Best offers
|
iMac All-In-One Desktop (3.06GHz... | $1699.00 MacConnection More info |
|
Compaq Presario CQ5210F Mini-Tower... | $399.98 STAPLES More info |
|
Edge Z30 Midsize Desktop (2.66GHz... | $1099.00 Velocity Micro More info |
|
Pavilion p6240f Mini-Tower Desktop... | $699.98 STAPLES More info |
|
Wind Top AE2010-02SUS All-In-One... | $637.00 California Computer Center More info |
Related Content
- winfast motherboard k8m890m2ma
- how to build a 300 pc
- foxconn winfast k8m890
- winfast k8m890m2ma rs2h
- photoshop graphic memory benchmark
- gma950 benchmark
- k8m890m2ma
- winfast k8m890m2ma drivers
- wd1600js xp installation
- graphics card video benchmark table
- intel processor table
- celeron d overclocking cedar mill
- win fast k8m890m2ma
- motherboard winfast k8m890m2ma rs2h
- wd1600js xp usb drivers
Partners
The Games selection
crazy :
PC Breakdown
What is worst than a Fatal Error occuring during a game you did not save? Unleash your rage at your PC in this game. Blow it to pieces, it feels so...
|
adventure :
Scoobydoo: Episode 2
The sequel of Scooby and Sammy's adventures. Same principle as in the previous episode (available on this website). Click on "Instructions" to see...
|
Ads
Sponsored links
We put together all components in the following table:
| AMD | Intel | |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Sempron 3400+ ($70) | Celeron D 352 ($56) |
| Motherboard | WinFast K8M890M2MA, integrated graphics ($55) | Asus P5LD2-VM ($95), integrated graphics |
| Memory | 2x 512 MB DDR2-667 ($68) | 2x 512 MB DDR2-667 ($68) |
| Hard Drive | Western Digital WD1600JS, 160 GB, SATA/300 ($55) | Western Digital WD1600JS, 160 GB, SATA/300 ($55) |
| Optical Drive | Samsung SH-S182D ($30) | Samsung SH-S182D ($30) |
| Case | Any ($30) | Any ($30) |
| Power Supply | Coolmax ATX Black 400 W ($27) | Coolmax ATX Black 400 W ($27) |
| Total Cost | $ 335 | $ 361 |
The cost for both systems exceeded our $300 budget, but there is still room to save money; we didn't pick the cheapest products, but reasonably priced ones. If you really go for the lowest-end, you can get processors for $40, a motherboard for $40 and a very simple hard drive for $50. This would save you another $70 for the AMD system and as much as $86 for the Intel system.
| Minimum Price | $ 265 | $ 275 |
|---|
Of course you can go for this lowest-end setup, but you should not expect anything at all from these systems. I clearly recommend making a reasonable minimum investment, which is also why I advise against going for an even cheaper power supply and memory. You can save some more money, but I doubt you'll be happy with the results if you decide to opt for the lowest of the low-cost components available.
Test Setup
| System Hardware | |
|---|---|
| Processor I | AMD Sempron 3400+
(Manila core, 90 nm, 1.8 GHz, 256 kB L2 Cache) |
| Processor II | Intel Celeron D 352 (FSB533)
(Cedar Mill core, 65 nm, 3.2 GHz, 512 kB L2 Cache) |
| Motherboard I | Asus P5LD2-VM
Chipset: Intel 945G, BIOS: 1102 |
| Motherboard II | Foxconn Winfast K8M890M2MA-RS2H
Chipset: VIA K8M890, BIOS: 641W1P24 |
| Common Hardware | |
| RAM | 2x 512 MB DDR2-667
Corsair ValueSelect VS1 GBKIT667D2 |
| Graphics Card I | Intel GMA950 |
| Graphics Card II | VIA Chrome9 IGP |
| Hard Drive I (read) | 1x 160 GB 7,200 RPM, 8 MB Cache, SATA/300
Western Digital WD1600AAJS |
| Hard Drive II (write) | 1x 150 GB 10,000 RPM, 8 MB Cache, SATA/300
Western Digital WD1500ADFD Used for video benchmarks |
| DVD-ROM | Gigabyte GO-D1600C (16x) |
| Software | |
| Intel Graphics | Version: 14.25.50 |
| Intel Chipset | Software Installation Utility 8.1.1.1010 |
| VIA Graphics | Version: 15.13.15.05 |
| VIA Chipset | Hyperion Pro 5.11A |
| DirectX | Version: 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904) |
| OS | Windows XP Professional, Build 2600 SP2 |
Benchmarks And Settings
| Benchmarks and Settings | |
|---|---|
| Video | |
| TMPEG 3.0 Express | Version: 3.0.4.24 (no audio)
182 MB VOB MPEG2 source (704x576), 16:9 |
| DivX 6.5 | Version: 6.5
High Definition Profile Multipass, 3000 kb/s Encoding mode: Insane Quality |
| XviD 1.1.2 | Version: 1.1.2
Encoding type: Two-pass / single-pass Profile @ Level: DXN HT PAL Target size (kbytes): 570000 |
| MainConcept H.264 Encoder v2 | Version: 2.1
2:19 min MPEG2 source 1920x1080 to H.264 Profile: High Audio: AAC Stream: Program |
| Audio | |
| Lame MP3 | Version 3.97 Beta 2 (11-29-2005)
Audio CD "Terminator II SE", 74 min wav to mp3 160 kb/s |
| OGG Vorbis | Version 1.1.2 (Intel P4 MOD)
Version 1.1.2 (Intel AMD MOD) Audio CD "Terminator II SE", 74 min wave to ogg Vorbis Quality: 5 |
| Applications | |
| WinRAR | Version 3.7 Beta 3 (multi core optimized)
(303 MB, 47 Files, 2 Folders) Best compression Dictionary = 4096 kB |
| Adobe Photoshop CS 2 | Version: 9.0.1
VT-Runtime Script Rendering 5 Pictures (66 MB, 7 Filters) |
| Cinebench | Version 9.5
64 Bit nCPU, 1 CPU |
| Synthetic | |
| PCMark05 Pro | Version: 1.2.0
CPU and Memory Tests Windows Media Player 10.00.00.3646 Windows Media Encoder 9.00.00.2980 |
| SiSoftware Sandra 2007 | Version 2007.5.11.17
CPU Test = CPU Arithmetic / Multimedia Memory Test = Bandwidth Benchmark Memory Latency Test = ns |
Topics being discussed on the forums
- Sub $300 PC for Dad's Work [Homebuilt Systems]
- $300 Hardcore Budget Gaming PC [Homebuilt Systems]
- ?? how to overclock P2 300 (multiplier not locked) [CPU & Components]
- Can Your PC Really Handle Vista? [Windows Vista]
- Coolermaster ATC110 or ATC210 pc case? [CPU & Components]
Questions? Ask Tom's community!
Sponsored links
Related forums topics
- GUIDE: Overclocking On EP/P35-DS3L v1.3.1 [UPDATED: 10/2/2008]
- asus p5kpl-cm and e5200 overclocking problem!!!
- Core 2 Quad and Duo Temperature Guide
- HOWTO: Overclock C2Q (Quads) and C2D (Duals) - Guide v1.6.1
- MSI P35 Neo2-FR Voltages
- New build is slow and sluggish
- RAM For Asus Maximus Formula
- M2N32 SLI Del. WiFi- Bad PCI-E slot/POSTing problem
- GA EP45-UD3P restarts when trying to load windows
- Can't Boot when Drive on Marvell Cont. on D975xbx2
- Replacing cpu/motherboard/ram/case/PSU. Any advice?
- First build, need assistance
- Help on First built computer system (lots of it too)
- Questions about power use