Weekly Buyer's Guide: Cutting Edge System - March 2004
by Evan Lieb on March 3, 2004 12:57 PM EST- Posted in
- Guides
Cutting Edge System (continued)
Networking
Recommendation: Onboard solutionPrice: $0
Whichever motherboard you choose, we suggest you utilize your onboard Ethernet controller for Internet. Both the ASUS K8V Deluxe and ABIT IC7-G come with an onboard Ethernet controller; in fact, an onboard Gigabit Ethernet controller to be exact, capable of 10/100/1000 Mbps transfer speeds instead of just 10/100 Mbps transfer speeds. Gigabit technology itself doesn't do anything to literally speed up your Internet experience, but users who have multiple computers connected to each other (in a basic home network, for example) can transfer large amounts of data to and from systems much more quickly with Gigabit. You can always create your own home gateway by going dual LAN, but again, that choice is completely based upon your specific networking needs.
Hard Drive(s)
Recommendation: Western Digital Raptor 36.7GB 10,000RPM SATAPrice: $116 shipped
For the third week in a row, Western Digital tops our recommendation for desktop hard drives. This week, it's their Serial ATA Raptor hard drives. The 36.7GB Raptor is outfitted with features such as an 8MB buffer and 10,000RPM spindle, and a big bonus by going with a 5-year warranty. Previously, these features were only to be found on enterprise/SCSI drives, but thanks to WD, they have finally reached the mainstream desktop, more or less. The only "problem" with Raptor drives is that they just don't store a lot of data, with only 36.7GB and 74GB versions of the Raptor currently available. If you can't live with just 36.7GB, then you'll have to opt for a 74GB drive or even multiple hard drives.
There is no runner-up in today's category because the Raptor is in a class of its own at the moment. We could always tell you to go out and pick up a nice SCSI drive, from Fujitsu as one example, but we'd also then have to tell you to pick up U320 SCSI controller/cables as well. They're not terribly expensive - the cost of ownership has definitely drastically come down compared to a few years ago, but it may just not be worth the money for the usually minimal performance gain you'll experience. All in all, we'd stick with the Raptors for your cutting edge system for now. If you're a storage freak, then you should look at ATA 120GB, 200GB, etc. hard drives.
Optical Storage
Recommendation: Sony DRU-530A DVD-/+RWPrice: $155 shipped
Sony's DRU-530A is basically an improved version of their legendary DRU-500A drive, the first dual format DVD writer ever available. Originally, you had to choose between DVD-R/RW and DVD+R/RW drives, but Sony changed that for good with the DRU-500A. Not only that, but their dual drives were available months before the competition. Anyway, the DR-530A is one of the fastest DVD writers currently available; in fact, with the latest firmware update released just a few days ago (version 2.0A), the DRU-530A (and DRX530UL) is now able to record at 8X maximum on DVD-R media and 4X maximum on DVD-RW media with the appropriate speed rated media. Overall, you're getting a performance boost for free with the firmware update, and therefore one heck of a speed demon DVD writer. This is not to mention the aesthetically pleasing exterior of the DRU-530A and good bundled software.
If you're not particularly interested in DVD writers of any kind, we suggest that a combo CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive to save a little cash or, better yet, a separate CD-RW and separate DVD-ROM drive, if you'd like to burn CDs and watch movies at the same time. Plextor, Sony or Lite-On versions of these drives will suffice. Check our previous Buyer's Guides for more information.
Keyboard and Mouse
While trivial, it's still important that you purchase the right keyboard and mouse. Different people have different preferences for a keyboard's feel and look, and the same goes for a mouse. Therefore, we suggest you personally try out and test a keyboard and a mouse for yourself. Recommending purchasing these items online is misleading, as there are too many users with different preferences for this type of thing. Visit your nearest PC outlet to try out a keyboard and mouse yourself; a Best Buy or Circuit City store should suffice. We suggest that you start with Microsoft and Logitech keyboards and mice. Make sure you also check out [i]optical[/i] mice from Microsoft and Logitech as well. A good solid optical mouse from either manufacturer should run about $20, but in some cases, can run as little as $10 if you can find the right deal.There are some great wireless optical mice out there, like the MX700 for example, but it really depends on whether you care at all about a wireless mouse and are willing to spend the money to acquire it. Most will be satisfied with a standard optical mouse from Microsoft or Logitech for gaming, as it offers identical (or better) precision and feel than most wireless mice. We are bringing up the idea of wireless mice merely because it is hugely popular with gamers nowadays.
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NordicNINE - Saturday, May 1, 2004 - link
Don't aperture grill monitors have lower quality text? I'm looking at a 21"/22" monitor also right now and almost everything I read states that aperture grill monitors may have better graphics and brighter colors, they have lower text quality.Since the 1100DF is a high end shadowmask monitor, wouldn't it have better text?
How is the color brightness compared to the Phillips and the 1200NF?
pieman7 - Monday, March 15, 2004 - link
Evan,Thanks a bunch for your ealier response. Still regarding the Philips 202P45: You mentioned it's 2048 x 1536 max resolution. Online vendors I've seen selling this CRT also list this as its max. However, at the Philip's web site (www.consumer.philips.com) it lists the max resolution as 1920 x 1440. Who's right? Have you or anyone else been able to actually get it to display at this resolution?
demonbug - Monday, March 8, 2004 - link
Speakers/Sound card:First of all, why not go with an Audigy2 Platinum, since this is a cutting-edge system? It costs more, but gives you so many cool input options that it seems like it would be a great idea - you seem to have put together a great cutting-edge gaming system, but it might be nice to give it a little more versatility.
As for speakers, as several others have done, I would suggest Klipsch Promedias. I've only got the 2.1 system (I've had it for years), and it kicks the ass of every other speaker system I've heard (though I must admit I haven't heard either of the two you recommend outside of a store). Additionally, according to published specs by both companies, the Klipsch speakers have significantly better frequency response than the Logitech speakers, and much better THD than the Creative Labs speakers (10%???? Thats the worst number I have ever seen).
If price is the reason you recommended the ones you did, fine, just say so. From personal listening experience, the Klipsch speakers offer incredible sound quality (for computer/multimedia speakers - still don't compare to a stereo), and while I haven't heard the systems you recommend, the specs suggest that the Klipsch speakers are quite a bit better.
Evan Lieb - Saturday, March 6, 2004 - link
pieman7,I've only used the 1200NF and PF2141SB, not the P225FB. The 202P45 isn't quite as good as those, but that's more of a personal preference. Gaming is just as good and 2D text clarity MAY be worse with the Phillips. Overall, very little difference and certainly not worth $100. At least, that's IMO. Every monitor, even monitors that are of the exact same brand and model, can be significantly different in performance.
pieman7 - Friday, March 5, 2004 - link
Evan,I seem to be one of many who is in the market for a higher end monitor and your high praises for the Philips 202P45 got my attention. This is the first time I've seen any reviews for this CRT. It meets my price range, but am wondering how it compares to other 22in CRTs I've looked at:
Samsung 1200NF
Viewsonic P225FB
NEC FP2141SB
These CRTs are at about $100 or so more expensive, but in your opinion does the 202P45 still hold its own as far as picture quality, text clarity, and minimal geometric distortion? If so, then the 202P45 would seem to be a no-brainer choice.
Your thoughts very much appreciated.
Brickster - Friday, March 5, 2004 - link
Posted by Fink:"I would agree that it would likely be best to wait for 939 and an FX chip in Dual-Channel unbuffered configuration if you want the best and you're willing to wait 2 or 3 months for the hardware to appear. For now, FX51 is still the top performer. "
I agree. I have two top end games coming out this month that I have been waiting a long time for. However, upgradeability with the upcoming 939 is going to be the way to go for me, so looks like I am going to have to wait longer for my upgrade -- It's definitely worth the wait.
Wesley Fink - Friday, March 5, 2004 - link
While I do agree with Evan that the 3400+ is the best upeer value in any system you can buy (the 3200+ is the best value cpu - period), I believe Cutting Edge means the best you can buy. Since you can build the best performing machine I have ever tested for only $486 more, then Wes' Pick for CUTTING EDGE SYSTEM:Athlon 64 FX51 $745 (vs. $418 for 3400+) +$331
Asus SK8V $209 (vs. $139) +$70
1GB OCZ PC3500 ECC Registered (2X512MB)$300 (vs. $215 for 1GB unbuffered) +86
The FX51 with Dual-Channel ECC memory is STILL the fastest system you can buy, and the Asus SK8V is the best-performing motherboard I have ever tested. This FX51, Dual-Channel ECC system is not a lot faster than the 3400+, but for only $486 more (Total $2701) you can have the ABSOLUTE BEST instead of almost there. It is also Dual-Channel, and all of AMD's A64 performance systems will soon be DC with the move to Socket 939.
Since Socket 754 will be gone soon, I would also weigh the fact that Socket 940 has more longevity than the 3400+ system and will likely be around a while longer and STILL be a top performer with either FX or Opteron.
I would agree that it would likely be best to wait for 939 and an FX chip in Dual-Channel unbuffered configuration if you want the best and you're willing to wait 2 or 3 months for the hardware to appear. For now, FX51 is still the top performer.
Wesley Fink - Friday, March 5, 2004 - link
While I understand Evan's selections, I disagree with some of them, based on my reviews published at AnandTech, and testing that has not yet appeared in reviews.1 - My pick for top Athlon 64 motherboard would be the MSI K8T Neo, with the AOpen AK86-L as an extremely close runner-up at a lower price. Both are exceptionally stable and overclock well, with the AOpen a better overclocker. The Asus K8V is a decent A64 motherboard, but it is not a good overclocker and is not particularly stable in my experience.
2 - The Asus P4C800-E is the ONLY motherboard recommended by both Corsair and OCZ for DDR550. It is the best performing, highest overclocking, and most stable P4 motherboard I have tested and would be my recommendation. The runner-up would be the DFI 875B LANParty, which is the second best overclocking board I have tested and is also exceptionally stable and performs very well in Revision 2 clothes. I would also give high marks to the SiS-chipset Asus P4S800D-E. All three of these selections also have PROVEN complete compatibility with Northwood, Prescott, and Extreme Edition.
VIAN - Friday, March 5, 2004 - link
Sorry for posting a question already answered with the HDD issue.VIAN - Friday, March 5, 2004 - link
The Western Digital Raptor 36.7GB 10,000RPM SATA? Isn't that supposed to be the loser with a false promise. The great performance that it hyped up was only shown up with the 74GB version. I think that the 74GB version would be a way better buy.No second Optical Storage? What if you want to burn CD to CD or DVD to DVD?