Quake3World

I want to build my own this time around but got interested in barebones kits to get started. I've always had Intel processors but I've heard positives about AMD. I'm not a hardcore gamer and would consider myself a light user - no photoshop etc. Mostly play Q3. No VC or OS in this kit:

Cybertron PC

Intel's Core2Duo and Core2Quads are faster on the top line than the current AMD offerings, but since you're not doing anything heavy duty, AMD is cheaper, so you'll get some bang for your buck. Nothing wrong with going AMD.

HD's relatively small at 250GB. Most of the components are pretty "meh" and there is no video card. For $700 that seems expensive.

Oh... and IMO, the case...

"kits" are how vendors unload poor hardware on unsuspecting saps like you.

I like it. This seems perfect for just fraggin around with. I'm pretty sanguin using a lot less than that, but it would be what I move up too. I like the case as well.

creep wrote:"kits" are how vendors unload poor hardware on unsuspecting saps like you.

Thanks. I think I'll take a harder look at a Tom's Hardware systems builds.

Uni, building a system these days is easier then ever.. there are no real dip switches, settings, special Hands shakes to getting the computer to boot on the first go...

Buy decent components, put them togeather, make sure everythigns plugged in, and turn it on...

As long as no hardware is junk/installed wrong it will post, then install your O/S of your choice and your done.

Good luck man,
Also, Check out Anandtech.com as well, they usually have the same review's with a little diffrent Point of view.

My $900 laptop has more horsepower than that.

Thats not a bad deal. Don't no much about phenoms. harddrives a little small by todays standards. your gonna need a vidcard. something highend if you want to play todays games on the highest settings. grab another 2 gigs of ram and get vista 64 bit.

Phenoms are a bit slower than high end Intels, but they are quite a bit cheaper. So if you don't have to have the absolute fastest chip, then there's no reason not to use AMD.

I have a slightly slower Phenom than that kit and it handles everything I throw at it pretty well.

Putting together a system is cake, there's no reason to buy stuff that's put together for you and "discounted".

I'd just do it yourself. You'll end up with a system you'll like more. And unless you pay extra for your case you're going to wind up with something more attractive than that thing.

Edit: That's $700 USD? That's a ripoff. I paid less than that CAD for a 3.0Ghz Intel C2D, 2G Dual Channel DDR2, 320G SATA, decent motherboard and attractive case.