May Value Gaming PC Buyer's Guide - Page 5

Video Card: Sapphire Radeon 9500 Atlantis Pro

Current Cost: $160
Months on list: 2
Price Change: -$10

There are three main components in the performance mix, and we've tried to balance the CPU, motherboard and video card selections to achieve the best combination of price and performance. As with our previous two choices, the Radeon 9500 Pro is without a doubt the best mid-range 3D video value out there, and we're proud to have worked it into our value gaming system. This is a super-fast, future-proof product with more than enough power to make use of our CPU and motherboard configuration. While the Radeon 9500 Pro is still the de facto option, our choice is one of the very best models: the Sapphire Radeon 9500 Atlantis Pro.

Sapphire has a real winner with their Radeon 9500 Atlantis Pro, and it features 128-MB of high-speed DDR and its 8-pipeline Radeon 9500 Pro core includes all the DirectX 9 goodies it's known for. If we can't stop gushing about the card, it's for good reason, as the Radeon 9500 Pro can match the GeForce4 Ti 4600 frame for frame in standard gaming, and blows it away once anti-aliasing and anisotropic filtering are brought into play. Availability is also high, and Sapphire cards can be found at virtually all the large online dealers, and usually at an extremely attractive price.

Monitor 19": Samsung 955DF

Current Cost: $190
Months on list: 2
Price Change: $0

Our $1,000 budget presents the usual scenario of choosing a name brand 17" flat-screen monitor and a 19" standard CRT or lower-end flat-screen. As with last month, we're trying to worm in between the two extreme, and move to a 19" flat screen model that not only fits our budget, but has the features, performance and image quality we need. This is no small task, especially when looking for that perfect combination of image quality and low price that usually exists at the 17" range. There have also been some noticeable shifts in the flat-screen landscape, such as newer models replacing old favorites and some additional price increases in the area of 17" aperture grill monitors.

The popular Samsung 955DF is once again our value monitor of choice, and its 18"-viewable DynaFlat tube features a .20mm dot pitch and supports up to 1600x1200 at 68 Hz. This may be a bit low for some, but a 19" monitor is usually best viewed at 1280x1024 (or similar) and the Samsung 955DF offers higher refresh rates at that resolution. The Samsung 955DF is also an extremely popular model from one of the largest monitor companies, and has a solid track record. It also features MPR-II, TCO and Energy Star designations, and offers a full 3-year warranty on parts, labor and tube, making this a sound investment for your value gaming PC.

For those who still desire a Trinitron/aperture grill model, then you'll have to set your sights a bit lower to the 17" models. Sony offers an attractive option in CPD-E240, and Hitachi and NEC also have nice 17" flat-screens. The Samsung 765MB is a new 17" flat-screen using their Magic Bright technology, and its $150-$170 retail price makes it a nice option for the truly budget-strapped.

Please keep in mind that when buying any type or brand of monitor, there is always the slight chance of receiving a defective unit or a flat-screen with convergence issues, so be certain to purchase only from a vendor that offers liberal return and replacement options.