Memory
Recommendation: 1 X 256MB Crucial PC2100 (DDR266) modulePrice: $35 shipped
Choosing the right type of memory for a budget system usually isn't too difficult nowadays. PC2100 speeds and CAS 2.5 latencies are common measurements of performance for memory modules, and are virtually the only two important performance-related factors when deciding to purchase memory, besides the actual size of your memory module (256MB is necessary for Windows XP). But if you can't spend a lot of money, performance should be the last thing on your mind when choosing memory. Price and reliability should be your only real considerations, in that order. For whatever reason, Newegg has stellar prices on Crucial memory modules, specifically the 256MB PC2100 kind that we are recommending here today. There are several other vendors in the U.S. selling 256MB Crucial PC2100 memory modules, but for more like $40 instead of $35, which is why we recommend buying from Newegg in this particular case. Though it should be noted that Nutrend and E-Wiz are selling 256MB Crucial PC2100 modules for under $40, they still cost more than Newegg's $35 shipped.
Anyway, with a $35 price tag, a reliable manufacturer in Crucial, and a lifetime warranty, there's simply no way you can go wrong with this memory.
Runner-up: 1 X 256MB Kingston PC2100 (DDR266) ValueRAM module
Price: $40 shipped
Newegg, Nutrend, and ZipZoomFly are three great vendors from which to buy Kingston memory. All three vendors are selling their 256MB Kingston PC2100 ValueRAM modules for roughly the same price, $40 shipped, give or take a dollar or two. In case you're curious, we're recommending PC2100 (DDR266) today because the Athlon XP 1800+ processor that we recommended runs at that exact same speed in terms of its FSB (Front Side Bus), 266.666MHz DDR to be exact. Running your FSB and main memory at the same speed is more often than not going to yield the best performance results, and is exactly why we recommend PC2100 instead of PC2700 or PC3200, not to mention that both of those memories are more expensive for zero performance gain anyway.
Video
Recommendation: 64MB Sapphire Radeon 9200Price: $58 shipped
The Radeon 9200 is the AGP8X version of the Radeon 9000. Be sure that you're purchasing a Radeon 9200 with a 128 bit memory interface and not the Radeon 9200 video cards that are floating around out there with a 64 bit memory interface (also known as the "9200SE"). Vendors may or may not make this information clear when advertising their 9200 video cards, as the 128 bit 9200 is significantly faster than the 64 bit 9200 in 3D gaming.
As far as the onboard video memory size is concerned, 64MB should be more than enough for the majority of video games out there, and certainly enough for budget users. Additionally, ATI's current series of Radeon video cards continue to maintain excellent 2D IQ standards, and this will be likely more important to buyers on a tight budget than gaming performance. So don't fear, the clarity and sharpness of your 2D text will be excellent with a ATI/Sapphire-made Radeon 9200 series video card.
Runner-up: 64MB Sapphire Radeon 9200SE
Price: $41 shipped
The only other possible budget card that we can recommend at this time would be ATI's Radeon 9200SE, which is exactly what we just recommended above, save for the fact that the SE has a 64 bit memory interface instead of a 128 bit memory interface. Again, the difference going from 64 bit to 128 bit memory interface is noticeable in terms of 3D performance improvement, depending on what games you play. But if you could care less about gaming, a 9200SE isn't a bad way to save $17.
Monitor
Recommendation: Samsung SyncMaster 17" Flat-Tube (model 763MB)Price: $146
Samsung's SyncMaster series of monitors are very popular for price conscious buyers. With a 0.20mm dot pitch, 1280x1024 max resolution, and 3-year manufacturer warranty, you're getting a good bang for your buck monitor. You can pick this monitor up at your local Best Buy if you don't feel like waiting several days for your monitor to arrive in the mail.
Runner-up: NEC Diamondtron 17" CRT (model FE771SB)
Price: $175
This is one of the lower end models of the famous Diamondtron series of monitors. Max resolution is just 1280x1024 and dot pitch is a mediocre 0.25mm. However, the clarity and viewable area (16") of this monitor are better than the Samsung SyncMaster 763MB, and at just $30 more. A nice little upgrade if you're willing to spend the extra dollars.
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kherman - Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - link
Love the article. I just wish a budget 19" was ercomended. That's probably the one major upgrade a budget user would want. Whether for gaming or office type work, that's an important choice.IMHO, in the future, several monitors of varrying sizes should be listed each week.
Just saying, in the future, consider multiple monitor sizes for each week's category that match the cost associated with that week.
I suppose the big argument is that for my needs of Office programs and occasional gaming, I need little more than a budget rig, but I still wanth te 19 inch monitor to give my eyes something big to look at. I suppose that's true for alot of 27 year old married people ;)
EXCELENMT REVIEW!
It's good to see these rig ideas again. Thanks for bringing them back. With time at a minimum, it's a VERY nice way to keep up with PC technology.
Karl
capodeloscapos - Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - link
I cant believe that the photos are BMPs!!!!! (who is the HTML editor of that page?)In my 56 K modem its really annoying.
Change it for JPEG, please.
Cygni - Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - link
I would have gone with a Duron 1.6 Applebred, a Shuttle AN35N-Ultra, and a Radeon 9100... but thats me.TrogdorJW - Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - link
Weird... I really didn't double-post that. Clicked once, got the first 20 posts, went to page 2, and there were two posts. I guess it was just a glitch in the system. Or maybe a Ghost in the Shell? :pTrogdorJW - Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - link
And no, I don't work for Newegg. That's just where I get all my parts. Personally, regardless of where you shop, I think it's best to get everything from one supplier if possible. It helps on warranty issues, and you usually save on shipping. I'm sure ZipZoomFly.com and several other places could end up at a relatively close price to what I list from Newegg.TrogdorJW - Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - link
And no, I don't work for Newegg. That's just where I get all my parts. Personally, regardless of where you shop, I think it's best to get everything from one supplier if possible. It helps on warranty issues, and you usually save on shipping. I'm sure ZipZoomFly.com and several other places could end up at a relatively close price to what I list from Newegg.TrogdorJW - Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - link
Actually, here's my take on a killer deal for a really good system. It has 1 GB RAM, 2500+, 80GB hard drive, 9600 video card, and 5.1 speakers. Anyway, it's a lot more than your budget system, but it could be downgraded (like only 512MB RAM and a 9200 video card, and drop the speakers) quite easily. For about $900 without software, or $1150 with shipping, two year warranty, and Windows XP Professional, it's more of the mid-range category. Still, I like it. I've built this exact system for one guy who only games occasionally, and he thinks it's great.Link:
http://secure.newegg.com/app/WishR.asp?ID=600488
TrogdorJW - Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - link
I suppose you should probably start by giving a definition of "budget" systems. For me, I consider budget to be around $750, mid-range to be $1250, and high-end to be anything more than $1500. $500 is a "Dell Special" where you end up going with the bare minimum for a new system. An extra $250 spent would have allowed you to double the RAM, double the hard drive, get a 19" monitor, and go with a nicer case like an Antec. Oh, well.My biggest complaint about the setup has to be the monitor, though. I'm not sure about the Samsung, but I have a ton of NEC FE771SB monitors at work. (Okay, 140 of them, not a "ton".) They're okay, but at $175, that's way more than I would be willing to pay. First, image clarity is not that great, IMO. Second, the "Super Bright" option is just plain stupid. I would have liked to see a 19" monitor like the Samsung recommend as a runner up. It costs $20 more, but getting a really good monitor can be a very long-term investment. It's the one piece of equipment that could actually last ten years or more! (I have a Cornerstone 21" monitor that I purchased six years ago, and I'm still perfectly happy with it. $550 then, and a comparable monitor still costs $400.)
So, here's my recommended monitor:
Samsung 955DF-T/T for $175
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?desc...
Shipping would add about $20 or $25, depending on where you live. (I'm west cost, but east coast might be significantly more from Newegg.)
Evan Lieb - Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - link
Actually, make that $135 OEM. Students get a discount on their OSes, but it depends on what university you attend. Check with your university book store.Evan Lieb - Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - link
Thanks for the comments guys.Yeah, there's a typo with the WinXP Pro price, it should be $137 shipped (OEM version). For some reason I didn't change that before posting the article.
As far as choosing the HDD is concerned, extra storage or speed really isn't all that important if it ends up costing more, this is a budget system. Though, I suppose I should have recommended the 9200SE instead, but that's why I put it in as a runner-up. :)