How much do you all spend yearly on upgrading?

[gamesrfun2]

What do you all recommend as far as staying up to date on your upgrades? What I mean is do you buy the absolute latest technology when it comes out, or do you wait and how long do you wait? What kind of upgrade schedule are you on. Right now I am upgrading after a year and it is looking to be a grand total of $550 to get a 6800 NU 128, AMD A64 2800+mhz, Acompanying motherboard. This is not so bad, but it is not that great either, I feel like I am getting flieced. I feel like the upgrades are going to be obsolete in less then 3 months!!!

 

[dullard]

I don't care about getting the highest quality visual settings on the latest games. Thus I can wait until the parts are dirt cheap and still play any game and do anything I want in the time while I'm waiting. I tend to get a cheap computer that is a bit more than I need, then do one mild upgrade (video card and memory) in ~2 years. Then 2 years later I repeat.

It is amazing how you can have just as much fun yet spend 3x less by lowering your standards by say 10%.

 

[iwantanewcomputer]

know what you mean, i want to upgrade my a64 3000 and 9800 pro i've had for 6 months. i think it's best to get a mid range system(ie. cheap athlon 64 solution now) you will be happy with and keep it for 3 years, then just upgrade everything. if you can't play games the last year, play them the year after that and they will be cheaper/run better on your new system

and of course, overclock your system as much as you can with stock cooling

 

[gamesrfun2]

Originally posted by: dullard
I don't care about getting the highest quality visual settings on the latest games. Thus I can wait until the parts are dirt cheap and still play any game and do anything I want in the time while I'm waiting. I tend to get a cheap computer that is a bit more than I need, then do one mild upgrade (video card and memory) in ~2 years. Then 2 years later I repeat.

It is amazing how you can have just as much fun yet spend 3x less by lowering your standards by say 10%.

So basically according to your theory, you will be playing games like half life, world of warcraft, doom3, etc (if you like these sort of games) a year from now when the parts that make these games scream are dirt cheap? Is that correct? Thanks!

 

[Texun]

I upgrade a little at a time but I usually try to start with a solid foundation, such as a strong PSU and a good motherboard with some headroom. But my NF7 reached retirement age before I could max it out. I started with 1g of PC3200, an XP1700, then an XP2800. I never made it to the XP3200\400 so my next one will be a 64 bit platform. I'm in no hurry. I can do 90% of anything I want and I don't see the need to drop a wad of cash to close that gap. I'm thinking December or January I'll make the move but keep my 160g Samsung, DVDR, DVD, CDRW and maybe the Turtle Beach SC. I screwed up on the video card by reacting on an emotion instead of common sense. I bought a retail 9800NP hoping I could turn it into a Pro but the memory wouldn't let that happen.

 

[nageov3t]

in terms of cpu and ram, I upgrade as needed. I'm currently running with 1 gig of ram and barton 3500... haven't seen a point to upgrading to 64 bit yet, but I'll probably consider it once Win64 has a commercial release.

generally, though, I stay a generation behind in video cards, and I wait at least 6 months after major cpu changes (ie: Socket A -> Socket 939) before upgrading my motherboard.

I haven't upgraded my soundcard since I switched from on-board to an audigy last year. I don't see the point in any further upgrades unless my audigy breaks down -- the sound quality is good enough for me, and none of the new features assosiated with the audigy 2 have any appeal to me.

 

[Gamingphreek]

Too much

-Kevin

 

[sunase]

You could join the dark side and just get a console for gaming. ;p Cheap, lasts years before becoming obsolete, virtually no upgrades needed for the console and without having to do gaming the computer starts to last for years as well.

I'm typing this on a PIII 1GHz laptop which I do all my work/school related stuff on. It runs WinXP, Eclipse, VMWare w/ several Linux distros, Tomcat, etc. all without a hitch and I can't find any reason to upgrade. I actually want a new laptop, but there's just no upgrade pressure with all home gaming done on the consoles.

Well not entirely all gaming, I can emulate SNES and use all my PS1 CDs via ePSXe so still have lots of RPGs to work through on this for mobile gaming. But after that I'll just start watching movies on the go since this is plenty fast enough to rip DVDs, you just leave it going over night. Those don't apply to desktops anyway, though.

 

[caz67]

Thousands of Aussie $$$$

 

[chilled]

I tend to upgrade the core components when I see double the performance of my current system across the board ~every 2 years. All other components when I feel like it and when funds allow.

Maybe this timeline will help:
10/00: Bought NEC System: P3 866, 128MB SDRAM, GF2 GTS, 30GB HD, Pioneer DVD, LG 8x CD-RW, 17" CRT, SBLive! and 2.1 spk.
07/01: Made Secondary system: Duron 800, 256MB SDRAM, Savage4, 20GB HD, 14" CRT
06/02: Duron 800 switched from SDRAM to 512MB PC2100 DDR. Same Ali MagiK board.
10/02: Bought new 19" CRT for NEC. Secondary got its 17" CRT.
02/03: NEC system became secondary. Sold contents of Secondary system. Bought new nForce2 with AXP 2100@2700+, reused DDR above @ 512MB PC2700. Upgraded HD to 120GB, bought new QTEC 550W PSU. Used the GF2 GTS, DVD, CD-RW from the NEC. Became my primary rig.
06/03: Bought new Cheiftec case for primary rig. Got 2 more 2.1 spkers to make custom 5.1.
10/03: Bought 9800pro. NEC got back its GF2 GTS.
01/04: Got new TT 420W PSU to replace faulty QTEC 550W...!
06/04: Doubled RAM in primary rig. Got NEC DVD-RW. Moved 8xCD-RW to secondary rig.
09/04: Got a Audigy2/T7900 speakers for primary rig.

I would say I spend too much, or maybe spend too often since I do incremental upgrades. I gotta sell a lot of stuff as well now...

 

[Kaido]

I upgrade more...cumulatively, I guess. I buy a system then add parts as I want/need to. I usually get new base parts (cpu/motherboard) every three years or so. Like, I upgraded from my 1.4ghz Athlon system I built in 2001 to a 2.8ghz p4 this past May. I just carry my parts over - keyboard, mouse, optical drives, operating system, video card, etc.

My upgrading is kind of erratic because sometimes I'll come across something I really like and buy it and add it to my system. For example, I recently bought the Griffen Technology PowerMate. It's a $40 programmable USB knob. I didn't ever think I'd get it because I didn't know it was out there, but it's wicked useful for the work I do on my computer.

I like to buy a new part at least monthly, which is probably bad for my savings account lol. I like to feel like the money I earn at work is useful for something other than paying for school and gas. Plus I get new parts and my system is always kept up-to-date

 

[CraigRT]

I don't spend as much as some... for one thing, I whole heartedly do not believe in buying the very best at the time... complete and utter waste of money.

For example.. it's like 2x the price for a 3500+ over a 3000+ A64... 2x the performance? no chance.
I went with the 3200+ for not much more than the 3000! That just makes sense to me... when money is no object, I can accept buying the higher CPU, but not in my case at all.

 

[CJP]

When I build a whole new system I try to get a motherboard that'll give me at least the option of a cheap cpu upgrade in a couple of years. With my P4T-E I went from a 1.8ghz p4 to a 2.6ghz. Next year I start fresh with a new dual core system.

I don't upgrade other stuff often but when I do I buy high end stuff but always one notch down from the best because the premium isn't worth it to me. I bought a 9800np instead of a Pro last year and it was a good deal.

 

[apoppin]

i look for best bang-for buck and just OFF the cutting edge.

In feb i upgraded my aged Tualatin Celeron at 1.5Ghz for a (dead end) Northwoord System - 2.80c @ 3.31Ghz and it is still - 7 months later - keeping up with the newer Intel systems. . . . a FURTHER upgrade will be the last of the 3.2c NWs - hopefully it'll o/c to ~4Ghz . . . that'll keep me through '05 . . . at THAT time i will look at cheap (video SLI) PCIe and cheap SATA (and hopefully a cheap LCD as my monitor is going on 5 years old).

When i upgraded my videocard from a Radeon 8500 (in June) i wanted a 6800GT - "settled" for a cheap ($223) 9800XT - which plays ALL of the newest games at either 10x7 or 11x8 - which suits my 19" CRT perfectly . . .

it't a strategy that has worled for years . . . upgrade when i have to - choose wisely and ENJOY!

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: gamesrfun2
So basically according to your theory, you will be playing games like half life, world of warcraft, doom3, etc (if you like these sort of games) a year from now when the parts that make these games scream are dirt cheap? Is that correct? Thanks!

My theory is to play them now with what I have. Then when I can get a great improvement in video card without much money, I'll buy it and suddenly turn on a bit more eye candy and keep playing the games I enjoy.

 

[sharkeeper]

Not much since all the major players give us millions worth of toys to play with...

Cheers!

 

[LegacyGTDude]

I spend about 2000 a year on buying hardware, I probably make back about 1000-1200 selling the older hardware on the forums...

 

[wseyller]

I spend too much as well. I can't stand it when something much better comes out. I built my system last march or april. I have the amd64 3200+ and the K8V deluxe, radeon 9800pro and 1gb of pc3200. Unfortunately my board has no pci/agp lock so my overclock is limited. I'm itching to buy a new mobo that has a pci/agp lock. I wish I had ddr433 or ddr466 memory and a new radeon x800 or even the nvidia 6800. I ask myself if it is worth getting a new mobo even though I already know the answer is no.

 

[imported_NoGodForMe]

I build the best system money can buy, then upgrade the GPU a year later.
I'll spend the extra money now, to future proof my investment.

 

[RaymondY]

I just upgraded from my A7N8X-Deluxe with XP2500+ to Chaintech VNF-250 with A64 2800+ (o/c 2.3ghz) and it only cost about $100 since I reused the case,power supply, hdd, cdrw,dvd-+rw and video card.

I also upgraded my P4 system from a P4 2.6c to P4 3.0c for $65.00 after I sold the P4 2.6c

 

[farscape]

Not enough




and



too much

 

[Trey22]

Currently have a 2500+ @ 3200+, 1 GB RAM, 9800 Pro and play the games I want w/ no problem. I priced out my next upgrade to a 754 mobo, 3200+, Raptor HD & new vidcard (6800GT) and couldn't pull the trigger. Spending around 900 bucks for some extra eye candy was not worth it IMO.

Personally, I'll be waiting for the next gen chipset from Nvidia that supports PCIe AND DDR2.

 

[Delorian]

Originally posted by: sunase
You could join the dark side and just get a console for gaming. ;p Cheap, lasts years before becoming obsolete, virtually no upgrades needed for the console and without having to do gaming the computer starts to last for years as well.

I'm typing this on a PIII 1GHz laptop which I do all my work/school related stuff on. It runs WinXP, Eclipse, VMWare w/ several Linux distros, Tomcat, etc. all without a hitch and I can't find any reason to upgrade. I actually want a new laptop, but there's just no upgrade pressure with all home gaming done on the consoles.

Well not entirely all gaming, I can emulate SNES and use all my PS1 CDs via ePSXe so still have lots of RPGs to work through on this for mobile gaming. But after that I'll just start watching movies on the go since this is plenty fast enough to rip DVDs, you just leave it going over night. Those don't apply to desktops anyway, though.

Not exactly, consoles are being upgrade-friendly more and more often. Look at the PS2, you could buy a network adapter, multitap and hard drive (supposed to be able to anyhow) and that would have cost nearly as much as a new console. Same as upgrading a PC. I agree though that it's nowhere near PC upgrade levels, you don't have any performance gains by buying new $500 cards every couple months.

OP - I agree to stick one generation behind in video cards, sound cards are at a barrier so any recent card would do for several years, Hard Drives I rarely upgrade (maybe once every 3-4 years). MBs and CPUs about every 2 years, maybe less this time around if the Athlon64 stays full steam and Win64 is released.

If you are considering upgrading or wondering when to upgrade, watch the price curves and know what you want. 2 years ago almost all 1-2x DVDRW drives were $200 or more, now you can get a 16X +/-RW Dual Layer burner for under $100. Soon they'll be as cheap as CD burners have been for a little while lately. Just watch for prices that reflect the "newest and the greatest" isn't exactly top-notch anymore and jump on the deal while the tech is still good and the price is affordable.

 

[gamesrfun2]

Originally posted by: Delorian

Originally posted by: sunase
You could join the dark side and just get a console for gaming. ;p Cheap, lasts years before becoming obsolete, virtually no upgrades needed for the console and without having to do gaming the computer starts to last for years as well.

I'm typing this on a PIII 1GHz laptop which I do all my work/school related stuff on. It runs WinXP, Eclipse, VMWare w/ several Linux distros, Tomcat, etc. all without a hitch and I can't find any reason to upgrade. I actually want a new laptop, but there's just no upgrade pressure with all home gaming done on the consoles.

Well not entirely all gaming, I can emulate SNES and use all my PS1 CDs via ePSXe so still have lots of RPGs to work through on this for mobile gaming. But after that I'll just start watching movies on the go since this is plenty fast enough to rip DVDs, you just leave it going over night. Those don't apply to desktops anyway, though.

Not exactly, consoles are being upgrade-friendly more and more often. Look at the PS2, you could buy a network adapter, multitap and hard drive (supposed to be able to anyhow) and that would have cost nearly as much as a new console. Same as upgrading a PC. I agree though that it's nowhere near PC upgrade levels, you don't have any performance gains by buying new $500 cards every couple months.

OP - I agree to stick one generation behind in video cards, sound cards are at a barrier so any recent card would do for several years, Hard Drives I rarely upgrade (maybe once every 3-4 years). MBs and CPUs about every 2 years, maybe less this time around if the Athlon64 stays full steam and Win64 is released.

If you are considering upgrading or wondering when to upgrade, watch the price curves and know what you want. 2 years ago almost all 1-2x DVDRW drives were $200 or more, now you can get a 16X +/-RW Dual Layer burner for under $100. Soon they'll be as cheap as CD burners have been for a little while lately. Just watch for prices that reflect the "newest and the greatest" isn't exactly top-notch anymore and jump on the deal while the tech is still good and the price is affordable.

I think that is what cheezes me off most about pc gaming, the fact that you will shell out $500 or more on a pc upgrade and it will get you if your lucky, about the same graphics as an Xbox pumps out, I know alot of you will argue this, but when I am playing an xbox I am totally amazed at the graphical detail in the games and the comp is getting there especially with the advent of doom3, but it just seems that the pc is always a geration behind in the graphics department as compared to the consoles. Although the games imho are much more in-depth for the pc then the consoles, the consoles definitely win out in the graphics department!! Also Xbox includes the network adapter, last time I heard. If it werent for the fact that I have a hook-up on free pc games I would probably be a console gamer, just because the graphics are better, most of the games are quite good, now alot of them have network play.

Anyway just my half cent.

-peace