System Summaries
We end up with a total of four system configurations, not counting the SFF case options. As we mentioned earlier, we have stuck with integrated graphics on the "true" budget platforms, while we opt for more powerful discrete graphics as a performance upgrade. Think of the "Performance" listings as something in between the budget and mid-range platforms. They're still cheaper than what we typically suggest for the mid-range, but they're quite a bit more than the $500 budget target.
Of course, we overshot the $500 budget with even the "cheap" platforms by $100 or so. If you really want to cut costs further, dropping the RAM to 256 MB and going with a CD-RW or DVD-ROM would get your pretty close to the $500 mark. In contrast to earlier Budget Guides, note that we included a floppy, keyboard, and mouse into the final total. If you can make do with your current monitor - assuming you have one - that would also lower the price quite a bit. We could make other excuses, but the simple answer is that prices have been pretty much stagnant in the budget sector, we've increased some areas of performance, and we would rather spend a little more than get less out of the system.
AMD Budget Summary
| Budget AMD Socket A System |
| Hardware |
Recommended Component |
Price |
| Processor |
AMD Sempron 2400+ 256K 1.67 GHz 333 MHz bus |
$63 |
| Motherboard |
MSI K7N2GM2-LSR Nforce2 IGP |
$72 |
| Memory |
2x256 MB Corsair Value Select CL3 |
$68 |
| Video Card |
NVIDIA GeForce4 MX440 (Nforce2 IGP) |
$0 |
| Hard Drive |
Seagate 80 GB 7200 RPM 8MB SATA |
$69 |
| Optical Drive |
NEC DVD+/-RW Drive Model 3500A/3520A |
$65 |
| Floppy Drive |
NEC/TEAC/Sony/Samsung/etc. |
$8 |
| Case and Power Supply |
RaidMax Elite ATX-208BP with 380W PSU |
$46 |
| Display |
Samsung 793DF/793MB 17" CRT |
$145 |
| Speakers |
Creative Labs SBS270 2.0 |
$27 |
| Keyboard and Mouse |
Logitech Internet Pro Keyboard and Mouse |
$25 |
| Bottom Line |
|
$588 |
AMD Performance Summary
| Performance AMD Socket 754 System |
| Hardware |
Recommended Component |
Price |
| Processor |
AMD Athlon 64 2800+ 1.8 GHz |
$127 |
| Motherboard |
Chaintech VNF-250 Nforce3 250 |
$73 |
| Memory |
1x512MB Mushkin Basic 2.5-4-4 |
$70 |
| Video Card |
Sapphire Radeon 9600 Pro 128MB DDR 128-bit 400/600 MHz |
$105 |
| Hard Drive |
Samsung 160 GB 7200 RPM 8MB SATA |
$92 |
| Optical Drive |
NEC DVD+/-RW Drive Model 3500A/3520A |
$65 |
| Floppy Drive |
NEC/TEAC/Sony/Samsung/etc. |
$8 |
| Case and Power Supply |
Antec SLK1650B with 350W PSU |
$76 |
| Display |
Samsung 997DF 19" CRT |
$215 |
| Speakers |
Logitech X-530 5.1 Speakers |
$61 |
| Keyboard and Mouse |
Microsoft Basic Keyboard and Optical Mouse |
$30 |
| Bottom Line |
|
$922 |
Intel Budget Summary
| Budget Intel Socket 478 System |
| Hardware |
Recommended Component |
Price |
| Processor |
Celeron D 320 2.4 GHz 256K L2 Cache (478) |
$72 |
| Motherboard |
Intel D865GBF i865G |
$86 |
| Memory |
2x256 MB Corsair Value Select CL3 |
$68 |
| Video Card |
Intel Extreme Graphics 2 (i865G) |
$0 |
| Hard Drive |
Seagate 80 GB 7200 RPM 8MB SATA |
$69 |
| Optical Drive |
NEC DVD+/-RW Drive Model 3500A/3520A |
$65 |
| Floppy Drive |
NEC/TEAC/Sony/Samsung/etc. |
$8 |
| Case and Power Supply |
RaidMax Elite ATX-208BP with 380W PSU |
$46 |
| Display |
Samsung 793DF/793MB 17" CRT |
$145 |
| Speakers |
Creative Labs SBS270 2.0 |
$27 |
| Keyboard and Mouse |
Logitech Internet Pro Keyboard and Mouse |
$25 |
| Bottom Line |
|
$611 |
Intel Performance Summary
| Performance Intel Socket 775 System |
| Hardware |
Recommended Component |
Price |
| Processor |
Intel Pentium 4 520 2.8 GHz 1024K L2 Cache |
$158 |
| Motherboard |
Chaintech V915P i915P |
$96 |
| Memory |
2x256 MB Corsair Value Select CL3 |
$68 |
| Video Card |
Albatron GeForce 6600 128 MB DDR 128-bit 300/550 |
$122 |
| Hard Drive |
Samsung 160 GB 7200 RPM 8MB SATA |
$92 |
| Optical Drive |
NEC DVD+/-RW Drive Model 3500A/3520A |
$65 |
| Floppy Drive |
NEC/TEAC/Sony/Samsung/etc. |
$8 |
| Case and Power Supply |
Antec SLK1650B with 350W PSU |
$76 |
| Display |
Samsung 997DF 19" CRT |
$215 |
| Speakers |
Logitech X-530 5.1 Speakers |
$61 |
| Keyboard and Mouse |
Microsoft Basic Keyboard and Optical Mouse |
$30 |
| Bottom Line |
|
$991 |
You'll still need an Operating System as well, unless you plan on running some free OS such as one of the many flavors of Linux. XP Home runs about $90 for an OEM version, which you can pick up from most online sites if you buy qualifying hardware, while XP Professional will run about $135. The Professional version includes a few networking and security extras that we like to have, but most people will be fine with Home. Running an older version of Windows is also possible, but we don't recommend it due to outdated drivers and other usability enhancements that are only available with XP. There's no point in buying new hardware and then using an old OS, especially considering that XP itself is now over three years old.
Conclusion
That takes care of our current recommendations for the budget sector. For the performance enthusiast, sifting through the many potential parts and coming up with a reliable selection is difficult to do. There's always a part that's just a little bit more expensive, but also a little bit faster, and while sufficient for everyday computing, most of us would prefer some upgrades. Pre-built systems do offer a viable alternative, but most of the best bargains also have built-in obsolescence due to their lack of AGP/PCIe expansion slots. CPU upgrades are also more difficult (i.e. they may not be supported due to an outdated BIOS), and driver support tends to lag far behind what an off-the-shelf system will get you. Trade offs are made in every facet of a system, so in the end, a lower price is always achieved by cutting some corners. As always, let us know what you think in the comments section.
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edlight - Sunday, January 9, 2005 - link
Warning for Corsair Value Select: If you want to run dual channel get one of their dual channel kits containing a matched pair. I bought one stick and another a month later, and they are totally different and won't run dual channel at all on my Asus A7V880. In fact, one is single sided and one dual sided. The memory isn't made by Corsair at all.justly - Sunday, January 9, 2005 - link
I really don't have a problem if you prefer the Nforce 3-250 chipset BUT to call the "performance and reliability" of either VIA and SiS "questionable" for a budget system seems a bit (actually quite a bit) narrow minded.If this where a overclocking or performance guide I would have less of a complaint, but for a budget guide I think you should elaborate on why these chipsets are so "questionable". Has Anandtech pionted out these "performance and reliability" issues in any reviews of either VIA or SiS, because the ony complaint I can recall had to do with overclocking.
You even mention that a Nforce 3-250 board (Epox) has "memory compatibility issues" so Nforce 3-250 is not void of "performance and reliability" issues either.
A BUDGET GUIDE is about two things "reliability and cost", performance is a "distant concern" (does this sound familiar? it should its on the first page). So when it comes to the motherboard why is "performance" now a concern (especially when performance differances between A64 motherboards seem trivial compared to other components)?
If I sound upset because of this then you are correct. I offen hear review sites hope for more competition in the chipset market (things like wishing some board manufacturer would try to make a performance board with a SiS chipset) and then I read things like this. If you really want to see some competition then the least you could do is not cut them from the market that they are targeting with their product without explaining why.
ChineseDemocracyGNR - Sunday, January 9, 2005 - link
"Intel has socket 478 parts, and these are often cheaper than the more recent platforms, but longevity is something of a concern."I agree that longetivy is a concern, but the socket 478 platform is not necessarily cheaper. Intel released the Celeron D in LGA775, starting with the 2.53GHz model (the lower ones are to be discontinued in Februrary according to the Inquirer). The LGA775 is a "J" version, which adds NX support for less than $5 more compared to the socket 478 version.
Given this, I would switch the Intel budget system to the Celeron D 325J, a little more expensive than the 320. There are cheap LGA775 motherboards available, like the ECS 661FX-M7 ($53.50) and the ASRock 775V88 ($57).
Another thing I would like to comment on is the Radeon 9600Pro suggestion. Newegg is selling 400/446 Sapphire cards as 400/600 (without saying it's an Advantage card) so be careful. I would suggest these for budget systems:
SAPPHIRE ATI RADEON 9000PRO Video Card, 64MB DDR, 128-bit $46 shipped
ABIT ATI RADEON 9550 Video Card, 128MB DDR, 128-Bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP, Model "R9550-Guru " -RETAIL $80 shipped
This ABIT card comes with 3.6ns and overclocks to 500/600 (9600XT) more often than not.
bupkus - Sunday, January 9, 2005 - link
I just bought the Biostar 210V and according to their website http://www.biostar-usa.com/ideqdetails.asp?model=i... this model does support a 400 fsb. Don't expect to overclock an AXP as there is neither a voltage nor a multiplier setting in the bios. The fsb for your cpu is set using jumpers which I hope also changes the AGP/PCI ratio as I'm told are unlocked. BTW, newegg had this model for fifteen dollars less than it is now, so look for possible sale prices. Currently $154.Avalon - Sunday, January 9, 2005 - link
You can get the Samsung 997DF 19" monitor for $202 shipped at techonweb.com, I bought it there two weeks ago. If the price hasn't changed....then I'd think $202 > $215 in terms of savings.Glassmaster - Sunday, January 9, 2005 - link
Great guide Jarred!Though I would rather not have seen the RAIDMAX PSU in there, it probably won't be as big a deal for the entry level budget system. It was good to see Fortron Source being mentioned too, as a cheap but reliable PSU alternative.
You might also point people in the direction of the excellent power supply guide by computerpro3 of the hardforums. http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=792566
He lists the brands to stay away from, and those worth buying, along with links to newegg for his specific recommendations.
Glassmaster.
Spacecomber - Sunday, January 9, 2005 - link
I always enjoy reading these system guides; so, thanks for this latest one.A couple of minor comments.
I don't think that the 120mm fan on the Antec SLK1650 cases is temperature controlled. At least one of the fans in the power supply is; so, perhaps that is what you were thinking. Nevertheless, the 120mm fan is fairly quiet and becomes virtually silent, if you use 7 volts for it.
I have been a big fan of the Seagate drives, because of their 5 year warranties (started at the time when there seemed to be a trend toward 1 year warranties on hard drives). While my initial experience of these drives was how quiet they were, I have been hearing other complain of getting drives that were not that quiet. My most recent Seagate purchase was a 120GB PATA model, and I too noticed that it seemed to buzz relatively loudly when it was seeking. I don't think it is so much how loud the noise is, but it has a kind of annoying quality to it.
Apparently, Seagate is involved in a lawsuit that alleges that Seagate stole their accoustic management technology from someone else. As a result, they have disabled this feature in their current line of drives. (You can use something like Hitachi's Feature Tool to see that accoustic management doesn't show up as an option on these drives.)
So, while Seagate continues to offer a 5 year warranty, which nobody else does (except the WD Raptors), they no longer should be looked to when a quiet drive is one of your criteria, imo.
Space
Pollock - Sunday, January 9, 2005 - link
I think you should forgo the SATA Seagate and go with the IDE version, which I've seen as cheap as $59-$62, saving you $7-10 for a pointless upgrade.bigpow - Sunday, January 9, 2005 - link
Entry Level Budget & Entry Level Performance labels should make the conclusion less confusing.kmmatney - Sunday, January 9, 2005 - link
Great review. The graphics section was very good, as well as the SFF section. Nice work.Although you did mention it, I think the Athlon XP-M is the best budget cpu, with a Barton core and unlocked multiplier. It is more expensive than the Sempron, but you can team it up with a $42 Asrock motherboard and overclock it 3200+ speeds easy, even with cheapo RAM.