Final Words
Most users that email questions about building a computer system are planning to build a midrange computer system. With a broad price range of $800 to $1800 this covers a huge number of potential choices. With the launch of Phenom II all of our thinking about systems from Intel and AMD got rearranged. Further changes came with price cuts from both sides. The end result is that Intel and AMD are now competitive in the midrange segment of the computer market. This parity created by Phenom II has had a dramatic impact in lowering midrange CPU prices. The result is that midrange computers are an exceptional value in today's computer market.
The best evidence of the value you will find in today's midrange systems is to compare prices to systems in our guide published in January. Our price range then was $1000 to $2000 - stretched to include a Phenom II and Intel Core i7 systems at the top of midrange. This guide is $800 to $1800 and includes all Phenom II systems for AMD and a Core i7 system at the top of the Intel midrange. Generally components are either the same or have been upgraded. The result is comparable complete systems that cost $1150 today that were $1500 just three months ago. That is a price drop of over 20% in a very short time frame.
Certainly, processors and DDR3 memory represent the biggest price drops in the last three months. The always competitive GPU or video card market has also brought us lower prices compared to 3 months ago. Monitors are also getting cheaper, higher resolution, and larger to the point that you will be truly surprised at the low prices if you haven't shopped for monitors in a while. Hard drives also seem to be caught in competitive pricing squeezes and seem to drop a little every time we prepare a new system buyers guide. However, cases, power supplies, optical drives, and I/O devices have changed little over that time frame. Not surprisingly, the OS cost always seems the same if you choose Microsoft. That could change a little when Windows 7 launches in the future but we could end up with an even more expensive Windows 7 in the future. There is the option to go to Linux, Ubuntu, or some other OS instead, but many will not seriously consider this option. Perhaps they should as the no-cost operating systems do continue to get better and easier to use with each new incarnation.
The current world economic woes are having their impact on the computer industry as well as most other industries. As often happens in difficult economic times price competition often becomes fierce, and the large and strong are more able to play in that environment It is likely that the bad economy will take its toll and some players will cease to exist. That is simple economics, and it is being played very hard right now. That doesn't mean everything is doom and gloom because great values for you are the silver lining to this story. The computer industry has always been about increasing value and bang for your buck. Moore's "Law" may not be exactly in force any more, but there is little doubt that today you can get more for your money than ever in a computer system. Smart buyers who still have a job (or a rich grandmother) will buy now for the value and be rewarded with terrific performance for their investment.
The point of all these buyers guides and component selections should be very clear. Now is a great time to build a value midrange or performance midrange system, with either an Intel or AMD processor. The value for your dollar is as good as we have ever seen. Those are great reasons to take a close look at replacing or updating your computer system.
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jmvillafana - Tuesday, April 14, 2009 - link
The article is excelent. Still if you could run benchmarks with the presented systems we could compare what $1,800 Vs $800 provide.Googer - Monday, April 13, 2009 - link
I must disagree with your selection of Seagate 7200.11 drives after all the problems they have had with failure reminiscent of the IBM Deskstar (deathstar) 75GXP days. Instead, I'd advise users to go with a WD Velociraptor or WD Black edition or a Nice SSD.Leyawiin - Thursday, April 9, 2009 - link
I haven't done a ground up build in years. There's always something you can recycle from a previous build if you do this regularly. I was pricing an i7 940 build with a 300GB Velociraptor, 4GB of DDR3 2000, X58 mobo, Coolermaster V8 HS/fan and a GTX 285. Very strong system and using the still good Cooler Master case, X-Fi sound card, DVD drive and case fans it will be less than $1,700. I might be able to pare it down further.Leyawiin - Thursday, April 9, 2009 - link
Oh and please can the "this is useless unless you live in the US" crap. They can't cover all the international pricing variances - the guides can at least be used as a starting point in your overpriced, uncompetitive locales.papapapapapapapababy - Friday, April 10, 2009 - link
Buyers Guide. Buyers. not -USA- Buyers Guide, or System builders guide. so, yes, is kinda useless 2 me.also, the "Intel Value" config is total crap. stock cooler? XD here, nubcake...
1)
XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler $36.99
2)
Intel Core 2 Duo E7400 $119.99 > @ 3.4 GHZ (FASTER + lower temps, noise, price)
also just one hdd? then that mobo is an overkill
3) g31 mobo (ASUS P5KPL-AM) just $37.50 ! thats value (GREAT MOBO, in mot kiding, rock solid, ocs like mad, great sound)
4) GTX 260 896MB for $159.99 + a real psu not that pos
my system >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>><< anand "tech"
papapapapapapapababy - Thursday, April 9, 2009 - link
useless guide unless you live in the usa. ( im sorry 4 you)btw, this is why i always laugh at those American console users, "but the 10.000 computer" " comfy couch" " consoles offer more value" type of guys. they just fail to realize that consoles are super overpriced retro garbage compared to ANY pc . Yes, total garbage, example? console cpu: even a dino like a amd64 3000, or hell even a slow ass barton xp is faster that the " xbox triple core" or the potato of " cell".
edgardavids - Thursday, April 9, 2009 - link
Why do you suggest DDR2-1066 for mid range AMD system? The board can support DDR2-1066 with AM2+ CPU only, X3 720 is a AM3 processor. Is it considered a waste to invest on DDR2-1066?JarredWalton - Thursday, April 9, 2009 - link
See above: AM3 CPUs work with DDR2, and performance wise there's not a huge difference between DDR2 and DDR3 AMD systems. DDR3 is slightly more expensive, but you also need a DDR3 motherboard. Ultimately, the AM2+ boards seem to offer a nice balance of price, performance, and features - whether you use an AM2 or an AM3 CPU.taruncharles - Wednesday, April 8, 2009 - link
Hi,Nice article once gain. I am planning on using the same kinda rig for my mid-range value PC.
In the mid-range value setup, you have used DDR2 1066 with Biostar TA790GX 128M. But, I noticed that the specifications for this motherboard say that it supports DDR2 1066 only for AM2+ CPUs. Whereas the CPU in your setup is AM3..
Will this work properly here. Or should I be using 800Mhz DDR2 with X3 720 and Biostar TA790GX 128M?..
Thanks
Wesley Fink - Wednesday, April 8, 2009 - link
DDR2-1066 and higher speed memory will always work fine at lower speeds and normally faster timings. It is rated 1066 but will definitley work slower if that is necessary, whcih I doubt.