Comments on: The 2009 $600 tax return PC

By: Dare

Dare — Wed, 27 May 2009 18:54:13 +0000

Uff-da. I love you guys. O.o -Starts setting some cash aside-

By: Cameron

Cameron — Mon, 11 May 2009 00:37:17 +0000

Nice article, quick, to the point, and some great info. I’ve kind of fallen out of the build-your-own-rig know how since getting my laptop, but I think it may be time to replace my almost 3 years old without any modification desktop PC, thanks for the info!

By: Ian "Cabrtosr" McNaughton

Ian "Cabrtosr" McNaughton — Tue, 05 May 2009 15:33:41 +0000

Great article guys! Seriously!

By: Winfrey

Winfrey — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 00:06:46 +0000

Great job, once again, thrax! $600 PC’s have never been more powerful.

By: Cliff Forster

Cliff Forster — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 21:06:12 +0000

Steve,

Making the assumption that game performance is your priority then the graphics card is going to be the area where you receive the most return on investment. I can tell you that the 4870 and 4890 are both truly bad ass. If you buy a 4890, spend a few dollars more and get the ones that are just hitting the market with a decent aftermarket cooling solution. So, you essentially double what you spend on graphics in that case.

By: Johnathan Davenport

Johnathan Davenport — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 21:00:54 +0000

Cant the X3 Phenoms be unlocked to x4’s?

By: Robert Hallock

Robert Hallock — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 20:44:23 +0000

You could probably fit a Radeon 4870 and a Phenom II X4 into that extra $150. :) I would certainly try. Between the two, I would go for a better video card first.

In terms of performance (average): GeForce GTX 285 > Radeon 4850 X2 > Radeon 4890 > GeForce GTX 280 = Radeon 4870 > GeForce GTX 260 > Radeon 4850

By: MSUSteve

MSUSteve — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 20:40:30 +0000

How, if at all, would you amend this for those that have $600, but who don’t need a case, drive, or PSU? I guess what I’m asking is how you would recommend allocating an extra $150 or so? Better video card?

By: Cliff Forster

Cliff Forster — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 20:22:56 +0000

At $600 your getting a ton. PC is truly the superior platform to game on right now when you consider how affordable it is today.

Tri Core, Crossfire Capable, Top Tier Graphics, and it does your homework too kids.

Ebay that console now!! Build a PC.