March Value Gaming PC Buyer's Guide - Page 7

Mouse: Microsoft Intellimouse Optical

Current Cost: $15
Months on list: 19
Price Change: $0

Microsoft and Logitech both offer a wide range of optical and wireless mouse controllers, but while these may be economical for a mid-range system, it's still a bit pricy for our needs. A lower-cost, though rock-solid mouse like the Microsoft Intellimouse Optical is more in line with the budget, and other than a wire, there is little sacrifice involved. The Intellimouse Optical is similar to higher-priced Explorer mouse units, and shares the same high-quality construction, optical technology, and top-notch Windows XP compatibility. The unit's optical eye will also outlast any mechanical roller mechanism and doesn't require cleaning. This feature might come in handy in the middle of a hectic frag match, where pausing for even a second can mean utter defeat.

The MS Intellimouse Optical shares a great deal in common with the popular IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0. Our selection has many of the same features and ergonomics of the more expensive model, but is just a bit smaller and doesn't share the exact same aesthetics. The Intellimouse Optical is totally symmetrical in shape, and can easily be used by either right or left-handed gamers. The Intellimouse Optical also includes four control buttons and a mouse wheel, each of which can be customized to your individual gaming needs. The type of mousing surface is the only real point to keep in mind, as some surfaces (such as clear glass) may cause the mouse's optical eye to "jump" if moved quickly.

Microsoft Multimedia Keyboard

Current Cost: $15
Months on list: 9
Price Change: $0

A keyboard is a very personal item, and we can only offer a very basic recommendation. It is best to try and test a few out at the local PC shop, and then decide which one is the right fit for you. As for our selection, it's much the same as it is for the Microsoft Intellimouse Optical, and although we'd love to change it up, there's really no compelling reason. The Microsoft Multimedia Keyboard is a great value, and one of the more impressive $15 keyboards we've used. This model includes a full complement of multimedia buttons in a quality unit, and for the price, you really can't go wrong. Like with the Microsoft Intellimouse Optical mouse, Microsoft keyboards functions perfectly in Windows XP and the nifty extra multimedia keys can even be customized to your own requirements.

Operating system: Windows XP Home SP1

Windows XP Pro is well outside of our $1K budget, but is also tailored to a more high-end system configuration. Windows XP Home SP1 more than fills the requirements for a value gaming system, offers a comparative gaming environment, and even supports many high-end features such as Intel's Hyper-Threading. For current games, Windows XP is the only way to go, and virtually all new PC hardware and software runs at its best on Microsoft's newest operating system. New games use XP as the default operation system and driver support usually centers on either Windows 2000 or XP. We also recommend picking up the Windows XP Home SP1 (or SP1a) CD, as these updates have created a more stable gaming environment.

The approximate street price of $82 represents the cost of a licensed OEM Windows XP Home CD, and not the boxed retail version. This means that in order to get the lower-priced OEM deal, you'll have to buy the Windows XP CD alongside your new system or together with one of your individual hardware purchases. If you forget, remember that the retail version of Windows XP Home will cost significantly more, so don't blame us when you have to pay your local Best Buy quite a bit more than the OEM CD price.

Name Brand Floppy

Current Cost: $8

Although the floppy drive is rapidly approaching obsolescence and is being replaced by the CD, you may still need something to boot with, transfer small files, or even flash your system BIOS. Just buy a basic name brand (Panasonic, Sony, TEAC, etc.) for around 8 bucks and be done with it. Or if you're feeling confident, skip the floppy entirely and use a bootable CD to do your dirty work.