May Value Gaming PC Buyer's Guide - Page 6

Intel Sound Card: Integrated 6-Channel

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

We mentioned earlier about a concession regarding the Pentium 4-2.4 GHz, and this is the area we'll be looking to save some money in. The ABIT BH7 includes a very capable 6-channel audio solution, and although entail a bit of CPU overhead, the trade-off for 2.4 GHz of CPU power is more than worth it. Soundcards are also one of the most easily-upgradeable system components, and by going the onboard route, saving for a SoundBlaster Audigy2 (or similar) high-end soundcard is not only a viable option, but we also haven't spent any money on a soundcard that would need to be tossed afterwards. For anyone on a tight budget, sticking with on-board sound option makes sense now, and in respect to future upgrades.

AMD Sound Card: SoundBlaster Live! 5.1 OEM

Current Cost: $25
Months on list: 6
Price Change: $0

The same route is open to the AMD side, and the MSI nForce2 board also includes onboard 6-channel audio. Then again, we've got some extra cash left over, so picking the SoundBlaster Live! 5.1 OEM soundcard is a very safe bet. But like our Intel selection, determine your future upgrade plan, and decide whether sticking with the onboard audio now, and upgrading higher later, might not be the best choice. Our choice of the SoundBlaster Live! 5.1 OEM reflects a longer-term view and the position of keeping the system configuration consistent for years to come.

We'd love to go a bit higher on the scale, 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. The SB Live! 5.1 Value OEM is a good compromise, and keeps us within budget. 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. The OEM version has all the features of the Live! Value, and adds 5.1 audio into the overall mix.

Speakers: Logitech Z-640 6-Piece Speaker System

Current Cost: $60
Months on list: 2
Price Change: $0

Like a system case, buying a set of value speakers shouldn't be an afterthought, and although 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.

Since both Intel and AMD systems sport 6-channel audio, the value-priced Logitech Z-640 speaker set is a super buy and pays off with a whole of power for the price, with 5.1 support to boot. The Logitech Z-640 speaker set is the baby brother to the impressive 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.

Communications Device

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

NIC: Integrated

Current Cost: $0
Months on list: 2
Price Change: N/A

Both the MSI and ABIT motherboards feature integrated 10/100 LAN options, and making use of this freebie saves us a few dollars, which we gladly used on some higher-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 our last guide, we have deleted the modem recommendation. Many readers pointed out (quite rightly) that most gamers 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.