Why do YOU upgrade...?

[biostud]

it's the voices

 

[nemesismk2]

I dont upgrade often because I am only a light gamer. My old video card didn't have DX11 so I just got a DX11 video card which was on special offer lol 🙂

 

[Throckmorton]

Well my C2D 2.4ghz is too slow for modern games so I'm going to upgrade to the cheapest C2Q I can find (Q8300 I guess). If I also get a GTX460 for about $150, I'll have a huge upgrade for only $300.

 

[Creig]

How much difference does it really make to every day gaming?

i just got a 128 GB Kingston SSD (v now series) to evaluate; obviously all my programs and games cannot fit on it. Does it make that much difference using it as a boot drive for my 500 GB HDDs?

i upgrade because i *have to*
🙂

Although I haven't benchmarked, I would think that having your OS & swapfile on an SSD will result in overall increased performance. I'm placing all my programs/games on a traditional magnetic platter HD as well.

 

[rockyjohn]

Two significant points about FPS that I did not see mentioned above:

1. People are different. While some may not notice an FPS difference above say 40 or 45 fps, others may notice it until it reaches a higher level.

2. Right above the level of at which one notices differences is an interval where, while there is no perceived difference, the eye must work harder to interpolate between frames. The result is quicker eye fatigue.

 

[dpodblood]

I upgrade to play the games I want to play, at the detail, and resolution levels I want to play at. Also to grow my epeen.

 

[Piano Man]

I pretty much upgrade for WoW, as its my primary game. And I know, i know, the graphics aren't that great, but that doesn't keep it from being a total resource hog. Every xpac they seem to release some cool new affects that can hammer the GPU pretty hard. Now that cataclysm is out, I'm waiting to see what AMD has up its sleeves this week, or else I'm probably gonna get a 570.

 

[brencat]

So I can play the games I want to play at 1920x1200 or 1680x1050 (scaled) with at least 4xAA and close to max settings. I mean can you imagine NOT using AA/AF? The horror!

 

[JimmiG]

I've been out of gaming for a couple years and getting back into it...

My current PC has a Q8200 Processor, Nvidia 9800GT video card, 8GM of DDR2 ram, and a 700w Power supply...

I am considering a Q9505 or Q9605 and a GTX470 video card...

Sure, my benchmarks will go MUCH higher, but what will my HUMAN eye notice on my monitor as I play games like Crysis, BC2, etc...?

Do "we" upgrade more for BRAGGING RIGHTS or because there is a VISIBLE difference in what we actually see?

There are definitely games that would show a significant improvement from such an upgrade. That video card is aging quickly, and the CPU would also struggle with some games, especially if it's running at the stock 2.3 GHz.

I upgraded from my 4850 to a GTX460 1GB last summer because it was struggling with some newer games. I either had to turn down detail settings or live with some choppiness. The card lasted for two years, though. Not bad for a $199 card. I have a feeling the GTX460 will not last as long.

 

[Arkadrel]

it's the voices

EPIC answear! 🙂

 

[daRkKon]

I upgraded from my 4850 to a GTX460 1GB last summer because it was struggling with some newer games. I either had to turn down detail settings or live with some choppiness. The card lasted for two years, though. Not bad for a $199 card. I have a feeling the GTX460 will not last as long.

how much of a performance boost did you notice? what resolution do you play at? and what settings fps where u getting?

 

[Modular]

Honestly, I upgrade when it no longer makes sense not to. I was playing on an AMD 3400+ with a 6600gt until the 4850 came out. At $200 it made no sense for me to keep on struggling along with my old setup, so I picked up a quad core CPU and a 4850.

I'm going through the same thing now: it's getting to the point where it makes no sense not to upgrade since prices on GPU's are getting so low. The only thing I'm waiting for is the new cards from AMD, just to see if prices go a little lower on everything else. From there, it's going to be best performance for the price in the <$200 category.

 

[Anubis]

9 times out of 10, NEED

my last card died so i needed to get a new one

 

[tyl998]

There are definitely games that would show a significant improvement from such an upgrade. That video card is aging quickly, and the CPU would also struggle with some games, especially if it's running at the stock 2.3 GHz.

I upgraded from my 4850 to a GTX460 1GB last summer because it was struggling with some newer games. I either had to turn down detail settings or live with some choppiness. The card lasted for two years, though. Not bad for a $199 card. I have a feeling the GTX460 will not last as long.

It'll last you that long if you pick up a second 460. A pair of those is about as good as one 580 in performance in common resolutions.

 

[daRkKon]

why do i upgrade?

because i just bougth a bigger monitor, now i need a better card to play at 1920 x 1080 with playable frame rates near 45fps and above

 

[Vdubchaos]

I only upgrade when there is a really good game that I like that requires more HP then my currant card can handle.

I don't expect MAX graphics, but I do expect something very good.

 

[Zargon]

I only upgrade when there is a really good game that I like that requires more HP then my currant card can handle.

I don't expect MAX graphics, but I do expect something very good.

this

now im thinking eyefinity/surround

 

[Vdubchaos]

this

now im thinking eyefinity/surround

I'm thinking, there is not one game out there that I can possibly justify an upgrade. And maxing out current games I play is not worthy $300 or so.....

Waiting to see what Crysis 2 brings, what Sandybridge brings.....my new PC build will most likely be within next 2-4 months.

But I have low hopes, gaming quality is being killed by consoles and Dev co CEOs.

I still can't believe we are 3-4 years pas Crysis release and there is no new graphics leap in the picture (I have doubts about Crysis 2 being it, thx to console port etc).

Not looking good, but I do know that my gaming interests are dieing on daily basis....

I simply cannot justify a new GPU/PC purchase in the near future, it will be up to game developers to change that (and frankly I don't see it).

 

[Zargon]

yeah im curoius on what frostbite dx will bring, as bf3 is the big game im waiting on, along with brink and firefall

 

[LoneNinja]

I upgrade because I like to work on computers. It's an expensive hobby, but I enjoy it.

On rare occasion, I upgrade simply because I "need" the performance boost. Most of the time, the hardware I'm using is already plenty capable of running whatever game or application I'm trying to run at max settings. Even just now, my 2 year old GTX 285 is still playing everything I care to (save for perhaps Crysis and Metro 2033) maxed at 1920x1080. Still, I may bite on an HD 6950 or 6970, or perhaps even a GTX 570 depending on prices / performance after Christmas.

This is why I upgrade, I too enjoy playing with the hardware and setting up new systems, just my most expensive hobby.

 

[Vdubchaos]

This is why I upgrade, I too enjoy playing with the hardware and setting up new systems, just my most expensive hobby.

Same here, I simply LOVE researching, building and ticknering with computers.

Unfortunately you ALWAYS get to a point where everything is build/software installed...and you stare at the desktop screen/look over at the PC and say "why did I just spend all that money again"?

That's is a SUCKY feeling

I'm just focusing on needs at this point. I will always want something better....but honest, where things stand today, I don't even WANT a new Graphics card. I've seen what some of these games look like with maxed out graphics and the difference is SO minimal, it's not worth MUCH to me AT ALL.