Computer Ed's 2007 Build a PC Selections

[Dr. V]

One thing not mentioned is the video card. You say the performance of 320MB and 640MB versions of the 8800GTS are very very similar, which is true - unless the resolution is above 1680x1050. Double the memory is HUGE for 1920x1200+ resolutions, almost necessary to see good gaming. You never know the monitor of users, so you gotta make sure that's known. It's very important because you'll see some serious decrease in performance with a 320MB 8800GTS gaming at 1920 resolutions.

[JazzyJake]

yeah..and you also need to post criteria ahead of time.

[garetjax]

Ed, when you get a chance, can you address the hard drive pick that Quake pointed out? I'm still curious why the WD 320GB won over the 500GB Seagate...

[Computer-Ed]

Mostly due to not getting one in. I did get a Seagate, the 320 gig model and it was okay but actually ran 3c hotter than the WD and WD is better about dealing with warranties. In terms of performance I could find no difference except in benchmarks and even then it was not huge.

[Capper]

Honestly, I think your "Criteria" is poorly worded....there is a big difference between putting a system together with the best available parts, and putting a system together with the best parts you have gotten your hands on (Although I applaud you for limiting your recommendations to what you have actually tested, or at least used).


My two cents, with my choice for a system built with a balance of overall performance, and value, with an emphasis on value.

Case:
Thermaltake Armor

PSU:
Corsair HX620W Modular PSU

CPU:
INTEL Core 2 Quad Q6600 Quad core CPU

Memory:
Crucial PC2-8500 Tracer 2GB Memory Kit

Motherboard:
Gigabyte P35-DQ6

Video Card:
BFG 8800GTS 320MB Video Card

Cooler:
Thermaltake V1

Hard Drive:
Western Digital 500GB 16MB SATA 3.0

Optical Drive:
Lite-On 20x SATA DVD-R

Monitor:
Dell 2407WFP

Sound:
Onboard HD Audio

Speakers:
Razer Mako 2.1

Headphones:
Sennheiser P165

Keyboard:
Saitek Eclipse II

Mouse:
Razer Copperhead

I'd never recommend running an "enthusiast" system in a 90F environment, as the case temperature would undoubtedly be much higher. Under those circumstances, I'd honestly look at a much less powerful system, something along the lines of an AMD X2 3600+.

As to audio, there is absolutely nothing in the world wrong with onboard audio. MaxPC beat that dead horse into hamburger, but I'll bet you that if we sat down 10 people with a variety of audio solutions, almost all of them could not tell a difference. As to performance, with a single core processor, onboard audio was an issue, but as processors, chipsets, and audio solutions have matured, the technology is plenty good for almost anyone except those who do detailed audio editing.

[Dr. V]

Originally Posted by Capper

Honestly, I think your "Criteria" is poorly worded....there is a big difference between putting a system together with the best available parts, and putting a system together with the best parts you have gotten your hands on (Although I applaud you for limiting your recommendations to what you have actually tested, or at least used).


My two cents, with my choice for a system built with a balance of overall performance, and value, with an emphasis on value.

Case:
Thermaltake Armor

PSU:
Corsair HX620W Modular PSU

CPU:
INTEL Core 2 Quad Q6600 Quad core CPU

Memory:
Crucial PC2-8500 Tracer 2GB Memory Kit

Motherboard:
Gigabyte P35-DQ6

Video Card:
BFG 8800GTS 320MB Video Card

Cooler:
Thermaltake V1

Hard Drive:
Western Digital 500GB 16MB SATA 3.0

Optical Drive:
Lite-On 20x SATA DVD-R

Monitor:
Dell 2407WFP

Sound:
Onboard HD Audio

Speakers:
Razer Mako 2.1

Headphones:
Sennheiser P165

Keyboard:
Saitek Eclipse II

Mouse:
Razer Copperhead

I'd never recommend running an "enthusiast" system in a 90F environment, as the case temperature would undoubtedly be much higher. Under those circumstances, I'd honestly look at a much less powerful system, something along the lines of an AMD X2 3600+.

As to audio, there is absolutely nothing in the world wrong with onboard audio. MaxPC beat that dead horse into hamburger, but I'll bet you that if we sat down 10 people with a variety of audio solutions, almost all of them could not tell a difference. As to performance, with a single core processor, onboard audio was an issue, but as processors, chipsets, and audio solutions have matured, the technology is plenty good for almost anyone except those who do detailed audio editing.

I'd only change the cooler, mouse, and maybe case (this is optional anyway). Also, with a 2407, there should be at least a 640MB 8800GTS I'm sure...

[Capper]

Actually, the 320MB card handles the 24" very well. while you could get better frame rates with the 640MB card or even the GTX, the 320MB is plenty fine.

[Dr. V]

Originally Posted by Capper

Actually, the 320MB card handles the 24" very well. while you could get better frame rates with the 640MB card or even the GTX, the 320MB is plenty fine.

During gaming too?

EDIT:

Wow after reading some reviews it seems as thought the 640 isn't better by as much as I expected...I guess if you can't justify the extra cost, the 320MB version is the way to go! In some cases the price difference can be 100+. But, in some cases depending on the card, it can be about 50. Either way I'm doubting more and more now the worth of the extra memory. I guess in "real world" performance, and for the FPS junkies, it's a SLIGHTLY noticeable difference (sometimes), but still doesn't seem justifiable.

[Capper]

Originally Posted by ST!X

During gaming too?

Although I only play Pong and Tetris, it handles them very well

Originally Posted by ST!X

EDIT:

Wow after reading some reviews it seems as thought the 640 isn't better by as much as I expected...I guess if you can't justify the extra cost, the 320MB version is the way to go! In some cases the price difference can be 100+. But, in some cases depending on the card, it can be about 50. Either way I'm doubting more and more now the worth of the extra memory. I guess in "real world" performance, and for the FPS junkies, it's a SLIGHTLY noticeable difference (sometimes), but still doesn't seem justifiable.

Yeah, if you actually look around, those "older" 256MB cards (7900 GTX) handle most every game more than enough