Is this the right time for a new PC?

[Racer7]

With new video chipsets, Vista and DX10 on the near horizon is this a good time for a new PC? I've been around computers for almost 25 years now, so I know this question gets asked a lot. I know that there is always something new on the way. No matter what you buy there will be something better in a month. Still, there are times that seem better or worse than others. Since I feel a little behind on the current happenings, is this a good time or a bad time?

For a little background, I use my PC primarily as a gaming rig (MMORPGs, RTSs, an occasional FPS). My current rig is a AMD 3500+ with 2G RAM and a 6800GT. It still seems to be playing what I want to play, but I'm wanting to upgrade to a 24" LCD widescreen. The current machine just isn't going to drive those resolutions. It's also coming up on 2 years since the last new machine, which is about the time I start looking. Anyway, any advice or recommendations are appreciated.

 

[ScrapSilicon]

I'd hold off til at least Dec. ..

 

[acole1]

Bump the video up to a 7900GT (assuming you have PCIe).

If you are stuck on AGP though, then perhaps an upgrade is in your near future.

 

[ScrapSilicon]

Originally posted by: acole1
Bump the video up to a 7900GT (assuming you have PCIe).

If you are stuck on AGP though, then perhaps an upgrade is in your near future.

after the 24" LCD tho..

 

[Racer7]

What is coming down the path that should be available by December? I've read about the new NVIDIA chipset, but is there anything else? That's in favor of waiting, btw, it's looking like I would have to go ATI if I bought right now and I do prefer NVIDIA.

The old MB is AGP.

 

[ScrapSilicon]

Originally posted by: Racer7
What is coming down the path that should be available by December? I've read about the new NVIDIA chipset, but is there anything else? That's in favor of waiting, btw, it's looking like I would have to go ATI if I bought right now and I do prefer NVIDIA.

The old MB is AGP.

resoning on waiting is as 24" Samsung 240T

1,920 x 1,200 resolution, 0.270 mm dot pitch

and an AGP 6800GT ..

Supported display graphics 1152x864, 1280x960, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, VGA (640x480), SVGA (800x600), XGA (1024x768), HDTV (1920x1080), QXGA (2048x1536), SXGA (1280x1024), UXGA (1600x1200), SXGAW (1600x1024)

..i.e. get the lcd 1st ..then report back ..gl <edit ..typo> <edit 2> ..a true system upgrade would entail your going ddr2 at this time and most likely C2D as well as an entire vid card upgrade as well...get the lcd ..save your coin towards shopping in Dec. ..

 

[acole1]

Originally posted by: ScrapSilicon

Originally posted by: Racer7
What is coming down the path that should be available by December? I've read about the new NVIDIA chipset, but is there anything else? That's in favor of waiting, btw, it's looking like I would have to go ATI if I bought right now and I do prefer NVIDIA.

The old MB is AGP.

resoning on waiting is as 24" Samsung 240T

1,920 x 1,200 resolution, 0.270 mm dot pitch

and an AGP 6800GT ..

Supported display graphics 1152x864, 1280x960, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, VGA (640x480), SVGA (800x600), XGA (1024x768), HDTV (1920x1080), QXGA (2048x1536), SXGA (1280x1024), UXGA (1600x1200), SXGAW (1600x1024)

..i.e. get the lcd 1st ..then report back ..gl <edit ..typo>

:thumbsup:

 

[Icepick]

I've got a similar setup: 3500+, 6800GT (AGP) but, with 1GB RAM. I'm driving a 20" widescreen LCD at 1680x1050 and the 6800GT is not cutting it anymore. I'm probably going to upgrade within a few weeks myself.

If you want to play games now then buy right now. The only bad thing about buying now is that RAM prices are high. If you wait until December then the new nVidia graphics cards will be on the market (G80) and they'll support DX10. IMO, it's not worth waiting for. The first DX10 cards to arrive in December will be priced at over $450 at MSRP and will probably go for much more than that at first.

If I were you I'd get an E6400 based system, 2GB RAM and a Saphire X1900XT for $240 (the 256MB version).

 

[Raider1284]

I would get the Dell 2405 personally. Higher contrast ratio, has built in usb reader and 4 port usb, and can rotate and spin like no other! And it can be had for around 700 if you get it during sales.

 

[ScrapSilicon]

Originally posted by: Icepick
I've got a similar setup: 3500+, 6800GT (AGP) but, with 1GB RAM. I'm driving a 20" widescreen LCD at 1680x1050 and the 6800GT is not cutting it anymore. I'm probably going to upgrade within a few weeks myself.

If you want to play games now then buy right now. The only bad thing about buying now is that RAM prices are high. If you wait until December then the new nVidia graphics cards will be on the market (G80) and they'll support DX10. IMO, it's not worth waiting for. The first DX10 cards to arrive in December will be priced at over $450 at MSRP and will probably go for much more than that at first.

If I were you I'd get an E6400 based system, 2GB RAM and a Saphire X1900XT for $240 (the 256MB version).

finish your pricing on the bolded items ..tia

Originally posted by: Raider1284
I would get the Dell 2405 personally. Higher contrast ratio, has built in usb reader and 4 port usb, and can rotate and spin like no other! And it can be had for around 700 if you get it during sales.

I just used the Samsung as an example..

 

[Racer7]

Thanks for the replies everyone!

Btw, my plan is to buy a complete new PC now or wait until probably January or so. Upgrading was brought up by another poster. Although I appreciate the suggestion, I have a use for the complete old rig, so I will most likely keep it intact.

I do have a widescreen question too, but perhaps that would be better asked in the video forum. The question was about a Dell 2407, but it would apply to the Samsung as well. Do they support a true 1600x1200 mode (ie, image in the center, black down the sides)?

 

[DiverDave]

The only bad thing about buying now is that RAM prices are high

This is a big inhibitor to me getting a new system now (current one is 5+ years old). I'd like to see the prices drop a bit. Video/CPU prices are always going down as new technology/products come out so there isn't much point in chasing those unless you know a price cut is coming. But the DRAM prices have jumped so much recently I'd like to see them retract a bit and see what impact it has on the cost of a new machine