Should I build now? Or wait a few months?

[Aurora_Boreas]

I had put together a BOM centering around an Intel i5 on an ASRock motherboard, but I was wondering when the next generation of hardware is due, and whether I should build now or wait a few months for the next cycle.

 

[lehtv]

AMD 7000 series should be available between December and February. NVIDIA Kepler later in Q1 as far as I know. Intel Ivy Bridge sometime in Q1.

Hard to say if you should build now or wait, I have no idea what hardware you're running, what you do with the PC that might require upgrading, and how much the cost of upgrading means to you.

 

[Aurora_Boreas]

Im still on a Core 2 Duo E4300 that's been OC to 2.8 Ghz and running on a GT 8800. Im mostly looking to get as new as possible to be future-proof. I haven't been in the loop in recent months on what is coming out, but with your info it looks like its best I wait a few. Thanks.

 

[DominionSeraph]

I haven't heard anything that AMD is going to pull a G80 with the 7000 series. Prices are good right now, and it's Nvidia who sets the prices -- AMD merely slots theirs in according to performance. So I'd expect the 7000 series to command a premium above and beyond their performance figures simply due to the fact that it'll be out first (like the 5870, 5850, and 5770 were jacked up sky-high when Fermi was waaaaay late.)
$160 for a 6870, $220 for a 1GB 6950 or $245 for 2GB is pretty good.

 

[mvbighead]

There's always a reason to wait, there's always a reason to build now.

To me, the Sandy Bridge i5/i7s are some of the best CPUs out there because they are both fast and cheap compared to the "high performance" models you commonly see going for $800+. With your current configuration, you'd see a giant leap in performance.

However, if what you have is getting you by now and you are seeing no problems with what you're doing... stick with it and wait it out until you need something.

Personally, if you buy a bit here and there, you can always peruse the FS/FT forums here and sell old parts as you no longer need em.

 

[mfenn]

However, if what you have is getting you by now and you are seeing no problems with what you're doing... stick with it and wait it out until you need something.

Best advice IMHO. If your computer isn't doing something that you need/want it to do, the best time to upgrade is right now. If it is running fine, there is no reason to upgrade.

 

[Skott]

^I agree. In a few months IB releases and newer mobos will have PCIe 3.0 on them. That is two reasons right there to wait if you can. If the 7000 series is also out that is a third reason. Best to buy at the beginning of a new cycle rather than at the end of an old one if possible.

 

[lehtv]

Best advice IMHO. If your computer isn't doing something that you need/want it to do, the best time to upgrade is right now. If it is running fine, there is no reason to upgrade.

It's such a simple concept, almost to the point it's surprising that people have to explain it and that yet other people have to nod in agreement

 

[stahlhart]

Wait at least for Kepler and the flooding problems in Thailand to pass.

 

[mfenn]

It's such a simple concept, almost to the point it's surprising that people have to explain it and that yet other people have to nod in agreement

*nods* :ninja:

:awe: