Hdcp Pci
2011
 |
 ZOTAC Silent GeForce GT 430 512MB DDR3 PCI HDMI DVI VGA Video Card HDCP $32.95 Time Remaining: 4d 7h 57m Buy It Now for only: $32.95 |
 XFX PVT86JYAHG GeForce 8500 GT 512MB GDDR2 PCI Express x16 HDCP SLI Ready $0.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 19h 21m |
 SAPPHIRE 100323L Radeon HD 6570 1GB DDR3 PCI Express 21 x16 HDCP Ready $61.99 Time Remaining: 29d 7h 2m Buy It Now for only: $61.99 |
 Galaxy GeForce GT 430 1GB 128 bit DDR3 PCI Express 20 x16 43GGS8HX3SPZ HDCP $36.94 Time Remaining: 7d 19h 8m Buy It Now for only: $36.94 |
 MSI N210 MD512D3 LP GeForce 210 512MB 64 bit DDR3 PCI Express 20 x16 HDCP $29.99 Time Remaining: 2d 8h 48m Buy It Now for only: $34.99 |
 Galaxy GeForce GT 440 1GB 128 bit DDR3 PCI Express 20 x16 HDCP Ready $39.94 Time Remaining: 7d 19h 22m Buy It Now for only: $39.94 |
 NEW ATI Radeon HD 6570 1GB DDR3 Video Card PCI Express HDMI DVI HDCP Supp $55.95 Time Remaining: 2d 12h 32m Buy It Now for only: $55.95 |
 ATI Radeon HD 4770 512MB GDDR5 PCI Express PCIe Dual DVI Video Card w HDCP $51.11 Time Remaining: 12d 11h 44m Buy It Now for only: $51.11 |
 NEW SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 5450 1GB 64 bit DDR3 PCI Express 21 x16 HDCP Ready $31.99 Time Remaining: 1d 23h 27m Buy It Now for only: $35.99 |
 ASUS GEFORCE 210 GRAPHIC PLUS CARD 512MB DDR3 HDMI DVI HDCP PCI E NEW $47.41 Time Remaining: 11d 4h 20m Buy It Now for only: $47.41 |
 Galaxy GeForce GTS 250 1GB DDR3 PCI Express DVI VGA HDMI HDCP $69.99 Time Remaining: 25d 13h 26m Buy It Now for only: $69.99 |
 EVGA 01G P3 1280 RX PB R GeForce GTX 280 1GB GDDR3 PCI Express 20 x16 HDCP $15.04 (13 Bids) Time Remaining: 5d 1h 36m |
 ASUS HD7970 DC2T 3GD5 Radeon HD 7970 3GB 384 bit GDDR5 PCI Express 30 x16 HDCP $484.95 Time Remaining: 20d 11h 47m Buy It Now for only: $484.95 |
 Nvidia SYNERGY GeForce GT 220 1GB DDR2 PCI Express HDMI DVI VGA Video Card HDCP $39.95 Time Remaining: 5h 47m Buy It Now for only: $39.95 |
 XFX RADEON HD 5550 1GB DDR2 PCI EXPRESS VIDEO CARD ATI VGA DVI HDMI HDCP $48.99 Time Remaining: 23d 13h 25m Buy It Now for only: $48.99 |
 EVGA 02G P4 2680 KR GeForce GTX 680 2GB 256 bit GDDR5 PCI Express 30 x16 HDCP R $530.00 Time Remaining: 15h 58m |
 EVGA 01G P3 1280 RX PB R GeForce GTX 280 1GB GDDR3 PCI Express 20 x16 HDCP $100.00 Time Remaining: 2d 6h 27m Buy It Now for only: $100.00 |
 NEW Galaxy GeForce 210 1GB DDR2 PCI Express 20 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card $39.56 Time Remaining: 17d 8h 31m Buy It Now for only: $39.56 |
 DIAMOND Viper 3870PE31G Radeon HD 3870 1GB 256 bit GDDR3 PCI Ex CrossFireX HDCP $57.99 Time Remaining: 2d 2h 54m Buy It Now for only: $63.79 |
 EVGA GTX 480 15GB PCI Express20 HDCPSLIDX11 w backplate+high flow bracket $229.00 Time Remaining: 8d 8h 21m Buy It Now for only: $229.00 |
 ZOTAC ZT 20313 10L GeForce 210 1GB 64 bit DDR3 PCI E 20 x16 HDCP LOW PROFILE $24.99 Time Remaining: 18d 20h 29m Buy It Now for only: $24.99 |
 512MB ATI RADEON HD2900PRO DDR3 HDCP 2DVI VIVO PCI EXPRESS OEM 100222L $74.39 Time Remaining: 24d 40m Buy It Now for only: $74.39 |
 PNY VCGG2101D3XPB GeForce 210 1GB 64 bit DDR3 PCI E 20 x16 HDCP Ready Low $22.98 Time Remaining: 1d 7h |
 PNY GeForce 8400 GS 512MB 64 bit DDR3 PCI HDCP Video Card VCG84512D3SPPB $49.99 Time Remaining: 24d 17h 29m Buy It Now for only: $49.99 |
 AMD Radeon HD 6570 GPU 1GB DDR3 PCI Express PCIe DVI Video Card w HDMI HDCP New $57.98 Time Remaining: 6d 17h 24m Buy It Now for only: $57.98 |
 NEW Sapphire ATI Radeon HD6870 HD 6870 1GB GDDR5 PCI E 100314 3L HDCP Video Card $179.00 Time Remaining: 17d 5h 47m Buy It Now for only: $179.00 |
 MSI Radeon HD 5670 1GB GDDR5 PCI Express 21 x 16 HDCP Ready w Eyefinity R5670 $69.95 Time Remaining: 2d 17h 23m Buy It Now for only: $79.95 |
 MSI N210 MD512H GeForce 210 512MB 64 bit DDR2 PCI Express x16 HDCP w LP Bracket $41.99 Time Remaining: 1d 23h 51m Buy It Now for only: $41.99 |
 NEW MSI N210 MD512D3 GeForce 210 512MB 64 bit DDR3 PCI E 20 HDCP Graphic Card $29.99 Time Remaining: 25d 10h 37m Buy It Now for only: $29.99 |
 GIGABYTE GV R587OC 1GD Radeon HD 5870 1GB 256 bit GDDR5 PCI Express 21 x16 HDCP $291.77 Time Remaining: 2d 39m Buy It Now for only: $321.24 |
 XFX RADEON HD 5450 512MB DVI HDMI HDCP PCI E VIDEO CARD $42.99 Time Remaining: 5d 16h 8m Buy It Now for only: $42.99 |
 ASUS EAH4670 DI 1GD3 V2 Radeon HD 4670 1GB 128 bit DDR3 PCI Express 20 x16 HDCP $64.95 Time Remaining: 21d 1h 2m Buy It Now for only: $64.95 |
 NEW GIGABYTE GV R545D3 1GI Radeon HD 5450 1GB DDR3 PCI Express HDCP Video Card $35.76 Time Remaining: 15d 10h 17m Buy It Now for only: $35.76 |
 GIGABYTE GV NX84G256H GeForce 8400 GS 256MB 64 bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 HDCP $23.00 Time Remaining: 1d 21h 7m Buy It Now for only: $28.00 |
 EVGA 01G P3 1280 RX PB R GeForce GTX 280 1GB GDDR3 PCI Express 20 x16 HDCP $125.00 Time Remaining: 1d 3h 47m Buy It Now for only: $125.00 |
 256MB SAPPHIRE ATI RADEON HD3850 PCI EXPRESS 2DVI HDCP 100216L $57.04 Time Remaining: 2d 21h 40m Buy It Now for only: $57.04 |
 PNY Verto VCGG2101XPB GeForce 210 1GB 128 bit DDR2 PCI Express 20 x16 HDCP Read $0.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1d 6h 11m |
 MSI N430GT MD1G LP GeForce GT 430 1GB 64 bit DDR3 PCI E 20 x16 HDCP Video Card $59.99 Time Remaining: 17d 9h 45m Buy It Now for only: $59.99 |
 GTS250PCI E 1024MB D3+CRT+HDMI+DVI I+HDCP SPARKLE Brand $89.00 Time Remaining: 20d 22h 52m Buy It Now for only: $89.00 |
 AMD Radeon HD 6570 1GB DDR3 PCI Express PCIe DVI Video Card w HDMI HDCP Supp $55.95 Time Remaining: 2d 12h 38m Buy It Now for only: $55.95 |
 EVGA GeForce NVIDIA 210 1024MB DDR3 589MHz Core Dual HDCP PCI Express 20 $44.20 Time Remaining: 1d 23h 56m Buy It Now for only: $49.11 |
 ASUS GEFORCE 210 SILENT GRAPHIC PLUS CARD 512MB DDR2 HDMI DVI HDCP PCI E NEW $47.41 Time Remaining: 14d 19h 27m Buy It Now for only: $47.41 |
 ZOTAC ZT 85TEH2P FSL GeForce 8500 GT 512MB 128 bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 HDCP $29.00 Time Remaining: 29d 2h 50m Buy It Now for only: $29.00 |
 GIGABYTE GV R587OC 1GD Radeon HD 5870 1GB 256 bit GDDR5 PCI Express 21 x16 HDCP $296.99 Time Remaining: 2d 10h 47m Buy It Now for only: $326.99 |
 256MB Asus GeForce 8400GS DVI HDCP PCI E EN8400GSHTP256MA $25.02 Time Remaining: 24d 40m Buy It Now for only: $25.02 |
 New Radeon HD3450 256MB DDR2 VGA HDTV HDCP PCI E F725R $24.99 Time Remaining: 18d 2h 40m Buy It Now for only: $24.99 |
 NEW MSI R6770 MD1GD5 ATI Radeon HD6770 HD 6770 1GB GDDR5 PCI E HDCP Video Card $119.99 Time Remaining: 28d 10h 37m Buy It Now for only: $119.99 |
 MSI NVIDIA 430GT 700MHZ 2GB GDDR3 128 BIT DVI HDMI HDCP PCI E 20 Video Card $102.16 Time Remaining: 2d 46m Buy It Now for only: $112.97 |
 MSI R6570 MD1G LP ATI Radeon HD6570 1GB DDR3 Low Profile HDCP PCI E Video Card $78.99 Time Remaining: 23d 11h 2m Buy It Now for only: $78.99 |
 BFG GeForce 210 512MB HDMI DVI HDCP PCI E Video Card Fit Low Profile Full Size $39.99 Time Remaining: 21d 4h 38m Buy It Now for only: $39.99 |
 GeForce GT 520 1GB DDR3 PCI Express DVI VGA Low Profile Video Card HDMI HDCP $54.95 Time Remaining: 2d 12h 37m Buy It Now for only: $54.95 |
 MSI NVIDIA 430GT 700MHZ 2GB GDDR3 128 BIT DVI HDMI HDCP PCI E 20 Video Card $103.99 Time Remaining: 2d 8h Buy It Now for only: $114.99 |
 Galaxy GeForce 9500 GT 1GB 128 bit DDR2 PCI Express 20 x16 HDCP $53.99 Time Remaining: 7d 19h 37m Buy It Now for only: $53.99 |
 512MB ATI RADEON HD2900XT PCI EXPRESS 2DVI HDCP 100 435906 100435906 $97.11 Time Remaining: 24d 40m Buy It Now for only: $97.11 |
 NEW ATI Radeon HD 6570 1GB DDR3 Video Card PCI Express HDMI DVI HDCP Supp $55.95 Time Remaining: 2d 7h 13m |
 XFX GT 240X YAFA GeForce GT 240 512MB DDR3 PCI Express 20 x16 HDCP Graphic Card $45.56 Time Remaining: 11d 10h 56m Buy It Now for only: $45.56 |
 Nividia Sparkle GeFORCE 9500GT PCI E 521MB DDR2+CRT+DVI I+HDCP graphic card $25.00 Time Remaining: 4d 1h 20m Buy It Now for only: $25.00 |
 ATI Radeon HD 4850 512MB DDR3 PCI Express PCIe Dual DVI Video Card w HDCP $59.39 Time Remaining: 12d 11h 44m Buy It Now for only: $59.39 |
 AMD Radeon HD 6570 1GB DDR3 PCI Express PCIe DVI Video Card w HDMI HDCP Supp $55.95 Time Remaining: 2d 7h 13m |
 MSI ATI Radeon HD6870 HD 6870 1GB DDR5 PCI E HDCP DVI HDMI Video Card R6870 HAWK $209.99 Time Remaining: 19d 12h 40m Buy It Now for only: $209.99 |
 MSI N210 MD512D3 LP GeForce 210 512MB DDR3 PCI E 20 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card $29.99 Time Remaining: 5d 19h 39m Buy It Now for only: $29.99 |
 EVGA GeForce NVIDIA 210 1024MB DDR3 589MHz Core Dual HDCP PCI Express 20 $44.99 Time Remaining: 2d 10h 2m Buy It Now for only: $49.99 |
 DDR3 PCI Express 20 x16 HDCP Ready Low Profile Ready Video Card $85.19 Time Remaining: 28d 22h 21m Buy It Now for only: $85.19 |
 Lot of 10 PNY Verto GeForce 8400GS 512MB 64bit DDR2 PCI HDCP Ready VCG84512SPPB $250.00 Time Remaining: 28d 20h 20m Buy It Now for only: $250.00 |
 Brand New ZOTAC GeForce GT430Fermi1GB 128 bit DDR3 PCI E 20 x16 HDCP $69.00 Time Remaining: 19d 5h Buy It Now for only: $69.00 |
 GeForce GT 520 1GB DDR3 PCI Express DVI VGA Low Profile Video Card HDMI HDCP $54.95 Time Remaining: 2d 7h 13m |
 1GB ATI SAPPHIRE RADEON HD2900PRO DDR4 HDCP 2DVI VIVO PCI EXPRESS 100214SR $116.39 Time Remaining: 2d 21h 40m Buy It Now for only: $116.39 |
 EVGA 256 P2 N761 AR GeForce 8600 GTS 256MB 128 bit GDDR3 PCI E HDCP Ready SLI $39.95 Time Remaining: 6d 23h 35m Buy It Now for only: $39.95 |
 Galaxy GeForce GT 220 1GB 128 bit DDR2 PCI Express 20 x16 HDCP $25.00 Time Remaining: 2d 23h 25m |
 896MB EVGA nVIDIA GeForce GTX260 PCI E 2DVI HDCP 896P31262AR $141.45 Time Remaining: 2d 48m Buy It Now for only: $141.45 |
 NEW Asus nVidia GeForce GT430 GT 430 1GB PCI E DDR3 VGA DVI HDMI HDCP Video Card $79.99 Time Remaining: 2d 7h 24m Buy It Now for only: $79.99 |
 256MB Dell WX397 nVIDIA Quadro FX570 DDR2 PCI E 2DVI HDCP $94.83 Time Remaining: 17d 1h 48m Buy It Now for only: $94.83 |
 ASUS EAH6770 DI 1GD5 Radeon HD 6770 1GB 128 bit GDDR5 PCI Express 21 x16 HDCP R $95.00 Time Remaining: 4d 20h 3m Buy It Now for only: $150.00 |
 NVIDIA GeForce 405 512MB DDR3 PCI Express PCIe DVI VGA Video Card w HDCP $46.19 Time Remaining: 9d 11h 15m Buy It Now for only: $46.19 |
 nVidia 512MB DDR2 TV HDCP PCI e Video Card GF 8500GT $70.00 Time Remaining: 18d 20h 55m Buy It Now for only: $70.00 |
 256MB PNY Quadro FX570 DDR2 PCI Express 2DVI HDCP VCQFX570 PCIE PB $64.95 Time Remaining: 24d 40m Buy It Now for only: $64.95 |
 EVGA GeForce 8600 GT 256MB 128 bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI $1.00 Time Remaining: 4d 21h 50m |
 512MB MSI nVIDIA GeForce 8800GT OC DDR3 PCI E 2DVI HDCP NX8800GT512MOC $147.48 Time Remaining: 2d 48m Buy It Now for only: $147.48 |
 AMD Radeon HD 6570 1GB DDR3 PCI Express PCIe DVI Video Card w HDMI HDCP $65.28 Time Remaining: 12d 11h 49m Buy It Now for only: $65.28 |
 GIGABYTE GV N210SL 1GI GeForce 210 1GB 64 bit DDR3 PCI Express 20 x16 HDCP Read $15.00 Time Remaining: 5d 22h 25m Buy It Now for only: $30.00 |
 DELL RN034 NVIDIA QUADRO FX 1700 PCI EXPRESS X16 512MB DDR II DVI HDCP HDTV OUT $74.96 Time Remaining: 5d 20h 9m Buy It Now for only: $74.96 |
 256MB ASUS ATI RADEON X1900XT 2DVI TV OUT HDCP PCI EXPRESS EAX1900XTHTVDP256M $79.98 Time Remaining: 2d 48m Buy It Now for only: $79.98 |
 EVGA GeForce NVIDIA 210 1024MB DDR3 589MHz Core Dual HDCP PCI Express 20 $44.57 Time Remaining: 21d 21h 10m Buy It Now for only: $44.57 |
 NEW GIGABYTE GV N210SL 1GI GEFORCE 210 1GB 64 BIT DDR3 PCI EXPRESS 20 x 16 HDCP $29.99 Time Remaining: 6d 6h 43m Buy It Now for only: $34.99 |
 1GB SAPPHIRE RADEON HD3870X2 PCI EXPRESS 2DVI HDCP 100221SR $161.37 Time Remaining: 17d 1h 51m Buy It Now for only: $161.37 |
 Galaxy 21GGE8HX3BMW GeForce 210 1GB PCI E 20 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card $34.99 Time Remaining: 6d 9h 26m Buy It Now for only: $34.99 |
 ASUS EAH6670 DIS 1GD5 Radeon HD 6670 1GB 128 bit GDDR5 PCI Express 21 x16 HDCP $0.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 9d 2h 13m |
 512MB ATI RADEON HD2900XT PCI EXPRESS 2DVI HDCP 100 435906 100435906 $97.11 Time Remaining: 24d 40m Buy It Now for only: $97.11 |
 VIDEO PX520GT LX GeForce GT 520 Fermi 1GB 64 bit DDR3 PCI Express 20 x16 HDCP $94.83 Time Remaining: 25d 1h 43m Buy It Now for only: $94.83 |
 MSI NVIDIA 430GT 700MHZ 2GB GDDR3 128 BIT DVI HDMI HDCP PCI E 20 Video Card $117.88 Time Remaining: 9d 22h 30m Buy It Now for only: $117.88 |
 NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS PCI Graphics Card 512 MB DDR2 DV I HDCP 8400GS VIDEO NEW $40.00 Time Remaining: 1d 5h 4m Buy It Now for only: $44.00 |
 EVGA GeForce NVIDIA 210 1024MB DDR3 589MHz Core Dual HDCP PCI Express 20 $53.04 Time Remaining: 29d 2h 14m Buy It Now for only: $53.04 |
 512MB ATI RADEON X1950XTX CROSSFIRE DUAL DVI HDTV HDCP PCI E OEM EAX1950CFHP512M $141.88 Time Remaining: 2d 21h 40m Buy It Now for only: $141.88 |
 GeForce 8800 GS 384MB 192 bit GDDR3 PCI Express 20 x16 HDCP $39.99 Time Remaining: 2d 31m Buy It Now for only: $49.99 |
 MSI NVIDIA 430GT 700MHZ 2GB GDDR3 128 BIT DVI HDMI HDCP PCI E 20 Video Card $114.99 Time Remaining: 21d 21h 39m Buy It Now for only: $114.99 |
 MSI R5450 MD1GD3H LP Radeon HD 5450 1GB DDR3 PCI E 20 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card $34.99 Time Remaining: 8d 9h 19m Buy It Now for only: $34.99 |
 2GB PowerColor Radeon HD5870 DDR5 PCI Ex16 6xMini DP HDCP Support $609.67 Time Remaining: 20d 41m Buy It Now for only: $609.67 |
 GeForce 8800 GS 384MB 192 bit GDDR3 PCI Express 20 x16 HDCP $39.99 Time Remaining: 2d 32m Buy It Now for only: $49.99 |
 D02 X0018 Connect3D HD3650 512MB Dual HDTV HDCP DDR2 pci e $75.99 Time Remaining: 18d 6h 33m Buy It Now for only: $75.99 |
 MSI R4670 MD1G Radeon HD 4670 1GB 128 bit GDDR3 PCI Express 20 x16 HDCP Ready $99.95 Time Remaining: 9d 21h 39m Buy It Now for only: $99.95 |
Hardware For Custom Gaming Computers – Guide By Centaurus Computers
If you want to purchase a new custom gaming computer you will have a lot of options to choose from, almost every custom PC website offers multiple upgrades but little or no explanation. In this first part of the Custom Gaming PC buying guide you will learn about motherboards, processors, CPU cooling and memory. Next part will give an insight on videocards, cases, cooling, power supplies and more.
When you pick computer with a cheaper processor it will most likely come with low budget motherboard, expensive processors are paired with advanced motherboards. It is done for the whole purpose of the balance between CPU and MB - you don't need SLI or CrossFire with cheap AMD CPU so why spending your money on it? All motherboards differ by the CPU socket type they support, memory configuration and extra features like number of USB ports, integrated GPU (video), SLI or CrossFire support.
AMD Motherboards:
AMD 740G- basic board usually MicroATX with standard limited number of features - Phenom II support, 4-8 USB ports, single PCI-e, 100Mbps Ethernet, 2-4 memory slots (4-8Gb RAM), basic sound system with 5ch support. Good for basic computer, onboard video (ATI Radeon 2100) is low level and usually deactivated for discrete videocard.
AMD 760G - practically same as 740G but with better CPU support, Gigabyte Ethernet, 6-8 USB ports, Integrated video - ATI HD 3000, may have HDMI port, 8ch sound system.
AMD 770- most popular board due to the low price and any features possible included. No onboard video but CrossFIre support available, all AMD CPU supported, 4 memory slots - up to 16Gb RAM, 8-12 USB ports along with FireWire. HD sound with Optical and/or Coax SPDIF. Full size board with DDR3 support.
AMD 785G - latest in integrated GPU boards, ATI Radeon 4200 chipset onboard, all possible features included - eSATA, up to 16Gb RAM, CrossFire available, 6-8 USB ports, DDR3 support, HD sound SPDIF and HDMI output.
AMD 790X - almost same as AMD 770 but with DDR3 and CrossFire as standard features, plus USB 3.0 and SATA-III available. Most advanced motherboard with most features and best speed in gaming and heavy load applications.
Intel Motherboards:
Intel G41- very basic board usually MicroATX with limited number of features - Core 2 Duo/Quad support, 4-8 USB ports, single PCI-e, 100Mbps Ethernet, 2 memory slots (4-8Gb RAM), basic sound system with 5ch support. Good for basic computer, integrated Intel video GPU is useless and usually deactivated for discrete videocard.
Intel P43/45 - very good designed board with many modern features, up to 16Gb RAM with DDR3 possible, single PCI-e, full LGA775 CPU support, 6-10 USB, Gigabyte Ethernet, fast northbridge and effective overclocking.
Intel H55- great board for LGA1156 processors with lots of features available. Onboard video through Intel Core i3/i5 CPU with HDCP support, Intel i3/i5 CPUs supported, 4 memory slots - up to 16Gb RAM, 8-12 USB ports along with FireWire. HD sound with Optical and/or Coax SPDIF, DDR3 and HDMI onboard.
Intel P55 - it is an analog of H55 without video ports but full i5/i7 LGA1156 support, CrossFIre available, fullsize board, DDR3, eSATA, optical SPDIF.
Intel X58 - most advanced Intel board with all possible features as well as SLI and CrossFire support, 3 channel DDR3 memory, lots of SATA and USB ports, LGA1366 Intel i7 CPU support with future additions to LGA1366 line projected - very good investment in the future of technology.
Intel® Core™ i7processors deliver an incredible breakthrough in PC performance. They are the best desktop processors on the planet. You'll multitask applications faster and unleash incredible digital media creation. And you'll experience maximum performance for everything you do, thanks to the combination of Intel® Turbo Boost technology² and Intel® Hyper-Threading technology (Intel® HT technology), which maximizes performance to match your workload. Works with X58 boards with all features possible SLI/CrossFire and triple channel RAM.
Core i5 Quad Core can match i7 performance with similar clock speeds and basically same feature set, but will be a cheaper option because they employ P55 motherboards instead of expensive P55. You loose 3 channel RAM for regular dual channel, limited CrossFire (16x + 4x PCI-e vs X58 dual 16x speed), and almost non existent SLI support. Otherwise same features so in most cases it will be on par with i7/X58 combo, but will loose in heavy multithreaded applications with lots of RAM usage and in heavy gaming with multiple videocards used. Still a very good option considering a few hundred dollars saved and less heat from the CPU which is great for overclocks.
Core i3 and i5 Dual Core with Video Core integrated - require H55 motherboards which are not expensive and have nice features and options but mostly no CrossFire or SLI support and only dual channel RAM. Processor itself is much faster than previous generation dual cores but looses greatly to most quad cores in multithreaded applications and gaming. With it's low price they are great for media centers (with Intel integrated GPU core and HDCP support) and budget gaming machines. Also i3 and i5 have very low heat generated and can be overclocked at extreme levels with proper cooling - they don't look so bad at all then.
AMD AM3 processors used in our computers is highly effective and cost efficient. You can choose from the variety of dual, triple and quad core processors for any budget level and you can be sure that you will get adequate performance. AMD has got much better with AM3 CPUs when it comes to features support and heat generation, as well as standard instructions and optimization. High end AMD Quad Core processors can be as effective or even better than i3 and i5 processors for a smaller price. Plus you always have a choice of much cheaper motherboards that bring the total price down significantly. DDR3 memory standard is highly developed on AM3 boards, CrossFire is a standard feature on 790X and many 770 motherboards, although all of them are lacking SLI support but that is offset by great videocards ATI has recently released. And since ATI is owned by AMD you can be sure of the great level of integration achieved through so called platforms like Spider or Fusion. It is a really great combination of price and performance.
CPU Cooler: With some amount of luck and strong determination it is possible to overclock all of the processors to some extent. Most of the time you can overclock CPU at about 10-30% rate (Centaurus Computers gives guaranteed overclock on every PC). That also depends heavily on what CPU Cooler have you selected: with stock one do not expect miracles, but with any upgraded cooler you will see major increase in MHz. Better coolers can better dissipate heat generated from increased load after overclock. Basically, if you want a better processor, you can upgrade it, or you can select better cooler and we will overclock your CPU to the higher level PLUS you will see lower temperatures and hear less noise.
EXAMPLE: Intel i7 920 with Xigmatek Dark Knight works on 3.6Ghz easily vs stock 2.66Ghz - load temperature under 60C.
And most important - temperature levels. Stock cooler will do the job but it will be pretty hot and can be noisy. Aftermarket coolers can drop temperatures down significantly and are generally almost silent. Heat is a processor's enemy because it shortens it's lifespan and greatly influences reliability levels.
What about water cooling? Are you ready to check your system for leaks every month? Do think you can drain and fill it up again and clean every year? Most people would say no, but then there are closed circuit water coolers like Corsair Hydro that make things easier for everybody. Basically you don't have to refill it at any point and since it is closed circuit it should have no leaks unless it's damaged. And Corsair Hydro does really good job in cooling - usually within or above temperature levels achieved by most expensive air coolers. That comes at a price though, so we would not recommend it to everyone, but it is available as and option.
RAM Amount depends on what are you planning to do with your computer. Most popular memory today is DDR3, today it has perfect combination of price and performance. Most popular size - 4Gb (or 4096Mb). Basically Windows XP uses about 256Mb for itself, while Windows 7 can take about 1Gb and even more. So you can play with 2Gb memory on Windows XP but you will need at least 4Gb for Windows 7 to feel really comfortable with gaming.
DDR - Double Data Rate , then number 2 or 3 stands for generation. DDR2 800 means that memory works at 800MHz and it's second gen, that is double 400MHz (DDR2= 400x2). When you select DDR3-1600 that means that memory works at 1600Mhz and it's 3rd gen, also it helps a lot while over clocking, since this memory can take more load. This is a great upgrade for those who need more speed.
DDR3 memory with higher frequency will give you an advantage in games and some applications, but only if you have a good processor and video card. Just keep in mind that every computer should be well balanced. For a computer with ATI 5770 and 4Gb RAM it is better to make an upgrade to ATI 5850 than getting 8Gb RAM upgrade - that is if you plan to run games on it. But a general rule of thumb says that more RAM is better, and though 4Gb is enough for most users 6Gb like with i7 and X58 boards standard becomes more and more popular - it works in triple channel and greatly increases data bandwidth.
32bit limitation - with Windows 32bit editions you will see a limitation on your memory size if you have 3Gb or more. For example, if you install 4Gb memory on 32bit machine you will probably see only 3Gb or up to 3.5Gb. Windows 64bit does not have that limitation. BUT Windows 64bit can give you some troubles with old drivers and applications that are not optimized for 64bit processing. Our advice is to choose Windows 64bit if you have all new hardware and do not plan to add anything that is not compatible with it, or Windows 32bit if you have old peripherals to add or old software that needs only 32bit Windows.
We will continue this hardware guide in the next edition – you will learn about modern videocards, power supply requirements, hard drives and DVDs, cases and cooling! Centaurus Computers www.CentaurusPC.com
About the Author
www.CentaurusPC.com Alex Raven – senior engineer @ Centaurus PC. Custom gaming computers with unmatched performance, speed, reliability and customization. 3 year warranty on every computer, free FedEx shipping, fastest building times and lowest prices. Dominate the game with Centaurus Computers gaming machines! www.CentaurusComputers.com
UnBoxing: Galaxy 98TFF6HUUEXX GeForce 9800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP/SLI Ready
