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PCSTATS May 2009 ShoppingList Assistance
PCSTATS May 2009 ShoppingList Assistance - PCSTATS
This system should be highly overclockable, thanks to the combined power of the Phenom X3 720 processor and the Radeon HD 4890 videocard, both of which have a lot of headroom for speed improvements... PCSTATS ShoppingList is a guide to help you get good PC gear, because it's filled with suggestions we'd actually buy ourselves.
Filed under: Business / Industry Published:  Author: 
External Mfg. Website: PCSTATS May 01 2009   Max Page  
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PCSTATS
May 2009 ShoppingList Assistance

Picking the right components for a new computer system or upgrade can be a daunting task. The PCSTATS ShoppingList is a guide to help you get good PC gear, because it's filled with suggestions we'd actually buy ourselves. Below you'll find three ShoppingList's which you can use as a general set of guidelines for what to get, or where to start looking. PCSTATS covers the basic components needed to assemble a full PC system and lists the average $USD price each part retails for. Use the ShoppingList as a guide to build a better "white box" system, or follow our recommendations to the letter - it's totally up to you.

The ShoppingList is updated on the 1st of each month so as prices drop and new computer hardware is released it reflects the changes. However, just because something newer and faster has come to market, it doesn't mean it's worth getting right away! Be sure to read the "Notes" section for a brief explanation of why some hardware made it onto the list, and why other gear didn't.

$449 Budget PC System
$999 Mainstream PC System
$2000 High-End Performance/Gaming System

The PCSTATS ShoppingList covers three different types of desktop computers to reflect differing consumer budgets, and requirements. Each system contains a full list of the most important hardware you'll need which is widely available in stores, or online. If you've every wanted to ask "what should I get", then the PCSTATS ShoppingList is your answer. Each list contains recommended hardware that we would actually consider getting ourselves. When we've reviewed the hardware in question, we'll also include a link so you can get an in-depth perspective.

PCSTATS Shopping List Assistance

$500 Budget System Parts List

May 2009
Avg. Price* Description / Model No. Review
$70 AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000 2.7GHz Processor Get $ Price -

$52

Jetway JM26GT4 AM2 Motherboard -
$120 HIS Hightech Radeon HD 4770 Get $ Price Click
$28 G.Skill 2GB DDR2 800MHZ Memory Get $ Price -

$61

Seagate 500GB 7200.12 Hard Drive Get $ Price -
$20 Lite-on 20x DVD Rewriter Get $ Price -

$38

LinkWorld Black Midtower Case w/ 430W PSU Get $ Price -

$120

ASUS K193D Black 19" Widescreen LCD monitor Get $ Price -
($112) Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Operating System OEM
- Also Consider: Keyboard, Mouse, 3.5" Floppy Drive, 56K Modem, Speakers.
$525 Estimated Overall Price
* All prices are approximations and are listed in $CDN for simplicity.

Notes: We put a little more power in your pocket for May, with a system that's fit for gaming with a Radeon HD 4770. Paired with the Athlon X2 5000 processor and you'll have a rig fit for mainstream gaming.

PCSTATS Shopping List Assistance

$999 Mainstream Parts List

May 2009
Avg. Price* Description / Model No. Review

$169

AMD Phenom X3 720 2.8GHz Black Edition Processor Get $ Price
$181 Asus M3A78T Socket AM2 Motherboard Get $ Price Click
$45 Kingston 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 Memory Get $ Price -
$300 Asus EAH4890 Radeon 4890 1GB Videocard Get $ Price Click

$61

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500GB Hard Drive Get $ Price -
$22 LG GSA-H54N 18X Write DVD Optical Drive Get $ Price -

$75

Sunbeam Freezing-Storm Black ATX Mid Tower Case 450W Get $ Price -
$179 LG L26WTY-BF 22" LCD Monitor Get $ Price -
($112) Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Operating System OEM
- Also Consider: Keyboard, Mouse, 3.5" Floppy Drive, 56K Modem, Speakers.

$1034

Estimated Overall Price
* All prices are approximations and are listed in $CDN for simplicity.

Notes: This system should be highly overclockable, thanks to the combined power of the Phenom X3 720 processor and the Radeon HD 4890 videocard, both of which have a lot of headroom for speed improvements.

PCSTATS Shopping List Assistance

$2000 High-End Performance Parts List

May 2009
Avg. Price* Description / Model No. Review

$296

Phenom X4 955 Black Edition Processor Get $ Price Click
$216 Gigabyte GA-M790FXT-UD5P Motherboard Get $ Price -
$143

Corsair XMS3 DHX DDR3 1600 4GB memory

Get $ Price -
$533 Powercolor Radeon HD 4870 X2 Get $ Price Click

-

$90 x 2

Western Digital Caviar 640GB SATA2 7200RPM Hard Drive

Get $ Price -

$34

Pioneer 216D 20X Optical Drive Get $ Price
$90

Cooler Master ATCS 840 Full Tower Case

Get $ Price -
$85 Sunbeam PSU-HUSH680-US-BL 680W PSU Get $ Price

$250

Asus VH242H Black 23.6" LCD Widescreen Monitor Get $ Price -
($199) Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate Operating System OEM
- Also Consider: Operating System, Keyboard, Mouse, 3.5" Floppy Drive, 56K Modem, Speakers.
$1827 Estimated Overall Price
* All prices are approximations and are listed in $CDN for simplicity.
Notes: You might have noticed a continuing AMD trend this month, prices have really dropped and AMD chips are simply better value for money right now. The high-end system should be a real powerhouse, and whether its gaming or content creation this system should be up for it.

Operating systems, keyboard / mouse, floppy drives, 56K modem, 10/100 network cards, and speakers are not listed separately or included in the overall target budget since they are very common requirements, or may not be needed.


 

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