Build a computer now or wait?

[SeductivePig]

This is my situation - I have my last and most important semester of college coming up.

I have a fair amount of credit card debt ($2000) with no job - but I can afford to buy a new computer, albeit in an irresponsible way - buying gift cards from departmental stores on the credit cards for those stores, sell those gift cards at a loss, and then use the resulting cash to make minimum payments on those credit cards and the remainder towards a computer.

Now here's my question - currently if I do this my budget would be close to $800-900. I know with this budget I can get a decent monitor, mouse, keyboard, 2500k core i5 cpu, 4gb ram, good case/psu, 1TB harddrive, decent motherboard, and perhaps a gtx 560ti.

If I wait though, is hardware expected to improve significantly by christmas time? If I waited I would probably have a better budget as well as reduced credit card debt, and I'm wondering if parts will be cheaper because I know new technology is always coming out.

Diablo 2 was my favorite game of all time and I really want Diablo 3, as well as BF3 and Skyrim, and Mass Effect 3. Just don't know if I should wait.. I'm getting extremely bored during the summer right now.



Closing this one down to save you from yourself and everyone else. I think you have the answer to your question.

Anandtech Moderator
KeithTalent

 

[Bman123]

I hate to say this but have you considered a console? It will be so much cheaper

 

[SeductivePig]

I hate to say this but have you considered a console? It will be so much cheaper

I have a PS3 but I will definitely be playing Diablo 3.. might as well make it a good one so I can play mass effect, skyrim, and BF3

 

[KaOTiK]

That just sounds like a really really really bad idea to build a computer like that. Buying gift cards with credit cards, so you will be paying interest for those, then you will sell the gift cards at a lose, so you are losing more money on them. That is just purely craziness.

I'd wait till later, not only will better stuff most likely be out, even if new stuff isn't out the prices will be cheaper and you'll have more money too so you can get an even better computer than for games you want to play that are coming out extremely soon instead of months away currently.

 

[Bman123]

Cant you get a no.interest cc thru somewhere for like 18 months

 

[llee]

OP, you are in no state to go out and buy parts for a new computer.

You have no job.
You have no savings.
You have a significant amount of credit card debt.
You do not have the time to play games.
You do not need a new computer to finish college (unless old one broke, mission critical, etc).

Do the right thing and hold back this purchase until all 5 sentences above are either false or not applicable.

 

[SpunkyJones]

I'm thinking that you really don't need a new PC at this time and might want to wait.

 

[Borealis7]

Suze Orman says You Can't Afford It!

 

[Stringjam]

This is my situation - I have my last and most important semester of college coming up.

This sentence says it all.....and coming from someone who both loves PC gaming AND is in college right now - - wait until that semester is over!!!

 

[gorcorps]

If you don't wait then you're a special type of stupid. The fact that you have to ask this on a public forum doesn't bode well for that anyway, but you still have a chance to redeem yourself.

 

[Beev]

I have a PS3 but I will definitely be playing Diablo 3.. might as well make it a good one so I can play mass effect, skyrim, and BF3

I'm pretty sure Blizzard is hiring a team to port Diablo 3 to consoles, and then the rest of the games you listed will be on them as well. Based on your situation, just stick with your console.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

I have a PS3 but I will definitely be playing Diablo 3.. might as well make it a good one so I can play mass effect, skyrim, and BF3

Do you have a PC now? I've got to agree with the others here -- your plan is really irresponsible and you should wait and maybe get a job to save up to pay down the CC ($2000 isn't much at all) and get a PC.

 

[Texashiker]

Build a computer now or wait?

How about you get a job, and then build yourself a computer?

 

[PowerYoga]

Finish your last semester and then buy a computer after you hear back from a job offer.

That or finish your last semester and find a temporary job at target or something, which gives you cash to pay off your huge credit card debt as well as gives you a perspective on how to spend your hard earned cash.

 

[JackSpadesSI]

I have a fair amount of credit card debt ($2000) with no job - but I can afford to buy a new computer, albeit in an irresponsible way - buying gift cards from departmental stores on the credit cards for those stores, sell those gift cards at a loss, and then use the resulting cash to make minimum payments on those credit cards and the remainder towards a computer.

That has got to be the dumbest thing I've read on this forum! First of all, it is ridiculously irresponsible - don't buy what you can't afford!!!

But second, why would you lose money by buying and selling gift cards to obtain cash for a computer when you could just buy the computer with the credit card in the first place. I'm NOT suggesting you do this, given your financial situation, but at least you wouldn't lose EXTRA money that way!

 

[dpodblood]

OP, you are in no state to go out and buy parts for a new computer.

You have no job.
You have no savings.
You have a significant amount of credit card debt.
You do not have the time to play games.
You do not need a new computer to finish college (unless old one broke, mission critical, etc).

Do the right thing and hold back this purchase until all 5 sentences above are either false or not applicable.

All of this. Right now you need to concentrate on school, and you don't need the distraction of a new gaming PC. Further more you can't afford it, and already have a good chunk of credit card debt.

If you are in any way a responsible person you will wait until you graduate, find yourself a job, pay off the credit card, and THEN you can justify sinking some cash into a PC.

Believe me if you put yourself further into debt just to play Diablo 3 you will regret it...

 

[FuryofFive]

save your money on a monitor... get a free crt off freecycle.org or try craigslist. maybe skip the 560ti and get a 1gb 460 or 768mb

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Absolutely not.

 

[BladeVenom]

Stick with what you have, and just play old games.

 

[amish]

psh, double down on your credit card debt and get some better hardware.

sitting around and playing games is obviously going to pay for itself.

 

[cronos]

But second, why would you lose money by buying and selling gift cards to obtain cash for a computer when you could just buy the computer with the credit card in the first place. I'm NOT suggesting you do this, given your financial situation, but at least you wouldn't lose EXTRA money that way!

Because he doesn't even have a real (major) credit card. What he does have are store credit cards, which apparently not from stores that sell computers

Btw OP this is horrible idea right from the very first sentence. It is mind boggling how you can even think about buying a computer with your situation.

 

[shingletingle]

This thread can't be serious. Can somebody really be that dumb?

 

[Cheesetogo]

This is my situation - I have my last and most important semester of college coming up.

I have a fair amount of credit card debt ($2000) with no job - but I can afford to buy a new computer, albeit in an irresponsible way - buying gift cards from departmental stores on the credit cards for those stores, sell those gift cards at a loss, and then use the resulting cash to make minimum payments on those credit cards and the remainder towards a computer.

N

Yeah, definitely buy now. You should increase your budget though -- $2500 will probably build you a much better system. Also, look into leasing a new car. There's some great deals going on now, and you wouldn't want to miss out.

 

[Bill Brasky]

Dude. Stop being irresponsible. Pay off your debt and get a job.

 

[HumblePie]

Have you not learned anything at college? Do not mess up your life further by doing this. Games can wait. Or hell find a cyber cafe nearby and play there if you REALLY need to get your gaming fix on.

On a more important note, if you can find time to play video games you can find time for a job to earn money instead.