High-End Buyers' Guide: May 2007
by Dave Robinet and Jarred Walton on May 29, 2007 1:30 AM EST- Posted in
- Guides
Alternatives and Conclusion
The possibilities in a system purchase at the high-end segment of the market are literally limitless, and readers should determine for themselves what focus their system should have. Here are some alternative components to consider for customizing your system.
Gamers will want to devote more money towards their graphics cards, while graphics designers may want more memory. Elaborate cases may not make a whole lot of sense if you aren't planning on showing off your computer, and maybe that Blu-Ray drive is just too tempting to pass up. HTPC enthusiasts might want to add a TV tuner (or two) as well, or maybe you want something really different like the Compro VideoMate V600 that will allow you to watch TV or connect any gaming console to your computer display? The video quality is very good and we have a review forthcoming; the one major drawback is that it's limited to a maximum 1680x1050/1600x1200 resolution. The choice is yours: target your spending wisely!
One area that deserves a bit of extra attention is the multimedia options. In the past, just about everyone agreed that any high-end system -- particularly for gamers -- required a discrete audio card. The situation has changed quite dramatically with Windows Vista, as Microsoft has moved to a professional model for sound. Audio drivers are no longer in Ring 0, which should prevent them from causing system instabilities. The good news is that the new Universal Audio Architecture (UAA) makes integrated audio almost as good as discrete; the bad news is that all the extra effects in most current/older games got lost. If a game supports OpenAL (Q4, Prey, BF2142, S.T.A.L.K.E.R., etc.) then you still get full hardware accelerated 3D effects, and while Creative's new ALchemy Project is working to extend EAX support for older games, many titles are still not on the officially supported list. Also worth mentioning is that ALchemy is currently only for X-Fi cards (not including the Xtreme Audio version); Audigy users may get support in the future, but at present they are left out in the cold. Game developers are currently designing Vista specific features such as offloading audio computations onto a separate core/thread, providing increased flexibility for audio effects, so long-term we may see a shift in the audio market to the point where virtually any solution will offer the same overall quality.
As mentioned in the introduction, the time to look at a new high-end system may not be perfect right now, with the P35 chipset introduction bringing DDR3 memory and a 1333MHz FSB into the mix. Intel's X38 chipset is also right around the corner, just in time for Intel's Penryn processors. Pending hardware introductions, however, will be looming every time one of these Guides are released. As has been said repeatedly in the past, the "correct" time to update your system is when you have made the decision that your computer no longer meets your needs. If that time is now, don't forget to visit the AnandTech Forums to ask any questions which you may have before making your purchase!
The possibilities in a system purchase at the high-end segment of the market are literally limitless, and readers should determine for themselves what focus their system should have. Here are some alternative components to consider for customizing your system.
| Alternative Processors | |||
| Platform | Component | Price | Rebates |
| AMD 1207 | Athlon 64 FX-72 | $329 | - |
| AMD AM2 | Athlon 64 X2 6000+ | $227 | - |
| Intel 775 | Core 2 Duo E6700 | $316 | - |
| Intel 775 | Core 2 Extreme X6800 | $969 | - |
| Intel 775 | Core 2 Extreme QX6800 | $1300 | - |
| . | |||
| Alternative Motherboards | |||
| Platform | Component | Price | Rebates |
| AMD AM2 | Foxconn nForce 590 SLI C51XEM2AA | $165 | - |
| Intel 775 | DFI LP UT NF680I LT SLI-T2 | $300 | - |
| Intel 775 | MSI Diamond P6 | $280 | - |
| Intel 775 | MSI P6N SLI Platinum | $160 | - |
| . | |||
| Alternative DDR2 Memory | |||
| Brand | Component | Price | Rebates |
| Mushkin | XP2-8000 Redline | $320 | - |
| Corsair | PC-8500 Dominator | $205 | - |
| Corsair | 2 x 4GB (2x2GB = 8GB total) XMS2 TWIN2X4096-6400C5DHX | $540 | $80 |
| G.Skill | F2-6400PHU2-2GBHZ | $115 | - |
| . | |||
| Alternative Power Supplies | |||
| Brand | Component | Price | Rebates |
| Enermax | Enermax 850W | $260 | - |
| OCZ | OCZ700GXSSLI (700W) | $126 | - |
| SeaSonic | SeaSonic 700W | $210 | - |
| Zalman | Zalman ZM600-HP (600W) | $132 | - |
| . | |||
| Alternative Graphics Cards | |||
| Brand | Component | Price | Rebates |
| EVGA | EVGA GeForce 8800GTX Ultra | $832 | - |
| Foxconn | Foxconn GeForce 8800GTS 320MB DDR3 Overclocked | $305 | - |
| Sapphire | Radeon HD 2900 XT 512MB (100201) | $426 | - |
| XFX | XFX GeForce 8800GTX 768MB DDR3 XXX Version | $620 | - |
| . | |||
| Alternative Data Storage | |||
| Brand | Component | Price | Rebates |
| Hitachi | Deskstar 7K1000 1TB 7200RPM | $410 | - |
| Seagate | Barracuda ES ST3750640AS 750GB 7200RPM | $310 | - |
| Seagate | ST3500641AS-RK 500GB | $135 | - |
| Phillips | SPD7000 Blu-Ray Writer | $500 | - |
| . | |||
| Sound Cards and Multimedia Devices | |||
| Brand | Component | Price | Rebates |
| Auzentech | X-Meridian 7.1 (AZT-XM71) | $170 | - |
| Bluegears | b-Enspirer 7.1 | $110 | - |
| Chaintech | AV-710 | $22 | - |
| Compro | VideoMate V600 External Video Converter | $150-$160 | - |
| Creative | X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Professional 70SB046A00000 | $140 | $40 |
| Hauppauge | WinTV-PVR 500 MCE Tuner | $145 | - |
| NVIDIA | DualTV MCE Tuner | $160 | - |
| . | |||
Gamers will want to devote more money towards their graphics cards, while graphics designers may want more memory. Elaborate cases may not make a whole lot of sense if you aren't planning on showing off your computer, and maybe that Blu-Ray drive is just too tempting to pass up. HTPC enthusiasts might want to add a TV tuner (or two) as well, or maybe you want something really different like the Compro VideoMate V600 that will allow you to watch TV or connect any gaming console to your computer display? The video quality is very good and we have a review forthcoming; the one major drawback is that it's limited to a maximum 1680x1050/1600x1200 resolution. The choice is yours: target your spending wisely!
One area that deserves a bit of extra attention is the multimedia options. In the past, just about everyone agreed that any high-end system -- particularly for gamers -- required a discrete audio card. The situation has changed quite dramatically with Windows Vista, as Microsoft has moved to a professional model for sound. Audio drivers are no longer in Ring 0, which should prevent them from causing system instabilities. The good news is that the new Universal Audio Architecture (UAA) makes integrated audio almost as good as discrete; the bad news is that all the extra effects in most current/older games got lost. If a game supports OpenAL (Q4, Prey, BF2142, S.T.A.L.K.E.R., etc.) then you still get full hardware accelerated 3D effects, and while Creative's new ALchemy Project is working to extend EAX support for older games, many titles are still not on the officially supported list. Also worth mentioning is that ALchemy is currently only for X-Fi cards (not including the Xtreme Audio version); Audigy users may get support in the future, but at present they are left out in the cold. Game developers are currently designing Vista specific features such as offloading audio computations onto a separate core/thread, providing increased flexibility for audio effects, so long-term we may see a shift in the audio market to the point where virtually any solution will offer the same overall quality.
As mentioned in the introduction, the time to look at a new high-end system may not be perfect right now, with the P35 chipset introduction bringing DDR3 memory and a 1333MHz FSB into the mix. Intel's X38 chipset is also right around the corner, just in time for Intel's Penryn processors. Pending hardware introductions, however, will be looming every time one of these Guides are released. As has been said repeatedly in the past, the "correct" time to update your system is when you have made the decision that your computer no longer meets your needs. If that time is now, don't forget to visit the AnandTech Forums to ask any questions which you may have before making your purchase!
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
69 Comments
View All Comments
JarredWalton - Wednesday, May 30, 2007 - link
The following is with CrossFire X1950 XTX:QX6700 idle @ 1.60 GHz = 195W (sitting at the desktop)
QX6700 100% CPU load @ 2.67 GHz = 285W (running Folding@Home SMP)
QX6700 100% CPU + 3DMark06 = 488W (Folding@Home SMP and 3DMark06)
QX6700 100% GPU = 441W (running just 3DMark06)
The same system with the processor now overclocked to a 1333 FSB:
QX6700 idle @ 2.00 GHz = 250W (sitting at the desktop)
QX6700 100% CPU load @ 3.33 GHz = 341W (running Folding@Home SMP)
QX6700 100% CPU + 3DMark06 = 545W (Folding@Home SMP and 3DMark06)
QX6700 100% GPU = 476W (running just 3DMark06)
As I mentioned below, if you were to put Radeon HD 2900 XT cards in place of the X1950 XTX cards, it appears the total power draw when running 3D applications would go up almost 150W.
Caligynemania - Tuesday, May 29, 2007 - link
Please stop reccomending computer speakers for high end systems. Computer speakers are simply sub-par. Anytime you are spending more than $100 on speakers, people should be looking at Sound&Vision, not Anandtech. Please start advising people to look into real audio solutions rather than the shit for tweets on computer speakers.-Cal
Martimus - Tuesday, May 29, 2007 - link
I agree with you there. Just plug into a good reciever with nice speakers. No need to buy made for computer speakers that are supposedly "high end".maan8517 - Tuesday, May 29, 2007 - link
My recommendation for computers would be a sub $100 2-speaker combination for whenever you want to show someone else something on the computer and then burn the money on a good set of headphones. The Sennheiser HD650 for example is excellent for the non-price sensitive, and the Koss Headset SB45 is OK for its very low price.Emryse - Tuesday, May 29, 2007 - link
I have to admit that I am only dissappointed as I've just purchased my new build a few days ago (and therefore makes this article impracticle for me).Other than that - a great article with the usual clear, reasonable explanations for choices made; hey, a few of my components even made the list!
I just wanted to add that you might consider ammending the ASUS P5N32-E mobo to the alternative from the "Striker Extreme" for those who perhaps want the same core experience of that lineup without some of the "extra" features. That is, unless there is some problem with this mobo, in which case I would need to:
a.) hear from you about any problems with the board
b.) return to vendor from whence it came
c.) purchase new board from list
At any rate, thanks and keep it up! (Oh, and welcome aboard Dave!)
JarredWalton - Tuesday, May 29, 2007 - link
Hi everyone,Say hello to our new contributing editor, Dave Robinet! As always, we welcome your comments and feedback, and hopefully we will be able to get new Buyers' Guides out in a more timely fashion. Try to go easy on him, as we don't want to scare him way after one pilot article. Or just flame away as usual.... ;)
Take care,
Jarred Walton
Senior Editor, Displays and Laptops
http://www.AnandTech.com">http://www.AnandTech.com
Dave Robinet - Thursday, May 31, 2007 - link
Thanks, Jarred, for the introduction, and thanks, everyone for reading and providing comment. :)anandtech02148 - Tuesday, May 29, 2007 - link
Howdy Dave and Jarred,I'm always curious as to what Anandtech recommend for high end or low budget, but how come the high end system never include a LianLi case. Ever sinces the 8800gtx came out with it's arm's length, Lianli case is ready to answer this with it's modular approach.
Also a Lianli's case is fancy on the eyes don't you think?
Just my 2cents, i owned 2 Lianli cases and i'm a big fan of it.
Dave Robinet - Thursday, May 31, 2007 - link
Lian Li cases are great, and that was suggested by a couple of other editors. Cases (assuming they haven't made any catastrophic errors in terms of airflow or quality) generally come down to preference - they could just have easily been included in the Guide.Thanks again!
dave