PC Buying Guide - August 2008

SidhuPunjab · #1 (**permalink**) 1 Aug 08, 05:00 PM

Techenclave PC Buying Guide August 08

The price slash continues for the gamer community with one major GPU release after another. Finally we have a reason to invest in a gaming PC once again due to advent of mega titles like GRID, Mass Effect and a lot more to follow.. Today, let's take a look at an differant level setup's which will let you play the games at good frame rate acc. to money spent, We make sure u get best bang for buck. So let's get rolling. Version 8.08 - August 2008

General Purpose Office Machine + 24/7 Downloading (Budget 15k)

Motherboard: Biostar GF7050V-M7 2.2k
Processor: Intel Celeron 420 1.4k
RAM: Transcend 1GB DDR2 667MHz .9k
GPU: Onboard N.A.
HDD: Seagate 160GB SATAII 1.9k
Cabinet: Zebronics Bijli ATX w/ bundled 400W SMPS 1.7k
SMPS: N.A.
Optical Drive: L.G. H62N 20x IDE / Samsung 203B/D 20x SATA 1.2k
Speakers: Creative SBS 2.0 .5k
Monitor: L.G. 17" 700E 4.5k (Better use KVM Switch if U have Primary rig)
Keyboard: Samsung Pleomax .2k
Mouse: Logitech Optical .4k

Multimedia Rig (Budget 27k)

Motherboard: Biostar 780G 4k
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ 2.8k
RAM: Transcend 2X1GB DDR2 800MHz 1.8k
HDD: Seagate 250GB ST3250310AS SATAII 2.2k
Cabinet: CM Elite 330 + CM Extreme Plus 390W (Combo) 2.75k
SMPS: CM Elite 330 + CM Extreme Plus 390W (Combo)
Optical Drive: L.G. H62N 20x IDE / Samsung 203B/D 20x SATA 1.2k
Speakers: Creative Inspire 2.1 M2600 1.8k
Monitor: ViewSonic 19" VG1930WM / Dell SE198WFP / L.G. L194WT 8.5k
Keyboard: Samsung Pleomax .2k
Mouse: Logitech Optical .4k

General Purpose Home Machine + Casual Gamer (Budget 33k)

Motherboard: Biostar TP35D2-A7 4.5k
Processor: Intel Pentium Dual Core E2160 2.4k
RAM: Transcend 2X1GB DDR2 800MHz 1.8k
GPU: XFX 8600GT 256MB GDDR3 4.2k
HDD: Seagate 250GB ST3250310AS SATAII 2.3k
Cabinet: CM Elite 330 + CM Extreme Plus 460W (Combo) 3.7k
SMPS: CM Elite 330 + CM Extreme Plus 460W (Combo)
Optical Drive: L.G. H62N 20x IDE / Samsung 203B/D 20x SATA 1.2k
Speakers: Creative Inspire 2.1 M2600 1.8k
Monitor: ViewSonic 19" VG1930WM / Dell SE198WFP / L.G. L194WT 8.5k
Keyboard: Samsung Pleomax .2k
Mouse: Logitech Optical .4k

Low End Gaming Rig (Budget 40k)

Motherboard: Biostar TP35D2-A7 4.5k
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E5200 3.7k
Cooling: Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro 1.6k
RAM: Transcend 2X1GB DDR2 800MHz 1.8k
GPU: ZOTAC 9500GT 512MB GDDR3 4.9k
HDD: Seagate 7200.11 500GB ST3500320AS SATAII 3.5k
Cabinet: Cooler Master Elite 33X ATX 1.7k
SMPS: Corsair VX 450W 3.2k
Optical Drive: L.G. H62N 20x IDE / Samsung 203B/D 20x SATA 1.2k
Speakers: Altech Lansing VS4121 2.6k
Monitor: ViewSonic 19" VG1930WM / Dell SE198WFP / L.G. L194WT 8.5k
Keyboard: Logitech Multimedia .5k
Mouse: Logitech MX518 1.35k

Low End Gaming Rig (Budget 45k)

Motherboard: Abit IP35-E 5.4k
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 5.3k
Cooling: Cooler Master Hyper 212 2.1k
RAM: Transcend 2X1GB DDR2 800MHz 1.8k
GPU: Zotac 9800GT 512MB GDDR3 9k
HDD: Seagate 7200.11 500GB ST3500320AS SATAII 3.5k
Cabinet: Cooler Master Elite 33X ATX 1.7k
SMPS: Corsair VX 450W 3.2k
Optical Drive: L.G. H62N 20x IDE / Samsung 203B/D 20x SATA 1.2k
Speakers: Altech Lansing VS4121 2.6k
Monitor: ViewSonic 19" VG1930WM / Dell SE198WFP / L.G. L194WT 8.5k
Keyboard: Logitech Multimedia .5k
Mouse: Logitech MX518 1.35k

Med End Gaming Rig + 3D Work (Budget 75k)

Motherboard: Asus P5Q 7.5k
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 9.4k
Cooling: Xigmatech S283 HDT 2.4k
RAM: Transcend 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2 800MHz 3.6k
GPU: Palit HD 4850 512MB GDDR3 11.5k
HDD: Western Digital 640GB SATAII 4k
Cabinet: Cooler Master 590 ATX 3.6k
SMPS: Corsair TX 650W 6k
Optical Drive: L.G. H62N 20x IDE / Samsung 203B/D 20x SATA 1.2k
Speakers: Altech Lansing MX5021 6.5k
Monitor: Dell 22" US2208WFP / SP2208WFP / L.G. L226WTQ 12-15k
Keyboard: Logitech Multimedia .5k
Mouse: Logitech MX518 1.35k
Mouse Pad: Razer Mantis Speed/Control 1.1k

Med End Gaming Rig (Budget 75k)

Motherboard: Asus P5Q 7.5k
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 7.6k
Cooling: Xigmatech S283 HDT 2.4k
RAM: Transcend 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2 800MHz 3.6k
GPU: Palit HD 4850 512MB GDDR3 11.5k
HDD: Western Digital 640GB SATAII 4k
Cabinet: Cooler Master 590 ATX 3.6k
SMPS: Corsair TX 650W 6k
Optical Drive: L.G. H62N 20x IDE / Samsung 203B/D 20x SATA 1.2k
Speakers: Altech Lansing MX5021 6.5k
Monitor: Dell 22" US2208WFP / SP2208WFP / L.G. L226WTQ 12-15k
Keyboard: Logitech Multimedia .5k
Mouse: Logitech MX518 1.35k
Mouse Pad: Razer Mantis Speed/Control 1.1k

Med End Gaming Rig (Budget 90k)

Motherboard: Asus P5Q PRO 8.5k
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 8.6k
Cooling: Xigmatech S283 HDT 2.4k
RAM: Gskill 4GB (2 x 2GB) 1000MHz 5k
GPU: Sapphire/GeCube/Powercolor HD 4870 512MB GDDR3 or EVGA/XFX/BFG GTX260 896MB 16k (KMD Route)
HDD: Western Digital 640GB SATAII 4k
Cabinet: Cooler Master 690 ATX 4k
SMPS: Corsair TX 650W 6k
Optical Drive: L.G. H62N 20x IDE / Samsung 203B/D 20x SATA 1.2k
Speakers: Altech Lansing MX5021 6.5k
Monitor: Dell 24" E248WFP 18-20k
Keyboard: Logitech Multimedia .5k
Mouse: Logitech MX518 1.3k
Mouse Pad: Razer Mantis Speed/Control 1.1k

Med - High End Gaming Rig (130k)

Preferred -

Motherboard: Asus P5Q E/Deluxe 10/11.5k
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 15k
Cooling: Xigmatech S283 HDT 2.4k
RAM: Gskill 4GB (2 x 2GB) 1000MHz 5k
GPU: Palit HD 4850 512MB GDDR3 X 2 CROSSFIRE 23k
HDD: Western Digital 640GB SATAII 4k
Cabinet: Cooler Master Stacker 830 Evo 13k
SMPS: Corsair TX 750W / Tagan BZ 800W 7.5-8.5k
Optical Drive: L.G. H62N 20x IDE / Samsung 203B/D 20x SATA 1.2k
Speakers: Logitech Z-5500 5.1Ch 18k
Monitor: Dell 24" US2408WFP / LG 24" L246WP
Keyboard: Logitech G15
Mouse: SteelSeries Ikari Optical 3.9k
Mouse Pad: SteelSeries QcK Mousepad .85k

Alternative Option -

Motherboard: EVGA 750i SLi FTW 11k
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 15k
Cooling: Xigmatech S283 HDT 2.4k
RAM: Gskill 4GB (2 x 2GB) 1000MHz 5k
GPU: EVGA/BFG/XFX 9800GTX 512MB GDDR3 SLi 22k (KMD Route)
HDD: Western Digital 640GB SATAII 4k
Cabinet: Cooler Master Stacker 830 Evo 13k
SMPS: Corsair TX 750W / Tagan BZ 800W 7.5-8.5k
Optical Drive: L.G. H62N 20x IDE / Samsung 203B/D 20x SATA 1.2k
Speakers: Logitech Z-5500 5.1Ch 18k
Monitor: Dell 24" US2408WFP / LG 24" L246WP
Keyboard: Logitech G15
Mouse: SteelSeries Ikari Optical 3.9k
Mouse Pad: SteelSeries QcK Mousepad .85k

High End Gaming Rig

Preferred -

Motherboard: Gigabyte X48-DQ6
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad QX9650
Cooling: Custom Water Cooled
RAM: OCZ FLEX II (2 x 2GB) DDR2 1150MHz
GPU: HD 4870 512MB GDDR5 X 2 CROSSFIRE
HDD: Seagate 500GB 7200.11 X 2 RAID 0, Western Digital 640GB SATAII
Cabinet: Cooler Master Cosmos S
SMPS: Corsair HX 1000W
Optical Drive: Pioneer 20x IDE
Secondary: LITE-ON SATA Blu-ray DVD-ROM
Speakers: Custom Audio Setup
Moniter: Dell 30" 3008WFP
Mouse Pad: Razer Goliathus Large

Alternative Option -

Motherboard: EVGA 790i Ultra SLi
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad QX9650
Cooling: Custom Water Cooled
RAM: GSkill (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1600MHz
GPU: EVGA/BFG/XFX GTX280 SLi
HDD: Seagate 500GB 7200.11 X 2 RAID 0, Western Digital 640GB SATAII
Cabinet: Cooler Master Cosmos S
SMPS: Corsair HX 1000W
Optical Drive: Pioneer 20x IDE
Secondary: LITE-ON SATA Blu-ray DVD-ROM
Speakers: Custom Audio Setup
Moniter: Dell 30" 3008WFP
Mouse Pad: Razer Goliathus Large

Home Theater Enthusiast (Hybrid Crossfire)

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-S2H 5k
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800+ 3.5k
RAM: Gskill 2X1GB DDR2 800MHz 2.5k
GPU: Gecube HD3450 256MB GDDR2 2.8k
HDD: Western Digital 640GB SATAII 4.3k
Cabinet: Zebronics Pro Cube mATX
TV Tuner: Hauppauge PVR 150 + MCE Remote
SMPS: Corsair VX 450W 3.5k
Optical Drive: L.G. H62N 20x IDE / Samsung 203B/D 20x SATA 1.2k
Speakers: AudioEngine AE2 2.0 9k
Moniter: Get Bigger LCD TV / Plasma for better enjoyment
Keyboard: Logitech Bluetooth Dinovo Ultra Flat Keyboard 3.2k
Mouse: Logitech MX Revolution 5k

Cost of operating system extra, TE is against piracy. Windows XP is most preffered OS rock solid, Vista if U have dedicated GPU + 4GB RAM. Linux is free of cost.

Discuss CONS & PROs of above configs here, UR suggestions r welcome.

funti · #2 (**permalink**) 1 Aug 08, 05:04 PM

hmm...I think 790i Ultra supports DDR3 and not DDR2. And no keyboard for high end gaming rig? I would suggest Logitech G15 to be included.

SidhuPunjab · #3 (**permalink**) 1 Aug 08, 05:08 PM

Corrected, thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by funti

hmm...I think 790i Ultra supports DDR3 and not DDR2. And no keyboard for high end gaming rig? I would suggest Logitech G15 to be included.

stalker · #4 (**permalink**) 1 Aug 08, 05:13 PM

another month & sidhu is back with another thread

good work man..

btw.. theres also a Zotac 780G motherboard for around 3.5-4k

Supra · #5 (**permalink**) 1 Aug 08, 05:29 PM

Good guide !

CPU prices needs to be updated. They are already in effect.Also HDD prices are also outdated! Altec lansing 4121 is nowhere available for 2.3k

eg E7200 will be arnd 5.4k or even lower as it has dropped frm 133$ to 113$
But lot of new options are there in mobo/GPU market !

For the 45k rig here is my setup with updated prices and bit modified config

Low End Gaming Rig (Budget 45k)

Motherboard: Abit IP35-E 5.4k
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 5.4k
Cooling: Thermalright Ultra 90+fan 1.9k
RAM: Transcend 2X1GB DDR2 800MHz 1.8k
GPU: Zotac 9800GT 9k
HDD: Seagate 7200.11 500GB ST3500820AS SATAII 3.1k
Cabinet: Cooler Master Elite 33X ATX 1.7k
SMPS: Corsair VX 450W 3.2k
Optical Drive: L.G. H62N 20x IDE / Samsung 203B/D 20x SATA 1.2k
Speakers: Altech Lansing VS4121 2.5k
Monitor: ViewSonic 19" VG1930WM / L.G. L194WT 8k
Keyboard: Logitech Multimedia .4k
Mouse: Logitech MX518 1.35k

SidhuPunjab · #6 (**permalink**) 1 Aug 08, 05:34 PM

Yea right Supra, but its better to post slightly higher prices, people called ma prices - imaginary, when I used to post pricelists. U missed to add fan to Ultima

Supra · #7 (**permalink**) 1 Aug 08, 05:39 PM

Added now...200 rs for the amigo fan

And ya ....its good to start recommending the CM Elite 330+ CM Extreme Plus 390W for 3.3k for low end rigs rather than the Jhansi/Bijli/Ghoda

Its better to go for the Biostar TA 780G boards than that Asus 780G priced insanely at 4.8k !

Also 8600GT needs to go now, when 9500GT is available !

For ppl not going for CF, P5Q is good enuf at arnd 7.5k, even P5Q-Pro at 8.5k saves 1.5k from rather going for the P5Q-E/p5Q-Dlx
Also check new AMD CPU prices , the AMD 5000+ sells fr 3.5k in bangalore
Phenom tri cores with Biostar 780G is also a good upcoming option

RoBoGhOsT · #8 (**permalink**) 1 Aug 08, 05:39 PM

nice guide once again

and the mid-high end config is almost same as mine lol

SidhuPunjab · #9 (**permalink**) 1 Aug 08, 05:52 PM

Done, Amarbir charge 2.75k for Elite 330 + 390W, and 3.7k for Elite 330 + 460W

Quote:

CM Elite 330+ CM Extreme Plus 390W for 3.3k rather than the Jhansi/Bijli/Ghoda

Supra · #10 (**permalink**) 1 Aug 08, 05:53 PM

Oh then much better....I quoted the price frm Funky's review

mutant · #11 (**permalink**) 1 Aug 08, 05:55 PM

guys, what will be better gpu for 3d works and video editing?
HD 4850
HD 3870
or the oldie 7900 GTX

No intention of gaming, just video editing and 3d works/rendering and stuff...

SunnyBoi · #12 (**permalink**) 1 Aug 08, 06:02 PM

Its Xigmatek S1283 BTW, not Xigmatech S283

SidhuPunjab · #13 (**permalink**) 1 Aug 08, 06:08 PM

Much needed correction, active member will easily know what i meant

There will be 10+ typos left, plz search them.

Thanks SunnyBoi

Quote:

Originally Posted by SunnyBoi

Its Xigmatek S1283 BTW, not Xigmatech S283

Gannu · #14 (**permalink**) 1 Aug 08, 06:11 PM

Good job Sidhu;

This'll also ensure constant Toscars every month start;

J/k;

SidhuPunjab · #15 (**permalink**) 1 Aug 08, 06:13 PM

Hehe n00b will find it difficult next month, w/ arrival of Nehalem

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunman

Good job Sidhu;

This'll also ensure constant Toscars every month start;

J/k;

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	TechEnclave Hardware Zone PC Peripherals
PC Buying Guide - August 2008 This is a discussion on PC Buying Guide - August 2008 within the PC Peripherals forums, part of the Hardware Zone category; Techenclave PC Buying Guide August 08 The price slash continues for the gamer community with one major GPU release after ...