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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.
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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 | |
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$500
Budget System Parts List |
May
2009 | |
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Avg. Price* |
Description / Model No. |
 |
Review |
|
$70 |
AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000 2.7GHz Processor |
Get $ Price |
- |
|
$52 |
Jetway JM26GT4 AM2 Motherboard |
- |
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$120 |
HIS Hightech Radeon HD 4770 |
Get $ Price |
Click |
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$28 |
G.Skill 2GB DDR2 800MHZ Memory |
Get $ Price |
- |
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$61 |
Seagate 500GB 7200.12 Hard Drive |
Get $ Price |
- |
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$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 |
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- |
Also Consider: Keyboard, Mouse, 3.5" Floppy Drive, 56K Modem,
Speakers. |
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$525 |
Estimated Overall Price |
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| * 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 |
|
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$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 |
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$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 |
- |
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$179 |
LG L26WTY-BF 22" LCD Monitor |
Get $ Price |
- |
|
($112) |
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Operating System OEM |
|
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|
- |
Also Consider: Keyboard, Mouse, 3.5" Floppy Drive, 56K Modem,
Speakers. |
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$1034 |
Estimated Overall Price |
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| * 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 |
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- |
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$90 x 2 |
Western Digital Caviar 640GB SATA2 7200RPM Hard Drive |
Get $ Price |
- |
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$34 |
Pioneer 216D 20X Optical Drive |
Get $ Price |
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$90 |
Cooler Master ATCS 840 Full Tower Case |
Get $ Price |
- |
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$85 |
Sunbeam PSU-HUSH680-US-BL 680W PSU |
Get $ Price |
|
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$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. |
|
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$1827 |
Estimated Overall Price |
|
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| * 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.
Contents of Article: PCSTATS
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