System Guide: the Ars Ultimate Budget Box

Just in time for a complete US economic meltdown, Ars brings you the Ultimate Budget Box. When real life starts to look like Fallout 3, this is the box you'll want. Heck, it'll be the only box you can afford. Buy it while your credit card still functions!

October 02, 2008 - 10:30PM CT - by Brian Won

Ars Technica System Guide: September 2008 Edition

The kids are headed back to school, which means that it's time for an upgrade. After all, nobody wants to be at a framerate disadvantage vs. the rest of the dorm. So whether you're building a system for work or for play, you'll find the right recommendation inside.

September 10, 2008 - 11:30PM CT - by Brian Won

Ars System Guide: Summer Gaming Edition

The Ars Summer Gaming Guide helps you the heat by giving you an excuse to stay inside, basked in the cool glow of the LCD as you blast your way through one opponent after another.

July 20, 2008 - 11:45PM CT - by Brian Won

Christmas in July: the best console games to beat the heat

Summer is a time to head outdoors and enjoy the good weather, but that's not to say you should forgo gaming altogether. We've got some great picks for your summer gaming time.

July 01, 2008 - 11:35PM CT - by Ben Kuchera, Frank Caron

Ars Technica System Guide: May 2008 Edition

As May comes to a close and summer rapidly approaches, we bring you the latest updates to our ever-popular System Guide.

May 26, 2008 - 11:53PM CT - by Brian Won

Ars System Guide: HTPC edition

The Ars Technica System Guide returns with a focus on home theater PCs. We've got two options for you: an all-in-one or a lightweight front end combined with a heavyweight back end.

April 27, 2008 - 11:52PM CT - by Brian Won

Ars System Guide: Spring forward and build a new, badass rig

Spring is finally upon us, so it's time for a new System Guide. In this edition, we roll out the awe-inspiring God Box, the sweet spot that is the Hot Rod, and the wallet-friendly Budget box.

March 23, 2008 - 07:40PM CT - by Brian Won

Ars System Guide special: it's easy being green

Ars goes in a new direction in this month's System Guide as we offer suggestions on building a green, low-power PC. We've got two options, one aimed at reasonable performance and one aimed at maximum energy savings.

February 24, 2008 - 11:48PM CT - by Brian Won

Ars System Guide: January 2008 edition

Ars Technica's System Guide makes its 2008 debut. If you're thinking about building a new PC or upgrading the one you've got, this is the place to start.

January 22, 2008 - 01:20AM CT - by Brian Won

Ars Technica's 2007 last-minute holiday gift guide

With the holidays fast approaching, Ars has some last-minute gift ideas for geeks in need of stocking stuffers. Easy to find and generally inexpensive gifts for geeks inside.

December 18, 2007 - 06:38AM CT - by Nate Anderson

Ars Technica 2007 hardware gift guide

Stumped for gift ideas for the geek in your life (or even yourself)? Ars steps up to the plate with our hardware gift guide, chock full of video cards, CPUs, cases, motherboards, and more.

December 10, 2007 - 11:11PM CT - by Joel Hruska

Ars Technica 2007 Gaming Gift Guide

This is it: the gaming hardware and software that will make your holiday complete. The Ars Technica 2007 Gaming Gift Guide is your home for the best consoles, games, and accessories this holiday season.

December 02, 2007 - 11:07PM CT - by Ben Kuchera, Frank Caron, Johnathan Neuls

Ars Technica 2007 holiday gift guide

No matter which holiday you are preparing to celebrate, chances are you still have some shopping left to do. Ars Technica is here to help with the first installment of its annual holiday gift guide!

November 25, 2007 - 10:54PM CT - by Ars Staff

Ho-Ho-Holiday System Guide: DIY for the holidays

It's all here: the Budget box, the Hot Rod, and the God Box. Our final system guide for 2007, we spec out three levels of build-it-yourself goodness, aimed at different needs and expectations. It's the most wonderful time... to build a new badass PC.

November 19, 2007 - 11:18PM CT - by Brian Won

Ars System Guide: August 2007

Is your PC looking old and busted? Build yourself some new hotness with the help of this month's Ars System Guide.

August 26, 2007 - 10:34PM CT - by Brian Won

Ars System Guide: Gaming Box

The Ars System Guide returns, this time with a focus on gaming. We've got two options for do-it-yourselfers: one for those on a budget, and another for those interested in living on the bleeding edge.

July 29, 2007 - 04:17PM CT - by Brian Won

Ars System Guide: June 2007

Looking to upgrade your system? The June edition of the Ars System Guide covers all three of our do-it-yourself options: the Budget Box, the Hot Rod, and the God Box.

June 10, 2007 - 11:46PM CT - by Brian Won

May's Ultimate Budget Box: Ars System Guide

Designed for those who want solid functionality on a tight budget, the Ultimate Budget Box offers good bang for the buck for under $500 without compromising on fundamentals. It'll run Vista, too.

April 29, 2007 - 11:18PM CT - by Brian Won

The Ars guide to inkjet printers for photographers

Looking to educate yourself about inkjet printers? Ars is here to help with a guide to inkjet printers for photographers.

April 15, 2007 - 10:50PM CT - by Amadou Diallo

Ars System Guide: March 2007

The Ars Technica System Guide returns with dual-core goodness across the board. No matter what your budget, we've got suggestions to fit it.

March 28, 2007 - 09:20PM CT - by Brian Won