December Value Gaming PC Buyer's Guide - Page 7

Mouse: Logitech MX310

Current Cost: $23
Consecutive Guides: 6
Price Change: $0

There are quite a few very enticing high-end optical, laser and wireless mouse controllers on the market, many of which would find a good home in our value gaming guide. Unfortunately, price is a definite consideration, and although both Logitech and Microsoft offer cordless and/or laser units that would match perfectly with any gaming system, we need to go stick with a low-cost, wired optical model. The Logitech MX310 fits the bill perfectly on both counts, and represents a top-end mouse from a previous generation - which is usually a good deal for bargain hunters. The MX310 is a value-priced corded model with both USB and PS/2 support, and it features the very capable Logitech MX Optical Engine.

The Logitech MX310 was once the flagship of the Logitech gaming mouse line, and it continues to stack up extremely well at this price range. The MX310 design offers a silver-black outer shell, utilizing the standard 3-button + scroll wheel design, with extra Back/Forward buttons on either side of the mouse. This model also features an application switch button on the top of the mouse, which emulates the Alt-Tab function. This translates into six programmable buttons, all in a format that is perfect for either right or left-handed gamers. The specifications are also nice, with image processing of 4.7 megapixels/sec. and a scanning resolution of 800 dpi, which is almost on par with a Logitech MX510 mouse.

* 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
Consecutive Guides: 6
Price Change: $0

A keyboard is a very personal item, especially for gaming use, and we can only offer a very basic recommendation to get you started. It is best to test a few models out at a local store, and then decide which model is the right fit for you. Our choice again this month is the Microsoft Multimedia Keyboard, and more specifically, the newer model upgraded in terms of aesthetics, features and outer shell. In spite of the improvements and killer looks, this keyboard is still a superb value, and continues to be one of the more impressive entry-level keyboards we've used. This model includes a full complement of multimedia buttons all in a quality design, and for the price, you really can't go wrong.

Operating system: Windows XP Home

Microsoft Windows XP Pro remains a bit too expensive for our $1K budget, but since it is tailored to a more high-end/business system configuration anyway, we're sticking with Windows XP Home for our AMD and Intel value systems. Windows XP Home offers a gaming environment comparable to XP Pro, and even supports many high-end features such as Intel Hyper-Threading and dual core "logical" multi-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 Windows XP as well. We also recommend picking up the Windows XP Home SP2 CD, as these updates have created a more stable and secure gaming environment.

The approximate $74 street price 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 with your new system or bundled together with one of the 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. When buying a Windows XP CD, it never hurts to check out the available Vista upgrade plans, and possibly snagging a low-cost or shipping-only holiday deal if possible.

Name Brand Floppy

Current Cost: $0

We've taken our reader's advice and scrapped the floppy from our main guide. This not only embraces the future of PC design, but also saves us a few bucks into the bargain.

Of course, this is a guideline only, and for those who will feel more comfortable with a floppy drive, just slap down $8 and buy a basic name brand (Panasonic, Sony, TEAC, etc.) and be done with it.