A lot of people have been asking me what computer to buy. In this topic, I will make a list of the best low-budget, mid-range and high-end computers, based on performance in general and gaming in specific. On all three of these computers, you are able to play the newest games without any problems, though you will have to lower the resolution and detail if you have the low-budget system. This is the may edition!
The CPU
No changes in my CPU selection.
Low-budget: Intel Core2Duo E8200 (€155)
Mid-range: Intel Core2Duo E8400 (€180)
High-end: Intel Core2Duo E8500 (€260)
The Video Card
A lot of changes in the video card selection: the Radeon HD 3850 in the low- budget system will be replaced by the new GeForce 9600GT 512MB, which is faster and has twice as much memory. In the mid-range system we'll swap the GeForce 8800GT with the GeForce 8800GTS 512MB which is faster and has dropped in price this month. In the high-end system the Radeon HD 3870X2 is replaced by the new GeForce 9800GX2 which, just like the HD3870X2, is a dual core GPU on one video card. The price of the 9800GX2 is a lot more, but it's also a lot faster than the HD3870X2
Low-budget: Asus GeForce 9600 GT 512MB (€150)
Mid-range: Asus GeForce EN8800GTS 512MB (€230)
High-range: Asus GeForce 9800GX2 (€480)
The Motherboard
No changes, though the prices have dropped
Low-budget: Asus P5K (€90)
Mid-range: Asus P5K (€90)
High-end: Asus P5k-E (€120)
The Hard Disk
We'll keep the Seagate Barracuda discs for the low-budget system, but the new Samsung Spinpoint have a larger capacity, are cheaper and have 32MB of onboard cache. In the high-end system, the two discs are supposed to be configured in raid.
Low-budget: Seagate 320 GB 7200.10 SATA-300 (€60)
Mid-range: Samsung 750GB 32MB SATA-300 (€100)
High-end: Samsung 750GB 32MB SATA-300, 2 pieces (€200)
The Memory
No changes. Gamers with Vista might even consider buying 4GB
Low-budget: 2048MB Corsair Twin2x DDR2 C4 6400 (€62)
Mid-range: 2048MB Corsair Twin2x DDR2 C4 6400 (€62)
High-end: 2048MB Corsair Twin2x DDR2 C4 6400 (€62)
The Rest
Not much to say about the other parts of your computer (computer case with power supply, DVD-player, keyboard and mouse). One thing you should pay attention to: a power supply of at least 400Watt, which can be bought for around €90. Also make sure your case is large enough if you want to buy the 8800GTX. You shouldn't spend more than €25 on you DVD-player either. A mouse and keyboard can be bought for €30, but if you want those with special design or wireless, you will easily be paying over €100. But that's just about taste.
Conclusion
A slight price drop for the low-budget and the mid-range systems and a slight price raise for the high-end system. See you next month!
This Month's Configurations
| Low-budget: -Intel Core2Duo E8200 -Asus P5K -Asus GeForce 9600GT-512MB -Seagate 7200.10 SATA 320 GB -2048MB Twin2x DDR2 C4 6400 -case, keyboard, dvd Total: €662 | Mid-range: -Intel Core2Duo E8400 -Asus P5K -Asus GeForce 8800GTS-512MB -Samsung 750 GB 32MB SATA - 2048MB Twin2x DDR2 C4 6400 -case,keyboard,dvd Total: €807 | High-end: -Intel Core2Duo E8500 -Asus P5K-E -Asus GeForce 9800GX2 -Samsung 750 GB 32MB SATA, 2 pieces -2048MB Twin2x DDR2 C4 6400 -case,keyboard,dvd Total: €1267 |
Note: As I'm from Europe, all prices are in euros. Converting them would be too much work and since the euro/dollar course is doing weird, it would also not be correct. Still, the systems listed here are the best to buy, though their price may vary in dollars.
