High-end Gaming System
Today, on SharkyExtreme.com, I read an article on building a High-end Gaming System for under $2500. They built two systems, one using Intel and the other using AMD. Of course, I am a fan of AMD, I like underdogs and a bargain. AMD’s system turned out being about $50 cheaper. Some of the components they used I question. A slot load CD/DVD player, why? Memory, Corsair is well known and reliable but isn’t Crucial even better and less expensive? Hard drives, Western Digital is also a well known brand but I happen to like Maxtor, faster transfer and less expensive. Somebody needs to give me $2500 to build a killer system.
Intel Pentium 4 SystemCase: Lian Li PC-65 PC Case w/ 430W or higher name brand PSU - $234
Processor: Pentium 4-3.06 GHz (533 MHz) - $395
Cooling: Alpha PAL8942, Panaflo fan - $38
Motherboard: ABIT BH7 - $87
Memory: 512-MB Corsair XMS PC3200 - $160
Hard Drive: Western Digital 200 GB SE - $215
Video Card: ATI Radeon 9700 Pro- $309
Monitor: Samsung 900NF or LG 915FT Plus - $322
Sound Card: SoundBlaster Audigy 2 Platinum Retail - $163
Speakers: Creative Inspire 6.1 - $96
CD/DVD-ROM: Pioneer 16X DVD-120S Slot Load DVD-ROM - $47
CDRW: Lite-On 52×24x52 CD-RW - $47
Communications: Intel Pro/1000 T or US Robotics External v.92 - $32
Mouse: Logitech MX700 Cordless Mouse - $59
Keyboard: Microsoft Natural Multimedia Keyboard - $46
Operating System: Windows XP Pro - $129
Floppy: Generic - $8Total: $2,387
AMD Athlon XP System
Case: Lian Li PC-65 PC Case w/ 430W or higher name brand PSU - $234
Processor: Athlon XP 3000+ (333 MHz) - $325
Cooling: Thermalright SLK-800, Panaflo fan - $43
Motherboard: ASUS A7N8X - $100
Memory: Two 256MB Corsair XMS PC3200 - $160
Hard Drive: Western Digital 200 GB SE - $215
Video Card: ATI Radeon 9700 Pro- $309
Monitor: Samsung 900NF or LG 915FT Plus - $322
Sound Card: SoundBlaster Audigy Platinum 2 Retail - $163
Speakers: Creative Inspire 6.1 - $96
CD/DVD-ROM: Pioneer 16X DVD-120S Slot Load DVD-ROM - $47
CDRW: Lite-On 52×24x52 CD-RW - $47
Communications: Intel Pro/1000 T or US Robotics External v.92 - $32
Mouse: Logitech MX700 Cordless Mouse - $59
Keyboard: Microsoft Natural Multimedia Keyboard - $46
Operating System: Windows XP Pro - $129
Floppy: Generic - $8Total: $2,335