Questions on upgrade strategy

[Xerin7]

It's been 4.5 years since my last build, and I'm wondering if now is the time to get a new pc. I'm open to building a new pc, or I might be lazy and buy one. I would like to play Skyrim on max settings when it comes out in November, and will only be using the pc for gaming.


Here's my current build:

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor

EVGA 768-P2-N835-AR GeForce 8800GTX Superclocked 768MB 384-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card

GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard

GeIL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit

24 in Dell 2407WFP Ultrasharp™ Flat Panel Monitor Wide (1920x1200 resolution)


My budget is between $1.5k - $3k, depending on answers to my questions below:


1) Would you recommend upgrading at this time?


2) What do you recommend on my upgrade strategy?

Option 1: Midrange system (i5 2500k, 560ti, etc.) and upgrade in a couple of years?

Option 2: High end system and go another four years before upgrading?


3) Should I upgrade my monitor as well?

 

[DaveSimmons]

> Option 1: Midrange system (i5 2500k, 560ti, etc.) and upgrade in a couple of years?

I'd do that. It could easily last 2-3 years, possibly with a ~$200 graphics card in year 2 or 3.

You can even get a prebuilt from CyberPower for about $1,100 if you don't get a SSD -- get this "Gamer Xtreme 2200" and change the graphics card to the 560 ti and the RAM to 8 GB (the cheap stuff, "gamer" RAM does not improve the speed of an i5-2500k.)
http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/Gamer_Xtreme_2200/

With a 120 GB intel SSD + 1 TB data drive they will charge around $1,350.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Option one is the best for you

and if you dont want to build one, do as Dave says

 

[Xerin7]

Thanks, what are your thoughts on the monitor? Is it worth it to upgrade?

 

[T_Yamamoto]

its fine.
whats the refresh rate? (5ms or like 10ms?)

 

[Xerin7]

It has a 6ms response time.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

its good then.

its 24 inches too. should be sufficient.

 

[Xerin7]

Cool, thanks for the feedback.

 

[mfenn]

Thanks, what are your thoughts on the monitor? Is it worth it to upgrade?

Your 2407WFP is still one of the best LCD monitors in existence. The U2410 is marginally better, but there is no reason to upgrade.

As for your overall strategy, definitely do #1. Sure, #2 will give you a faster system for year 1, but it will be merely average in years 2 and 3 and really suck in years 4 and 5. #1 gives you an average or above average CPU for all 4 to 5 years.

Remember, this year's high-end is next year's midrange. This year's midrange is next year's low-end.

 

[Xerin7]

Your 2407WFP is still one of the best LCD monitors in existence. The U2410 is marginally better, but there is no reason to upgrade.

As for your overall strategy, definitely do #1. Sure, #2 will give you a faster system for year 1, but it will be merely average in years 2 and 3 and really suck in years 4 and 5. #1 gives you an average or above average CPU for all 4 to 5 years.

Remember, this year's high-end is next year's midrange. This year's midrange is next year's low-end.

That is a great point. Better to have a midrange every year, rather than a high end that drops to low end over the same period of time. In the past, I've tried to get the best of what was currently available, but I'm going to go with Option 1 from now on.

And along with that, I'll continue to build my own rigs. That makes sense with more frequent upgrades, and besides it's cheaper and more fun

 

[mfenn]

That is a great point. Better to have a midrange every year, rather than a high end that drops to low end over the same period of time. In the past, I've tried to get the best of what was currently available, but I'm going to go with Option 1 from now on.

And along with that, I'll continue to build my own rigs. That makes sense with more frequent upgrades, and besides it's cheaper and more fun

:wub::wub: You're a man after my own heart! You wouldn't believe how hard it is to convince some people of that.

 

[gmaster456]

That is a great point. Better to have a midrange every year, rather than a high end that drops to low end over the same period of time. In the past, I've tried to get the best of what was currently available, but I'm going to go with Option 1 from now on.

And along with that, I'll continue to build my own rigs. That makes sense with more frequent upgrades, and besides it's cheaper and more fun

Well put