new comp - buy now or wait?

[slagtrad]

Hey all!
I'm gonna buy a new gaming rig - money isn't an issue as I get this as payment for a job I've done and I'm gonna make it a phat one.
So I was wondering.. with crysis, bioshock and all new promising dx10 games coming out soon, should I wait a couple of weeks/months or could I go out and buy a comp now that will hold up? Is there any new technologies in the pipe that is worth waiting for? I know that stuff get old and new stuff is always coming out but as I probably will use my new comp for 2-3 years I dont wanna buy it now and see that one week later 10 core cpu's and new ultragiga gpus are released. Any thoughts?

 

[airhendrix13]

The next step in hardware is smaller architecture as far as I can see. Right now we have 65nm CPU's, but if you wait a little while, you will be able to pick up a 45nm Penryn. As for performance differences, I don't expect to see much at stock. Penryns will run at 1333 fsb compared to C2Qs running at 1066 fsb. This will show some small improvements over the C2Q and will allow easier 1:1 with faster memory. I think the biggest difference will be seen in how cool the CPU runs and its OCing potential. The lower profile 45nm CPU will run a bit cooler and consume less energy, thus higher potential for OCing.

As for GPU's, there hasn't really been much talk about something "big" coming out.

I doubt you will be missing out on anything major if you by now though, but if the Penryn is looking good to you, just buy a P35 mobo. That will give you the ability to upgrade to the Penryn later while enjoying the C2Q now.

I hope this helps.

Ryan

 

[xitshsif]

There's always going to be something new in the pipeline, but AFAIK there won't be anything huge dropping in the next month. I'd just get something fast, but upgradeable. A P35 mobo is the way to go to support future CPUs, and new video cards won't be needing anything special. I guess one thing to make sure you don't skimp on is the PSU, especially since you're not paying for it. The way GPUs are going these days, the next gen cards could easily demand a lot from your PSU.