Intel Value Midrange
Intel owns the very top in CPU performance with their Core i7, but the Phenom II has made AMD competitive through the upper midrange. That means that midrange is an area where you can now choose Intel or AMD based on the unique features of each platform or expansion capabilities, rather than one brand dominating performance. Since Phenom II is built on a 45nm process, even overclocking capabilities are now competitive with Intel with Phenom II.
The Intel value midrange system builds around a fast Intel Core 2 Duo CPU. For most applications and gaming a faster dual-core CPU is normally a better performance choice that a slower quad-core. CPU intensive applications like video manipulation do benefit from a quad-core CPU, which should be your choice if those applications are important to you. A few recent games are finally taking advantage of quad-core as well, but those are the exception rather than the rule.
| Intel Value Midrange PC | ||
| Hardware | Component | Price |
| Processor | Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 65W 45nm (3.0GHzx2, 6MB L2) | $165 |
| Cooling | Intel Retail HSF | - |
| Video | PowerColor AX4850 Radeon HD 4850 512MB (after $10 Rebate) | $120 |
| Motherboard | Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P (after $20 Rebate) | $115 |
| Memory | 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2-1066 Corsair Twin2X4096-8500C5 5-5-5-15 (after $20 rebate) | $39 |
| Hard Drive | Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST31000333AS 1TB | $90 |
| Optical Drive | LG BD/HD DVD / 16x DVD+/- RW GGC-H20LK | $99 |
| Audio | On-Board | - |
| Case | Antec Three Hundred ATX Mid Tower | $55 |
| Power Supply | BFG Tech LS Series LS-550 550W SLI/CrossFire 80 PLUS Certified | $80 |
| Base System Total | $763 | |
| Display | Acer X233Hbid 23" 5ms HDMI Full HD 1080P LCD Monitor (1920x1080) | $190 |
| Speakers | Logitech X-540 70W 5.1 Speakers - Retail | $79 |
| Input | Microsoft CA9-00001 Black PS/2 Standard Keyboard and Optical USB/PS2 Mouse - OEM | $16 |
| Operating System | Microsoft Vista Home Premium OEM | $99 |
| Complete System Bottom Line | $1147 | |
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The CPU choice is one of the fastest Core 2 Duo chips with 6MB of L2 cache on the market. The E8400 at 3.00GHz is just two steps below the fastest Core 2 E8600, which clocks at 3.33GHz. It also overclocks exceptionally well, reaching 4GHz and even higher with relative ease. Because of this OC ability, and the value goal of this system build, The E8400 has been matched with components that are also excellent choices for overclocking. The E8400 is plenty fast on its own, but if overclocking interests you this Intel setup will be ready for action - and ready to overclock to wherever your particular E8400 can go.
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The big brother to the UD3R selected in our under $800 guide is the $135 Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P that has a similar feature set but adds a second x16 slot (in place of a PCI slot) for dual x8 CrossFire operation. You can currently save a few bucks with a $20 mail-in rebate. The board provides an excellent overclocking platform along with great stability. If the second x16 slot is not important to you, we suggest sticking with the UD3R. This P45 chipset motherboard has earned its reputation as a sterling overclocker, while also maintaining excellent stability. It is a good match to the selected Core 2 Duo E8400 or an alternate quad-core Q8200 (2.33GHz 2x3MB L2).
The stock Intel cooler is adequate for modestly overclocking a Core 2 Duo. Better cooling is needed to push the CPU to its capabilities, or if your CPU choice is an Intel quad-core you plan to overclock. The Xigmatek HDT-D1283 120mm Rifle Cooler did very well in our cooling tests and it is a good match to the E8500. OCZ also markets a similar 120 Rifle cooler and either should work well in this system.
For this value midrange system, faster memory with more overclocking head-room was chosen. With the current Corsair rebates some of their best memory is available at truly bargain prices. The choice for the Intel system is a Corsair 4GB DDR2-1066 (PC2-8500) kit. The Corsair Twin X kit specifies fast 5-5-5 timings at DDR2-1066, which is an impressive spec even if you never overclock. Value is good at the normal $59, but with the current $20 rebate the price is a very easy-on-the-budget $39.
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Wesley Fink - Thursday, April 9, 2009 - link
Our Motherboard Editor, Gary Key, tested DDR2-1066 memory in the recommended Biostar board. It worked fine at DDR2-1066 speed, and of course faster memory will work fine at slower speeds and faster timings than rated if that is needed. That was not necessary though, as DDR2-1066 worked fine at rated speed.I suspect the Biostar spec was written BEFORE the AM3 chips were introduced, and should more properly read AM2+ or LATER required for DDR2-1066 support.
JarredWalton - Thursday, April 9, 2009 - link
AM3 CPUs will work in AM2+ motherboards, but AM2+ CPUs can't work in AM3 motherboards. The AM3 CPUs have both DDR2 and DDR3 controllers, which is why they're backwards compatible.MagicPants - Wednesday, April 8, 2009 - link
You shouldn't include rebates in the price of a system unless you've actually bought that system and received the rebate. They are such a crapshoot it's a little dishonest to use them in an article.strikeback03 - Thursday, April 9, 2009 - link
I've probably filed for close to 100 rebates on computer equipment, and only failed to receive 1. That was from MSI on a video card, they required the Newegg Invoice that is emailed to you instead of the order confirmation that everyone else accepts. It once took a year and a couple resubmissions to get a Seagate rebate, but I did get it.Wesley Fink - Wednesday, April 8, 2009 - link
Right now it is hard to NOT use rebates in pricing, since they are everywhere in component pricing. We hate rebates also, and much prefer a reduced price. We have listed the current rebate amount in the description to disclose as much info as possible. That seems a fair way to do it.Rebates are NOT dishonest and they are certainly legal, but it is frustrating for most to pay more up front and then have to wait months for their price reduction checks. Personally I have received every rebate I ever claimed, but it sometimes took way too much time to get the check.
Wesley Fink - Wednesday, April 8, 2009 - link
NOT paying rebates for valid claims IS illegal. If that happens to you contact the company and ask why you haven't received the rebate. You should also keep copies of everything you send them in case you have to resubmit. It that doesn't work file a complaint with your State Attorney General's office.If all this is too much for you as a buyer shop for components with up-front price reductions. NEVER buy an item for the good Rebate price if you find mailing rebates is too much trouble. Manufacturers normally DO pay rebates, but they count on a lot of people never sending in the paperwork. Those that send in rebates are subsidized by buyers that don't.
v12v12 - Wednesday, April 22, 2009 - link
Agreed it's consumer FRAUD... the problem with these rebates and the like is that the law regarding them and internet related based deals is, the complete lack of law-enforcement. They are so behind the times regarding cyber "crime," that the actual pursuit of your money, cost MORE than you'd receive. I've got a rebate from Spectre 22" monitor that I filed 3yrs ago that never came. I complained blah blah... nothing. Pursuing was fruitless, for $35. To me it wasn't, but to the Inspect gen etc... they aren't going to do a thing for anything less than near class-action.BPB - Wednesday, April 8, 2009 - link
Did you pick the Xigmatek Dark Knight because of its price? If so, what would you have chosen for somebody willing to spend more? I'm hoping you say spending more isn't necessary with the 940.Wesley Fink - Wednesday, April 8, 2009 - link
The Xigmatek cooler tested very well in lab systems and is one of the better coolers you can buy. The fact it is also reasonably priced is just a nice plus. I personally use a Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme with a Scythe S-Flex fan, but I find the Xigmatek nearly as effective and I have no probelm recommending it.BPB - Wednesday, April 8, 2009 - link
Thanks. I have the Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme in my Intel case, and am looking to get a nice cooler for my AMD CPU. Now I have to decide, I'm leaning toward the Xigmatek.