Cast Your Vote on the Best System Config Summer 2011
Hit the polls to select the best config champion!
Tom's Hardware readers know that we quite often specially select computer components to put together the best rig possible. Those efforts are typically found in our System Builder Marathon series, which pits three of our writers against each other as they seek the best value at any given price point.
Not only do our system building guides provide guidance to those looking to make their own computers, but also they're teaching tools and case studies for those who are looking to customize their own builds to their individual needs and budget.
Of course, you guys have your own ideas of what you'd do in the shoes of Thomas, Don, or Paul, so we want to give you the opportunity to share the spotlight. Over the past month or so, we've collected popular builds from our Systems Forum, posted by our fabulous community. Our editors picked their three favorites in each category, and now you get to choose the setup you'd recommend to friends and family in each category.
Click through to the links below to hit the polls!
- High-End Workstation
- Budget AMD Gaming PC
- Intel-Based Office PC
- AMD-Based Office PC
- Budget Intel-Based Gaming PC
- High-End AMD Gaming PC
- Home Theater PC
- MicroATX Gaming Build
- High-End Intel Gaming PC
- NAS PC
Voting closes on August 10, 2011. Thanks for participating!

Because of fan bois
Oh well
I forgot about this... should've changed the graphics card. IMO my build would've been great if it hadn't been the graphics card.
Doesn't have to be fanboys. I love Intel and AMD but go AMD since it doesn't make a difference which brand I go as a consumer.* Going both route is pretty much the same for me BUT it makes a huge difference to the market if a lot more people chose the underdog.
*Actually often cheaper with AMD since you often don't have to rebuy a new motherboard and/or new ram
Umm no. If your doing a HTPC then you should have a file server / NAS solution as a central file storage. The HTPC will just access and stream the files over your local network, 100Mbps is enough but 1Gbps will allow for more headroom for other tasks while watching a movie.
I'm personally using a WDTV live which streams off my home server and I can stream HD movies to my home theater system. Now if your using your HTPC as a DVR then you should have some form of large local storage for holding the recordings until you can transfer them to the central storage.
Exactly what I was thinking. My HTPCs have minimal HDDs and do very little storing. They all stream from the home server.
I'd much rather have a central location over islands of storage
I thought most of them were a joke but for a different reason. Integrated graphics, really???? I mean seriously????? Not gonna fly on a HTPC. You dont need a monster graphics card but you do need something serviceable for good image quality on playback and some decent 720p maybe 1080p gaming.