Computer build now or later?

[limer]

I'd like to build a new machine this summer or fall. Is there any other minor or major hardware advances going to happen this year? Is there anything that will likely significantly drive down the price of any components this year?

I'm not asking for an all seeing eye, just informed people and educated guesses.

Thanks!

 

[RaistlinZ]

There are always changes. If you wait until December you'll want to wait until the following spring for something even better. Much of these changes are moot if you intend to keep the computer for the next 3-4 years or more.

 

[Axon]

If anything, prices for parts have been getting higher. Last year I was able to buy a 6 GB DDR3 kit for $110 (now $150+) and a XFX 4890 for $200 (equivalent next gen card $300+). So you can't get near those prices for similar tech these days. Old CPUs are not selling for less either, unless you catch a sale at newegg/fry's/microcenter.

Further, you can always play the waiting game. If you wait till December you can wait until Spring, and then Fall, and on and on. So to answer your question: there are some good values out there today, like AMD's Phenom II line or Intel's 1156 platform. Unless you do bleeding edge gaming on a 2560 screen, those chips will get you at least 2 years, if not more.