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Sharky Extreme : Monthly Value Gaming System Buyer's Guide |
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Monthly Value Gaming System Buyer's Guide |
February Value Gaming PC Buyer's Guide - Page 2By Vince Freeman February 13, 2004ProcessorsAMD CPU: Athlon XP 2800+ (2.08 GHz) Barton OEM
Current Cost: $118 The Athlon XP processor selection has taken a slightly different turn, and at current price levels, the Athlon XP 2800+ is the definite winner. Last time out, it was a tougher choice between the Athlon XP 2500+ and 2800+ Barton models, but this month it's really no contest. What is a bit strange is the price differential between the Athlon XP 2800+ and 3000+, which is over $60 at publication date. This really means that the Athlon XP 2800+ may be the last stop for a little while, at least until price equalize somewhat. The 2800+ is more than fast enough, and we're not prepared to tone down some other components by $60, just to get an extra 80 MHz in core speed. The Athlon XP 2800+ may not be the overclocking champ of the AMD line, but it still has a lot of headroom. You also don't need to rely on overclocking for high performance, as the Athlon XP 2800+ is a super performer at default speeds, and it should be no problem to hit Athlon XP 3000+ or higher clock speeds when overclocked. The Athlon XP 2800+ also has a very high price-to-performance ratio, and may be the best overall value in the entire AMD line. AMD offers both OEM and retail versions, but we recommend going with the OEM model, not only to save a few dollars but also to add a more powerful, 3rd-party cooling solution.
We also should mention the value-leading Athlon XP 2500+, which also includes the Barton core, and is one of the top overclocking CPUs on the market. If you are on a very tight budget, this is one way to save a few bucks, and still get a nice performer that can easily match the 2800+ in overclocking. There's also no reason to go with either the Athlon XP 2600+ or 2700+, as these feature the older core with only 256K of L2 cache.
Current Cost: $170
This month we're taking a slightly different angle on our Pentium 4 recommendation, and it's due to the logjam pricing structure of the mid-range models. There's not a lot of money to be saved in the 533 MHz FSB 2.53 GHz to 2.8 GHz models, and the 800 MHz FSB Pentium 4 CPUs continue to have an associated price premium. So for our money, we decided to go as high as we could on the 533 MHz totem pole, and nab the Pentium 4-2.8 GHz. We didn't go with the Pentium 4-2.6C GHz (800), as it is higher priced, and offers only similar (or slightly lower) performance levels. In many cases, the higher clock speed is more beneficial than the higher system bus speed, especially when the Pentium 4-2.8 GHz is less expensive. The $170 retail price is also an issue, but since the mid-range Pentium 4 2.4C-2.8 GHz retail models hover around the $165-$175+ range, there's not a lot of room for cost savings. The higher price on the Intel side does require some concessions in terms of the system configuration, but it's a price we have to pay if we want to move above the standard Pentium 4-2.4 GHz (533) model. In terms of the Retail vs. OEM argument, the Retail package makes the most sense, as not only do you receive a nearly-free heatsink-fan and full 3-year Intel warranty, but also a sealed, totally untested CPU. These entry-level Pentium 4 models are priced higher than corresponding AMD CPUs, so any related cost savings are definitely a good thing.
Current Cost: $23
The Athlon XP 2800+ runs slightly cooler than the older, higher-clocked 256K L2 2700+ model, and features a base clock speed of 2.08 GHz. The basic cooling found in the AMD retail pack would be more than sufficient, but as we've got a few dollars to play with, going with a 3rd-party cooler is the best bet. We've got the extra cash, and we've allocated it for the Vantec AeroFlow VA4-C7040, which is a more substantial heatsink-fan solution.
The Vantec AeroFlow VA4-C7040 is a super option for value gaming systems, as it provides a nice combination of cooling performance and an affordable retail price. The VA4-C7040 supports up to an Athlon XP 3000+ speeds, and features a copper-core, AeroFlow heatsink design, which allows enhanced airflow around the heatsink and a more uniform pattern of heat dissipation. The cooling fan is also unique, and its TMD (Tip-Magnetic Driving) Fan allows for high-end speeds (5600 RPM) without increasing the noise too much (38 dBA). The Vantec AeroFlow is also a breeze to use, as it features a thumb-lever for easy installation, and a 3-prong attachment for added stability.
Current Cost: $0 The street price of the mid-range Pentium 4 line makes buying a retail model a virtual requirement. The price difference between the Pentium 4 OEM and Retail CPU models is almost nonexistent, and with the included heatsink-fan, we can actually save money compared to the OEM + 3rd-party heatsink-fan combo. The Pentium 4's bundled HSF provides excellent cooling for our Pentium 2.8 GHz, and given the extremely tight pricing structure at the Pentium 4-2.4C to 2.8 GHz level, the retail package allows us to stay within budget. The retail Pentium 4 coolers have passed our tests even at 3.4 GHz, and we have no problem at all recommending these for our value gaming system. These retail coolers provide rock solid stability at base clock speeds, and even have a bit extra left over for moderate overclocking.
Overall value is the best reason to spend a bit more for an Intel retail processor, but 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. These are also very easy to install and do not require any motherboard modifications or CPU socket adjustments.
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