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CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3000+ (Socket 939) (Rs. 6,000) The Athlon 64 3000+ based on the Socket 939 platform continues to be the best midrange CPU in the market. Its core runs at 1.8 GHz and has 128 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 cache and a 1 GHz HyperTransport bus along with an integrated DDR memory controller that supports dual channel DDR RAM. Based on the Venice core, it supports SSE3 instruction set and is a good over-clocker too. To be precise, it is the best processor that you can get for that price.
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-K8N51GMF-9 (Rs. 4,700)
ATI with their Xpress 200 (RS480/482) chipsets raised the level of onboard video significantly with the implementation of a DirectX 9.0 compliant chip good enough for entry level gaming. nVidia was late to release their competing solution, but eventually when they did, they released 3 variants - 6100/410, 6100/430 and 6150/430. The Gigabyte GA-K8N51GMF-9 is one of the rare boards based on the 6100 chipset with a 430 Southbridge. The 430 Southbridge doesn't really boost performance but adds a handful of features like Gigabit LAN, extra SATA ports, Firewire etc. along with the usual ones like Dual Channel Memory, PCI Express x16 slot, PCI-E 1X slot, SATA2, USB 2.0, 8-channel audio and a lot more. You also have a Geforce 6 chip driving the onboard graphics which I will discuss later in the article.
RAM: Transcend 2 x 512 MB DDR-400 Memory (Rs 4,400)
Since you will be allocating a part of the main memory for onboard graphics, it makes sense to throw in a bit more RAM. And as of today, 1 GB can't be termed as 'over the top' by any standards. Since the motherboard supports Dual Channel Memory, we will opt for 2 sticks of 512 MB each. Transcend is our preferred brand for this PC.
Hard Disk: 160 GB 7200 RPM Seagate Barracuda (Rs. 3,600)
We will stick to the tried and tested 160 GB Seagate Barracuda hard drive. It is arguably the best value-for-money hard drive currently available. It offers one of the best MB-per-Rupee ratio and sells for Rs 3,600. 160 GB is a respectable amount of space for any sane thing that you plan to do today on your PC. Also, you can always attach more hard drives if you seem to be running out of space. There are ample SATA ports on the motherboard to do the same.
Monitor: Samsung SyncMaster 793S (Rs. 5,250)
17" is the ideal sized monitor for a home PC. The Samsung 793S remains the best 17" monitor in terms of price-performance ratio. With excellent color reproduction and contrast, and excellent picture quality, this monitor is a very good buy. Hence we are recommending it once again.
Graphics: nVidia 6100 onboard (N.A.)
The board we have chosen has an integrated 6100 graphics chip which is nothing but a scaled down version of the GeForce 6200. It is fully complaint with DirectX 9.0c and fairly competent when it comes to gaming. But don't expect miracles. It shouldn't have any trouble crunching the pre-2005 games but will struggle with the recent releases. But there is a PCI Express slot to plug in a better graphics card if you get serious about gaming.
Optical Drive: Lite-On SOHW-165S DVD-Writer (Rs 2,800)
A DVD writer combines the best elements of all the different optical drives. The Lite-On SOHW-165S allows you to read and write DVDs at 16X and rewrite them at up to 8X and read and write CDs at 48X. It also gives you an option of burning a Dual Layer DVDs. And for Rs. 2,800, it's a very neat deal.
Sound Card: Onboard Realtek ALC880 8-channel audio (N.A.)
This motherboard is equipped with the Realtek ALC-880 chipset. It supports 8-channel audio and manages a high quality output. The performance is more than satisfactory, especially when you couple it with any value speaker system. Also it allows you a fair bit of tweaking. Give it a shot before you opt for a different sound card.
Speakers: Artis S500 (Rs. 1,250)
Though we have an 8 channel sound card onboard, we don't have enough funds in the kitty to buy a 7.1 channel audio system for this PC. So we will go with a good 2.1 channel speaker system instead. The Artis S500 fits the bill perfectly with its neat looks, good sound and competitive pricing.
Kunhar ATX Cabinet with 300 Watts SMPS (Rs 1,200)
A decent looking, well-ventilated cabinet with 300 Watts of power to hold your components together is what you should look for. And since we aren't looking at too many power-hungry components, 300 Watts should be adequate power. However, if you plan to add a PCI-Express graphics card or your peripheral count goes up, change your SMPS to one with more power.
Logitech Spill-resistant Standard Keyboard (Rs 300)
A sturdy and ergonomic keyboard is what you need for those long typing or gaming sessions. The Logitech spill-resistant keyboard is one such keyboard and is also designed to let liquids go through in case of spills.
Samsung Optical Mouse (Rs 350)
Add a basic optical mouse that gives you the freedom to use any non-reflective/opaque surface as a mouse pad.
LAN: Onboard Gigabit Ethernet Adapter (N.A.)
The motherboard has an onboard Gigabit LAN adapter for your broadband/narrowband connection. If your area isn't graced with the so-called broadband Internet, add an internal modem for a few hundred bucks more.
Configuration Revisited
AMD Athlon 64 3000+ Socket 939 CPU (Rs. 6,000)
Gigabyte GA-K8N51GMF-9 Motherboard (Rs. 4,700)
Transcend 2 x 512 MB DDR-400 RAM (Rs 4,400)
Kunhar ATX Cabinet with 300 Watts SMPS (Rs 1,200)
160 GB 7200 RPM Seagate Barracuda Hard Disk (Rs. 3,600)
Samsung SyncMaster 793S Monitor (Rs. 5,250)
nVidia 6100 onboard Graphics (N.A.)
Lite-On SOHW-165S DVD Writer (Rs. 2,800)
Onboard Realtek ALC880 8-channel audio (N.A.)
Artis S500 2.1 channel Speakers (Rs 1,250)
Logitech Spill-resistant Standard Keyboard (Rs 300)
Samsung Optical Mouse (Rs 350)
Onboard Gigabit LAN (N.A.)
Total - Rs. 29,850/-
this PC can't exactly be termed as a gaming rig but it provides you a good foundation and fair amount of upgrade options to convert it into one. And even if you leave it at the above, it is a fairly powerful system with reasonable gaming and multimedia capabilities.
Happy shopping. :hap2:
