|
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
An entry-level system should cost in the $400 to $450 price range. This is a system that is a very affordable and completely functional computer(excluding monitor, keyboard, and mouse) that can handle the day-to-day tasks of the general computer user and satisfy their needs. A system liked this is not geared at being the ultimate gaming or overclocking vehicle and suits an audience of millions of users that simply want to access their email, do some word processing, surf the world wide web or just listen to CD /MP3 music. That is a pretty broad user group and even though the mid-level system is not the greatest graphics intensive animal, it will still play many games not requiring high-end VGA solutions. The latest FPS shooters like Far Cry and DOOM 3 would most likely be strained to their limits trying to be played with an on-board graphics solution, but many games that are popular like C&C Generals, Warcraft 3 and The Sims will be able to be played at even decent resolutions of 1024X768 without a problem, especially with the NVIDIA and ATI embedded solutions. With this is mind I set out to build three systems on the various platforms competing for this market to see who is really offering more performance bang for the buck with their CPU and platform offerings. AMD had their own ideas for what boards and parts should be used in the configuration, but I strayed on my own path in search of my own $450.00 or less system. I mostly used www.bizrate.com as my buying tool when searching for the parts, and hey it worked out pretty well. I bought the case locally, as shipping costs would kill due to the heavy weight and dimensions of most cases. As you can see below the configuration for a sub $500.00 system is a very feasible goal. Intel 2.8D Celeron system
AMD Sempron 2800+ System
Both systems will do all the chores a general user could need and I configured each system with an 8X DVD/RW, which is perfect for watching movies and backing up your system information and something I feel is very important as an integral system part. I used a little bit better memory in the AMD system since we saved a few bucks on the CPU, and still both systems fell below the $500.00 mark. If you want to make the system more game savvy spend another $100-$150 dollars and get a 9600XT or 9700 Pro and the system will play any game currently available, albeit not at the highest resolutions with all the AA settings turned up to maximum, but very playable nonetheless. Let's face it, in today's world the sum of $450.00 is not a very high price to pay and within the budget of most households, so if you do not even own a single computer this is an affordable way to get one for your home and family. The PCs greatest advantage to any user I feel has never been the gaming aspect, but rather its function as an information tool by accessing the World Wide Web and I use my PC for doing research ten fold the amount of time I do anything else with it. I really strongly feel that every home now should have a PC, you have your fridge, your toaster, your TV and now the PC has become as needed as any of those other comfort items and if you do not own one you are way out of touch with the modern world. Contents: 
|
|
|||||||||||||||
