PCSTATS November ShoppingList Assistance

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We know how confusing it can be choosing the right components for a new computer system, or an upgrade to an existing one. That's why we've assembled the PCSTATS ShoppingList as a guide to help you get good gear. Below you'll find one of the three ShoppingList's which you can print out and bring to your local retailer, or use as a general set of guidelines. We cover the basic components needed to assemble a full system, with monitor, and list the average $USD price each part retails for. Use the ShoppingList as a guide to build a better "white box" system, or follow our recommendations to the letter - it's totally up to you.

The ShoppingList is updated on the 1st of each month so as prices drop, and new computer hardware is released it will reflect the changes. However, just because something newer and faster may have come to market doesn't mean it's worth getting right away! Be sure to read the "Notes:" section at the base of each PCSTATS ShoppingList for a brief explanation of why some hardware made it onto the list, and why other gear didn't.

  • The $449 Budget PC System
  • The $999 Mainstream PC System
  • The $2000 High-End Performance/Gaming System

    The PCSTATS ShoppingList covers three different types of desktop computers to reflect differing consumer budgets, and requirements. Each system contains a full list of most important hardware you'll need which is widely available in stores, or online. If you've every wanted to ask "what should I get", then the PCSTATS ShoppingList is your answer. Each list contains recommended hardware that we would actually consider getting ourselves. When we've reviewed the hardware in question, we'll also include a link so you can get an in-depth perspective.

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    October 5th UPDATE: This is the very LAST edition of the PCSTATS ShoppingList. Sometimes ideas like an impartial list of suggested hardware at three different price points works, sometimes it doesn't. Unfortunately the ShoppingList hasn't reached an audience big enough to sustain itself, and in this challenging economic climate PCSTATS is refocusing its resources onto new areas.

    It's been a good run, thanks to everyone who stopped by to read!

    You can leave your feedback here about this change, if you wish

    PCSTATS Shopping List Assistance

    $500 Budget System Parts List

    		4th Quarter 2009
    Avg. Price* Description / Model No. Review
    $85 AMD Athlon II X2 245 Dual Core Processor Get $ Price

    $94

    		 MSI 785GN-E65 Motherboard Get $ Price
    $104 MSI Radeon HD 4850 512MB Video Card Get $ Price Click
    $35 Buffalo Select DDR3 1333MHz 2GB Memory Get $ Price -

    $60

    		 Seagate 500GB 7200.12 Hard Drive Get $ Price -
    $20 Lite-on 20x DVD Rewriter Get $ Price -

    $38

    		 LinkWorld Black Midtower Case w/ 430W PSU Get $ Price -

    $129

    		 ASUS VH196T Black 19" Widescreen LCD monitor Get $ Price -
    ($112) Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Operating System OEM
    - Also Consider: Keyboard, Mouse, 3.5" Floppy Drive, 56K Modem, Speakers.
    $566 Estimated Overall Price
    * All prices are approximations and are listed in $CDN for simplicity.

    Notes: The price on the Radeon HD 4850 has dropped again, so we've decide to keep it in the budget system. If you're not into gaming, drop the videocard and enjoy a new Athlon II computer system for $460.

    PCSTATS Shopping List Assistance

    $999 Mainstream Parts List

    		4th Quarter 2009
    Avg. Price* Description / Model No. Review

    $169

    		 Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 processor Get $ Price
    $93 Gigabyte EP45 UD3L Motherboard Get $ Price
    $65 Corsair XMS2 4GB DDR2 800MHz memory Get $ Price -
    $185 MSI Radeon HD 4890 1GB Videocard Get $ Price Click

    $92

    		 Western Digital Caviar Green 1TB Get $ Price -
    $22 LG GSA-H54N 18X Write DVD Optical Drive Get $ Price -

    $100

    		 Raidmax SMILODON black case with 500W PSU Get $ Price -
    $270 Samsung 245B 24" Widescreen LCD Monitor Get $ Price -
    ($112) Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Operating System OEM
    - Also Consider: Keyboard, Mouse, 3.5" Floppy Drive, 56K Modem, Speakers.

    $996

    		 Estimated Overall Price
    * All prices are approximations and are listed in $CDN for simplicity.

    Notes: The prices on mid-range components have dropped so quickly that we've been able to fit our mainstream system with a 24" monitor capable of 1920x1200 resolution! The Radeon HD 4890 videocard that's also included in this build is designed for

    PCSTATS Shopping List Assistance

    $2000 High-End Performance Parts List

    		4th Quarter 2009
    Avg. Price* Description / Model No. Review

    $310

    		 Core i7 920 2.66GhHz Processor Get $ Price
    $210 Gigabyte EX58-UD3R Motherboard Get $ Price -
    $100

    Patriot Extreme Viper 6GB DDR3-1600 memory

    		Get $ Price -
    $400 Sapphire Radeon HD 4870 X2 Get $ Price Click

    $91 x 2

    Western Digital Caviar 1TB SATA2 7200RPM Hard Drive

    		 Get $ Price -

    $180

    		 LITE-ON Black 4x Blu-Ray Rewriter Get $ Price
    $240

    Lian Li PC A71F Black Aluminum Case

    		 Get $ Price -
    $85 Sunbeam PSU-HUSH680-US-BL 680W PSU Get $ Price

    $360

    		 Asus VK266H 25.5" 2ms HDMI LCD monitor Get $ Price -
    ($199) Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate Operating System OEM
    - Also Consider: Operating System, Keyboard, Mouse, 3.5" Floppy Drive, 56K Modem, Speakers.
    $2067 Estimated Overall Price
    * All prices are approximations and are listed in $CDN for simplicity.
    Notes:

    Operating systems, keyboard / mouse, floppy drives, 56K modem, 10/100 network cards, and speakers are not listed separately or included in the overall target budget since they are very common requirements, or may not be needed.