I would like to leave comment on case Coolermaster Elite 330 - it's king of "value cases"! We're building PC's and we see a lot of foxconns, KMEs, noname cases here. And Coolermaster, while being slightly more expensive, is of much much better quality.
Nice one guys!
- As per other comments, I'd suggest moving away from the fixed price ranges - they don't make all that much sense if you're not including monitors and therefore a target resolution.
Though it would entail more hard work, I think it'd be better to start from target resolutions / monitor sizes and establish the cheapest / best components for each target.
- That should make it easier for those who have a monitor already, and those planning to upgrade as well.
The suggestion of having a final spec page for each setup would also be nice, especially if linked to pricegrabber (though it's scope of retailers is still limited).
- Perhaps even have a shopping basket-type setup where readers could choose from the alternatives you give and come out with a final price.
Originally Posted by article The current king of bang per buck graphics card is without a doubt the ATI Radeon HD 4850, delivering fantastic performance for a its price point and even snapping at the heels of Nvidiaâs GeForce GTX 260 (the one with 192 stream processors) â which sell for twice the price!
Whilst I see your point here (especially about the HD4850 being best bang for buck) the last comment is technically incorrect if talking about the 192 stream version of the GTX260. These can be had for <£180. The 216 stream versions however are going on twice the price of the HD4850.
Low, Medium and High budget ranges are good but not necessarily indicative of what the system is for. A gaming rig is different from a HTPC which is different from a general purpose machine which is different from a server which is different from a graphic (photoshop, etc.) station which is different from a digital video editing station which is different from a productive/business type station which is different from an internet surfing station, etc. I think you get the idea. :)
And then you could have various budget levels in each category too... but that makes for a lot of combinations. Perhaps the approach of a given configuration with a few parts of the config having different recommendations based on the purpose of the system. i.e. "We recommend a xxxxx card for gaming, however for a HTPC we recommend yyyyyy card instead, and for a..."
Or one month offer HTPC configs. Next month Gaming configs. 3rd month graphic stations, 4th month an internet surfing machine. Over the course of a year you could cover up to 12 different types of systems, although I could probably group all the different types of systems into maybe 6 categories which would allow for 2 updates each year of each type.
Originally Posted by Tim S ...the plan is to re-release an updated version every month. We're already thinking of adding a bit more into it as well but we're keen to hear suggestions from the community on that front. :)
How about a monthly thread for each system where we can propose components that fit each budget for the next month's update? It allows more alternatives to be listed with constructive criticism of them. These threads would be distinct from this feedback thread and located in Hardware.
Thanks for all the suggestions - be assured we're writing them ALL down and debating what the best way to continue it is. Obviously this is our first attempt so improving with suggestions is all good for the future ;)
Originally Posted by naokaji For the 1500£ build I see a problem, you claim the Lian-li v1100 has plenty of room for psu's..
however looking at this picture tells a different story, the 750 corsair is 16cm, the 1000w is 20, so that would make it impossible to fit without modding.
That's the V1100 not 1110 ;) I'm almost certain the latter is longer.
It's the first time we've done it and the plan is to re-release an updated version every month. We're already thinking of adding a bit more into it as well but we're keen to hear suggestions from the community on that front. :)
I love the idea of having something like this each month or even bi-monthly. It really helps me out in terms of deciding where to start on building a system. Mad props guys, thanks ;)
Originally Posted by naokaji For the 1500£ build I see a problem, you claim the Lian-li v1100 has plenty of room for psu's..
however looking at this picture tells a different story, the 750 corsair is 16cm, the 1000w is 20, so that would make it impossible to fit without modding.
That's the V1100 not 1110 ;) I'm almost certain the latter is longer.
Hustler - I make it £421.40 ex Delivery.
£437 or thereabouts without delivery. I agree with the suggestion that there needs to be some tables included somewhere along the line to not only tot up the prices, but to make it easier for you to see the recommendations and alternatives.
Originally Posted by article The current king of bang per buck graphics card is without a doubt the ATI Radeon HD 4850, delivering fantastic performance for a its price point and even snapping at the heels of Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 260 (the one with 192 stream processors) – which sell for twice the price!
Whilst I see your point here (especially about the HD4850 being best bang for buck) the last comment is technically incorrect if talking about the 192 stream version of the GTX260. These can be had for <£180. The 216 stream versions however are going on twice the price of the HD4850.
Thanks, you're right, it shouldn't have said twice the price. It's been a bit of a minefield to edit being the first article of its kind, but we'll get there as we refine things over the next few months. Between us, Rich and I have probably spent the best part of a working day just tweaking and checking this article.
I'd like to say one thing more. A feature like this can be useful for two different groups of readers: people that know their hardware, and people that don't know their hardware. It is important that the alternatives you offer for people do not clutter up your main advice, because group two will instantly drop the article and go find another source. I'd like the article to say: buy this and this, you'll be a happy gamer.
People from group two don't want the aabsolute best, they just want a nice build from balanced and well-priced components.
People from group one will ALL have an as$hole opinion about the components use, and will all want to swap out one or two. Offering sensible choices is obviously a great addition for them, but you scare group two. The way you present the article now will not enable my brother to order a balanced PC. He'll probably wonder where the second processor goes too after opening the box
Oh, and one more idea that pops up: maybe you could partner up with some retailer to build and offer the configurations you propose here, with a nice discount for Bit-Tech-readers ofc ;)
Xtrafresh: We discussed moving the alternatives to their own page (per build) and reading your comments makes me more confident that it would make sense. Thanks. :)
Originally Posted by Ghys is the E5200 called Core2Duo overseas ? Here it's called a Pentium Dual Core, which doesn't make it appealing at all ...
It's the Pentium Dual-Core here as well - thanks!
It doesn't sound appealing but it's exactly the same architecture. Basically it's more than a Celeron, but still leverage the very, very strong Pentium brand for inexpensive PCs where people are looking for a "Pentium" because that's all they know.
We previously overclocked a Pentium Dual Core E2140 from 1.8GHz to 2.9GHz and that was a 65nm chip - a 2.5GHz 45nm CPU should do 3.5GHz with a decent board.
As for other comments like lists etc - ours for next month is as long as our arm now :D Ha!
Awesome article guys, I too would be interested in seeing more articles of this nature (hopefully with peripherals like fans and such as well) in the future. I'm a huge fan of the bit-tech writing staff and article style so its always a let down when I have to browse other websites for "buying guide" type articles. I'm curious to see how much this is all going to be shaken up when Nehalem draws closer.
Also I am a bit confused about the Radeon 4870 situation, when did everyone release the 1gig version? Did I miss something? For a few minutes there I was convinced that the stock 4870 had been 1gb all along and that the price had jumped 30$ from when you wrote this article. Newegg doesn't even carry the Sapphire 4870 512mb edition that you originally reviewed only a few months ago!
Oh and also is it just me or is the US pricing for the Cosmos S on page 7 seem a bit high...
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yep, that's something we're already thinking about!
+1
- As per other comments, I'd suggest moving away from the fixed price ranges - they don't make all that much sense if you're not including monitors and therefore a target resolution.
Though it would entail more hard work, I think it'd be better to start from target resolutions / monitor sizes and establish the cheapest / best components for each target.
- That should make it easier for those who have a monitor already, and those planning to upgrade as well.
The suggestion of having a final spec page for each setup would also be nice, especially if linked to pricegrabber (though it's scope of retailers is still limited).
- Perhaps even have a shopping basket-type setup where readers could choose from the alternatives you give and come out with a final price.
Anyways - all good stuff!
Whilst I see your point here (especially about the HD4850 being best bang for buck) the last comment is technically incorrect if talking about the 192 stream version of the GTX260. These can be had for <£180. The 216 stream versions however are going on twice the price of the HD4850.
Low, Medium and High budget ranges are good but not necessarily indicative of what the system is for. A gaming rig is different from a HTPC which is different from a general purpose machine which is different from a server which is different from a graphic (photoshop, etc.) station which is different from a digital video editing station which is different from a productive/business type station which is different from an internet surfing station, etc. I think you get the idea. :)
And then you could have various budget levels in each category too... but that makes for a lot of combinations. Perhaps the approach of a given configuration with a few parts of the config having different recommendations based on the purpose of the system. i.e. "We recommend a xxxxx card for gaming, however for a HTPC we recommend yyyyyy card instead, and for a..."
Or one month offer HTPC configs. Next month Gaming configs. 3rd month graphic stations, 4th month an internet surfing machine. Over the course of a year you could cover up to 12 different types of systems, although I could probably group all the different types of systems into maybe 6 categories which would allow for 2 updates each year of each type.
When you add in delivery charges for all the seperate components from different sites, its closer to £520.
Hmmmm..
That's the V1100 not 1110 ;) I'm almost certain the latter is longer.
Hustler - I make it £421.40 ex Delivery.
just seen it, should have read it more carefully:( , the v1110 is indeed much bigger.;)
I love the idea of having something like this each month or even bi-monthly. It really helps me out in terms of deciding where to start on building a system. Mad props guys, thanks ;)
£437 or thereabouts without delivery. I agree with the suggestion that there needs to be some tables included somewhere along the line to not only tot up the prices, but to make it easier for you to see the recommendations and alternatives.
Thanks, you're right, it shouldn't have said twice the price. It's been a bit of a minefield to edit being the first article of its kind, but we'll get there as we refine things over the next few months. Between us, Rich and I have probably spent the best part of a working day just tweaking and checking this article.
It's the Pentium Dual-Core here as well - thanks!
People from group two don't want the aabsolute best, they just want a nice build from balanced and well-priced components.
People from group one will ALL have an
as$holeopinion about the components use, and will all want to swap out one or two. Offering sensible choices is obviously a great addition for them, but you scare group two. The way you present the article now will not enable my brother to order a balanced PC. He'll probably wonder where the second processor goes too after opening the boxOh, and one more idea that pops up: maybe you could partner up with some retailer to build and offer the configurations you propose here, with a nice discount for Bit-Tech-readers ofc ;)
It doesn't sound appealing but it's exactly the same architecture. Basically it's more than a Celeron, but still leverage the very, very strong Pentium brand for inexpensive PCs where people are looking for a "Pentium" because that's all they know.
We previously overclocked a Pentium Dual Core E2140 from 1.8GHz to 2.9GHz and that was a 65nm chip - a 2.5GHz 45nm CPU should do 3.5GHz with a decent board.
As for other comments like lists etc - ours for next month is as long as our arm now :D Ha!
Also I am a bit confused about the Radeon 4870 situation, when did everyone release the 1gig version? Did I miss something? For a few minutes there I was convinced that the stock 4870 had been 1gb all along and that the price had jumped 30$ from when you wrote this article. Newegg doesn't even carry the Sapphire 4870 512mb edition that you originally reviewed only a few months ago!
Oh and also is it just me or is the US pricing for the Cosmos S on page 7 seem a bit high...
yep, they tend to call it pentium over here too, but actually its the 45nm shrink of the E2x00.