When is the right time to upgrade.

[cole_bie]

Ok, my once decent computer is quickly becoming outdated. I am willing to spend a good deal of money on my next computer. I need to know though, is now the right time to upgrade for next gen games and such? Should I wait until better processors come out? When is the best and cheapest time to upgrade. I dont need a uber fast machine, but it needs to handle next gen game on medium-high settings. What do you guys think? Should I just go ahead and make my new computer?

[Twisted Metal]

Honestly there is never a right time because new hardware is always just around the corner so whatever you get will become outdated... But that's not to say that it won't still perform because it most certainly will. I'm still running all of todays games at the highest possible detail with my Athlon XP 3200+ and BFG Geforce 6800 GT.

What I would do is get the Asus A8N32-SLI motherboard, because that is the most future proof motherboard you can get right now, and the only one in existence with dual X16 SLI slots. However it has been sold out since it was released a month or two ago, and popping up every so often on newegg and such and selling out within minutes. :eek:

Then you have a choice of video cards... You could go for the uber expensive new 512 MB 7800GTX cards, but I really don't think they're worth the price. Then you could go for the standard 7800 GTX or save some money and go for two 7800 GT's running in SLI. Any of those cards are going to give you ridiculous performance in todays games. I don't know so much about ATI cards because I've never used one.

As for processors, the new dual cores are going to be pretty future proof, assuming that games start to take advantage of the dual cores...

For RAM, get at least 2GB, and stick with OCZ or Corsair and look for LOW latency timings. The RAM Rukee mentioned is excellent stuff for a very good price. http://forums.beyondunreal.com/showthread.php?t=167467

Are you going to be overclocking or running stock?

[[UM]theswarm]

I'd say give it a few of months and see if the pricing on the 7800 series has dropped significantly. Ditto for dual-core processors (don't bother with Intel in that arena though (http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-10442_7-6389077-1.html?tag=nl.e501)).

[ilkman]

Its no argument that the 512mb 7800gtx cards are rediculously expensive, but for that price you do get more then just a memory boost.

According to CPU magazine, the stock 7800GTX came standard with 430mhz clock speed and 600mhz memory clock. Several third party developers offered overclock options that boosted performance.

Enter the 512mb version. It has what nvidia is calling a 'manufacturing tweek', PCB redesign, and a new cooling option. After all this the core speed is now at 550mhz, and the memory is at 1.7ghz using GDDR3 memory. As usual third party developers are offering overclocked options.

Also noted is that between the 256mb 7800 gtx, and the 512mb 7800 gtx there is a 55% frame rate improvement when running high end games; the game noted for these improvements was F.E.A.R running at 1600x1200 with antialiasing and anisotropic filtering turned on.


Still $650, $750 for overclocked versions, is a lot to spend. It all depends on how deep your wallet is and how much bragging you want to do.

[sid]

or how about just wait till UT2007 comes out and gets tested for a hardware guide so you can plan fora good deal........hmm??

[KJAX]

It really has already been said but it all comes down to money and timing. If you have $300 to spend right now, the best bang for your buck videocard wise is a 7800 GT card from nvidia. Then again, being the ATI fan that I am, you can spend a bit more and grab an X1800 XL card for around $340 (just order mine a couple of days ago).

Bottom line: right now is the best time to build a computer due to some great prices on quality parts. My recommendations for you: Athlon 64 3000+ or higher CPU, Geforce 6600 GT or higher video card, Socket 939 PCI-E mobo (Epox or MSI are good brands at low prices)

[briach]

I'm waiting and hoping for after Christmas price drops, not sure if that's online hardware sellers work though D:

[Jackal]

Waiting for the AMD FX 60 X2 processor. Then I will upgrade. Once that puppy drops on shelves, everything else will go down.

[KJAX]

Waiting for the AMD FX 60 X2 processor. Then I will upgrade. Once that puppy drops on shelves, everything else will go down.


Just updated my bios to support the processor...not likely to buy though. That would take winning the lottery. ;)

[ilkman]

I was searching around through Google and didnt find much info on the FX-60 besides rumors and speculation. Will it be dual core, single core? Speed? etc.

I do know that AMD is releasing a new socket type next year in order to bump the speed of its onboard memory controller up, and while I cant find for sure if the FX-60 will have that new socket type it is still something to look out for.

If indeed it does use this new socket type, then it wont be compatible with current socket 939 motherboards because, while it has the same number of pins, they are layed out differently.

[KJAX]

I was searching around through Google and didnt find much info on the FX-60 besides rumors and speculation. Will it be dual core, single core? Speed? etc.

I do know that AMD is releasing a new socket type next year in order to bump the speed of its onboard memory controller up, and while I cant find for sure if the FX-60 will have that new socket type it is still something to look out for.

If indeed it does use this new socket type, then it wont be compatible with current socket 939 motherboards because, while it has the same number of pins, they are layed out differently.


I do think the FX-60 will be a socket 939 processor. Then again, I'm basing this only on the fact that ASROCK, my mobo's maker, had an update for my Socket 939 mainboard.

[Defeat]

>For a medium-high computer you should go with:
GPU:GeForce 7800GT
Mobo:Asus A8N32-SLI
RAM:2x1GB sticks of Corsair with dual channel
Processor:For hardcore gaming go with the AMD FX series, for a little less than hardcore gaming but uber multitasking go with an AMD X2(dual core) series processor. I would probably choose the X2.

[SugarBear]

I have the Asus SLI with dual 16x, plus two of the 7800GTX 512 cards.

I just got the entire system in the other day, the processor (the last missing piece) should be here tomorrow and I can actually power this thing up and see what shakes.

of interest, I ordered an Antec powersupply, I was looking for a nice powerful one, but not too expensive, the one I ended up getting is the coolest PSU I've ever seen, it's modular, and allows you to plug in only the power cables you need, so if all you have is a PCIE card, a hard drive and a DVD drive, you'd only need one plug into the PSU to feed all those, I love it, I can't wait to try it out.

I doubt I'll end up running the two 7800 cards in SLI the whole time, I want to fire up a couple games and crank everything up as high as possible and see how things look, but then I'll probably dump one of the cards into another system.

As for when to upgrade, I would say now is a fairly good time, the next gen of games will be coming out soon, and a lot of the current games out, have the capacity to look much better than what they do on a standard system. Loading up now, you could probably buffer youself for the future for about 1100 or 1200 dollars, but expect that pretty much no matter what you do, in three or four years, you're going to need to upgrade again.

I have, as far as I can gather at least, the absolute best system money can possibly get (in terms of home gaming equipment, readily available) and I fully expect to drop the same amount in three years so I can play whatever is next.

[Defeat]

I have the Asus SLI with dual 16x, plus two of the 7800GTX 512 cards.
I ordered an Antec powersupply, I was looking for a nice powerful one, but not too expensive

>Those two things don't go together:)