATA II 7200rpm 16MB cache Hard Drive Get $ Price -
    $30 NEC 18x DVD+/-RW Burner Get $ Price -
    x $100 Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Case Get $ Price -
    $50 600W Seasonic S-12 600W Power Supply Get $ Price here
    x $179 Acer AL1916WAb 19" Widescreen Monitor Get $ Price -
    ($199) Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate Operating System OEM
    - Also Consider: Keyboard, Mouse, 3.5" Floppy Drive, 56K Modem, Speakers.

    $968

    Estimated Overall Price
    * All prices are approximations and are listed in $USD for simplicity.

    Notes: The focus this month is getting the best core components for the price. We're sticking with a fast Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 processor, and adding a larger 500GB hard drive and kick-ass 19" LCD display to make this a solid system. Definitely a well rounded system.

    PCSTATS.com Shopping list Assistance

    $2000 High-End Performance Parts List

    April 2008
    Avg. Price* Description / Model No. Review
    x $299 Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 socket 775 Processor (1333 MHz FSB) Get $ Price Here
    x $220 Asus P5N32-E SLI nVidia nForce 680i SLI Motherboard Get $ Price -
    x $232 4GB Corsair XMS2 DHX Memory DDR2-800 Memory Kit

    Get $ Price -
    x $426 BFG GeForce 8800 GTX OC nVidia GeForce 8800GTX Videocard Get $ Price -
    $180 Sound Blaster X-Fi Platinum Soundcard Get $ Price -
    x $97

    500GB Hitachi SATAII 7200rpm 16MB Hard Drive

    Get $ Price -
    x $36 LG GSA-H62N SATA Dual Layer DVD-Writer Get $ Price here
    x $100 Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Case

    Get $ Price -
    $156 750W PC Power & Cooling (S75QB) Silencer 750 Quad Power Supply Get $ Price Here
    x $320 22" BenQ FP222WH Widescreen 5ms LCD Monitor Get $ Price -
    ($199) Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate Operating System OEM
    - Also Consider: Operating System, Keyboard, Mouse, 3.5" Floppy Drive, 56K Modem, Speakers.
    $2066 Estimated Overall Price
    * All prices are approximations and are listed in $USD for simplicity.
    Notes: This Month's High-end System is a little over-budget but could be brought down by excluding the Sound Blaster X-Fi audiocard. Intel's new E8500 Core 2 Duo CPU is the heart of this beast, and we've also given it a 500GB drive and a nice SATA Dual Layer DVD burner, and 4GB of RAM.

    Operating systems, keyboard / mouse, floppy drives, 56K modem, 10/100 network cards, and speakers are not listed separately or included in the overall target budget since they are very common requirements, or may not be needed.


       16.05.08 | 2:33A
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