Quantcast

The 2008 PC Builder's Bible

Find the best parts. Learn to build a rig from scratch and overclock it to kingdom come. PC Gamer shows you how

Words: PC Gamer staff
Email this Article
Close

Crosshair II Formula
Manufacturer: ASUS
Chipset: NVIDIA nForce 780a SLI
CPU Support: AMD Socket AM2+ Phenom FX, Phenom X4, Phenom X2, Athlon X2, Athlon 64, Sempron
Memory Support: DDR2 667/800/1066MHz
PCI Slots: 3 PCIe 2.0 x16, 2 PCIe x1, 2 PCI
Notable features: Integrated graphics w/ 512mb shared memory, Hybrid SLI support, 6 SATA ports, SupremeFX II Audio Card, Dual Gigabit LAN, 12 USB ports (6 external, 6 internal), 2 Firewire ports (1 external, 1 internal), External LCD post device
Price: $300
www.asus.com

M3A32-MVP
Manufacturer: ASUS
Chipset: 790FX
CPU Support: AMD Socket AM2+ Phenom FX, Phenom X4, Phenom X2, Athlon X2, Athlon 64, Sempron
Memory Support: DDR2 533/667/800/1066 MHz
PCI Slots: 4 PCIe 2.0 x16, 2 PCI
Notable features: Crossfi re Support, 6 SATA 3 GB/s ports, 1 eSATA, Gigabit LAN, 8 channel HD audio, 10 USB ports (6 external, 4 internal), 2 Firewire ports (1 external, 1 internal)
Price: $210
www.asus.com

M2R32-MVP
Manufacturer: ASUS
Chipset: 580X
CPU Support: Athlon 64 X2, Athlon 64 FX, Athlon 64, Sempron
Memory Support: DDR2 533/667/800 MHz
PCI Slots: 2 PCIe X16, 2 PCIe X1, 2 PCI
Notable features: Crossfi re support, 8 channel audio card, gigabit LAN, 4 SATA ports, 10 USB 2.0 ports, 2 Firewire ports
Price: $110
www.asus.com


Intel’s Penryn and three recommended Intel CPUs
Head back to the table of contents


 
20 Comments
Order Comments: Newest First | Oldest First
Cryose  - 1 year 2 months ago 
Cool. Too bad I bought the actual magazine for ten bucks a month ago.
Report
solidsnake_5552000  - 1 year 2 months ago 
excellent article guys. Congratulations!!
Report
anything5767  - 1 year 2 months ago 
Time to remember not to buy the builders bible next time.
Report
Alcyones  - 1 year 2 months ago 
Thanks!

I'm positive this is gonna help me in the future.
Report
Dibbz  - 1 year 2 months ago 
nicely done!
Report
Life  - 1 year 2 months ago 
Very cool
Report
Halo freak22  - 1 year 2 months ago 
aswome totaly sweet
Report
JimMcDosh  - 1 year 2 months ago 
Excellent resource guide indeed. Very nice.

Jiff
www.anonweb.net.tc
Report
hellawaitsyou  - 1 year 2 months ago 
Is there a PDF version of this?
Report
HypherionWing  - 1 year 2 months ago 
I have a good rig using the Antec 900, but i dont particularly reccommend the 900 if your going for a bit of a crazy powerful build, which i unfortunately did.

The space in it is incredibly deceptive, any psu above 600w you have to CRAM everything right in there. ;)
Report
burningmunkey  - 1 year 1 month ago 
I would seriously love to have this on PDF! Is there any way?
Report
HyBriDFuRy  - 1 year 1 month ago 
I use the Intel Core 2 Quad core Q6600, it's still good isn't it? I bought it on newegg because it was a freakin' awesome deal for $200 and I overlocked this from default "2.4ghz" to what I now have "2.8ghz".
Report
invinciblechunk  - 1 year 1 month ago 
Wow, a section on LCD monitors that doesn't even mention input lag! The Dell 2707WFP is one of the worst gaming screens you can possibly pick! Its input lag is over 40ms, and newer firmware revisions are even worse. If you care about games at all, learn about the difference between TN, PVA and IPS panels, and learn about input lag.
Report
Lucretiel  - 1 year 1 month ago 
Tip of my hat to you guys, well done. My one annoyance is that there aren't any posted prices for accessories, just "Gamer with a budget" or "Deep pockets." Useful nonetheless.
Report
adrenaguy  - 1 year 1 month ago 
THANKYOU SO MUCH! this guide is going to be so helpful when i can get the money to build a sweet-ass computer, thanks again GR!
Report
dirt1996  - 1 year 20 days ago 
You can get all the stuff listed above at newegg.com for half the prices listed for EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report
dahudge8  - 1 year 13 days ago 
here's the deal guys. I just downloaded the left 4 dead demo and it runs kind of choppy on my laptop. sometimes there's lag in combat intensive areas and sometimes there's lag when I'm just walking around. I was wondering if a new graphics card would remedy this? if so, can you even put new graphics cards into a laptop? I'd love to get an answer to this before I go by a nvida 8800.
Thanks!
Report
dirt1996  - 1 year 6 days ago 
I was going to build it, but it doesnt help w/ the BIOs or anything else, and if this is the first rig youve built(like me) then this is impossible.
Report
glitchhunterLM4  - 10 months 8 days ago 
i think its good that you teach people how to build a PC... but you should tell them about placing the standoffs...

LINUX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report
f2468l  - 8 months 14 days ago 
hi i just bought core 2 duo intel E7300 2.66 on a P5QL ASUS i had assumed alot more speed from this setup or did i goof up when i listned to the vendor feedback please
thanks






















m
Report
Showing 1-20 of 20 Comments
Related Games
PC
PC
Latest News
New Super Mario Bros. Wii usage stats and first... N4G
Wii News from N4G
Nov 25, 2009
Stubbs the Zombie: Rebel Without a Pulse Now... N4G
Xbox News from N4G
Nov 25, 2009
Black Friday discounts for cash shops in various... N4G
PC News from N4G
Nov 25, 2009
Buy Xbox 360 Arcade Console, Get Guitar Hero World... N4G
360 News from N4G
Nov 25, 2009
Railworks Train Simulator 50% Off  N4G
PC News from N4G
Nov 25, 2009
» More News