PC Buying Guide

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Last Update : 27th June 2009 » View Update Log

27th June 2009 Update »

  • Yet another major overhaul on the guides. Adding really expensive specs to the list. Emoticon 

14th March 2009 Update »

  • Major overhaul on the guides.

I’ve prepared 8 types of PC specification ranging from RM 1,000 to RM 6,000. These specifications can be very helpful to you when it comes to purchasing your next computer.

Now firstly you have to identify your budget, that’s the most critical factor. After that, have a look at the specifications below and see which one comes closer to your budget bracket.

So let’s say your budget is about RM 2,500 - therefore you should look at the specifications based on the stated price estimation and range. Emoticon It could end up being something in between, or hey - use the Customizer!

Now you’ll have to determine what you need and what you don’t need. For example, these specifications cover EVERYTHING you need for gaming………..ok well, except a mousepad. No big deal on that. So let’s say you already have a monitor, so you can remove the monitor’s cost from the specification so an RM 3,000 would now be about RM 2,400 - whaddaya know!! It’s now within your budget! Ok, so your uncle gave you 2GB DDR2 667 that he won from a lucky draw - you can then subtract it further, so the price is now less than RM 2,200.

Great!!! Now if you’re happy with that specification, you can now go about hunting for the components…….. but wait! What if you would like to maximize your budget? After all, you have RM 350 or so to spare. Emoticon How about getting a bigger hard disk for your video collection? Emoticon How about a better mouse? Or a sound card? The possibilities are endless, limited only by your budget.

I also had people claiming the site is not frequently updated. Apparently the people who complained about lacking updates happen to be people who are clueless about PC hardware pricing in the first place. Emoticon One must understand that in the PC world, the updates aren’t frequent. Even an update a month is enough. In fact there’s no FIXED price in the market in the first place as the pricing of an item is entirely up to the seller. The price stated in the PC Buying Guide and Customizer will be a little higher than the market average - better to over-budget than under-budget.

Q : No mention of any particular model or brand for most of the items?
A : I decline to mention particular models as it will look like I’m advocating them. I will only be specific on processors and motherboards. Other than that, monitors, speakers, mouse, keyboards, casings - they’re really subjective to individual. Even the looks could affect decision making. Emoticon 

Q : Why do I see cheaper prices elsewhere?
A : The prices you see are just based a few reliable sources, take note that the price may rise or fall. Please don’t EVER compare the price I use with Bulk Order pricing because not everyone participates with Bulk Orders. Emoticon Please don’t expect the price stated here to be accurate, the prices stated here were never meant to be accurate and NEVER will be since there’s no FIXED price in the market in the first place, however it will be priced a little higher than the market average - better to over-budget than under-budget.

Q : What about the availability of items?
A : I’m not a representative of any shop. The availability of the items in the specifications are subjected to your location, usually there are equivalents that you can opt for.

Please bear in mind that this guide was written with the average Joe in mind so don’t panic if you don’t know anything about computers

I will change the guide from time to time. Should you have any queries about the specification that I’ve presented,or any computer hardware ,you may contact me. Do you have a suggestion to improve the guide? Do you wish to discuss this guide with me? Feel free to do so as well.

Anyway, the specifications are listed below. Emoticon Click to view the details. Click on it again to hide the details.

Budget PC for Home & Office, Low-end Gaming
Description : Browsing the Internet, downloading stuff, play some online games (like those at Yahoo!). You still can play some games but it’s usually only playable at lowest resolution with lowest detail settings.

Yes, it’s also a good setup if you want to give your child or some kid somewhere an experience with computers.

Component Item Price (RM)
Processor AMD Athlon X2 5200+ (2.7Ghz, 1MB Cache) 200
Motherboard AMD board with AMD780 (or similar) Chipset
goldfries suggests the Biostar TA780GM2+, around RM 280
280
RAM 1x 1GB DDR2 800 50
Hard Disk 160GB 130
Graphics Use onboard video 0
Monitor 18.5in LCD 350
Casing Basic Casing 100
Power Supply 400w 200
Audio Device Use onboard audio 0
Speakers Really Cheap 2.1 Speaker setup 50
Keyboard & Mouse Cheap Keyboard & Mouse combo 50
Optical Drive DVD-ROM 50
Disk Drive 1.44mb 3.5in disk drive 25
LAN Device Comes with motherboard 0
Total : RM 1485
This is one of the cheapest setup you could get, it even comes with a good power supply.

Decent Computer Gaming
Description : You could play all sorts of games with this setup, a decent solution but performs quite alright.
Component Item Price (RM)
Processor AMD Athlon X2 7850+ (2.8Ghz, 3MB Cache) 240
Motherboard AMD board with AMD780 (or similar) Chipset
goldfries suggests the Biostar TA780GM2+, around RM 280
280
RAM 2x 1GB DDR2 800 100
Hard Disk 160GB 130
Graphics ATI HD4670 512MB 270
Monitor 18.5in LCD 350
Casing Basic Casing 100
Power Supply 400w 200
Audio Device Use onboard audio 0
Speakers 2.1 Speaker setup 200
Keyboard & Mouse Keyboard & Mouse combo 100
Optical Drive DVD-ROM 50
Disk Drive 1.44mb 3.5in disk drive 25
LAN Device Comes with motherboard 0
Total : RM 1995
A dual-core processor is used, along with a better power supply, graphic card and also keyboard and mouse for ergonomics.

Stretch your budget a little more to RM 2,000 and you’ll get much better gamign experience. Refer to the next setup!

Cost-Effective Computer Gaming
Description : Perhaps the most cost-effective setup in the guide, it allows more enjoyable gaming experience with better graphic system and bigger monitor size. 5.1 Speaker setup for more acoustic pleasure too.
Component Item Price (RM)
Processor Intel Core2Duo E7500 (2.93Ghz, 1066FSB, 3MB Cache) 510
Motherboard Intel board with G31 (or similar) Chipset
goldfries suggests the Gigabyte G31M-ES2L, around RM 190
180
RAM 2x 2GB DDR2 800 160
Hard Disk 500GB 200
Graphics ATI HD4830 512MB 330
Monitor 20in Wide-screen LCD 450
Casing Basic Casing 100
Power Supply 550w 360
Audio Device Use onboard audio 0
Speakers 5.1 Speaker setup 400
Keyboard & Mouse Keyboard & Mouse combo 100
Optical Drive DVD-RW (DVD-ROM with CD/DVD writing capabilities) 80
Disk Drive 1.44mb 3.5in disk drive 25
LAN Device Comes with motherboard 0
Total : RM 2905

Nice Computer Gaming
Description : A really nice gaming setup! 22″ LCD and an overclockable motherboard in case you decide to be more adventurous.
Component Item Price (RM)
Processor Intel Core2Duo E8400 (3.00Ghz, 1333FSB, 6MB Cache) 610
Motherboard Intel board with P45 (or similar) Chipset
goldfries suggests the GIGABYTE EP45-UD3L around RM 380
380
RAM 2x 2GB DDR2 800 160
Hard Disk 500GB 200
Graphics nVidia GTX275 896MB 1000
Monitor 22in Wide-screen LCD 600
Casing Advanced Casing 250
Power Supply 550w 360
Audio Device Use onboard audio 0
Speakers 5.1 Speaker setup 400
Keyboard & Mouse Keyboard & Mouse combo 100
Optical Drive DVD-RW (DVD-ROM with CD/DVD writing capabilities) 80
Disk Drive 1.44mb 3.5in disk drive 25
LAN Device Comes with motherboard 0
Total : RM 4165

Very Nice Computer Gaming
Description : Bumping up a level to the Intel Core i7 setup for those who crave more! Be warned, the setup from this point onwards could be very impractical but provides great gaming experience!
Processor Intel Core i7-920 (2.66Ghz, 4.8G QDI, 8MB Cache) 1020
Motherboard Intel board with X58 Chipset
900
RAM 3x 1GB DDR3 1333 210
Hard Disk 800GB 250
Graphics 2x nVidia GTX260 (216) 896MB 680 +680
Monitor 24in Wide-screen LCD 900
Casing Advanced Casing 250
Power Supply 750w+/- 600
Audio Device Use onboard audio 0
Speakers 5.1 Speaker setup 400
Keyboard & Mouse Keyboard & Mouse combo 100
Optical Drive DVD-RW (DVD-ROM with CD/DVD writing capabilities) 80
Disk Drive 1.44mb 3.5in disk drive 25
LAN Device Comes with motherboard 0
Total : RM 6095
The Intel Core-i7 setup with dual graphic card setup.

Great Computer Gaming
Description : You’re gonna love this one for computer games!
Component Item Price (RM)
Processor Intel Core i7-940 (2.93Ghz, 4.8G QDI, 8MB Cache) 2050
Motherboard Intel board with X58 Chipset
900
RAM 3x 2GB DDR3 1333 330
Hard Disk 800GB 250
Graphics 3x nVidia GTX260 (216) 896MB 680 +680 +680
Monitor 24in Wide-screen LCD 900
Casing Advanced Casing 250
Power Supply 750w+/- 600
Audio Device Use onboard audio 0
Speakers 5.1 Speaker setup 400
Keyboard & Mouse Keyboard & Mouse combo 100
Optical Drive DVD-RW (DVD-ROM with CD/DVD writing capabilities) 80
Disk Drive 1.44mb 3.5in disk drive 25
LAN Device Comes with motherboard 0
Total : RM 7925
The Intel Core-i7 setup with triple graphic card setup.

Awesome Computer Gaming
Description : The one that breaks your bank, and it’s not even the ultimate setup yet!
Component Item Price (RM)
Processor Intel Core i7-965 (2.93Ghz, 6.4G QDI, 8MB Cache) 3750
Motherboard Intel board with X58 Chipset
900
RAM 3x 2GB DDR3 1333 330
Hard Disk 800GB 250
Graphics 3x nVidia GTX275 896MB 1000 +1000 +1000
Monitor 24in Wide-screen LCD 900
Casing Advanced Casing 250
Power Supply 1000w+/- 1000
Audio Device Use onboard audio 0
Speakers 5.1 Speaker setup 400
Keyboard & Mouse Keyboard & Mouse combo 100
Optical Drive DVD-RW (DVD-ROM with CD/DVD writing capabilities) 80
Disk Drive 1.44mb 3.5in disk drive 25
LAN Device Comes with motherboard 0
Total : RM 10585
The Intel Core-i7 setup with triple graphic card setup.

Photographer / Graphic Designer System
Description : This one’s for the photographers and graphic designers. Emoticon Dual-core processing with 4GB RAM, paired with 2x 1TB hard disk for ample storage and scratch disk.
Component Item Price (RM)
Processor AMD Phenom II X3 720 (2.8Ghz, 8MB Cache) 460
Motherboard AMD board with AMD780 (or similar) Chipset
goldfries suggests the Biostar TA780GM2+, around RM 280
280
RAM 2x 2GB DDR2 800 160
Hard Disk 2x 1TB 350 + 350
Graphics Use onboard video 0
Monitor 24in Wide-screen LCD 900
Casing Advanced Casing 250
Power Supply 400w 200
Audio Device Use onboard audio 0
Speakers 2.1 Speaker setup 200
Keyboard & Mouse Keyboard & Mouse combo 100
Optical Drive DVD-RW (DVD-ROM with CD/DVD writing capabilities) 80
Disk Drive 1.44mb 3.5in disk drive 25
LAN Device Comes with motherboard 0
Total : RM 3355

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