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Sharky Extreme : Monthly Value Gaming System Buyer's Guide |
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Monthly Value Gaming System Buyer's Guide |
May Value Gaming PC Buyer's Guide - Page 2By Vince Freeman May 12, 2003ProcessorsAMD CPU: Athlon XP 2400+ (2.0 GHz) OEM
Current Cost: $93 As we stated in the intro, we're looking to get as much initial CPU power as possible, and ensuring that each system has the juice for upcoming games. For AMD systems, this translates to the Athlon XP 2400+, which runs at a scintillating 2 GHz, and features the newer Thoroughbred B core. This translates into lower core heat at default speeds and increased overclocking, making the Athlon XP 2400+ a potent 1-2 combination. This evens the overclocking field between AMD and Intel, and provides some upward mobility in terms of Athlon XP clock speeds. We're also recommending buying the OEM version, which not only saves a few bucks, but lets us slap a 3rd-party heatsink-fan on for added cooling and higher overclocking. The Athlon XP 2400+ is a super buy for any value gaming system, and is a definite plus for the AMD side.
Current Cost: $158
It has been a long time since we first recommended the Pentium 4-1.8A for our value gaming guide, and it is past due for an upgrade. The problem is that Intel's price structure, which has experienced drastic cuts for the higher-end models, hasn't done the same for the lower-speed CPUs. So with a price of $125 or more for a Pentium 4-1.8A, we're going to spend a few dollars extra and hit the "sweet spot" at 2.4 GHz. The Intel Pentium 4-2.4 GHz offers a huge bang for the buck at the mid-range level, and its price is a far better value than saving $10-$25 and accepting a lower-speed Pentium 4. The Pentium 4-2.4 GHz is potentially the best Intel value right now, and it includes all the Northwood enhancements (upgraded 512K cache) and not only gives super performance at 2.4 GHz, but can easily overclock higher.
In terms of the Retail vs. OEM argument, we're going with the Retail version, as not only do you get a nearly-free heatsink-fan and whopping 3-year Intel warranty, but this also translates into receiving a sealed, totally untested CPU. We're going to have to make a concession later on in order to buy the Pentium 4-2.4 GHz, but we feel it's more than worth it in the long run.
Current Cost: $19
The Athlon XP 2400+ (Thoroughbred B) runs a bit cooler than the old core, but due to some cost savings in other areas, we've got the 10-spot necessary to upgrade our CPU cooling. The ThermalTake Volcano 9 is an enhanced version of the tried-and-true Volcano 7, with much the same design, but in a more streamlined format. The heatsink is an aluminum-copper core hybrid, and allows for maximum heat exchange between the CPU and the copper core, while making use of the excellent heat dissipation properties of aluminum. This also allows the Volcano 9 to fit our budget, as pure copper models are a bit out of our league. This model is rated up to the Athlon XP 2800+, thus giving us additional overclocking headroom for just a bit more cash. The ThermalTake Volcano 9 features an upgraded SmartFan II cooling system, which includes an external temperature sensor (mounted to the CPU core) & fan speed control. This sensor monitors core temperatures and can run as low as 1300 RPM (20.55 CFM) at 20 degrees C or as high as 4800 RPM (75.7 CFM) at 55 degrees C. This keeps core temperatures down, but also minimizes fan noise, especially in well-cooled systems where ambient temperatures are low. These CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) ratings are much higher than the old Volcano 7, and provide a more robust CPU cooling solution. It also looks great, and includes a 3-prong clip for added stability.
Current Cost: $0 The retail Pentium 4 processors continue to be a great deal, mostly due to the included heatsink-fan, which in some cases only cost a few bucks extra over the cooler-less OEM models. By going with the retail Pentium 4-2.4 GHz, we're naturally sticking with the bundled, retail cooler and giving this powerful CPU a chance to fit into our $1K budget. Even at 2.4 GHz, the Northwood core doesn't put a huge strain on the CPU cooling system, and the exact same retail heatsink-fan unit is actually hefty enough to handle even their higher-end 2.8 GHz models. This translates into stable operation at standard clock speeds, and safe overclocking to higher core speed levels.
Overall value is another great reason to spend a bit more for the retail processor, as it nets you a stock cooler and the package price is lower than buying an OEM Pentium 4 and then purchasing a retail heatsink-fan. A nice side-benefit to the Intel retail cooler is its incredibly quiet operation, and inside a sealed case, the ambient noise levels of the Intel cooling fan can be close to unnoticeable.
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