Poll: Does anybody else like waiting before upgrading/getting a new computer?

[GrumpyMan]

I only upgrade the cpu when I can double the present speed. The video card upgrade depends on current games and hard drives and periferals I upgrade upon failure or need of more space such as in a hard drive.

 

[kgraeme]

I only upgrade when I can't do something. That doesn't mean I upgrade my video to hit some MadOnion benchmark. It means I upgrade when a game I bought actually will not play or lags to 15fps or so.

I also only upgrade components unless the one new component won't benefit my current system and then I might have to consider a complete overhaul. So on a KT133A board, the processing bandwidth is maxed with a 1.2 Athlon. No sense dropping a XP 1900 in there since the SDRAM chokes it. That means an upgrade also needs a motherboard and DDR ram to go along with the CPU.

All in all that means in five years, I'm only on my second system. And the old Celeron 450 system can actually still run a lot of games, just not all.

 

[Nate420]

I try to wait a while between upgrades. I'm always surfing the online stores, like Newegg, to keep up with prices and try not to miss any real good deals. Back in 1999 I bought a Gateway W/P3 500,TNT2 Ultra(Never again, I didn't know any better at the time). After about 10 months or so I bought a Voodoo5. Then about March of 2001 I built a whole new rig W/ CUSL2, P3 1Ghz, 512M sdram, ect. I added little thing over the following few months like memory, second HDD, SB X-Gamer, DVD, ect. Then over the last few months I got several new parts. Asus P4B266, 256M ddr, P4 1.6A, Lite-On 32x12x40, 40G HDD, and a Gainward G3. From here I have no idea what will be next. Probably more memory first, then just whatever I find a good deal on.

When I upgrade parts, I usually donate the old parts to my bro, so he stays just a little behind the curve for free most of the time..Ain't I nice

 

[AA0]

Most of the time I buy computers and parts right in the best price range, then upgrade. For my personal system, I bought the best, and was sure I could upgrade it in the future. I don't get everything new, but I do upgrade when I need to.

 

[SWScorch]

I upgrade constantly and then once a year or so I build an entirely new computer.

 

[lastig21]

I upgrade when I feel like trying something new. I figure on these boards you can regain most of you cost if the "new and improved" component doesn't perform like you were expecting.

 

[MoboN00B]

i wait a long time before i build a new computer and just try to pass on my old computer to a relative.

 

[SteelCityFan]

I do a big upgrade every 2-3 years. I upgrade to what could be considered the 2nd best to avoid paying the "tax" for having the best since prices will drop considerably in just a few months.

 

[BFG10K]

I used to have to wait a long time for upgrades but now I upgrade every 6-12 months. Also with regard to core components (RAM, HDs sound cards etc) I always salvage whatever I can from my old system when I build a new one and only buy replacements if I really need them. CPUs and video cards get the full upgrade though.

 

[AGodspeed]

I do a full upgrade every 6 months, that's my rule. I have a good realtionship with a group of guys that are willing to buy the stuff I sell them even though it's 6 months out of date, so I'm all good.

 

[Mitzi]

I don't upgrade until I feel I have to because my hardware is getting left behind - this weekend I just replaced my Matrox G400 MAX with an ATI Radeon 8500

 

[HGC]

When I upgrade my hard drive, I always relegate the old one to backup status. But then the back up drive is too small. So I am always selling used hard drives...

 

[flexy]

i am very picky when it comes to hardware...and of course i always "want the best" which is (itself) stupid already

The result is that i spend LOTS of time reading reviews and being on forums (like here) if there's new hardware coming out...and compare and stuff 'til i come to a decision whether it's worth buying etc. etc..... then of course also some time looking for the best deals.

I want to know what i buy and how it performs...and want to know what other people say about it...and i dont like to get the very first release of hardware since (eg,. for mainboards) it often is the case that revised versions come out just a month later where they fixed some design flaws.

One or two months can make a huge difference in pricing btw...look at what the radeon 8500 cost in december...and look for how much they blow it out now...

Edit:

I also like to upgrade my WHOLE system instead of getting small components (new CPU, new gfx card)...the benefits are minimal if you only upgrade one component. It makes much more sense to "wait" for new motherboards/chipsets which go with NEW processors and the right graphicscard for it.... then you spend more money..but you get a huge boost in performance and new techniques instead of just putting in a 200mhz faster cpu or something using the same old motherboard

 

[308nato]

I just went from a p3 450 katmai to my new 1.6a setup if that answers the question. I had replaced my Voodoo3 3000 with a gf3 ti-200 back in October because RTCW wouldn't go properly. When MOHAA came out I had to upgrade everything. I upgrade the entire system when a program (read game) won't run. As you can tell by my old rig, it was a long time coming this go around.

My brother still uses my pentium 233. All he does is taxes and surfing. Maybe he will pay me for it someday. Or was it a 266? Damn, I can't even remember what it was.

 

[slunk]

I usually wait a long time before upgrading. Want often excludes logical sense.

 

[Yossarian]

I upgrade whenever I get overwhelmed with envy at how much faster everyone else's computer is than mine

 

[Syntax]

A whole new system every 3 - 4 years. Minor upgrades during that period. Graphics Cards, CDRW drives etc.... Dont feel its worth it to rip out the mobo every year. Anyway after a while you will have a network of computers for DC projects!