last update: January 5 / '09
homeless :( updates rarely :( see my blog
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Welcome to "rabb1t's systems page". This page is dedicated to those who would like a full system recommendation. The date listed next to the system name is when the system was first designed. I will change the builds about every 4 to 6 months depending on price and part changes. Build names are chosen in order to help people ponder a specific parts list over several months time. A note on my recommendations: The first build will be what I'd recommend as a minimum for current gaming. The middle recommendation (3rd) is in the higher-mainstream range, while the second build is solidly in the mainstream while shaving off a bit of cost where possible. The fourth build is in the high-end with a touch of overkill. The last build is what I'd recommend for someone who wants the best experience and doesn't have a price limit, while not going too far into bleeding edge. As you can see, systems become more powerful and more expensive the further down the line you go. Note that these systems are all gaming systems, and as such, parts selection is based on gaming performance. Items that frequently have rebates will show their common post-rebate price in green. Also note that these prices do not include any tax that may apply or shipping fees. You may wish to highlight and print the build you are doing for future reference. Build Notes: Any time you add a sound card to a system that has on-motherboard sound I recommend you go into the bios and disable the onboard sound. Ram voltage may also be an issue. Some motherboards don't supply enough voltage to the ram on their default "auto" setting. You may want to manually set the ram voltage in the bios to the manufacturer's rating just to be sure. Both of these can reduce the chance for system instability. "Thumper" (January, '09)
"Mothra" (January, '09)
"Gamera" (January, '09)
"Mechagodzilla" (January, '09)
"Mechagodzilla" - ATi alt (January, '09)
"Godzilla", King of the Monsters (January, '09)
"Godzilla", King of the Monsters - ATi alt (January, '09)
Retired Builds A word on retired builds: Generation 4 Pika 2 Intel Core 2 Duo E7200, Evga 9600 GT (512-P3-N861-AR), Corsair XMS2 2 gig kit DDR2-800 (5-5-5-12 timed), Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3L, Logitech X-230 2.1 speaker set, Western Digital Caviar SE16 320 gig HD, Samsung DVD/CD burner (SH-S203B), Antec LifeStyle Sonata III case + power supply, Logitech MX518, Logitech black keyboard, APC SurgeArrest PH8T3, Acer AL2216WBD 22" monitor Terminator Intel Core 2 Duo E8400, Evga 8800 GTS G92 (512-P3-N845-AR), OCZ SLI-Ready Edition 4 gig kit DDR2-800 (5-4-4-15 timed), Evga 750i FTW SLI (123-YW-E175-A1), Creative Labs Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer, Logitech X-540 5.1 speaker set, Western Digital Caviar SE16 320 gig HD, Samsung DVD/CD burner (SH-S203B), CMPSU-Corsair 520HX power supply, Antec Nine Hundred case, Logitech MX518, Logitech black keyboard, APC SurgeArrest PH8T3, Acer AL2216WBD 22" monitor Cyclops Intel Core 2 Duo E8400, Evga GTX 260 (896-P3-1262-AR), OCZ SLI-Ready Edition 4 gig kit DDR2-800 (5-4-4-15 timed), Evga 750i FTW SLI (123-YW-E175-A1), Creative Labs Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer, Logitech G51 5.1 speaker set, Western Digital Caviar SE16 320 gig HD, Asus DVD/CD burner (DRW-2014L1T), Corsair CMPSU-520HX power supply, Antec Nine Hundred case, Logitech G5, Steel Pad i-2, Saitek Red Eclipse keyboard, APC SurgeArrest PF11VNT3, Acer AL2216WBD 22" monitor Apollo Intel Core 2 Duo E8500, Evga 8800 GTS G92 (512-P3-N845-AR) x2 for SLI, OCZ SLI-Ready Edition 4 gig kit DDR2-800 (5-4-4-15 timed), Evga 780i SLI (132-CK-NF78-A1), Creative Labs Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer, Logitech G51 5.1 speaker set, Western Digital VelociRaptor 300 gig HD, Asus DVD/CD burner (DRW-2014L1T), Corsair CMPSU-750TX, Antec Nine Hundred case, Logitech G9, Steel Pad i-2, Logitech G15 Gaming keyboard, APC SurgeArrest PF11VNT3, Acer X263Wbi 24" monitor Poseidon, God of the Sea Intel Core 2 Duo Q9650, Evga GTX 280 FTW (01G-P3-1286-AR) x2 for SLI, OCZ Reaper HPC 4 gig kit DDR2-1066 (5-5-5-18 timed) x2 for 8 gig, Evga 780i SLI (132-CK-NF78-A1), Creative Labs Sound Blaster X-Fi Fata1ty Professional, Logitech Z-5500 5.1 speaker set, Western Digital VelociRaptor 300 HD, Western Digital Caviar Black 750 gig, Asus DVD/CD burner (DRW-2014L1T), Lite-On Blu-Ray player (DH-401S-08), Corsair CMPSU-1000HX power supply, Antec Nine Hundred case, Logitech G9, Steel Pad i-2, Logitech G15 Gaming keyboard, Logitech ChillStream gamepad, APC SurgeArrest PF11VNT3, Dell 3008WFP 30" monitor Comments and stuff Copyright E. Stryker 2006, 2007, 2008 flash required for the menu |
These builds are not "bad" by any definition. Builds are replaced/changed as newer parts become available, or a significant price change takes place, altering the costs. The builds above target specific price ranges and changes in the industry will alter these recommendations. If you want to focus on the best recommendations for the price at the time of your build, choose from the current recommendations above. However, if you don't mind slightly older parts, or parts that may be a touch behind on features, or you live in an area where costs are higher, you can choose to go with a retired build. Be aware that the links on retired builds are removed, as these parts will not be checked for availability or price. If you would like to see all the retired builds,