September High-end Gaming PC Buyer's Guide - Page 4

Memory: 2x1GB Corsair XMS2-6400 (TWIN2X2048-6400C4)

Current Cost: $316
Months on list: 2
Price Change: +$68

In our last guide, we finally consolidated the AMD and Intel platforms under the DDR2 banner, making our memory selection task that much easier. For a high-end gaming system, 2x1-GB of DDR2-800 as an optimum target, but there have been extreme price fluctuations of late, with many DDR/DDR2 modules and dual channel kits spiking upwards. This new pricing trend cuts across virtually all DDR2 sizes and speeds, so relative value remains consistent, and even though high-speed DDR2-800 and -1000 can be very expensive, we still feel it offers the best value. The $68 increase to the price of Corsair XMS2-6400 is hard to take, but we're sticking with it for now.

Corsair XMS2-6400C4 straddles the line between low latency and a high memory clock, offering DDR2-800 speeds, while providing low 4-4-4-12 memory timings at 800 MHz. This gives us the best of both worlds, and when it comes to high-end system memory, Corsair is one of the top names in the business. Our AMD and Intel processors can certainly make use of the low latency and extra bandwidth, while having DDR2-800 ensures we'll have some speed in reserve for potential overclocking.

The matched pair/dual channel kit is the de facto format for both our AMD and Intel systems, especially as this offers both a guaranteed match in dual channel mode, and a noticeable performance boost compared to a single DDR2 module. The best value still resides in the 2x1-GB range, even though the price of 2GB of high-end DDR2 continues to rise. DDR2 is the place to be right now, especially with higher-speed modules entering the market with regularity. The Corsair TWIN2X2048-6400C4 dual channel kit features two 1-GB sticks of high-speed, low latency PC2-6400/DDR2-800 memory, and can be purchased for approximately $316 through online vendors.

Hard Drive: 2 x Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB SATA 3.0 Gb/sec.

2 x HD ($104)
Current Cost: $208
Months on list: New
Price Change: N/A

The specific hard drive component has not been upgraded this month, as we're sticking with the updated Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB model. The 7200.10 drives support SATA 3.0 Gb/sec. (with NCQ), which is double the theoretical bandwidth of initial SATA 1.5 Gb/s hard drives, and fully supported by both our motherboards. Due to falling hard drive prices - the Barracuda 7200.10 320GB has dropped to just over $100 - we're suggesting a dual drive configuration, either in a RAID array for increased performance, or to attain a whopping 640 GB of total storage space. Even discounting the RAID performance benefit, this method is still an economical method of hitting 640GB, as Seagate 7200.10 400GB drives are priced at over $160 and the 500GB model sits at $225 or more.

The Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB drive includes a 16MB data cache, 7200-RPM motor, supports both SATA 3.0 Gb/sec. and NCQ, and has an average seek time of 9 ms. This model also supports Perpendicular Recording Technology, which increases the storage density of each platter. The Barracuda line is renowned for speed and quality, and Seagate is the top choice for the quietest and longest lasting hard drives money can buy. Seagate is also confident enough to back their products with an excellent 5-year warranty, and our own luck with their products has been exceptional.

DVD-/+RW: Samsung 18x DVD+RW/-RW SH-S182D

Cost: $32
Months on list: New
Price Change: N/A

New HD-DVD/Blu-ray format drives are beginning to appear, but prices are incredibly high, so it's only natural that a DVD+/-R/RW drive is where the majority of consumers will be looking. Drive prices are also at historical lows, so it's a great time to take advantage of the values. This month we have moved to the Samsung SH-S182D, a value-priced DVD writer with ultra-high write speeds for CD and DVD media. The Samsung SH-S182D offers writing speeds of 18X DVD+/-R, 8X DVD+/-R Dual-Layer media, 8X DVD+RW, 6X DVD-RW, 48X CD-R, and 32X CD-RW. The Samsung drive also has support for DVD-RAM technology, and can read and write it at 12X speeds.

Drive specifications include an EIDE interface, 2MB data cache, and 130ms DVD / 110ms CD access times. The price is certainly right, and at approximately $32, the Samsung SH-S182D is a steal of a deal that allows us to use the extra cash for other components. The Samsung SH-S182D drive is also available in either black or beige faceplate models, which allows flexibility to match it with your case.