Weekly Buyer's Guide: Cutting Edge System - March 2004
by Evan Lieb on March 3, 2004 12:57 PM EST- Posted in
- Guides
Video
Recommendation: 256MB PowerColor Radeon 9800XT (412MHz), DVI, TV-outPrice: $415 shipped
As we mentioned in a previous guide, ATI has had a firm grasp on the add-in desktop video market for quite some time now. While ATI's lead is quite noticeable at the low end and fairly noticeable with the mid-range sector, their lead in cutting edge isn't quite as drastic. It's still there, as even AnandTech has concluded that the 9800XT is more or less the fastest desktop gaming GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) currently available. Still, NVIDIA's 5950 Ultra closely trails the 9800XT (more on the 5950 in a moment) enough in current games in terms of speed and IQ (image quality) that it's pretty clear the 9800XT is the superior cutting edge product. That's why we recommend it today, with the manufacturer, PowerColor, yet again. With this card, you get DVI (if you have an LCD), TV-out, and 256MB of memory. The 256MB of memory will come in very handy with future DX9 titles, though not for quite some time. Overall, you're getting an incredible gaming card here. However, if you're curious about how to save a little cash without sacrificing much performance, we suggest that you check out a 128MB 9800 Pro (from any manufacturer you choose) for about $215 shipped. It contains half the memory (128MB instead of 256MB), which may hurt performance a little, but won't be at all noticeable in current games, and is only on average about 5%-10% slower in current games.
Runner-up: 256MB Leadtek GeForce FX 5950 Ultra, DVI/VIVO
Price: $390
The GeForce FX 5950 isn't quite as fast as ATI's 9800XT video cards nor is the IQ as good in current games, but where NVIDIA has done a good job is pricing. On average, 9800XT cards are $40 more than their GeForce FX 5950 competition. For a slight performance edge, that's not a small amount of cash. True, this isn't a video card for a budget system, this is for a cutting edge system, and so $40 may be insignificant in the grand scheme of things. Still, it's something to ponder if you have a certain dollar amount you don't want to exceed with this system. Anyway, Leadtek manufacturers the particular GeForce FX 5950 that we're recommending here today. We like this model's cooling configuration/style, bundled software, Leadtek support, and features like VIVO and DVI.
We'd be remiss not to mention that several high-end video cards will be launched in a couple months that should end up being considerably faster than the Radeon 9800XT and GeForce FX 5950 Ultra. Therefore, if you do not have an urgent need to build your system, we suggest waiting for the release of these new high-end video cards. It's not the end of the world if you build your high-end system today with a 9800XT or 5950 Ultra, both cards offer tremendous performance in today's video games and most future games. However, just be aware that something will come along in a couple months that will be much faster for the same price or less, depending on exactly what models are launched.
Monitor
Recommendation: Samsung 1100DF 21" (20" viewable) DynaFlat CRTPrice: $420 shipped
Not only does Samsung make a great mid-range monitor with their 955DF series, they make a great high-end monitor with their 1100DF series too. The 1100DF is capable of refresh rates of 75Hz at 2048x1536 and 85Hz at 1280x1024 and has a dot pitch of 0.20mm. Text clarity is very impressive, glare is non-existent, and gaming performance is top-of-the-line.
Runner-up: Philips 22" (20" viewable) 202P45 CRT
Price: $497 shipped
The 202P45 may cost $80 more, but its performance is nothing short of outstanding. The 202P45 has features like a max resolution of 2048x1536 @ 80Hz (1600x1200 @ 85Hz) and a 0.25mm dot pitch aperture grille. The aperture grille is what makes this monitor particularly special. Going by its word for word definition, the aperture grille is a series of vertical wires stretched vertically down the inside of a CRT to mask the beams from the electron guns at the back of the tube. What the 202P45's flat aperture grille essentially does is help to minimize the geometric distortion that users will see on increasingly larger screens, like this 22" monitor. With this feature, the 202P45 is basically able to display a more precise and accurate picture with sharp overall text clarity compared to monitors without flat aperture grille technology. Because of this feature, the 202P45 is truly one of the best 22" monitors on the market that doesn't force you to take out a second mortgage on the house.
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NordicNINE - Saturday, May 1, 2004 - link
Don't aperture grill monitors have lower quality text? I'm looking at a 21"/22" monitor also right now and almost everything I read states that aperture grill monitors may have better graphics and brighter colors, they have lower text quality.Since the 1100DF is a high end shadowmask monitor, wouldn't it have better text?
How is the color brightness compared to the Phillips and the 1200NF?
pieman7 - Monday, March 15, 2004 - link
Evan,Thanks a bunch for your ealier response. Still regarding the Philips 202P45: You mentioned it's 2048 x 1536 max resolution. Online vendors I've seen selling this CRT also list this as its max. However, at the Philip's web site (www.consumer.philips.com) it lists the max resolution as 1920 x 1440. Who's right? Have you or anyone else been able to actually get it to display at this resolution?
demonbug - Monday, March 8, 2004 - link
Speakers/Sound card:First of all, why not go with an Audigy2 Platinum, since this is a cutting-edge system? It costs more, but gives you so many cool input options that it seems like it would be a great idea - you seem to have put together a great cutting-edge gaming system, but it might be nice to give it a little more versatility.
As for speakers, as several others have done, I would suggest Klipsch Promedias. I've only got the 2.1 system (I've had it for years), and it kicks the ass of every other speaker system I've heard (though I must admit I haven't heard either of the two you recommend outside of a store). Additionally, according to published specs by both companies, the Klipsch speakers have significantly better frequency response than the Logitech speakers, and much better THD than the Creative Labs speakers (10%???? Thats the worst number I have ever seen).
If price is the reason you recommended the ones you did, fine, just say so. From personal listening experience, the Klipsch speakers offer incredible sound quality (for computer/multimedia speakers - still don't compare to a stereo), and while I haven't heard the systems you recommend, the specs suggest that the Klipsch speakers are quite a bit better.
Evan Lieb - Saturday, March 6, 2004 - link
pieman7,I've only used the 1200NF and PF2141SB, not the P225FB. The 202P45 isn't quite as good as those, but that's more of a personal preference. Gaming is just as good and 2D text clarity MAY be worse with the Phillips. Overall, very little difference and certainly not worth $100. At least, that's IMO. Every monitor, even monitors that are of the exact same brand and model, can be significantly different in performance.
pieman7 - Friday, March 5, 2004 - link
Evan,I seem to be one of many who is in the market for a higher end monitor and your high praises for the Philips 202P45 got my attention. This is the first time I've seen any reviews for this CRT. It meets my price range, but am wondering how it compares to other 22in CRTs I've looked at:
Samsung 1200NF
Viewsonic P225FB
NEC FP2141SB
These CRTs are at about $100 or so more expensive, but in your opinion does the 202P45 still hold its own as far as picture quality, text clarity, and minimal geometric distortion? If so, then the 202P45 would seem to be a no-brainer choice.
Your thoughts very much appreciated.
Brickster - Friday, March 5, 2004 - link
Posted by Fink:"I would agree that it would likely be best to wait for 939 and an FX chip in Dual-Channel unbuffered configuration if you want the best and you're willing to wait 2 or 3 months for the hardware to appear. For now, FX51 is still the top performer. "
I agree. I have two top end games coming out this month that I have been waiting a long time for. However, upgradeability with the upcoming 939 is going to be the way to go for me, so looks like I am going to have to wait longer for my upgrade -- It's definitely worth the wait.
Wesley Fink - Friday, March 5, 2004 - link
While I do agree with Evan that the 3400+ is the best upeer value in any system you can buy (the 3200+ is the best value cpu - period), I believe Cutting Edge means the best you can buy. Since you can build the best performing machine I have ever tested for only $486 more, then Wes' Pick for CUTTING EDGE SYSTEM:Athlon 64 FX51 $745 (vs. $418 for 3400+) +$331
Asus SK8V $209 (vs. $139) +$70
1GB OCZ PC3500 ECC Registered (2X512MB)$300 (vs. $215 for 1GB unbuffered) +86
The FX51 with Dual-Channel ECC memory is STILL the fastest system you can buy, and the Asus SK8V is the best-performing motherboard I have ever tested. This FX51, Dual-Channel ECC system is not a lot faster than the 3400+, but for only $486 more (Total $2701) you can have the ABSOLUTE BEST instead of almost there. It is also Dual-Channel, and all of AMD's A64 performance systems will soon be DC with the move to Socket 939.
Since Socket 754 will be gone soon, I would also weigh the fact that Socket 940 has more longevity than the 3400+ system and will likely be around a while longer and STILL be a top performer with either FX or Opteron.
I would agree that it would likely be best to wait for 939 and an FX chip in Dual-Channel unbuffered configuration if you want the best and you're willing to wait 2 or 3 months for the hardware to appear. For now, FX51 is still the top performer.
Wesley Fink - Friday, March 5, 2004 - link
While I understand Evan's selections, I disagree with some of them, based on my reviews published at AnandTech, and testing that has not yet appeared in reviews.1 - My pick for top Athlon 64 motherboard would be the MSI K8T Neo, with the AOpen AK86-L as an extremely close runner-up at a lower price. Both are exceptionally stable and overclock well, with the AOpen a better overclocker. The Asus K8V is a decent A64 motherboard, but it is not a good overclocker and is not particularly stable in my experience.
2 - The Asus P4C800-E is the ONLY motherboard recommended by both Corsair and OCZ for DDR550. It is the best performing, highest overclocking, and most stable P4 motherboard I have tested and would be my recommendation. The runner-up would be the DFI 875B LANParty, which is the second best overclocking board I have tested and is also exceptionally stable and performs very well in Revision 2 clothes. I would also give high marks to the SiS-chipset Asus P4S800D-E. All three of these selections also have PROVEN complete compatibility with Northwood, Prescott, and Extreme Edition.
VIAN - Friday, March 5, 2004 - link
Sorry for posting a question already answered with the HDD issue.VIAN - Friday, March 5, 2004 - link
The Western Digital Raptor 36.7GB 10,000RPM SATA? Isn't that supposed to be the loser with a false promise. The great performance that it hyped up was only shown up with the 74GB version. I think that the 74GB version would be a way better buy.No second Optical Storage? What if you want to burn CD to CD or DVD to DVD?