Basic Budget PC

Last Updated: 27 July 2008

In this category of personal computers the main priority is pricing, with reliability as a close second consideration. Price has always been the number one concern of most Malaysian PC buyers.

While performance is important, we do not consider it a top priority when building a budget system; it is something that is considered after the total cost and system reliability has been established. This is not to say that performance is ignored - it has just taken a back seat due to budget constraints. We also believe that you're more than likely to be keeping this budget system for quite a long time without modification - at least 2½ to 3 years. Some of our clients are still running their Intel Celeron 333 MHz PCs purchased over five years ago!

Monitor & Computer Case

Monitor: Samsung SyncMaster™ 795MB 17" MagicBright™ Flat-Tube Case: HEC Compucase 6C28
Approximate Retail Price: RM 600

Samsung's SyncMaster™ series of monitors are very popular for price conscious buyers. It has a 0.20mm dot pitch flat screen, 1280x1024 max resolution, and 2-year manufacturer warranty. All in all, a very good value monitor.

This case has easy setup and convenient in general. It is an almost tool free case The hard drive and optical drive bays contain plastic clips that allow you to install your drives simply and easily without screws. The same goes for the PCI expansion slots. All in all, this case basically comes completely "preinstalled", and even includes a 300W PSU (power supply unit). Any AMD or Intel approved power supply will do for a budget system considering how little power a system like this draws

Sound Card & Networking

Sound Card: Onboard 6 channel software audio codec Realtek ALC655
Networking: VIA 8237 integrated MAC + Realtek 8201BL PHY
Approximate Retail Price: FREE with MSI KT6V mainboard!

There is not much point in getting a separate sound card with a basic PC, so we are going to suggest ticking with the sound that is on the MSI KT6V mainboard. Integrated sound is courtesy of Realtek's ALC655 codec, which is a standard 6-channel solution that will fit basic Windows, gaming, and music requirements.

As we did with sound, we are recommending the MSI KT6V onboard Ethernet solution, powered by Realtek's 8201BL controller. Pretty much every onboard network controller is the same nowadays, so there's usually no need to worry about Internet speed/download issues. This is why the mainboard's 10/100 solution will suffice for your Internet needs.