System Builder Marathon, May '09: $1,300 Enthusiast PC
Table of contents
- 1. Component List
- 2. CPU: Intel Core i7 920
- 3. Motherboard, CPU Cooler, And Memory
- 4. Hard Drive And Case
- 5. Power Supply, Optical Drive, And Video Cards
- 6. Assembly
- 7. Overclocking
- 8. Test Settings
System Builder Marathon, May 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). And remember, these systems are all being given away at the end of the marathon!
- Day 1: The $2,500 Performance PC
- Day 2: The $1,300 Enthusiast PC
- Day 3: The $600 Gaming PC
- Day 4: Performance and Value Dissected
Introduction
In coming up with components for this month’s $1,300 enthusiast Micro-ATX system, we had a hard time deciding on which platform to choose, as the Core 2 Duo, Phenom II, and Core i7 CPUs were all viable choices and brought their own strengths and weaknesses to the table.
We asked our forum users for their opinions and got a lot of constructive dialogue in return. The consensus was that while AMD's Phenom II was very compelling and had a lot of support, the $1,300 price bracket allowed us to stretch our legs into Core i7 territory.
With the CPU decided upon, everything else started falling into place. Here’s our component list:
| $1,300 Enthusiast Micro-ATX PC Parts Prices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Motherboard | DFI LANParty Jr X58-T3H6 Micro-ATX | $220 |
| Processor | Intel Core i7-920 | $289 |
| Memory | G.Skill 10666CL7T 6GBPK | $90 |
| Graphics | 2 x BFG GeForce GTX 260 OC in SLI | $340 |
| Hard Drive | Western Digital Caviar Black | $75 |
| Optical | Lite-On iHAS422 DVD±R | $28 |
| Case | SilverStone TJ08-B Micro-ATX Mini-Tower | $99 |
| Power | PC Power and Cooling Silencer 750 Quad S75QB, ATX12V 2.2, 80-Plus Certified | $120 |
| CPU Cooler | Xigmatek Dark Knight S1283 | $40 |
| Total Cost | $1,296 |
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I wonder why this system builder marathon was limited to Micro-ATX cases. Is there a general trend towards these things or what? I'm looking to build a whole new system soon and I can't see any reason to go Micro-ATX.
I don’t think it’s a trend, think of it as more of a challenge. Some people don’t want to have a giant full/mid tower sitting next to them.
Right, I don't mind that at all, so I'll stick to a normal case when assembling my next system. Thanks!
Nice challenge but what's the point when the system dies a couple of months down the line due to shorten life span of all components as a result of high temps. Then you spend another $1300?
I can't remember if it was this or one of the other SBM articles this month, but they mentioned something about these PCs being LAN boxes - if so heat is going to be even more of an issue (much higher ambient temps, cases right next to each other) so this system would be pretty unviable.
I know that my PC runs as much as 10 degress hotter in that environment - if it's in the low 90s on the CPU and at the limit of GPU stability already, another ten degrees will see it constantly throttling, making errors or shutting down.
Assuming that we were building a full ATX system, what would have been the motherboard of choice for this PC?
Can I also remind everyone that these articles are irrelevent on this side of the Atlantic? Intel and nVidia prices in particular are far, FAR lower in the US - such a system would be over 30% more over here! SLI GTX260 for £200 my arse!