Question about computer configuration groupings....

[Electric Amish]

Since I've started building more and more PC's for friends and friend's friends, I thougth I'd try and put together a little grouping to try to help determine what kind of system the person wants.

This is based solely on CPU and Video card since they are, IMO, the most variable part of a system.

Mega Gamer
AMD Athlon XP 2200+/ 1.8GHz $155.00
ATI Radeon 9700 Pro $380.00 or Geforce 4 Ti4600 128mb $234.00

High-end Gamer
AMD Athlon XP 2000+/1.67GHz $100.00
Geforce 4 Ti4200 $129.00(64mb) - $150.00(128mb) or ATI Radeon 9000 $127.00(64mb) - $160.00(128mb)

Mid Gamer
AMD Athlon XP 1600+/1.4GHz $53.00
ATI Radeon 8500LE $89.00 or Geforce 3 Ti200 $89.00

Low-end Gamer
AMD Duron 1.3GHz $43.00
Geforce 4 MX420 $59.00


Does that look like a good grouping??

Comments, recommendations?

Prices are from Newegg.

amish

 

[minendo]

Will all of these use DDR?

 

[Electric Amish]

Originally posted by: minendo
Will all of these use DDR?

Yes, most likely.

The only one I might build without would be the low end, but that's only a cost saving feature for the user. I won't recommend it.

amish

 

[ElFenix]

the mx420 doesn't game. bump it to a 440 i guess...

 

[Electric Amish]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
the mx420 doesn't game. bump it to a 440 i guess...

I have an mx420. It games fine, for a low-end system.

amish

 

[minendo]

I'd consider setting up the Mega Gamer with a AMD chip, but that is my personal preference.

 

[dullard]

I personally wouldn't put a 2.0 GHz P4 in the mega-gamer category. Spend the extra $33 and put in a 2.4 GHz P4 with the 533 MHz fsb.

On the low-end, I just cannot justify the Durons anymore when the 1600+ XP costs just $53. That extra $10 will provide a significant difference in many programs.

 

[Electric Amish]

Originally posted by: minendo
I'd consider setting up the Mega Gamer with a AMD chip, but that is my personal preference.

At what speed do the Intel chips start out-running the AMD??

amish

 

[wyvrn]

Agree.

Originally posted by: dullard
I personally wouldn't put a 2.0 GHz P4 in the mega-gamer category. Spend the extra $33 and put in a 2.4 GHz P4 with the 533 MHz fsb.

On the low-end, I just cannot justify the Durons anymore when the 1600+ XP costs just $53. That extra $10 will provide a significant difference in many programs.

Clock for clock, they don't. You just paying for a higher megahertz rating, I believe. I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong.

At what speed do the Intel chips start out-running the AMD??

amish

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: Electric Amish

Originally posted by: minendo
I'd consider setting up the Mega Gamer with a AMD chip, but that is my personal preference.

At what speed do the Intel chips start out-running the AMD??

amish

A 2.0 is not a high end processor anymore, your high end should have at LEAST a 2.53.

Viper GTS

 

[notfred]

Maybe you should buy everyone an X-box and be done with it, since every single one of your PC configurations is for gaming anyway.

 

[Electric Amish]

Originally posted by: wyvrn
Agree.

Originally posted by: dullard
I personally wouldn't put a 2.0 GHz P4 in the mega-gamer category. Spend the extra $33 and put in a 2.4 GHz P4 with the 533 MHz fsb.

On the low-end, I just cannot justify the Durons anymore when the 1600+ XP costs just $53. That extra $10 will provide a significant difference in many programs.

Clock for clock, they don't. You just paying for a higher megahertz rating, I believe. I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong.

At what speed do the Intel chips start out-running the AMD??

amish

After a bit more research, I've found that the AMD 2200+ is equivalent to the Intel 2.4Ghz and $40 cheaper. To beat the 2200+ with Intel, I'd have to go into $400+ cpu range....

Maybe you should buy everyone an X-box and be done with it, since every single one of your PC configurations is for gaming anyway.

The one I'm currently building is for gaming, at some level. That's what they asked for. If they ask for an office PC, I build an office PC. It's just there are so many configs for gaming. Office PC's aren't that divergent.

Besides, gaming on a console sucks.

amish

 

[Electric Amish]

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