June Extreme Gaming PC Buyer's Guide - Page 5

Video Card: Dual GeForce 6800GT 256-MB PCI Express

Cost: $718
Months on list: New
Price Change: N/A

PCI Express is set to replace AGP by the end of the year, and ATI and NVIDIA are unlikely to support the older AGP spec with their upcoming video cards. This month's Intel and AMD systems fully support PCI Express video cards, not to mention dual-card SLI. Since we are using nForce4 SLI-based motherboards for both our AMD and Intel system, we decided to take full advantage of this feature and include a pair of GeForce 6800GTs as our video subsystem. There was a little extra money left over on both our AMD and Intel system budgets, so increasing gaming performance by including dual video cards seemed the appropriate choice. While dual GeForce 6800GTs don't come cheap ($718 total - $359 each), our $4,000 budget affords us he opportunity to include the highest GPU performance money can buy.

NVIDIA's latest generation of cards based on the NV40 core is head and shoulders ahead of the company's GeForce FX-based line-up. Completely redesigned from the ground up, the GeForce 6800 Ultra features sixteen pixel processors with six vertex units, or more than double what NVIDIA's last-generation technology was capable of. This chip also has a number of advanced features, including 64-Bit texture filtering and blending, Ultra Shadow II technology, CineFX 3.0, and Intellisample 3.0 technology, which are featured across all of the GeForce 6800-based cards.

Monitor: ViewSonic VP912B 19" LCD Monitor

Cost: $494
Months on list: 2
Price Change: -$31

When it comes to a high-end CRT or LCD monitor, there are a few manufacturers that always make our short list. ViewSonic, NEC/Mitsubishi, and Samsung are among the world's best in terms of high-end gaming monitors, especially in terms of high-end 8 ms LCD displays. Generally, we like to invest a significant portion of our monthly budget on a good LCD or CRT monitor because it will likely be a long-term investment.

As the industry continues to move away from bulky CRT monitors, we have moved to an LCD as our main selection. Currently, one of our favorite gaming LCD monitors is the ViewSonic VP912B 19", and it includes both the screen real estate and features necessary for this class. The VP912B has a 450:1 contrast ratio, 400 cd/m2 brightness, and an ultra fast 12ms response time, making this one of the best 19" LCDs on the market. With a retail price of $494, this is also an affordable display, that doesnt give up anything on the features end.

For gamers who can't stand the thought of using an LCD, the Mitsubishi Diamondtron 22" DP2070SB-BK is an excellent CRT-based alternative. This flat aperture grill (the kind with two horizontal wires) monitor has a 20" viewable area, a maximum resolution of 2048x1536 at 85Hz refresh rate, and a .24mm dot pitch. Mitsubishi warranties the monitor for three years against defects, so it is important that you pick up the retail model for the full protection. Keep in mind that high-end 19" monitors like this are becoming increasingly difficult to find, but at about $600, it makes an excellent alternative to our main selection.

Sound Card: SoundBlaster Audigy2 ZS Platinum

Cost: $163
Months on list: 3
Price Change: -$1

For well over a year, the Creative Audigy2 ZS Platinum has certainly dominated the high-end gaming audio market. While this model is only a minor upgrade to the Audigy2, the ZS does add a few notable new features, including a better 108 SNR DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter), 7.1 channel support, the latest in EAX technology, and DVD Audio support. We are using the Audigy2 ZS Platinum edition again this month as the lower price affords us some extra budget to use in other areas.

The Audigy2 ZS Platinum includes a remote control and an internal drive bay that has a number of important audio connectors. In terms of gaming software, the Platinum retail box includes Soldier of Fortune II, and Hitman: Silent Assassin. For audio production there are Native Instruments - Traktor DJ Creative Edition, Ulead VideoStudio 5.0 SE DV, and Steinberg - Cubasis VST 4.0 Creative Edition + Wavelab Lite 2.0. The Audigy2 ZS Platinum can be purchased online for about $163.

Speakers: Logitech Z-5500 5.1 Digital

Cost: $265
Months on list: 2
Price Change: +$6

Currently, we see very little use in a full-blown 7.1 speaker system, especially when the 5.1 systems are where the high-end value resides, and many have matured to the point of rivaling true home theater systems. This month we are sticking with the Logitech's Z-5500 5.1 Digital system as it offers best in class audio quality without pushing out budget to the limit. Priced at approximately $265, the Logitech Z-5500 series speakers produce some of the most crystal clear sound we have ever heard from a set of desktop multimedia speakers.

Logitech's THX-certified Z-5500 speakers feature a total RMS burst power rating of 505 watts, and include an external DTS and Dolby Digital decoder. The system sports four 62W surround speakers, a 69W center channel, and an 188W subwoofer (505 watts total), along with a hip Digital SoundTouch Control Center with LCD display and other settings and inputs. These speakers are a perfect companion to the Audigy 2 Platinum, and the Logitech Z-5500 5.1 Digital is one of the best sounding and most feature-rich PC speaker sets we've ever used.