****System Buyer's Guide****NEW UPDATE 12/01

[jpeyton]

Done with the high end. How about a sticky?

 

[dcdomain]

I agree, how about a sticky? jpeyton, very informative post, thanks for the work... and yes go Kerry/Edwards!

 

[sybert1ger]

Is there a good motherboard that could be put into the budget system that would have SATA?

 

[jpeyton]

Originally posted by: sybert1ger
Is there a good motherboard that could be put into the budget system that would have SATA?

Lowest priced one I could find.

Chaintech is a decent brand though. I have some of their gear right now and it works fine.

 

[So]

thumbsup;

Good job Jpeyton!

 

[ScrapSilicon]

Originally posted by: So
thumbsup;

Good job Jpeyton!

I agree and seconded on a sticky but probably won't happen tho..you might wish to add mechBgon's guide to 1st time building(good for even longtime builders as well )) ..

 

[jpeyton]

Thanks for the kind words. mechBgon's guide is added.

 

[Avalon]

Originally posted by: XietyCOM

Originally posted by: Mik3y
isnt there a reason anandtech updates their computer building guide every once in a while? well, nice job anyways.

sorry but anandtech's articles = :thumbsdown: for the last 1,5 years.

I'm starting to agree. I dislike all of Ananadtech's buyer guides. Nice work Jpeyton!

 

[jpeyton]

No sticky? I guess I'll just bump.

 

[jpeyton]

please sticky

 

[trexpesto]

STICKY! Or start jptech.com!

 

[trexpesto]

Originally posted by: sybert1ger
Is there a good motherboard that could be put into the budget system that would have SATA?

Don't know about that chaintech, but if overclocking mobile barton these are the preferred boards:
DFI NFII Ultra Infinity
or
Abit NF7-Sv2

The NF7-Sv2 has very nice 5.1 Soundstorm Audio > the DFI's realtek
The DFI has 4 sata connectors > the Abit's 2

Both are ~ $90 at newegg, 30 more than the Shuttle, so not Ultra Budget. I just got a AN35N deal with 2700+ Tbred I am going to OC.

 

[Ardan]

Wow, someone REALLY got the 997DF wrong. I'm glad you showed that it can do 1600x1200 at 75Hz just fine, because that is the truth. It also looks fantastic, especially in games and movies. There is nothing wrong with the 997DF, nothing at all. I'm glad to see you included it on your list, jpeyton! It is very worthy of a budget-conscious person's money.

By the way, I own the 997DF

Another thing i'd like to toss out is the $75 ASUS A7V880 KT880-based motherboard on newegg also is a very good motherboard. I got that a few days ago to move my old one into an upgrade for another PC (for a sibling) and it is very good. Overclocks very well too!

Good Job! :thumbsup:

 

[Pixle]

Awesome Reviews, The only thing is that I believe even a "Low End System" should carry at least an ATI 9600 Pro, maybe not the 9800 Pro. But it's worth a try to fit.

Pixle.

 

[trexpesto]

There was a 9500Pro to 9700Pro softmod I think.

 

[otispunkmeyer]

what are thermal take PSU's like? anygood

 

[Sonic587]

Might I suggest adding the 530W Fortron to the high end system? At $75, it's a great bang for the buck high-end part.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-104-968&depa=0

Great work, Jpeyton! I demand a sticky for this hard work!

 

[yankeesfan]

bump for sticky

 

[trexpesto]

The "Metallic Bronze" ANTEC Solution Series Super Mid Tower Case with 350W Power Supply, Model "SLK3700AMB" is 69 shipped - sale on newegg. The PSU is not the 350S, just regular smart power.

 

[Gamingphreek]

No. for highend system the only powersupply i would ocnsider is the OCZ Powerstream PSU's (and the Antecs of course).

(If you haven't noticed even AT has switched to the OCZ PSU's for their systems)

-Kevin

 

[jpeyton]

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek
No. for highend system the only powersupply i would ocnsider is the OCZ Powerstream PSU's (and the Antecs of course).

(If you haven't noticed even AT has switched to the OCZ PSU's for their systems)

-Kevin

Anandtech is getting a bit "corporate" lately though, so they tend to endorse certain products hard.

 

[Gamingphreek]

There is no doubt though that the OCZ PSU's beat all others. Although i have heard good things about Antecs new PSU's. Personally though i would go with the OCZ PSU's now especially with a 5 year warranty.

-Kevin

 

[jpeyton]

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek
There is no doubt though that the OCZ PSU's beat all others. Although i have heard good things about Antecs new PSU's. Personally though i would go with the OCZ PSU's now especially with a 5 year warranty.

-Kevin

Yeah having the pots on the outside is a big plus. I guess if they put out a modular one, it would be unbeatable.

 

[Zebo]

I don't know why everyone likes antecs PSU's. Thier 12V rail is very weak compared to OCZ's and Enermax's. All modern processors and graphics cards use the 12 exclusivly which is why I burned a true 480 to the ground when heavily overclocking with it's measley 22A.


Look here all the same price with two much better than Antec:

True 480 $87 Output: +3.3V@30A +5V@38A 12V@22A
Emax 460 $85 Output: +3.3V@35A +5V@35A +12V@33A
OCZ 420 $85 Output: +3.3V@28A +5V@30A, +12V@30A

 

[ScrapSilicon]

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