Final Words
The problem with "entry-level" systems is that they are normally boring. They aren't normally sexy or groundbreaking, and PCs costing less than $800 are therefore normally devoid of any of the glitz and excitement associated with the midrange to high-end market. Many ignore low-end PCs and simply point to the latest Dell or HP special of the week - PCs that are hardly worthy of consideration as a "real" PC.
However, sometimes you can break that mold of the boring entry PC, and this is one of those times. It is all possible thanks to AMD's new wunderkind, namely the ATI HD 4770. You probably remember fondly the smile the NVIDIA 8800 GT brought to your face when you first found out "the only card that mattered" would cost around $200. The 8800 GT wasn't the fastest card you could buy from NVIDIA, but it was definitely the best value around in graphics performance. Nothing was even close at that $200 price point.
The ATI 4770 has grabbed our interest in the same way, but at a ridiculous "take the money and run" price of just $99. This $100 video card outperforms everything approaching its price. More than that, it is almost the Universal GPU, since any user who games on less than a 30" monitor will likely be very satisfied with the frame rates and "playability" of the 4770. We took the HD 4770 concept to its logical conclusion on pages 4 and 5. It is almost embarrassing to call these systems "budget computer", but for less than $550 the basic box certainly fits that category. We prefer to look at these two systems as redefining the expectations of a budget computer. Whichever of these two systems you decide to build, it will blow away what you've come to expect from an inexpensive PC. Console gaming got you down? Now you can do real work as well as play games for just a couple hundred dollars more. If you are an overclocker, you will be even more excited.
Of course, not everyone needs or wants a gaming rig, and the entry systems may be perfect for a parent's internet and email needs, a kid's computer, or an expandable system to start with if you have a very limited budget and want to grow with your computer. The basic AMD system is under $300, and a complete system with 19" widescreen LCD, speakers, and Vista Home Premium 64-bit for either Intel or AMD is less than $550. This is for a competent and capable Intel dual-core E5200 Wolfdale or a dual-core AMD 7750BE Kuma. The boards in both systems fully support HDMI and HD video. These are powerful systems at very friendly prices.
Finally, you will find a basic HTPC computer in a component-type case is also a better buy today. With either Intel or AMD, the HTPCs deliver HD output, 1TB HD storage, video-ripping power, and Blu-ray playback capabilities to your HDTV and home theater setup. The cost has dropped to just $550 for the basic HTPC box or $680 with the addition of the Vista OS and cordless keyboard/mouse.
With the ability to include a capable gaming video card in a complete computer system at around $800, the entry segment now covers a range of options wider than ever before. That is very good news for enthusiasts who have been looking for power but were previously held back by a tight budget. Build any of our budget PCs with a $99 ATI HD 4770 graphics card, and you will be able to rejoin the PC gaming world.
To put this value in perspective consider that the original 2.93GHz Core 2 Duo cost $1000. The $140 E7500 in our $825 Intel Budget System is basically the same CPU updated to a more efficient manufacturing process. It provides the same speed and similar performance to the $1000 part. That should give you a better idea of how quickly satisfying CPU performance has moved down to the entry-level computer segment. The $99 ATI 4770 included in our $825 Budget systems outperforms anything even close to its price. With that added graphics power you have a truly powerful computer system at a very entry price. That is the our idea of true value.
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Zak - Friday, May 15, 2009 - link
I've built a $350 (tower only) AMD PC with on-board graphics using that HEC case. It's really nice looking for the price. The front panel looks grea, well finished. And the steel is sturdy and everything inside is nicely finished. This is really a great value case.Z.
pirspilane - Thursday, May 14, 2009 - link
I installed both the NVIDIA HD Audio driver and the Realtek HD Audio driver. Do I need both? What's the difference?Also, does the LG Blu-ray drive include software for playing Blu-ray, or do I need to buy a separate app. If so, what would you recommend?
JarredWalton - Thursday, May 14, 2009 - link
I believe that the NVIDIA audio drivers are for the HDMI output. I know that's the case on ATI cards that support HDMI. So, if you want HDMI with audio you would need to install both drivers.(Feel free to make fun of me if I'm wrong, though!)
pirspilane - Wednesday, May 20, 2009 - link
You're absolutely right.A few other learning experiences I had:
- Although the M3N78 PRO has a 3-pin connector for the "PWR" fan, there doesn't seem to be any way to control the speed on that fan. It DOES control the speed on "CHA" fan.
- BIOS settings - TLB fix should be disabled; Q-fan must be enabled for the CPU fan to use the Cool n Quiet software, even if you're not using AISuite (which has the Q-fan utility). In fact, you can't use both the Cool n Quiet and AISuite utilities, so I didn't install AISuite.
nubie - Thursday, May 14, 2009 - link
I love you guys, you just built a decent Intel entry-level for $301!!If you happen to have a case/psu/HDD/optical/OS/RAM from an older build you can upgrade with the 4770 for under $300.
(for most people that is what I would recommend, you can buy an older Gateway/eMachines, with a real mATX case, for $100, thus taking care of all of the base requirements, then add the CPU/Mobo/RAM and 4770 and get a decent system out of it for under or around $500)
If you are scrounging for the money you can start with a Celeron chip for $30 and then move up as the budget allows, same with RAM, start with a single 2GB stick if you are really strapped, or a 2x1GB kit.
It is freaking insane how much is available for so little, more so than ever before. (for less than a new current-gen video game console you could upgrade your rig to play current games).
strikeback03 - Friday, May 15, 2009 - link
Would you really trust the PSU in an old emachines/gateway? Esp. if adding a 4770, which likely means using a 4pin to PCI-E power adaptor?nubie - Friday, May 15, 2009 - link
Actually, now that you mention it I have upgraded and/or built several systems with the eMachines/Gateway power supplies and have been very pleased. I have had the Celeron 430/420/440 overclocked past 3ghz on these supplies, with a voltmodded 7900GS @650mhz core clock and no issues at all, no lockups with 3Dmark runs, no issues with Prime95 stress testing.They are rated accurately, are quiet, and inexpensive.
Also, look at what you are asking of them: 1 hard drive, 1 optical drive, 1 35 watt processor. According to: http://extreme.outervision.com/PSUEngine">http://extreme.outervision.com/PSUEngine that is only 215 watts for an e5200 system with a 4830, whereas the Gateway supplies are rated to 250 watt.
If you are using a Celeron 440 with a 4770 it should be just fine, the PSU calculator says 158watts for the 440 with a 4670 (4770 is not yet a choice).
On my regular system I run a PC Power Silencer 470, and I highly recommend it if you plan to add to the system with overclocked Duals or Quads. But I wouldn't hesitate to recommend a cheap system to start with on the lower TDP processors and lighter video cards.
I figure that these older systems came with a P4 or Athlon 90nm in the first place, so a low-power single or quad on 45nm isn't going to be a problem as long as you aren't using a power hungry video card or a rack of hard drives.
barnierubble - Thursday, May 14, 2009 - link
Hi,All the links in the component lists in the latest Under $825 buyers guide have a poor rating in Web of Trust so I would not buy anything from them.
Wesley Fink - Thursday, May 14, 2009 - link
The problem is with Circle of Trust and not our links. Our link engine tries to analyze what you are seeking and route it to the lowest priced vendor it knows about. Often that is Newegg.Circle of trust misreads the forwarding as not completely trustworthy, which is not correct. Our buying links are as reliable as any you will find. They are just analyzed and routed and not direct.
aftlizard - Thursday, May 14, 2009 - link
I wouldn't, and don't. I use this which gives me much better range than my old RF mouse and keyboard, and it saves with clutter.http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8...">http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8...