Buyer's Guide - Entry Level, October 2004
by Jarred Walton on October 6, 2004 12:05 AM EST- Posted in
- Guides
Speakers
Depending on what you want to do with your computer, there are a few different options in the sound department. We will leave it to you to decide which option fits your needs best.Office Recommendation: None/Headphones
Price: $0
If you are only interested in an office computer, you really have no need for actual speakers. Save your pennies for something that you will actually use, as the Windows beeps are not going to be missed. Besides, if you need sound at some point, you probably have a pair of headphones that you can plug into the computer. Should you change your mind, buying a set of speakers and hooking them up is about as easy an upgrade as you can find.
Office Recommendation 2: Altec Lansing 220 2.0 Speakers
Price: $16 shipped
If you want to listen to the occasional CD while you work on your taxes, or maybe play a few games now and then, these speakers will work well without costing a lot. They are pretty anemic when compared to something like a set of Klipsch ProMedia Ultra 5.1's, but at less than one twentieth the price, you cannot expect them to compete with Klipsch. You could also opt for a setup that includes a subwoofer, like the Creative SBS330 2.1, but then you are getting close to the cost of the last option with much lower quality.
Gamer Recommendation: Logitech Z-640 5.1 Speakers
Price: $56 shipped
If it seems like almost every Guide that we have written lately includes these speakers as an option, just consider that a sign of their quality. There may be competing speaker setups from other companies, but we have yet to find one that can match the price and quality of the Z-640s. Even Logitech has come out with several new inexpensive 5.1 setups that cannot beat them. There are better sounding speakers out there, but they typically cost three times as much, if not more. These speakers can get plenty loud, and we can personally attest to the fact that they work well while playing games and watching movies. Some of us have even chosen to forgo expensive stereo components and just stick with these on our entertainment system. The only thing that they really lack is a remote control, but that's just us being greedy.
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Gholam - Wednesday, October 6, 2004 - link
Why not use an nForce2 IGP or KM400 based board and dump the discrete graphics card? Also, $73 case for an office system is waaaaay too expensive - an HEC 6CS3 with a 300W PSU will run you $30-35.Scarceas - Wednesday, October 6, 2004 - link
Ozenmacher - Wednesday, October 6, 2004 - link
I think for a budget office system, someone staring at a monitor all day may appreciate an LCD since they generally have better text and do not flicker. In that case, you can find 15 in LCD's online close to 200 dollars with integrated speakers. While integrated speakers suck, they would suffice for the office user and would reduce clutter. In that case, maybe another recommendation would be to subtract the 16 dollar speakers and add a little money towards an LCD for a slightly higher price. If they are really hurting for money, they definitely could subtract the video card as well.ceefka - Wednesday, October 6, 2004 - link
I second that #8. I like this new style too. Thank you Jarred for going the extra mile.Zebo - Wednesday, October 6, 2004 - link
#7 the best kept secret in ram is the crucial 8T, which Mwave sells also in thier bundles. This stuff can and will clock to 250 Mhz FSB and low timings. 3-3-3 1T. I've talked about it in various threads before and pointed here: http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=328636to show it's outstanding charachteristics.
Zebo - Wednesday, October 6, 2004 - link
Excellent work Jarred.I really like the idea of and your explinations of "alternative" goods. Like the monitor, 512 ram and 9800 pro. It gives users who may value of aspect or another, while considering thier intended use, some good clues.
DrMrLordX - Wednesday, October 6, 2004 - link
Interesting guide. I may follow some, if not all of these recommendations soon, if I can actually bear to part with money for a new system anytime soon.I was wondering if you've noticed mwave.com's deals on the Chaintech board you recommended, paired with Athlon 64s and Kingston memory(I think they have a few other brands available). The price on the three components together is very cheap, and could serve as an excellent base for a budget gamer(or overclocker) system.
You can get the above-mentioned combo(the RAM is 1x512 megs Kingston PC3200) for $292 + shipping. You get a free Farcry thrown in as well, and you get a better CPU than the Sempron 3100+.
Also, AMD is reportedly going to be dropping prices across the board on Oct 15. Best to wait 'til then if you're going to buy an AMD system.
ilancas - Wednesday, October 6, 2004 - link
JarredWalton - Wednesday, October 6, 2004 - link
Calin, certain flash USB devices can apparently be configured to function in place of a floppy drive. At least, that's what I've heard - I have never actually used one personally. Like I said in the article, it's worth the $10 for me. :DCalin - Wednesday, October 6, 2004 - link
"and installing hard drive controllers for XP are a couple of examples that often benefit from the presence of a floppy drive"Hello, there is no other way to install a driver for an unusual controller - even in Windows 2003. If you don't have a floppy, you're out of luck
Calin