System Builder Marathon: $1,250 Mid-Range PC
Table of contents
- 1. System Components List
- 2. CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550
- 3. Motherboard, Cooler, And Memory
- 4. Hard Drive And Case
- 5. Power Supply, Optical Drive, And Video Card
- 6. Assembly And Overclocking
- 7. Test System And Benchmarks
System Builder Marathon, February 2009: The Articles
Here are links to each of the four articles in this month’s System Builder Marathon (we’ll update them as each story is published).
- Day 1: The $625 Gaming PC
- Day 2: The $1,250 Mid-Range PC
- Day 3: The $5,000 Enthusiast PC
- Day 4: Performance and Value Dissected
Introduction
Our second-to-the-last System Builder Marathon (SBM) enthusiast PC had the tried-and-true Core 2 Duo E8500 and our last system was equipped with the brand-new Core i7 920, so we have a really good idea of the strengths and weaknesses when comparing these two CPU architectures in similarly-priced systems. The short version of the conclusion is that the inexpensive and highly overclockable Core 2 Duo E8500 is still a great value choice when overclocked, as it leaves a lot of room in the budget for an expensive video card. While the Core i7 920 is the better choice for most CPU-oriented tasks, the relatively expensive processor and X58-based platform doesn't leave a lot of room for a high-end video card.
This month, we explore where the Core 2 Quad fits into the scheme of things. While Core 2 Quad processors can be just as expensive as the Core i7 920, there is an abundance of inexpensive motherboards with which to pair the processor. This leaves a lot of wiggle room for a better graphics card, among other things.
Before we go over the components, please note that, since the SBMs take a few weeks to execute, Nvidia's new GeForce GTX 295 was not yet available for purchase when we ordered the components (Ed.: tomorrow, you'll see that we cheated a little after ordering the parts right before the GTX 295 launched). Swapping out the Radeon HD 4870 X2 for a tasty new GeForce GTX 295 for the same price would have been a no-brainer, but the Radeon HD 4870 X2 will allow us to get a better apples-to-apples comparison with the E8500/4870 X2 system we built in November.
Let's look at the components. First, keep in mind that only a few weeks ago all of these components spec'd out at $1,244, which was close to our $1,250 limit. Today, the components add up to about $100 less, at $1,150. Primarily, we can thank the price drops of the Q9550 ($310 down to $274) and the Sapphire Radeon 4870 X2 ($490 down to $449) for the huge savings. It goes to show you how quickly prices can drop in the computer industry, especially when new products are launched.
| $1,250 Mid-Range System Components | ||
|---|---|---|
| Component | Model | Price (USD) |
| CPU | Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 | $274 |
| CPU Cooler | Xigmatek HDT-S1283 (& ACK-I7751 Retention Bracket) | $46 |
| Motherboard | Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3LR | $103 |
| RAM | G.Skill HK 2 x 2GB | $50 |
| Graphics | Sapphire Radeon 4870 X2 | $449 |
| Hard Drives | Western Digital Caviar Black 640 GB 32 MB cache | $80 |
| Sound | Integrated | 0 |
| Network | Integrated Gigabit Networking | 0 |
| Case | Rosewill Wind Ryder RZLS142A-P YE | $30 |
| Power | Corsair 650TX | $100 |
| Optical | Lite-On 20X DVD±R SATA Model iHAS120-04 | $22 |
| Total Price | $1,154 | |
Latest Build Your Own News
Latest Build Your Own reviews
- 30/03 – System Builder Marathon Bonus: Newegg Customer Choice PC
- 29/03 – System Builder Marathon, March 2012: System Value Compared
- 28/03 – System Builder Marathon, March 2012: $2600 Performance PC
- 27/03 – System Builder Marathon, March 2012: $1250 Enthusiast PC
- 26/03 – System Builder Marathon, March 2012: $650 Gaming PC
Forgive me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't the RAM be running at 850MHz as opposed to 800?
Looking at the Crysis scors - This systems are 13ish frames faster than the $625 system. Its a lot of extra cash to make the game playable.
Spelling and the grammars to be added in later!
For UK:
CPU: £235
Graphics: £350
RAM: £75
Motherboard: £90
HDD: £45
CPU cooler: £18
Case: £25
PSU: £65
Optical drive: £22
Total: £925
all this looks very good, but how do you play games on this with "NO MONITOR". A system comprises of a pc and a monitor surely?..
£925 @ exchange rate = $1320 approx..yet again tailored to US prices..
i give up on thw.uk..
Rephy, it's not as simple as an exchange rate comparison, you must also take into account our thieving government which has VAT @ 15% (if your lucky) and import duty costs. Again the government likes to gets it's cut and so you pay import duty on the VAT and also the shipping!
1)First and foremost; this article proves that the E8500 is the winner when it comes to games. How?! It achieved better FPS in crysis where every frame counts, while producing -though lower than the Q9550 and i7 920-perfectly playable FPS in the other games and it is cheaper and produces far less heat. Perhaps I will be wronged if THW showed us the minimum FPS alongside the average FPS, I know the charts will be more complicated but it will add more value to the games benchmarks at no added testing effort..Don Woligroski, please consider this! You know, after years of gaming I saw it's not the average FPS that matters most, it's the steadiness of the frame rate that makes the playing experience smooth and I remember games (like oblivion) that had -on my machine-high FPS coupled with a choppy gameplay!
2)Although the case is said to have a good finish and silent fans, it does look ugly, but I can't complain about that at 30$!
3)A sillier complaint: why picturing the case's interior with a careless cable routing ?!!
i hope that 32bit OS was a typo, that would just be plain stupid
I really don't understand these kinds of articles. If anyone is going to the trouble of building a custom PC, surely they will tailor it to the user's specific needs? Anyone who isn't interested in doing the research will surely just buy a Dell etc. If this is your target audience wouldn't you be better off doing a controlled comparison of a few Dells at different price points? (Which would be pretty useful when recommending something for friends and family.) If your audience is the sort of person who will go to the hassle of a custom build then you would serve them better by reviewing individual components thoroughly and consistently.
I really don't understand these kinds of articles. If anyone is going to the trouble of building a custom PC, surely they will tailor it to the user's specific needs? Anyone who isn't interested in doing the research will surely just buy a Dell etc. If this is your target audience wouldn't you be better off doing a controlled comparison of a few Dells at different price points? (Which would be pretty useful when recommending something for friends and family.) If your audience is the sort of person who will go to the hassle of a custom build then you would serve them better by reviewing individual components thoroughly and consistently.
I think you are missing the whole point of SBMs..they "suggest" compnents that match each other in performance and test what the whole system is capable of. Of course any one is free to finetune the choices to his/her needs butI have to say building 3 systems monthly at different price points and comparing them is no small task and I know many peaple would like to copy these systems completely or partially. Besides, pre-assembled systems are often overpriced and no enthusiast would miss the joy of a DIY assembly and would apppreciate someone who gives general dirctions to him/her.
In the UK Mesh Computers systems compare favourably with buying the kit from Microdirect and DIY. No warranty with DIY.