October 2002 Extreme Gaming PC Buyer's Guide - Page 8

Price Round Up

The Intel System

Case: Kingwin KT-436-WM w/ Antec 430W Truepower PSU - $258
CPU: Intel Pentium 4-2.8 GHz - $485
Cooling: Included - N/A
Motherboard: ASUS P4T533-C - $169
Memory: 1 GB MB PC1066 (256x4) - $420
Hard Drive: Western Digital 120 GB Special Edition X 2- $332
Misc: PROMISE FASTTRAK TX2000 PCI IDE Raid Controller - $92
Video Card: ATI Radeon 9700 Pro - $342
Monitor: Sony CPD-G520 21" - $695
Sound Card: SoundBlaster Audigy Platinum- $155
Speakers: Klipsch ProMedia 5.1 THX - $365
CD/DVD-ROM: Toshiba SD-M1612 16X DVD-ROM - $41
CDRW: TDK VeloCD 48x24x48 CDRW - $99
NIC: Intel Pro/100 S - $60
Modem: US Robotics External v.92 Faxmodem - $60
Mouse: Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer v 3.0 - $35
Keyboard: Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro - $35
Gamepad: Logitech Wingman Rumblepad - $24
Operating System: Windows XP Pro - $130
UPS: APC BackUPS Pro 500 USB - $130
Floppy: Panasonic, TEAC, etc. - $8

Total: $3,935

The AMD System

Case: Kingwin KT-436-WM w/ Antec 430W Truepower PSU - $258
CPU: Athlon XP 2400+ - $235
Cooling: Swiftech MCX462 / Thermaltake Fan/Shim - $68
Motherboard: Asus A7V8X - $150
Memory: 1 GB Corsair PC3200 (512x2) - $380
Hard Drive: Western Digital 120 GB Special Edition X 2- $332
Video Card: ATI Radeon 9700 Pro - $342
Monitor: Sony CPD-G520 21" - $695
Sound Card: SoundBlaster Audigy Platinum- $155
Speakers: Klipsch ProMedia 5.1 THX - $365
CD/DVD-ROM: Toshiba SD-M1612 16X DVD-ROM - $41
CDRW: TDK VeloCD 48x24x48 CDRW - $99
NIC: Intel Pro/100 S - $60
Modem: US Robotics External v.92 Faxmodem - $60
Mouse: Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer v 3.0 - $35
Keyboard: Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro - $35
Gamepad: Logitech Wingman Rumblepad - $24
Operating System: Windows XP Pro - $130
UPS: APC BackUPS Pro 500 USB - $130
Floppy: Panasonic, TEAC, etc. - $8

Total: $3,602

Closing Remarks

Both the Intel and AMD systems are hotrod PCs and will perform at an extremely high level. Due to the 2.8 GHz processor, this month's Pentium 4 system will enjoy a little bit more of a performance advantage than the last round. The unavailability of the AMD Athlon XP 2600+, 2700+ and 2800+ has created a gap between the two systems, in terms of what is currently for sale in the retail market. While the Pentium 4, 2.8 GHz wins out in terms of operating at a higher clock speed, and utilizing a higher memory bandwidth, the AMD Athlon XP 2400+ system counters with a lower price. Ambient noise shouldn't be an issue with either machine, because the Intel system is using an Intel stock cooler which runs remarkably quiet, and the AMD system is using a nice combo of sheer size and heft on the heatsink, coupled with a quiet running fan. Regardless of your decision, the owner of either the AMD or Intel setup will be one very happy camper.

In comparison to the previous guide, the Pentium 4 system has gained an additional 256MB of RDRAM, however we shifted back to 184 pin, 16-bit RIMM to get a bit more bang for our buck. In addition to that, we were able to squeeze in an additional 120GB Western Digital Special Edition hard disk drive, and a Promise FastTrak T2000 Raid controller. The AMD system has gained some CPU power, along with a new and improved motherboard. Both machines are now housed in a more attractive Kingwin case, and most importantly, are being powered by ATi Radeon 9700 Pro 128MB video cards.

Hopefully the next Extreme Guide will have more room for variety. The Audigy 2 will more than likely make an appearance, but we're also hoping that Klipsch, Cambridge, Monsoon, or Logitech have 6.1 speaker systems available as well.

* Please note that the prices in our guide do not include shipping costs or taxes. The final system price also reflects a "best case" scenario of finding an online vendor that stocks the majority of internal components, or having access to a number of local computer retailers for system quotes and comparison shopping.