July 2002 Value Gaming PC Buyer's Guide - Page 4

System Memory: 256-MB PC2700 DDR

Current Cost: $50
Months on list: 3
Price Change: $0

Since we selected KT333 and SiS 645DX-based motherboards for our value systems, then in order to get the most performance out of these platforms, the few extra dollars spent on PC2700 DDR is well worth it. PC2700 DDR will not only help with overall performance, but 333 MHz-capable DDR can really come in handy when overclocking while maintaining high memory bus speeds. Overall prices are also quite close between PC2100 and PC2700, and given the full backwards compatibility of the 333 MHz version, there is really no reason to buy into PC2100 DDR. No matter which way you slice it, 256-MB is the maximum we can afford, though this should be more than sufficient for any Windows operating system.

Hard Drive: 40GB Maxtor D740X (Quiet Drive) ATA-133 7200 RPM

Current Cost: $74
Months on list: New
Price Change: N/A

The availability of the Maxtor D740X "Quiet Drive" models has really increased of late. What used to be an OEM-only part has exploded onto the online retailer world, and has become a best-seller at many. These "Quiet Drives" use a fluid-dynamic motor rather than a ball-bearing one, which decreases the ambient noise levels without lowering performance or raising the retail price. We're not prone to looking a gift horse in the mouth, and the 40GB model provides the storage space and performance that matches up quite nicely to our value system needs. The addition of ATA-133 support is the icing on the cake. Both of our motherboards support ATA-133, and while it may not add up to a huge performance boost, it's definitely a "nice to have" feature. Maxtor is also king of hard drive support, and uses a non-quibble replacement system that gets very high marks from buyers.