Should I wait until March to upgrade my stuff?

[BlancoNino]

I made a post about getting a new case, PSU, motherboard, etc... and was told that I would need a nice big expensive case to fit a 8800GTS/8800GTX.

However, after looking at the overall scheme of things, I realized that Vista is just coming out and more Direct X 10 cards are on their way. I was going to upgrade now with a 200 dollar DX9 card, use Windows XP, and get a great big case just in case I wanted an 8800, etc..

...but now I'm thinking that I should hold off until ATI releases their DirectX10 cards and more drivers are available for Vista.

I really want to upgrade to a system that will last me for a reasonable amount of time...so that's the consensus on all this?

Sorry if this post seems sloppy, but now just doesn't seem like a good time to jump into DX10 and Vista for some reason.

 

[Overgloc]

Wait it out till R600 and then build. Im in the same boat

 

[tuteja1986]

I am do say wait. Nvidia is getting ready to do a sneak attack launch for a new high end card and R600 sounds like beasty monster ready to crush G80.

 

[theprodigalrebel]

Yeah, I would also abstain from building a new rig on the verge of something landmark happening. Once I build a computer, it usually stays upgrade-free for well over an year (not a lot of coin to drop on hardware).

People will make all the, "Why not wait for Octa-Core while you are playing the waiting game?" jokes but if you want to build a machine that will last, it's smart to let the 'next big things' all settle down on the shelves.

 

[BlancoNino]

Thanks for the replies, guys!

I was going to go with a setup that makes it easy to upgrade if needed. I was going to build a Core 2 Duo, DDR2 Ram, and make sure the motherboard can support the Core 2 Extreme and Quad Core in the future.

Also, I was going to wait to see if ATI's DX10 cards weren't enormous so that I didn't have to spend upwards of over $100 just for a case.

Is Vista supposed to be better in games eventually? From what I'm seeing, XP is still winning. Is this because of drivers?

 

[BlingBlingArsch]

its becuz Vista is new and needs to get more mature for some months. Drivers and overall performance still suck.
and i suggest u wait until mid March. We will see much clearer then what the new R600 and G80 cards have to offer.

 

[theprodigalrebel]

A few XP vs Vista performance comparisons have come out on Firingsquad, Techgage and Driverheaven. The results aren't perfect but paint a pretty solid picture for a first release driver (on a brand new driver model). SLI/Crossfire suck on both - that was to be expected. And Vista x64 is also showing some mettle, so hopefully people like you and me can all say goodbye to 32-bit when we upgrade in a quarter and sit around stroking our e-peens.

ATi's DX10 card, the R600 is coming out on March 9th and will be 9" long in retail (info or rumor?) - that is the same length as the flagship cards from the previous generation so it shouldn't be a problem. Of course, it will likely be sh!t expensive (they are hinting at three variants - XTX, XT and XL so hope for XL to be a good price/performance ratio). My guess is it will probably be priced at 650, 550 and 450 respectively - let's hope I'm wrong.

NV's supposed to launch their mid-range products around mid-March to counter this.

I am NOT sure about Yorkfield/Penryn compatibility with current 965/975 motherboards. Intel themselves say "It will depend on the motherboard" - which I guess is code for "Buy a Premium-grade motherboard and you will likely see updated BIOSs for it"

I can't wait to be living in the future myself.

 

[dennilfloss]

Supposedly there are a bunch of new 24" coming out in the next few weeks. I, for one, shall wait unless I get a really great deal beforehand.