Economy PC: US$750.00

[TriniXaeno]

Follows is the configuration for a PC as recommended by TriniTechSquad members at the given budget, periodically scrutinized and updated.

AMD Version by w1ntry, reference Tech Republic
Processor    AMD Phenom II X3 720 Black Edition    $144.99
Motherboard    Gigabyte GA-MA790X-UD4    $114.99
Memory    Kingston 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2-800    $42.99
Graphics    XFX Radeon HD 4870 XXX    $209.99
Storage    Western Digital Caviar Black 640GB    $79.99
DVD: Samsung SH-S223Q    $26.99
Audio    Integrated    $0
Case    Antec Sonata III w/500W PSU    $129.99
Total    $749.93


Intel Version by w1ntry, reference Tech Republic
Processor    Intel Core 2 Duo E8400     $164.99
Motherboard    Motherboard    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P    $134.99
Memory    Kingston 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2-800    $42.99
Graphics    XFX Radeon HD 4870 XXX    $209.99
Storage    Western Digital Caviar Black 640GB    $79.99
DVD: Samsung SH-S223Q    $26.99
Audio    Integrated    $0
Case    Antec Sonata III w/500W PSU    $129.99
Total    $789.93

[Kraeoss]

umm just asking but why that expensive version of the 4870 and not the sub $200 version sapphire ?

[Arcmanov]

Two reasons:  1. the 'XXX' designation from XFX means its a factory overclocked model...and 2. better warranty.

[Kraeoss]

thx just asking

[haterforever]

so between the intel version and the amd version, the intel dual core better than the amd triple core?

[Spazosaurus]

Some (or most) of those tri cores have the 4th core that can be unlocked. Double the cores for less money is the smarter way to go imo, regardless of the fact that theE8400 can overclock way higher. At the end of the day, its still a dual core and don't forget that the AMD can be overclocked as well.

As for the HD4870 factory overclocked argument, its total madness to pay over $200us for a 4870. You can get a factory overclocked Sapphire on newegg for $180, which is SIGNIFICANTLY less than that $210 list price. That XFX fail. Best u put a 4890 at that price.

[Spazosaurus]

Put $10 more and get the exact same card? Doesnt sound like something i'd do.

[Nephilim]

that sapphire card real nice same card i running now, even when it was 189 it was still a bess deal...150 almost making me want to go xfire

i think he put the same link twice was prob the 512 version he meant to put on top

[Spazosaurus]

Oh yes I liking that 4850x2 price. That is another excellent option.

[haterforever]

well i'm buyin from amazon cuz don't think my credit card would be accepted at newegg

what about this?
Amd Phenom II X3 720 Black Ed
http://www.amazon.com/Amd-Phenom-II-720-Black/dp/B001R84CGW/ref=rsl_mainw_dpl?ie=UTF8&m=A9B09ZK9BZJQ6

GIGABYTE GA-MA790XT-UD4P Socket AM3/ AMD 790X/ DDR3-1666/ A&GbE/ ATX Motherboard
http://www.amazon.com/GIGABYTE-GA-MA790XT-UD4P-Socket-DDR3-1666-Motherboard/dp/B001R1RZOU/ref=rsl_mainw_dpl?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

XFX Radeon HD 4870 XXX Edition Video Card - 1024MB GDDR5, PCI Express 2.0 x16, CrossFireX Ready, (Dual Link) Dual DVI, HDTV
http://www.amazon.com/XFX-Radeon-4870-Video-Card/dp/B002ES0NG2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1246631076&sr=1-2

OCZ OCZ3P13334GK PC3-1066 DDR3 1333MHz Platinum Series 4 GB Kit
http://www.amazon.com/OCZ-OCZ3P13334GK-PC3-1066-1333MHz-Platinum/dp/B0013HC36S/ref=pd_sxp_grid_pt_2_2


that's what i researched on so far, as it was the main components, still have to look at case and cooler

[Arcmanov]

Potentially kickass AMD system there.

Thumbs up from me.

[Spazosaurus]

Thumbs up here as well.

[chinarakinda]

wow that funny haterforever buying the same parts i buy.