Weekly Buyer's Guide: Cutting Edge System - March 2004
by Evan Lieb on March 3, 2004 12:57 PM EST- Posted in
- Guides
Cutting Edge System (continued)
Networking
Recommendation: Onboard solutionPrice: $0
Whichever motherboard you choose, we suggest you utilize your onboard Ethernet controller for Internet. Both the ASUS K8V Deluxe and ABIT IC7-G come with an onboard Ethernet controller; in fact, an onboard Gigabit Ethernet controller to be exact, capable of 10/100/1000 Mbps transfer speeds instead of just 10/100 Mbps transfer speeds. Gigabit technology itself doesn't do anything to literally speed up your Internet experience, but users who have multiple computers connected to each other (in a basic home network, for example) can transfer large amounts of data to and from systems much more quickly with Gigabit. You can always create your own home gateway by going dual LAN, but again, that choice is completely based upon your specific networking needs.
Hard Drive(s)
Recommendation: Western Digital Raptor 36.7GB 10,000RPM SATAPrice: $116 shipped
For the third week in a row, Western Digital tops our recommendation for desktop hard drives. This week, it's their Serial ATA Raptor hard drives. The 36.7GB Raptor is outfitted with features such as an 8MB buffer and 10,000RPM spindle, and a big bonus by going with a 5-year warranty. Previously, these features were only to be found on enterprise/SCSI drives, but thanks to WD, they have finally reached the mainstream desktop, more or less. The only "problem" with Raptor drives is that they just don't store a lot of data, with only 36.7GB and 74GB versions of the Raptor currently available. If you can't live with just 36.7GB, then you'll have to opt for a 74GB drive or even multiple hard drives.
There is no runner-up in today's category because the Raptor is in a class of its own at the moment. We could always tell you to go out and pick up a nice SCSI drive, from Fujitsu as one example, but we'd also then have to tell you to pick up U320 SCSI controller/cables as well. They're not terribly expensive - the cost of ownership has definitely drastically come down compared to a few years ago, but it may just not be worth the money for the usually minimal performance gain you'll experience. All in all, we'd stick with the Raptors for your cutting edge system for now. If you're a storage freak, then you should look at ATA 120GB, 200GB, etc. hard drives.
Optical Storage
Recommendation: Sony DRU-530A DVD-/+RWPrice: $155 shipped
Sony's DRU-530A is basically an improved version of their legendary DRU-500A drive, the first dual format DVD writer ever available. Originally, you had to choose between DVD-R/RW and DVD+R/RW drives, but Sony changed that for good with the DRU-500A. Not only that, but their dual drives were available months before the competition. Anyway, the DR-530A is one of the fastest DVD writers currently available; in fact, with the latest firmware update released just a few days ago (version 2.0A), the DRU-530A (and DRX530UL) is now able to record at 8X maximum on DVD-R media and 4X maximum on DVD-RW media with the appropriate speed rated media. Overall, you're getting a performance boost for free with the firmware update, and therefore one heck of a speed demon DVD writer. This is not to mention the aesthetically pleasing exterior of the DRU-530A and good bundled software.
If you're not particularly interested in DVD writers of any kind, we suggest that a combo CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive to save a little cash or, better yet, a separate CD-RW and separate DVD-ROM drive, if you'd like to burn CDs and watch movies at the same time. Plextor, Sony or Lite-On versions of these drives will suffice. Check our previous Buyer's Guides for more information.
Keyboard and Mouse
While trivial, it's still important that you purchase the right keyboard and mouse. Different people have different preferences for a keyboard's feel and look, and the same goes for a mouse. Therefore, we suggest you personally try out and test a keyboard and a mouse for yourself. Recommending purchasing these items online is misleading, as there are too many users with different preferences for this type of thing. Visit your nearest PC outlet to try out a keyboard and mouse yourself; a Best Buy or Circuit City store should suffice. We suggest that you start with Microsoft and Logitech keyboards and mice. Make sure you also check out [i]optical[/i] mice from Microsoft and Logitech as well. A good solid optical mouse from either manufacturer should run about $20, but in some cases, can run as little as $10 if you can find the right deal.There are some great wireless optical mice out there, like the MX700 for example, but it really depends on whether you care at all about a wireless mouse and are willing to spend the money to acquire it. Most will be satisfied with a standard optical mouse from Microsoft or Logitech for gaming, as it offers identical (or better) precision and feel than most wireless mice. We are bringing up the idea of wireless mice merely because it is hugely popular with gamers nowadays.
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kherman - Wednesday, March 3, 2004 - link
Headphones:Grado SR-60s for $60. Supposed to be one of the best for the price without an amp.
Just for those that are curious. As a note, they are better than $100 headphones by big names like Sony, Pioneer, etc...
VagrantZero - Wednesday, March 3, 2004 - link
The 76GB Raptor is defintely a better buy than it's little brother. For less than twice the price [its $231 on newegg] it offers twice the capacity plus a sizeable performance increase [2 36Raps in Raid O can't keep up with a single 76Rap]. Here's a short clip from storagerreview's preview of it: http://www.storagereview.com/articles/200311/20031...Enter the second-generation Raptor! Announced September 15th, WD's revised offering promised to address nearly all of the complaints leveled against the firm's first entry. Maintaining the line's unique 10,000 RPM spindle speed, the Raptor WD740GD features the following improvements:
* 74-gigabyte capacity - perhaps the most significant improvement is the migration to a two-platter flagship design. WD also plans to introduce a revised single-platter, 37 GB unit, though perhaps not until most WD360GD units sell through the market.
* 37 GB Platters - the aggregate areal density of the new Raptor will remain the same as the first. Linear density, however, has been increased, to achieve:
o 72 MB/sec outer-zone transfer rates - though STR remains non-consequential in the large majority of uses, some folks were disappointed with the 55 MB/sec that the first Raptor delivered. WD is confident enough with new yields to spec a transfer rate that rivals the best available from today's disks.
o 4.5 millisecond seek time - the Raptor WD360GD specs at 5.2 milliseconds.
* Firmware-level TCQ - matching a feature available on all contemporary SCSI drives, the new Raptor will feature tagged command queuing? that is, device-level reordering of outstanding requests for more efficient service times.
* FDB motors - though quiet from an emitted sound-pressure perspective, the original Raptor emitted a slight high-pitch idle whine that could irritate sensitive ears. WD has been on the slow side when it comes to migrating to fluid bearing motors when compared to other manufacturers. Fortunately, the new Raptor uses quieter and ostensibly more reliable FDB motors.
NOTE that the 76GBs raptor has come down considerabley since the article was written. As stated before, the OEM goes for $231 on newegg:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?desc...
Dismal - Wednesday, March 3, 2004 - link
Cool. Now if the games I wanted to play would just come out I could actually build a system like this. I've never actually put one together myself, so I was very pleased to see these articles posted here. Great job AnandTech! Now if I can just get through configuring all the cpu, memory, and other bios settings that I don't know much about I'll be all set ;-PSDA - Wednesday, March 3, 2004 - link
Yeah, like everyone else said, more storage needed, and it's great of you to keep this a system people might actually buy.As for speakers, in my opinion, Klipsch Promedias are a liiiittle bit overrated. It would have been nice to see headphone recommendations there as well (in that price range, if you actually used 'em a lot, that'd be, what.. HD580s with an amp? Or is that too high-end), but hey.
mostlyprudent - Wednesday, March 3, 2004 - link
A few things?1. Why Mushkin Level One instead of Level II? I've read your memory articles crowning their PC3500 Level II the faster DDR400 memory you've ever tested.
2. I have also read that the new 73GB Raptors are faster, on TomsHardware I believe.
3. I also agree that you need a second storage drive - perhaps a PATA 250GB Maxtor Diamond max Plus 9.
4. Lastly, I really appreciate that you were at least conscious of price. I've read other articles calling for system in the $7,000 range. Thanks for keeping this grounded in reality!
lisnter - Wednesday, March 3, 2004 - link
Exactly (almost) the hardware setup I've been considering!I would use two Raptor 74GB drives and a single large (~200GB) data drive and as I don't have time to play games (due to two wonderful little kids) I'd opt for a still plenty fast GeForce 5700 video card (XFX? Gainward?). My main requirement is to support dual LCDs. Any other suggestions?
Thanks for an informative article and truly excellent site.
Terry
Evan Lieb - Wednesday, March 3, 2004 - link
mechBgon,I know you love SCSI! :p
Evan Lieb - Wednesday, March 3, 2004 - link
kalaap,Why WOULD we recommend a Promedia system? What makes them better than the ones we recommended?
Thanks for pointing out the spelling error.
BCinSC,
I'm not aware of the 74GB Raptor being any faster than the 36.7GB version.
mechBgon - Wednesday, March 3, 2004 - link
Cutting-edge... with an ATA drive? Where's the 15000rpm Fujitsu MAS-series Ultra320 SCSI drives?Sorry, couldn't help myself ;) As you were...
BCinSC - Wednesday, March 3, 2004 - link
Only 36GB Raptor? 73GB is allegedly much faster and double the space to boot.