March Value Gaming PC Buyer's Guide - Page 6

Sound Card: SoundBlaster Live! 5.1 OEM

Current Cost: $25
Months on list: 5
Price Change: $0

Before we start off the soundcard section, let's cover off an important consideration. Our first inclination was to use the on-board audio found on both the MSI and Soyo motherboards, thereby saving some cash. These audio solutions will provide gaming and multimedia audio, but do entail a bit of CPU overhead. After checking out our budget, we found that there was some money left over for a dedicated soundcard, and since this model sports some of the lowest CPU utilization scores around, we have it as the default option. Just remember that if you're on a tight budget, don't hesitate to stick with the on-board sound, and potentially upgrade it at a later date.

For a bit more gaming juice, we're sticking with our standard selection of the SoundBlaster Live! 5.1 OEM soundcard. The need to upgrade is clear, but more robust soundcards like the Turtle Beach Santa Cruz and the SoundBlaster Audigy/Audigy2 are still a bit too expensive for our value system, and maintaining the SB Live! 5.1 Value OEM is a good compromise, especially when matched with 5.1 speakers. 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 a gold standard for the PC gamer, and since it is a standard in the computer business, EAX support is prevalent in many current and upcoming games.

Speakers: Logitech Z-640 6-Piece Speaker System

Current Cost: $60
Months on list: New
Price Change: N/A

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.

In yet another upgrade to our value gaming guide, we managed to slide the Logitech Z-640 speaker set in, and it pays off with a whole of power for the price, and 5.1 support to boot. The Z-640 speaker set is the baby brother to the upgraded Z-680's, and while the overall 70W power specs may not match up to the higher-end model, it's tough to find a better speaker set in this price range. The Logitech Z-640 is not only a nice 5.1 speaker upgrade on the previous Logitech Z-540 set, it also ramps up the output from 40W to 70W.

Note: If you purchase this set of speakers by March 31, there is a $20 USD rebate offer (go to the Logitech Z-640 page), that incidentally, has not been taken into consideration with our listed price.

Communications Device

For our Value Gaming PC, we've taken the advice of our readers and toned down the options here, in order to make better use of our budget and squeeze as much performance as possible.

NIC: Integrated

Current Cost: $0
Months on list: New
Price Change: N/A

Both the MSI and Soyo motherboards feature integrated LAN options, and making use of this freebie saves us a few dollars, which we used to upgrade some performance components. This is just smart business when it comes to a value gaming PC, and there is really no difference between a low-end NIC and the integrated 10/100 LAN found on these motherboards. Both are fully supported under Windows XP and will more than foot the bill for Internet use or LAN gaming.

As of this guide, we won't be making a modem recommendation, as many readers pointed out (quite astutely) that most people upgrading already own some of the basic external devices like a modem, printer or scanner (or are on cable/DSL and require only the LAN connection), and the money could be put to better use elsewhere. If you do require a modem, the Creative Labs Modem Blaster 56K is a great bet, and count on laying down $15-$20 for a new model.