Budget Buyer Guide October 2006
 

Our buyer's guides are focused on putting together a complete system that fits the target market segment. We've already covered midrange ($1000-$1500) and high-end ($2000+) configurations, but unfortunately for many of us the pocketbook is going to have a far greater impact on our component choices than we would like. Today, we will tackle the budget sector, with the goal of keeping prices to around $1000 on the upgraded configurations, and getting as close as possible to $500 on the base systems. Needless to say, without making some serious compromises it is currently impossible to build a new complete computer system for $500, and we are not willing to make those compromises. Our maximum upgrade will also span the upper-budget and lower-midrange price segment, but individualization is the key: get the upgraded parts that you find useful, and don't bother with those you don't feel you need.

suffers the same problem all budget guides do, they just aren't the best value

your budget guide was quite complete, no?

yes, but I went for what gives the most for the $ paid, not what fits inside 500$ or what is cheap

2 GB for example, while they cost a lot more now, still gives the user a benefit he can feel just as dualcore gives the average joe something he feels as well