$505 Intel Build

• CPU: Intel Pentium E5300 2.6GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor ($70)
• MOBO: GIGABYTE GA-EP43-UD3L ATX Intel Motherboard ($80)
• RAM: CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory ($90)
• HSF: Sunbeam CR-CCTF 120 mm Core-Contact Freezer CPU Cooler W/TX-2 ($35)
• HDD: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 500GB 3.5″ SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive ($55)
• PSU: Antec earthwatts EA430 430W Continuous Power Power Supply ($55)
• GPU: XFX Radeon HD 4650 HD-465X-YAF2 Video Card ($50)
• DVD: Sony Optiarc DVD/CD Rewritable Drive Black SATA Model AD-7240S-0B ($30)
• Case: COOLER MASTER Elite 330 RC-330-KKN1-GP Black Computer Case ($40)

$505 AMD Build

• CPU: AMD Phenom II X2 545 3.0GHz Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core Processor ($90)
• MOBO: ASUS M2A74-AM Micro ATX AMD Motherboard ($60)
• RAM: CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory ($90)
• HSF: Sunbeam CR-CCTF 120 mm Core-Contact Freezer CPU Cooler W/TX-2 ($35)
• HDD: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 500GB 3.5″ SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive ($55)
• PSU: Antec earthwatts EA430 430W Continuous Power Power Supply ($55)
• GPU: XFX Radeon HD 4650 HD-465X-YAF2 Video Card ($50)
• DVD: Sony Optiarc DVD/CD Rewritable Drive Black SATA Model AD-7240S-0B ($30)
• Case: COOLER MASTER Elite 330 RC-330-KKN1-GP Black Computer Case ($40)

Both builds are meant to be overclocked, to maximize the gaming power of the components. If you’re building a new PC from scratch, you may need a display, mouse, keyboard, a headset, and of course, the OS. Here are some more suggestions from tecmo:

• OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders ($140)
• Display: Acer X193Wb Black 19″ 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor ($120)
• Keyboard: Logitech Black Internet 350 USB Keyboard ($15)
• Mouse: Microsoft D66-00066 Black Wired Optical Mouse ($12)
• Speakers Logitech S-220 2.1 Multimedia Speaker System ($24)

With the above extras, you’ve got a total of $816, regardless of your processor brand loyalties. Prices are from NewEgg, are current as of this writing, and don’t include shipping or taxes.

Source

Post from: The Gadget Blog

Also, be prepared to jot down $60 in your loss column, since that $30 mail-in rebate will probably take forever to arrive.

Random Geekiness: Doesn’t this CORSAIR remind you of the Battlestar Galactica?

Post from: The Gadget Blog