New PC- Should I buy now or wait a few more months?

[Morbus]

Hello everyone. I'm planning on rebuilding my current desktop and am not sure whether I should buy the new components now or wait for new year. So the first question is: will the prices (for the components I have in mind) drop at the beginning of next year, or should I just go ahead and upgrade?

I use my PC for gaming and graphic design, have a dual monitor 1080p setup and will be porting a few components from my current setup. Here is my current setup:

Case and cooling: Aero Cool XStrike with an extra 12cm fan in the front
Power supply: A pretty beefy non-OEM PSU (650W)
Motherboard: MSI P35 Platinum
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 @2.33GHZ overclocked to 2.8GHZ
RAM: 4x1GB DDR2 @400MHZ
VGA: Asus HD4890
HDD: Seagate 1TB SATA3 32Mb buffer
and all the other bits and pieces.

This PC, except for the VGA, was built almost 4 years ago, and I have since upgrade from my original X1950Pro to the much more powerful (and still pretty awesome!) DX10 HD48890, which I plant to keep for probably another year. But I want to upgrade the CPU and RAM and have something that's relatively future proof. Here's what I have in mind:

Motherboard: ASUS Z87-A
CPU: Intel I7 4770 3.4GHZ 8MB
RAM: 2x8GB GSKILL ARES DDR3 2400MHZ

So, back to my original question: is it common for prices to drop after the Christmas season or should I just buy the new components now?

Also, and if any of you have any suggestions for some different component, I'm all ears! I don't really have budget for anything more expensive, though, but if I'm wasting money on any of those three components, I'd happily be set right!

I chose an i7 because I think it's a more future-proof bet.
The motherboard is, from what I've read, pretty decent and has some decent overclocking abilities.
I'm a bit lost on the RAM though, but I think that I will be able to pair it with another 2x8GB in a year or two, and run them at at least 2666MHZ without problem (2666MHZ right now is too expensive for me).

Thanks for the help!

 

[schmuckley]

I'd say wait a minute..See what happens...
9x chipsets are already on the horizon as well.(Haswell refresh)
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151756127648946&set=pb.94338753945.-2207520000.1384178624.&type=3&src=https%3A%2F%2Fscontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-prn2%2F1471077_10151756127648946_1689011012_n.jpg&size=960%2C720

 

[Charlie98]

If you are patient and don't mind doing a little shopping, we are headed into the season of sales leading up to Christmas. Black Friday will be the big one, but if BF is soft, and I suspect it will be, look for the sales and discounts to continue. Beyond that, I don't expect prices to fall at all.

If you need to rebuild now, do it...

 

[ShintaiDK]

There isnt any reason to wait, unless you wait a full year. But then you can play the same game and keep waiting another year...and another year...and another year...

 

[VirtualLarry]

Is there anything that your current rig won't do, OP? What is the motivation to upgrade? Just because you can? Because if you're happy with your current rig, keep it.

 

[Torn Mind]

You stand to benefit immensely from an upgrade to an i5, even an i3. Benchmark scores between the i5 and C2D seems to have the i5 scores about 1/3 as large or 3 times bigger than the C2D scores, depending on the benchmark used.

http://anandtech.com/bench/product/61?vs=837

I say upgrade now, and enjoy the productivity boost. Although, there remains lag in "OS snappiness" without an SSD. That's because while upgrading the CPU saves a few fractions of a second, the access times to get data on the hard disk are still pretty long.

Hyperthreading is the distinguishing feature between the Haswell i5 and i7, since clockspeed and cache are identical. Between that and an SSD though, I'll take the SSD most of the time, unless I'm doing lots of video encodes or using anything else that will consistently benefit from Hyperthreading, like BF4.

Similarly, expensive RAM is perhaps 1% faster, but if you get with a 1600 Mhz RAM system, you won't be really aching for speed with an SSD and i5.

 

[Morbus]

Is there anything that your current rig won't do, OP? What is the motivation to upgrade? Just because you can? Because if you're happy with your current rig, keep it.

I can't play Rome Total War II, and am preparing for a few CPU intensive games coming up in the near future. That's my main motivation, but gaming in general. I have a very nice machine, no doubt, but it's not enough, and it certainly won't be enough for next year's gaming season, per say.

You stand to benefit immensely from an upgrade to an i5, even an i3. Benchmark scores between the i5 and C2D seems to have the i5 scores about 1/3 as large or 3 times bigger than the C2D scores, depending on the benchmark used.

Exactly. But isn't the i7 a better CPU, future-wise? You know, since I'm upgrading and all, it's not really 50€ that will make a difference. I just don't want to regret choosing an i5 in the future, you know?

Although, there remains lag in "OS snappiness" without an SSD. That's because while upgrading the CPU saves a few fractions of a second, the access times to get data on the hard disk are still pretty long.

I know that, but an SSD is outside my budget. They're prices are falling down constantly, so maybe in another year. Something to house my OS and my games and productivity software, something around 256GB should be enough.

unless I'm doing lots of video encodes or using anything else that will consistently benefit from Hyperthreading, like BF4.

Hence my reasoning: I get the i7 now and get the SSD later. Much better than getting an i5 and SSD now, and (not) upgrading to an i7 later.

:EDIT:
Oh, and thanks a lot for helping out, this is really helpful. I'm leaning heavily to buying it all now and be done with it. Thanks a lot!

 

[ShintaiDK]

The i7 doesnt offer much over the i5. Nor in the future. SSD is a much better solution than an i7 over an i5.

 

[Torn Mind]

Both the currently i7 and i5 will likely be obsoleted 3 gens from now. As an example, most likely, if the "Haswell Refresh" boasts clock speed boosts or Broadwell gets desktop processors, the successor to the current 4670K will approxmately equal the 2600K from 2 generations ago. That is the extent of its "future-proofing", 2 gens for multithreaded apps.

Currently, the i5 4670K at stock is inching quite close to the performance of an i7-2600K in multithreaded apps and actually beats it in single threaded performance.

 

[ShintaiDK]

Both the currently i7 and i5 will likely be obsoleted 3 gens from now. As an example, most likely, if the "Haswell Refresh" boasts clock speed boosts or Broadwell gets desktop processors, the successor to the current 4670K will approxmately equal the 2600K from 2 generations ago. That is the extent of its "future-proofing", 2 gens for multithreaded apps.

Currently, the i5 4670K at stock is inching quite close to the performance of an i7-2600K in multithreaded apps and actually beats it in single threaded performance.

Singlethread, and up to 4 threads. It sounds wierd like it only beats it in 1 thread

 

[Morbus]

Both the currently i7 and i5 will likely be obsoleted 3 gens from now. As an example, most likely, if the "Haswell Refresh" boasts clock speed boosts or Broadwell gets desktop processors, the successor to the current 4670K will approxmately equal the 2600K from 2 generations ago. That is the extent of its "future-proofing", 2 gens for multithreaded apps.

So you mean that I SHOULDN'T buy the i7 and go for an i5? Never mind the SSD, as I said, I'm considering getting that later, but, with a SSD, will the i7 be pointless in comparison to the i5?

:EDIT:
I read around a bit and found out that plenty of people say the i5 4670K is about the same as the i7 4770, has more overclocking potential and is quite cheaper. The hyperthreading from the i7 is really only usable for video rendering and stuff like that, and since I won't be doing any HD video rendering, it's not worth the price difference, even if it's just 60€.

You guys just saved me 60€, which I shall be saving for my VGA upgrade, next year, or for my SSD

 

[Torn Mind]

So you mean that I SHOULDN'T buy the i7 and go for an i5? Never mind the SSD, as I said, I'm considering getting that later, but, with a SSD, will the i7 be pointless in comparison to the i5?

That post was mostly just to inform. In apps that do benefit from an i7's Hyperthreading, you basically get more performance two years sooner. But if the critical apps you use don't take advantage of Hyperthreading all that much or at all, the $100 spent could have been allocated to something else more useful, and not necessarily a purchase related to the system.

In short, it very much depends on your application usage. You mentioned Total War Rome II. Googling "total war rome ii hyperthreading" brings up conflicting reports as to whether Hyperthreading provides substantial fps benefits or not; one user "proves" that it is better with it off and posted a video, while someone else says he does get fps boost, although he turns down some settings. Photoediting with Photoshop does have certain tools that take advantage of hyperthreading, although how much the boost is depends on what you exactly do with it and how long your projects take.

 

[Skott]

I will agree with the others. We're going into the holiday sales so now is a good time to buy. I dont know if BF or BM will net you the best deals but between now and Xmas there should be some good ones. The stores are spreading their sales out more these days to last longer and pull in more buyers. I'd suggest coming up with a reasonable price you are willing to spend for each component and when you see that price just go ahead and buy. This will require research on the various components on your part and their pricing but the folks around here will help you with that. Just keep checking each and every day to see who (store) is offering what and when.

 

[bonehead123]

2 words for ya:

1. bLaCk

2. fRiDaY

 

[NickelPlate]

Well from your post OP it doesn't sound like you really need the upgrade right away so I'm with the wait for BF sale crowd.

 

[Aithos]

There is no reason whatsoever to wait if you can afford to upgrade now. Prices for computer parts (decent ones) don't ever go significantly on sale based around holidays. It's like buying a TV, if it's on sale on Black Friday it isn't worth buying. All the good TV prices are around the super bowl when the new models are coming out. Same thing with computer parts: prices are lowest right before something new launches. Now is a good time to buy because a lot of parts have come down since launch and won't significantly change until the next line of Intel chips are set to come out.

As for i5 vs i7 it all depends on what you do. Neither CPU is more or less future proof, the i7 just has hyper threading and so will be better at heavily threaded applications. So if you do a lot of video editing/encoding, 3d modeling, etc then the i7 will be better. If you primarily, game, stream tv/movies, browse the internet and normal tasks the i5 is plenty for you.

 

[mfenn]

There is no reason whatsoever to wait if you can afford to upgrade now. Prices for computer parts (decent ones) don't ever go significantly on sale based around holidays. It's like buying a TV, if it's on sale on Black Friday it isn't worth buying. All the good TV prices are around the super bowl when the new models are coming out. Same thing with computer parts: prices are lowest right before something new launches. Now is a good time to buy because a lot of parts have come down since launch and won't significantly change until the next line of Intel chips are set to come out.

I agree with this 100%. In general, there are basically never good deals across the whole range of parts you'd actually want to build a PC with on Black Friday. The best "deals" are on absolutely junky bottom-feeder laptops.

 

[VirtualLarry]

It's like buying a TV, if it's on sale on Black Friday it isn't worth buying.

That's not always true. Picked up an Insignia 39" last Thanksgiving from BestBuy for $250, list price $400.

Barely used it myself, so I'm selling it to a friend for what I paid for it. He hooked it up to his PS3, and there's no noticeable input lag compared to his big old CRT, which is good news.

 

[Aithos]

That's not always true. Picked up an Insignia 39" last Thanksgiving from BestBuy for $250, list price $400.

Barely used it myself, so I'm selling it to a friend for what I paid for it. He hooked it up to his PS3, and there's no noticeable input lag compared to his big old CRT, which is good news.

No offense, but Insignia TVs are junk. The TVs that go on "Black Friday" sale are the no-name chinese panels that have crazy high failure rates that retailers specifically buy in bulk just for big sales. I worked in retail for a decadr for several major nationwide chains as well as local companies, several years of which was spend in a furniture, appliances and home theater store. I've sold TVs on Black Friday, it's not the time to buy a "decent" TV. The Super Bowl is the time to buy, it's the last big "TV" event before the new lineups release each year so prices are at their absolute lowest before availability starts to taper off.

Also, just so you can further educate yourself: "List" price means "Price no one ever sells that TV for, ever". That's the artificially inflated price the manufacturer sets to make it seem like the TV is a better deal. I'd be willing to bet nearly anything that TV usually sells for $299 and the Black Friday price, while a slightly better deal wasn't nearly as good as you think you got. Finally, don't fall for the "This is the same panel used in high end <insert brand> TVs" That's like saying a QNIX or Yamasaki is the same quality as a $1000 Apple display, the panel is only a portion of the TV, the PCB and the remainder of the components all factor in to what makes a TV. Just because they took reject panels from another major manufacturer doesn't make them the same.

 

[VirtualLarry]

No offense, but Insignia TVs are junk. The TVs that go on "Black Friday" sale are the no-name chinese panels that have crazy high failure rates that retailers specifically buy in bulk just for big sales.
Also, just so you can further educate yourself: "List" price means "Price no one ever sells that TV for, ever".

Well, I don't know if BestBuy sold any at $400, but they were selling it for that. It also had thousands of reviews, and 4 stars, if I have my models straight.

But thanks for being a TV snob and trying to "educate" me.

PS. The two laptops I've purchased on BF were surprisingly well-built, even if they had un-inspiring lower-end specs (single-core).

 

[vailr]

You guys just saved me 60€, which I shall be saving for my VGA upgrade, next year, or for my SSD

2 words for ya:
1. bLaCk
2. fRiDaY

Somehow, I'm doubting whether people that use Euros for their purchases are going to have the opportunity for "day after Thanksgiving sales".

 

[raildogg]

No offense, but Insignia TVs are junk. The TVs that go on "Black Friday" sale are the no-name chinese panels that have crazy high failure rates that retailers specifically buy in bulk just for big sales. I worked in retail for a decadr for several major nationwide chains as well as local companies, several years of which was spend in a furniture, appliances and home theater store. I've sold TVs on Black Friday, it's not the time to buy a "decent" TV. The Super Bowl is the time to buy, it's the last big "TV" event before the new lineups release each year so prices are at their absolute lowest before availability starts to taper off.

Also, just so you can further educate yourself: "List" price means "Price no one ever sells that TV for, ever". That's the artificially inflated price the manufacturer sets to make it seem like the TV is a better deal. I'd be willing to bet nearly anything that TV usually sells for $299 and the Black Friday price, while a slightly better deal wasn't nearly as good as you think you got. Finally, don't fall for the "This is the same panel used in high end <insert brand> TVs" That's like saying a QNIX or Yamasaki is the same quality as a $1000 Apple display, the panel is only a portion of the TV, the PCB and the remainder of the components all factor in to what makes a TV. Just because they took reject panels from another major manufacturer doesn't make them the same.

The Insignia that I've seen wasn't bad at all. In fact, for gaming, it was very good. I wonder what makes it bad. Sure they may not match the quality of, let's say, Samsung 100%, but if they match it 80% at 50% of the cost, then that's a good deal.

 

[Morbus]

2 words for ya:

1. bLaCk

2. fRiDaY

There's no such thing in Europe, at least not that I know of.

Anyway, I picked up a slightly different set up and will be formatting the hard drive today for a new i5 4670K, Asus Z87-A and 2x8GB DDR3@1866MHz.
Next week I will be receiving my new Gigabyte GTX760OC and a Samsung EVO840 250GB SSD. So... Brand new PC before the end of the month

Thanks a lot for all the help.

Prices for computer parts (decent ones) don't ever go significantly on sale based around holidays.

My thoughts exactly. What goes on sale is whole computers, and that's for laymen and peasants. XD

All the good TV prices are around the super bowl when the new models are coming out.

Also, no such thing here in Europe as far as I know.

Same thing with computer parts: prices are lowest right before something new launches. Now is a good time to buy because a lot of parts have come down since launch and won't significantly change until the next line of Intel chips are set to come out.

Indeed, I managed to get some discounts on the SSD and the 760. Around 20% off each.

Also, just so you can further educate yourself: "List" price means "Price no one ever sells that TV for, ever".

This. So much this. Everywhere, not just for computer parts.

That's the artificially inflated price the manufacturer sets to make it seem like the TV is a better deal.

This, in part, but also because SOME manufacturers sell their products to the end costumer, and in order to allow for resellers to have a profit and be competitive, they purposely sell their products way higher, at "list price". List price for a Gibson Les Paul Standard is like 1000€ above the usual price, for example, and you can buy the guitars directly from Gibson, if you want. You'll have to pay a lot more though.

As a final note though, from what I can tell, black fridays and the like is only good for people who don't really know what they want, and will just buy whatever is on sale for the best deal. There are always some exceptions, of course, but you're way more likely to find a no-name 10' tablet with a huge discount than an iPad or a Surface.

 

[Balforth]

everybody keeps talking about black friday.... but nobody mentions cyber monday

 

[Hampster Dance]

I bought a 1440p panel at Diablo 3's launch while I was still running a Core2 Duo 8400/GTX480 build. I decided at that time to upgrade my rig the following BF/CM. You know what I saw during the season of sales that year?? A bunch of crap being sold as door busters and flash sales. With the exception of Micro Center there were no incredible sales on premium parts that made me want to jump up and build a new computer. (No extreme deals that I wasn't able to find any other time of the year)

BF/CM the past few year's (since I have been paying attention) has been woefully uninspiring when it comes to true bargains. I might pick up a back up mouse or a cheap HDD, but I don't forsee the trend changing this year. Resellers use this time to push out the junk that has collected dust in their warehouses over the past year or so and label it as an amazing deal.

My advice to the OP is to build a new rig when you can afford it and find that your current setup isn't cutting it any longer. If you can wait longer then go ahead and do so. Don't wait just to wait though, You'll find yourself waiting forever.