PCSTATS May ShoppingList Assistance |
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. |
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PCSTATS.com
Shopping list Assistance |
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$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 |
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|
- |
Also Consider: Keyboard, Mouse, 3.5" Floppy
Drive, 56K Modem, Speakers. |
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$476 |
Estimated Overall Price |
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| * 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. |
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PCSTATS.com
Shopping list Assistance |
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$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. |
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$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.
|
 |
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PCSTATS.com
Shopping list Assistance |
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$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. |
|
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$2066 |
Estimated Overall Price |
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|
| * 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.
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16.05.08 | 2:33A
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