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PCSTATS January 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 Shopping List Assistance |
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$500
Budget System Parts List |
December 2008 | |
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Avg. Price* |
Description / Model No. |
 |
Review |
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$92 |
AMD
Athlon64 X2 5400+ Processor |
Get $ Price |
- |
|
$92 |
Asus - M3A78-EM-HDMI Motherboard |
Get $ Price |
- |
|
- |
On Board Video |
|
|
$21 |
A-Data DDR2 800 240pin 1GB Memory |
Get $ Price |
- |
|
$71 |
Seagate 500GB 7200.11 |
Get $ Price |
- |
|
$20 |
Lite-On 20x DVD+/-RW
LH-20A1P-185 Burner |
Get $ Price |
- |
|
$41 |
Antec SLK1650B |
Get $ Price |
- |
|
$153.82 |
Acer X193WB Black 19IN Widescreen Monitor |
Get $ Price |
- |
|
($112) |
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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$492 |
Estimated Overall Price |
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|
| * All prices are
approximations and are listed in $USD for simplicity. |
|
Notes:
There's been some price cuts on AMD 780G motherboards
recently, which has made room in the budget for a larger 500GB hard drive, and a nicer Antec 1650B case with included
PSU. |
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PCSTATS Shopping List Assistance |
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$999
Mainstream Parts List |
December 2008 | |
|
Avg. Price* |
Description / Model No. |
|
Review |
|
$215 |
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Processor |
Get $ Price |
Here |
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$110 |
MSI P45 Neo-F Socket 775 Intel P45 Motherboard |
Get $ Price |
- |
|
$56 |
A-Data DDR2 800 240pin 4GB Memory |
Get $ Price |
- |
|
$200 |
Diamond Radeon HD 4850 Graphics Card |
Get $ Price |
- |
|
$71 |
Seagate Barracuda (ST3500320AS) 7200.11 500GB Hard Drive |
Get $ Price |
- |
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$33 |
Pioneer DVR-216D(Black) SATA 20x DVD-Writer |
Get $ Price |
- |
|
$123 |
Antec NSK6580B Mid Tower
w/PSU Case |
Get $ Price |
- |
|
|
|
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$190 |
Acer X223WBD Black 22IN Monitor |
Get $ Price |
- |
|
($112.99) |
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Operating System OEM |
|
|
|
- |
Also Consider: Keyboard, Mouse, 3.5" Floppy
Drive, 56K Modem, Speakers. |
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$999 |
Estimated Overall Price |
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| * All prices are
approximations and are listed in $USD for simplicity. |
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Notes:
A month brings the faster intel
E8400 processor in place of the E8200 from November. The MSI P45 Neo-F is
also a new addition, it's a P45-Express chipset motherboard, which makes
it an idea overclocking companion for that
E8400.
|
| PCSTATS
Shopping List Assistance | |
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$2000
High-End Performance Parts List |
December
2008 | |
|
Avg. Price* |
Description / Model No. |
|
Review |
|
$378 |
Intel Core i7 920 Quad-Core Socket LGA1366, 2.66Ghz Processor |
Get $ Price
| |
|
$373 |
Asus P6T Deluxe Socket 1366 Intel X58 Motherboard |
Get $ Price
| - |
|
$156 |
OCZ (OCZ3G1333LV3GK) DDR3 PC3-10666 1333 MHz 3GB Kit |
Get $ Price |
- |
|
$320 |
EVGA GeForce Superclocked GTX 260 896MB Videocard |
Get $ Price |
- |
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$203
|
G.SKILL FM-25S2S-64GB 64GB 2.5IN SATA2 Solid State Disk |
Get $ Price |
- |
|
$71
|
Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 500GB SATA Hard Drive |
Get $ Price |
- |
|
$35 |
Pioneer DVR-216D(Black) SATA 20x DVD-Writer |
Get $ Price |
|
|
$91 |
Enermax Uber Chakra ECA5000B Black Case |
Get $ Price |
- |
|
$90 |
Xigmatek NRP-MC651 650W Power Supply |
Get $ Price |
|
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$299 |
Acer X243WBD Black 24IN Widescreen |
Get $ Price |
- |
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($199) |
Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate Operating System OEM |
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|
|
- |
Also Consider: Operating System, Keyboard, Mouse, 3.5" Floppy
Drive, 56K Modem, Speakers. |
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|
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$2016 |
Estimated Overall Price |
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| * All prices are
approximations and are listed in $USD for simplicity. |
| Notes: What would a
high-end rig be without Intel's Core i7 processor? This months
high-end PC has switched to socket LGA1366, so it's now got 3GB of triple
channel DDR3 memory as well. Users of 64-bit operating systems might want
to spring for a 6GB kit, which is roughly double the price. Price
cuts to nvidia GTX 260 videocards and increased availability of
solid-state drives in retail stores has also made for some additions that
will give this system some real staying power.
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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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06.01.09 | 2:50A
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