System Builder Marathon: $2,500 Enthusiast PC
Upgrading To First Class…On The Cheap
System Builder Marathon, December 2008: 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 $650 Gaming PC
- Day 2: The $1,250 Mid-Range PC
- Day 3: The $2,500 Enthusiast PC
- Day 4: Performance and Value Dissected
Introduction
Intel’s Core i7 release schedule forced us to omit the high-priced configuration from November’s System Builder Marathon (SBM), but the intermission gave us time to reevaluate our priorities. With a price of over $4,000, our previous elite-performance systems had become too costly for most enthusiast builders, let alone everyday value-seekers. And so we listened to your comments and dialed our highest-end configuration down a couple of notches.
A better-balanced approach was sought for this month’s SBM, with a high-end budget that would appeal to former $5,000 system builders who, given the realities of today’s economy, might have otherwise looked for an excuse to delay discretionary spending. Manufacturers have obliged with reduced-price versions of their highest-end components, while sellers are cutting deeper into profit margins simply to maintain market share. With a little effort, we’re hoping today’s $2,500 system can leave October’s $4,500 PC as a distant memory of money needlessly squandered.
$2500 High-End System Components | ||
---|---|---|
Component | Model | Price (USD) |
CPU | Intel Core i7 920 | $285 |
CPU Cooler | Vigor Monsoon III LT | $60 |
Motherboard | EVGA X58 3X SLI (P/N: 132-BL-E758-A) | $300 |
RAM | Super Talent 3GB DDR3-1333 Triple-Channel Kit | $79 |
Graphics | 3x EVGA GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Superclocked Edition (SLI) | $780 |
Hard Drives | 3x Samsung Spinpoint F1 HD103UJ 1.0 TB | $300 |
Sound | Integrated | 0 |
Network | Integrated Gigabit Networking | 0 |
Case | Cooler Master Stacker 830 Evolution (Black) | $180 |
Power | Silverstone OP1000 Evolution | $200 |
Optical | LG GGC-H20LK 6X Blu-ray/HD DVD-ROM, 16X DVD±RW | $115 |
Additional Fans | 2x Scythe S-FLEX SFF21F 120 mm 1,600 RPM | $31 |
Fan Accessories | 2x Rosewill RCW-308 3-pin Fan Extension, 12" | $2 |
Total Price | Row 14 - Cell 1 | $2,332 |
A quick look at its components reveals that our $2,500 system does away with an "overpriced" liquid cooling system found in previous high-end builds, but when it comes to overclocking, extra cooling is often money well spent. We definitely would have chosen high-value liquid cooling components if any well-priced Core i7 water blocks had been available.
Also notice that our $2,500 component list has already dropped by over 7% in the two weeks it took us to build and test the system. This bonus value could be spent in many ways or saved for use in future upgrades.
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douglesso Thanks for the fantastic information and detailed analysis. I just ordered the same motherboard and video card last week for my new build. Glad to see that holding out for the i7 was a worthwhile wait.Reply -
tipmen Sorry couldn't read my comment but nice blbuild by the way nice to see this. Hlaf the price and more performance.Reply -
Ph0X This is... really.. Wow.Reply
I'm not big in hardware, but this is just, WOW...
There's 3SLI GTX260, 3 x 1TB, Bluray WRITER!, but it doesn't even have 6gb ram!!?
That's just lame. Imo maybe get raptors / SSD instead? Also, Instead of 3SLI, just get a 4870x2. You will maybe get 2-3FPS less, but instead get 6gb ram and i7 940, and I'm pretty sure that will also boost your fps.
Again, I'm not a hardware pro, but I'm pretty sure my thing would be way better. -
kelfen Ph0XThis is... really.. Wow.I'm not big in hardware, but this is just, WOW...There's 3SLI GTX260, 3 x 1TB, Bluray WRITER!, but it doesn't even have 6gb ram!!?That's just lame. Imo maybe get raptors / SSD instead? Also, Instead of 3SLI, just get a 4870x2. You will maybe get 2-3FPS less, but instead get 6gb ram and i7 940, and I'm pretty sure that will also boost your fps.Again, I'm not a hardware pro, but I'm pretty sure my thing would be way better.+1Reply -
dieseldre2k appreciate the article but i would drop the third HD (keep the other 2 in RAID) and use the extra money to get 6 gigs of ram instead. i'd also be wary of the scaling on 3 video cards but i dont know enough about that, plus i'm sure u guys were trying to use up all $2,500.Reply -
thomasxstewart Lastly, GTX 295 in 3 way sli should hit 38,000 in 3D Vantage. Thats ALL Folks.Reply
Signed:PHYSICIAN THOMAS STEWART von DRASHEK M.D.