December 2002 Value Gaming PC Buyer's Guide - Page 6

Sound Card: SoundBlaster Live! 5.1 OEM

Current Cost: $25
Months on list: 4
Price Change: -$2

In the "why fix it if it ain't broke" department, we find our standard selection of the SoundBlaster Live! 5.1 OEM soundcard. While we'd love to upgrade, soundcards like the Turtle Beach Santa Cruz and the SoundBlaster Audigy are still a bit too expensive for our value system, and maintaining the SB Live! Value OEM spells good news for game support and low prices. This card keeps us within budget, the OEM version has all the features of the Live! Value, and adds 5.1 audio into the overall mix. With the SB Live!-based sound card, you'll also never have to worry if your new game will work on your system, or have to check the game box for API support. The Creative Labs SoundBlaster name is like gold for the PC gamer, and since it is a standard in the computer business, EAX support is prevalent in many current and upcoming games.

As both of our motherboards include integrated audio, those looking to save a few bucks may want to forego a dedicated soundcard entirely. We still like buying a separate PCI soundcard, but it is still nice to have the integrated option available if money is especially tight.

Speakers: Logitech Z540 5-Piece Speaker System

Current Cost: $53
Months on list: 4
Price Change: -$1

Like a system case, buying a set of value speakers shouldn't be an afterthought. Granted, we're not going to be nabbing a pair of high-end Klipsch Promedia or MidiLand speakers, but you can still get amazing game sound without breaking the bank.

The optimum method of determining your choice of speakers is to actually listen to a few sets, using CD and game music to make the final determination. We recommend buying a 3 or 5-speaker setup at minimum, with multiple satellites and one subwoofer. A greater number of speakers and Dolby 4.1 or 5.1 support will help differentiate 3D sounds, and the subwoofer will really make you feel the base tones and enhance your overall gaming experience.

Logitech has certainly impressed the power users with their Z560 speaker set, but for the more budget-conscious, the Logitech Z540 5-Piece Speaker System is sure to please. The Z540 speaker set is the baby brother to the powerful Z560's, and while the overall power specs may not match up to the higher-end model, but it is virtually impossible to find a better speaker set in this price range. That is, unless Logitech does like the company did with the Logitech Z-680, and releases the rumored 5.1 upgrade to the Z540 speakers.

Communications Device

For our Value Gaming PC, you're going to have to make the tough choice between adding a modem or NIC, since the budget simply doesn't allow for both .

Modem: Creative Labs Modem Blaster 56K

Current Cost: $20
Months on list: 11
Price Change: +$1

We realize that many are still using dial-up for their Internet access, so for the choice of modem, the basic goal is to select a name brand part with hardware support for V.90/56K access. The Creative Labs Modem Blaster 56K more than fits the bill but just make sure to get the hardware version, rather than going cheap on a Winmodem.

Or...

NIC: LinkSys LNE100TX Ver. 5.1 Retail

Current Cost: $19
Months on list: 2
Price Change: $0

With the move to Windows XP, we're looking for a combination of compatibility and performance in our NIC pick. We've been very impressed with the LinkSys LNE100TX network card, and find it just as easy to setup as a D-Link, but with a higher quality design and slightly better performance. The D-Link DFE-530TX is still a great bet, especially if need to really pinch the pennies. Both offer seamless support under Windows XP and will more than foot the bill for online or LAN gaming.