Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Computing
  3. Features

How to experience crystal-clear 4K on your old desktop PC for $600 or less

By

upgrade your desktop to 4k for just 600 or less viewsonic vx2880ml
ViewSonic VX2880ml Image used with permission by copyright holder
Recently I posted a poll asking Digital Trends readers if they’re upgrading their computer to 4K this holiday shopping season, and why they’ve made their choice. While about a third of the respondents said they plan to take the plunge (or already have), and almost half felt the upgrade is still too expensive to be obtainable. Another 18 percent said they had to spend money on better hardware first.

It’s true; Ultra HD isn’t cheap, and it’s certainly more expensive than buying nothing at all. Yet the price is not as high as you might think. If you can afford to buy a new mid-range desktop, a high-end video card, or a new iPad, you can afford 4K for your desktop.

Here’s how.

Recommended Videos

Upgrading your video

Many users can’t make the move to 4K because of their system’s video output. The latest Intel HD4400/4600 graphics technically support 3,840 x 2,160 at 60Hz, but not all systems with Intel HD 4000 Graphics have the DisplayPort output needed to carry the signal. Other, older desktops can’t support the resolution at all. Intel’s HD 3000 series goes no higher than 2,560 x 1,440, and systems with integrated graphics built before 2010 are often capable of no more than 1080p.

Related

Thankfully, you can grab an upgrade that supports the full resolution at 60Hz without spending a fortune. The best option is probably a Radeon R7 250, which can do 3,840 x 2,160 at 60Hz over DisplayPort. The Radeon HD7770 can do the same, but availability is limited, as it’s an older design that’s going out of stock. Expect to pay around $80 either way.

Asus Radeon R7 250x
Asus Radeon R7 250x Bill Robertson/Digital Trends

Nvidia fans must spend a bit more, unfortunately, for a GTX 750 with a DisplayPort connector. These are generally $100.

Both cards are small, quiet and will fit into any PCI 2.0 or PCI 3.0 slot. They also work with a 300-watt (or better) power supply, which is common. In addition to offering DisplayPort, they typically provide HDMI and DVI. You can’t use either connection for 4K at 60Hz, but you can use them to add a second monitor.

Grabbing a budget display

Spending $80 to $100 of the $600 budget doesn’t leave you with a lot to spend on the monitor itself. Certainly the top-tier models are out of the question. But what can you get, really, for about five Benjamins?

You don’t need to spend over a thousand dollars for an impressive picture.

Quite a lot. Samsung’s U28D590D is currently $520 at many retailers, a sale that may or may not last through the holidays. The monitor serves up 3,840 x 2,160 at 60Hz alongside strong image quality.

Other options include the ViewSonic VX2880ml and the Planar IX2850. These lesser-known brands may turn some buyers off, but there’s no reason to fret. In truth the vast majority of monitors have panels sourced from just a few manufacturers like LG and Samsung.

The Planar is particularly attractive, as it’s only $450 and, according to a review from Tom’s Hardware, achieves 96 percent of sRGB. That’s on par with slightly more expensive monitors such as the Acer B286HK and CTL X2800, both of which we’ve reviewed.

Acer B286HK
Acer B286HK Image used with permission by copyright holder

Budget 4K monitors are a strong value not only thanks to their pixel count, but also the ever-increasing quality of basic TN panel technology, which used to be chock full of compromises. While gamut is still narrow compared to IPS, many provide solid color accuracy, near-perfect gamma and contrast similar to more expensive models. You don’t need to spend over a thousand dollars for an impressive picture.

What to avoid

Not all budget options are worth your money. Many of the less expensive 4K displays are old models which used two separate display panels side-by-side to form a full 4K image. Dell’s P2815Q, which is limited to 30Hz, is one example of this. Displays with this dual-panel approach have difficulty syncing each panel, so tearing can appear in the middle of the screen during movement. It’s particularly noticeable in movies and games.

Snagging a deal on large monitor may seem attractive, but trust us; you will not be satisfied with the experience.

Very large displays like the Seiki SE39UY04 are another appealing, but ultimately misguided selection. Some are restricted to 30Hz at 4K, which means motion won’t appear as smooth as with a proper 60Hz set. Such a large panel also negates the resolution’s stunning sharpness. A 40-inch display is really best when viewed from four or five feet away. Sitting at a normal distance of about two feet will make individual pixels easy to identify, even at this extreme resolution.

Snagging a deal on large monitor may seem attractive, but trust us; you will not be satisfied with the experience. The difference between a 30Hz and 60Hz display is immediately notice the moment a window is moved. Spend your money wisely, though, and you’ll be surprised how far it can stretch.

4K doesn’t have to cost a fortune 

I’m sure that some readers will still scoff at the thought of upgrading. “Only $600, he says? That’s still a fortune!”

True, it’s nothing to sneeze at, but it’s not substantially more than you might spend upgrading to a 1440p display. And it’s not more than you might spend on a new high-end tablet or smartphone.

The clarity you’ll receive from the switch to 4K is like upgrading to an iPhone 6 from an old feature phone. Sure, it’ll cost you. But isn’t it worth it?

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Matthew S. Smith
Matthew S. Smith
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Matthew S. Smith is the former Lead Editor, Reviews at Digital Trends. He previously guided the Products Team, which dives…
Dell Memorial Day sale demolishes prices on XPS laptops, 4K TVs, and monitors
dell xps 13

The 2019 Memorial Day sales have already begun, and Dell has hit the ground running. The Dell Memorial Day sale has some of the best offers we’ve seen this season: This computer maker and retailer is slashing prices left and right on laptops, TVs, monitors, and more, with deep discounts that can save you thousands on the latest and greatest hardware.

The Dell Memorial Day sale covers everything from Dell’s own excellent laptops and monitors to name-brand 4K TVs, and to save you some time, we’ve smoked out a large handful of the best picks below. These deals include a number of our own favorites (such as excellent 2-in-1 laptops and ultrawide desktop PC monitors, to name only a couple examples), and Dell is even throwing in some free gift cards with certain purchases to save you even more.
Dell Laptop Deals

Read more
I use these simple printer tips to save money on ink and toner
Printing is fast and economical with the HP Smart Tank 7602.

The cost of a printer can range from under $100 for some good, low-cost inkjet printers to several hundred for the best color laser printers. However, the price you pay upfront doesn’t include paper, and the included ink and toner only lasts so long.

A bargain printer can end up costing you more overall if the cartridges are small and replacements are expensive. Follow these tips to minimize ink, toner, and paper waste, reducing the ongoing expense of using your printer in the long run.
Print in monochrome
Adobe Acrobat's print settings includes a grayscale option. Digital Trends

Read more
Best refurbished laptop deals: How to find cheap used computers
microsoft surface laptop go 2020 on desk

If you're shopping for laptops on a budget, then you probably don't want to aim for the best laptops on the market, since they often cost thousands of dollars and usually give you diminishing returns the more expensive they get. On the other hand, refurbished laptops are a great way to save money while also helping the environment and reducing e-waste. Not only that, but most refurbished laptops tend to be refurbished by the brand and are backed by warranties and return windows, so even if something is not right with your refurbished laptop, you can get a replacement or your money back.

To that end, Best Buy, Amazon, and Dell all have really great refurbished laptop sales that you can check out, and the prices really are great. Alternatively, if you're in the Apple ecosystem, take a look at these refurbished MacBook deals, or if you still want to go for something new, you could consider checking out these laptop deals instead.
Best Buy refurbished laptops -- starting at $113
Best Buy's refurbished laptops are -- you guessed it -- Geek Squad Certified and while they may not be free and clear of absolutely all cosmetic scuffs they are still exceptionally clean and always in working order. Some of them even come with additional software like virus tools, streaming access, like Apple TV+, and much more. Of course, the best part is that you can get a premium and fully upgraded model for less, often with more storage, more power, and more features than you would when buying a base model brand new. You've got some great options from Lenovo, Acer, HP, Dell, Gateway, and even Apple to choose from. The cheapest models start around $120 and increase from there. The best way to know what's available is to head over and browse for yourself.

Read more