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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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October 5th UPDATE: This is the very
LAST edition of the PCSTATS ShoppingList. Sometimes ideas like an
impartial list of suggested hardware at three different price points
works, sometimes it doesn't. Unfortunately the ShoppingList hasn't reached
an audience big enough to sustain itself, and in this challenging economic
climate PCSTATS is refocusing its resources onto new areas.
It's been a good run, thanks to everyone
who stopped by to read!
You can leave your feedback here about this change, if you wish
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| PCSTATS
Shopping List Assistance | |
|
$500
Budget System Parts List |
4th Quarter
2009 | |
|
Avg. Price* |
Description / Model No. |
 |
Review |
|
$85 |
AMD Athlon II X2 245 Dual Core Processor |
Get $ Price |
|
|
$94 |
MSI 785GN-E65 Motherboard |
Get $ Price |
|
|
$104 |
MSI Radeon HD 4850 512MB Video Card |
Get $ Price |
Click |
|
$35 |
Buffalo Select DDR3 1333MHz 2GB Memory |
Get $ Price |
- |
|
$60 |
Seagate 500GB 7200.12 Hard Drive |
Get $ Price |
- |
|
$20 |
Lite-on 20x DVD Rewriter |
Get $ Price |
- |
|
$38 |
LinkWorld Black Midtower Case w/ 430W PSU |
Get $ Price |
- |
|
$129 |
ASUS VH196T Black 19" Widescreen LCD 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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$566 |
Estimated Overall Price |
|
|
| * All prices are
approximations and are listed in $CDN for simplicity. |
|
Notes: The price on the Radeon HD 4850 has dropped
again, so we've decide to keep it in the budget system. If you're not into
gaming, drop the videocard and enjoy a new Athlon II computer system for
$460. |
| PCSTATS
Shopping List Assistance | |
|
$999
Mainstream Parts List |
4th Quarter
2009 | |
|
Avg. Price* |
Description / Model No. |
|
Review |
|
$169 |
Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 processor |
Get $ Price |
|
|
$93 |
Gigabyte EP45 UD3L Motherboard |
Get $ Price |
|
|
$65 |
Corsair XMS2 4GB DDR2 800MHz memory |
Get $ Price |
- |
|
$185 |
MSI Radeon HD 4890 1GB Videocard |
Get $ Price |
Click |
|
$92 |
Western Digital Caviar Green 1TB |
Get $ Price |
- |
|
$22 |
LG GSA-H54N 18X Write DVD Optical Drive |
Get $ Price |
- |
|
$100 |
Raidmax SMILODON black case with 500W PSU |
Get $ Price |
- |
|
$270 |
Samsung 245B 24" Widescreen LCD Monitor |
Get $ Price |
- |
|
($112) |
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Operating System OEM |
|
|
|
- |
Also Consider: Keyboard, Mouse, 3.5" Floppy Drive, 56K Modem,
Speakers. |
|
|
|
$996 |
Estimated Overall Price |
|
|
| * All prices are
approximations and are listed in $CDN for simplicity. |
|
Notes: The prices on mid-range components have dropped
so quickly that we've been able to fit our mainstream system with a 24"
monitor capable of 1920x1200 resolution! The Radeon HD 4890 videocard
that's also included in this build is designed for
|
| PCSTATS
Shopping List Assistance | |
|
$2000
High-End Performance Parts List |
4th Quarter
2009 | |
|
Avg. Price* |
Description / Model No. |
|
Review |
|
$310 |
Core i7 920 2.66GhHz Processor |
Get $ Price |
|
$210 |
Gigabyte EX58-UD3R Motherboard |
Get $ Price |
- |
|
$100 |
Patriot Extreme Viper 6GB DDR3-1600 memory |
Get $ Price |
- |
|
$400 |
Sapphire Radeon HD 4870 X2 |
Get $ Price |
Click |
|
$91 x 2 |
Western Digital Caviar 1TB SATA2 7200RPM Hard Drive |
Get $ Price |
- |
|
$180 |
LITE-ON Black 4x Blu-Ray Rewriter |
Get $ Price |
|
|
$240 |
Lian Li PC A71F Black Aluminum Case |
Get $ Price |
- |
|
$85 |
Sunbeam PSU-HUSH680-US-BL 680W PSU |
Get $ Price |
|
|
$360 |
Asus VK266H 25.5" 2ms HDMI 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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$2067 |
Estimated Overall Price |
|
|
| * All prices are
approximations and are listed in $CDN for simplicity. |
| Notes:
|
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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05 / 19 / 2013 | 5:12PM
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