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February 24th, 2009

Hardware 2.0 'Very Best Kit List' for Mar/Apr 09

Posted by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes @ 7:51 am

Categories: Components, Gaming, Graphics, Hardware, Performance, Peripherals, Storage

Tags: Card, Performance, Antec, Board, Nvidia GeForce, NVidia Corp., Overclocking, CPU, Intel Corp., Price

Welcome to the updated and revamped Hardware 2.0 “Very Best Kit List” for Mar/Apr 09. Here I’ve put together a list of the best high-end and mid-range and budget components currently available. So if you’re thinking of buying, building or even upgrading a PC, this list is a must-read for you!

This new kit list has been expanded significantly from the last time I published a kit list.

These components are on this list because I firmly believe them to be the best either in terms of performance or price - although I’m ready to admit, as always, that there’s room for debate and some choices “go with the gut” more than others.

NOTE: Each time I come out with a list of kit I always end up fielding a few emails and comments from people wondering if companies have “bought” space on the list. Let me tell you now that the only way for a product to get on this list is to be the best - period. Manufacturers, vendors and PR companies have zero influence over this or any other recommendation that I make.

Also note: I’m looking to expand this list by adding more categories and components. If you’d like to see anything added, let me know!

Final note: All prices are approximate … shop around for the best deals!

Next –>

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Adrian Kingsley-HughesAdrian is a technology journalist and author who has devoted over a decade to helping users get the most from technology. He also runs a popular blog called The PC Doctor. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations

Want to get in touch? Got a tip? Feel free to drop me a note! I ALWAYS respect anonymity. I'm also on Twitter (@the_pc_doc)

Right to Reply: Should any industry representatives wish to comment on any posts on Hardware 2.0, I will be happy to publish their reply verbatim on this blog.

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  • Talkback
  • Most Recent of 52 Talkback(s)
RE: Hardware 2.0 ?Very Best Kit List? for Mar/Apr 09
Is a May/June edition coming? (Read the rest)
Posted by: rseiler Posted on: 05/04/09 You are currently: a Guest | | Terms of Use
Enthusiastic about overclocking.  Anton Philidor | 02/24/09
Over the past few months ...  Adrian Kingsley-HughesZDNet Moderator | 02/24/09
Future post suggestion, then  Anton Philidor | 02/24/09
Good idea ..  Adrian Kingsley-HughesZDNet Moderator | 02/24/09
Overclocking = control of your hardware  Chris Z | 02/25/09
Such as?  eb276 | 02/27/09
You may not be bought...  itpro_z | 02/24/09
Hey ...  Adrian Kingsley-HughesZDNet Moderator | 02/24/09
Re: Hey ...  sbowner | 02/25/09
This is his opinion. Adrian isn't forcing anyone to buy his recommendations  ths40 | 02/27/09
ATI Cards  mjolnar@... | 02/25/09
Do a web search for nVidia vs ATi performance comparisons  HypnoToad | 02/27/09
We each have our own experiences  itpro_z | 02/27/09
No AMD/ATI? Bad Form Adrian!  Rnadmo | 02/24/09
Where did I say that???  Adrian Kingsley-HughesZDNet Moderator | 02/24/09
no AMD/ATI for me either  robbieharrison@... | 02/25/09
hard drives and motherboards  coffeeshark | 02/24/09
Phenoms must suck ay???  storm14k | 02/24/09
I thought the same  Stuka | 02/24/09
When I saw that $99 deal...  storm14k | 02/24/09
Phenom 9500 didn't do well .... but the 9600+ are competitive  wackoae | 02/27/09
Seagate Harddrive  thsullivan@... | 02/24/09
Sure burns a hole in the pocket  Yeartenn | 02/24/09
i7 motherboard with 3 PCI slots??  swineshead | 02/25/09
Just bought  zclayton2 | 02/25/09
Some bad choices  evolucion8 | 02/25/09
Thanks  blackjack861@... | 02/25/09
Nix nVidia and it'd all be good.  Narg | 02/25/09
Mine doesn't overheat.  CobraA1 | 02/27/09
It's not the nVidia card ... it is Vista  wackoae | 02/27/09
I use only Ati anymore. and my Vista is useful but wacked alittle.  rtirman37@... | 02/27/09
I wouldn't blame Vista for all of that.  CobraA1 | 02/27/09
Check the web ....  wackoae | 02/27/09
The web tends to jump to conclusions.  CobraA1 | 02/28/09
Is AHCI ,,,, not AHCP (sorry)  wackoae | 02/28/09
Did a little bit of research, here's the results.  CobraA1 | 03/01/09
RE: Hardware 2.0 ???Very Best Kit List??? for Mar/Apr 09  rparker009 | 02/25/09
No  zclayton2 | 02/25/09
Extras needed to be evaluated  alkolkin@... | 02/25/09
monitors:  blackjack861@... | 02/25/09
Sound Cards ...  Ludovit | 02/27/09
. . . .and in all honesty, it's mostly integrated these days.  CobraA1 | 02/27/09
Hyperthreading is very much overrated.  CobraA1 | 02/27/09
Bias is normal  itpro_z | 02/27/09
I disagree with your expectations  eb276 | 02/27/09
I have a Logictech G11 $89 ; Strikers are $89 ; too. . . IBM (IF) mouseUSB  rtirman37@... | 02/27/09
PC system depreciation:  blackjack861@... | 03/01/09
All PCs depreciate as soon as you buy/build them  wackoae | 03/01/09
Depreciation is your Friend  Larry Caldwell | 03/07/09
Bad items...  Spiritusindomit@... | 03/02/09
No Optimus for the Extreme Range Keyboard?  WarhavenSC | 03/09/09
RE: Hardware 2.0 ?Very Best Kit List? for Mar/Apr 09  rseiler | 05/04/09

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