We've built and tested them, now let's compare the results from the low-, mid- and high-cost PCs. How closely are price and performance related?

I would have liked to also see how the budget system would have performed with the Video card from the Mid-priced system too. I think if I was going to 'upgrade' from the budget, that would be the way to go.

I would have been interested to see the low budget with a GTS instead of the higher end card. Graphics cards being even how would it have compared?

Good series and an excellent idea to include the b-special at the end.

-JimiSlew

Yeah, me too. But we were REALY pressed for time on this one, I had to work Shelton like a pack mule to get the 8800 GTX numers to me on time. (Thanks, Shelton).

But the 8800 GTX proved the point, that if you already own a low-end system, it might be very well worth it to upgrade to an 8800 GTX instead of upgrading the whole system... JUST FOR GAMING USE though.

Hey guys, I think you mixed up the Gaming System Value and Total System Value graphs on page 9 :?

I think you're right. I let the editor know.

Crap, I wish they would've had an article like this before I built my rig recently.

That's a damn nice rig, i wouldn't regret it.

Those benchmarks with the 8800 GTX on the budget PC really surprised me. I agree with everyone so far in that I would more than likely go with the 8800 GTS as the upgrade for the budget system. Don't get me wrong, I would love to build a high end system today but I needed a computer NOW. I ordered my system, which is near identical to the budget system, 2 days before the first article. The only real difference is that I went with a X1650 XT instead of the 7600GT. Even tho it falls pretty far from the mid-range system, I still stand by my decision. My old comp got a PCMark score of "1022", so even this is a huge jump for me.

So I guess my point is, even with the budget system, you get a decent, upgradeable platform for very little money. I do wish I could afford a "mid-ranged" rig now but it is just not possible. A lot of people don't understand that tution + low paying job + high rent + RC Heli's + Computers is not a good mix .

I am in a unique position to upgrade the low budget one also. My younger brother needs a new computer later this summer, by upgrading my budget system, he is getting free parts. CPU, GFX card and possably the RAM.

So, for the high-end system, was the SLI really worth the price? I'd probably just get the GTX, if I were really into gaming at high resolutions.

did anyone mentioned the different between "numerical/statistical significance" and practical significance?

The difference between framerate should no longer be distinguishable at anywhere higher than the monitor's refresh rate (unless you plug yourself to neural interfaces 8O instead of looking at the monitor while playing games), so you might want to do an update after some DX10 games comes out (or whatever taxing vid card/CPU so much that the framerate goes below the monitor refresh limit) or mention that before you put the framerate difference as a chart

speaking of which, why not watercool the whole set for the high-end system (I haven't post on the other 3 threads)?
Also power consumption/temperature readings would be nice (as additional cost of power and cooling)

I think they should do an article titled "best gamers system for the money".

I have been going back and forth with my friend with this and we came up with what we think is the best bang for the buck for gamers.

core2 duo 4300
Gigabyte DS3
northbridge cooler
thermalright ultra 120
2 gigs of Gskill or Patriot memory (or some others)
1 - 8800 NVidia GTS (320 MB)
500-550 quality PSU (Antec trio or Corsair 520)
Just about any case
Just about any 7200 RPM drives (2 for raid)
Decent DVD writer

Then I would overclock the 4300 to 3.0 Ghz + and for $1,000 you have a screaming rig. Probably faster than the mid system. Since this is geared for best bang for the buck type of gamers we know that SLI or crossfire would never be be an issue since it is always better to wait till the better graphics card comes out unless you just have mad money.

We didn't do any overclocking so air was fine. If you're an overclocker water's a good idea, obviously.

True, once again we were under the gun for time. While this data have been nice, I don't think it would have changed any of our recommendations.

Good idea, and if we did it'd probably end up looking alot like the system you came up with. Kudos!

dang these numbers looked kewl but i got to say i dont know how to read any one of those graphs... -sigh- i cant teach myself everything... but wut i did see looked kewl..

P.s. if any one wants to pm me some links for some self tought sites ill be more then happy to read them thanks

edit: i also have a question why was it a bad idea to put the 8800 in the budget system? i dont understand why thats bad?