Activity: Multimedia usage (MP3,
DVD, DIVx), office applications, web surfing, file sharing, basic gaming.
Aimed at the home user. Primary features, good display, (Video card & monitor);
Mid range sound card; Large HDD to download and store applications, additional
ADSL modem (optional). Mid/basic motherboard supporting a Max FSB
400. Mid level processor, as the need for heavy CPU utilisation is not present.
If space is an issue, the CRT can be substituted for a budget LCD. Excluding
the LCD monitor (including CRT) the above costs approx £650
- £750.
Processor Type: Intel 2.4Ghz+ + OR
Athlon XP1800+ (High)
Motherboard: FSB533/400 ;FSB266 (Athlon),
Mem support 2.5Ghz plus (Mid)
Memory: DDRAM 256+MB (Medium)/SDRAM
512
HDD: ATA100 120GB 7200RPM (High)
Graphics Card: GeForce 4 64/128DDR (High)
Monitor: 17"+, 85Hz+ at 1024
by 768, >=0.20 dot pitch, CRT ultra flat (High)
Sound: Creative Soundblaster(Mid)
CD: CDRW 401648, DVDROM 52: (S/High)
Case: Space for 4 5.25 drives, 4HDD,
5+ Expansion slots, tool free (Mid)
For additional information on parts & brands used
click here
Activity: Mainly office applications & web browsing.
Some multimedia usage such as (DVD, MP3). Not suitable for high end games.
For the user on a super tight budget who wants a cheap
and cheerful but functional machine. Another advantage of this configuration
is that as the cost of all the components is low, one can afford to add a
LCD monitor. Prices vary between £300
- £500. Can even go lower if cheaper components are used.
Processor Type: Intel 1.5Ghz+ + OR Athlon XP1600+ (Basic); High
end Celeron or Duron
Motherboard: FSB266 Mem support 2.5Ghz
plus (Mid), onboard sound.
Memory: DDRAM 256+MB (Medium)
HDD: ATA100 60GB 7200RPM (Medium)
Graphics Card: GeForce 2 32SDR (Basic)
Monitor: 17"+, 85Hz+ at 1024
by 768, >=0.20 dot pitch, CRT ultra flat (High)/LCD)
Sound: Creative Soundblaster (Low)
CD: CDRW 401648, DVDROM 52: (Mid)
Case: Space for 3 5.25 drives, 2HDD,
5+ Expansion slots, tool free (Low)
For additional information on parts & brands used
click here
Activity: CPU intensive; Multimedia
creation, video editing. Primarily designed to run complex 3D graphic creation,
animation, and storage of created media. Components that contribute most
to
price are DVDRW, Intel processor. The price changes
dramatically if an Athlon processor of around
2.6Ghz is used, the DVDRW drive excluded, and a CRT
flatscreen monitor used, instead of an equivalent LCD. See the example
of a custom built system. With all the extra
add ons this system costs: In the range of £1500+
Processor Type: Intel 2.80Ghz - 3.06,
Intel Xeon, + OR Athlon XP2200 - XP3000 (S/High)
Motherboard: IEEE, USB2, serial/ATA, AGP8,
FSB800/533/;FSB333/266 (Athlon), Mem support 4.0Ghz plus, Hyperthreading
support, Dual DDR
Memory: Branded - DDRAM 1024MB+; RDRAM 512MB+
(S/High)
HDD: ATA100/133, SATA 150; 160GB - 250GB, 7200RPM
(High)
Graphics Card: Ti4200 - Ti4800, Radeon 9500-9800/All in Wonder
128DDR(S/High)
Monitor: 19"+, 85Hz+ at 1024
by 768, >=0.20 dot pitch, LCD or CRT ultra flat (High)
Sound: Surround sound Audigy plat
(High)
CD: DVDRW drive, CDRW 481648
(S/High)
Case: Space for 4 5.25 drives, 4HDD,
5+ Expansion slots, tool free (Mid), silent PSU, Aluminium case
For additional information on parts & brands used
click here
Activity: Heavy gaming, overclocking,
some graphic design, multimedia use (watching movies). A PC for the cost
conscious who still demand super high performance. Includes a powerful processor,
with
adequate memory and a large hard drive. Ideal for gaming, and everyday PC
use. Unlike the super user spec, this spec is more streamlined, in the following
areas: slightly smaller processor, hi spec graphics card, as opposed to superhigh,
lacks a DVDRW drive & a LCD monitor. These factors allow for the price
to be 40% - 50% less, without skimping on raw performance. Plenty of room
for addons once component prices drop as they always do. All in all this
would
cost approx £890 - £1000+, depending on Intel or Ahtlon
CPU preference.
Processor Type: Intel 2.66Ghz+ OR Athlon XP2600+ (High)
Motherboard: IEEE, USB2,FSB533/400;FSB333/266
(Athlon), Mem support 2.5Ghz plus (Mid)
Memory: DDRAM 256 - 512 MB (High)
HDD: ATA100/133 120GB - 180GB 7200RPM (High)
Graphics Card: GeForce 4 128DDR, Radeon 9000 - 9700(High)
Monitor: 17"+, 85Hz+ at 1024
by 768, >=0.20 dot pitch, CRT ultra flat (High)
Sound: Creative Live(Mid)
CD: CDRW 481648, DVDROM 52:
(S/High)
Case: Space for 4 5.25 drives, 4HDD,
5+ Expansion slots, tool free (Mid)
For additional information on parts & brands used
click here
So how do you decide on what is right for you? Consider the following:
