What time is the "right time" to begin shopping for new computer parts?
24 replies, posted
Specifically, my computer's hardware has given me absolutely no trouble in the time I've had it, although I've had the hardware for upwards of 3-4 years. I can't recall any times where I have "stressed" any of my parts, and have in fact never had an "error screen" related to either the GPU, CPU or RAM (no BSODs, artifacts or random crashes.) The tower is an Antec 900 so everything gets plenty of cooling, not that I ever feel the thing overheat (touch and CPU heat check, the highest it's ever got was 64C on a stress test a year ago.)
However, being the paranoid PC user I am, I am concerned about how much longer this lack of issues will last, even though they're functioning just fine (after all 3-4 years is really old for a computer still in "gaming" condition, right?) When can you tell a part needs to be replaced without the part showing any signs it needs to be replaced? It's like having an old dog; he's doing fine yet you have that nagging feeling in your mind that something might happen any week from now.
You don't, you run that old computer till it catches on fire or it doesn't run a game you want good enough.
Hard drive can start to make grinding/clicking noise, optic drive stopped reading disks often, PSU power output efficiency and rate decreases noticeably, graphics card often artifacts, there are tons that can go wrong from hardware failures.
I personally don't upgrade until something fails, and even then it's just a matter of replacing the part.
The good thing about gaming pc's is that you will want to replace a part to get more performance before it breaks annyway.
I cant imagine a 3-4 year old pc running the newest games very well. (Gta IV BF3 Metro etc)
Upgrade when your hardware limits you, I say.
Upgrade when money allows, I say.
Upgrade when your hardware limits you and when your wallet allows you, I say.
Kinda on the same note, when is the best time to buy? As in when parts are cheapest. Would that be between generations?
[QUOTE=taipan;33067633]I cant imagine a 3-4 year old pc running the newest games very well. (Gta IV BF3 Metro etc)[/QUOTE]I'm in this boat. Bought a 570 only to be let down by my Q6600. Waiting for a nice budget to come around...but college isn't cheap. Specially living on your own.
[QUOTE=altern;33068315]Kinda on the same note, when is the best time to buy? As in when parts are cheapest. Would that be between generations?[/QUOTE]
That would be when new shit comes out and takes the place of the last gen which drives the price of the last gen down. but really any time that the factories are not flooded is a good time.
As above, except after retailers have sold the stock they bought in at a higher price. (Unless they stick it on sale to get rid of it while it still has residual value)
[QUOTE=QuAtT;33067927]Upgrade when your hardware limits you and when your wallet allows you, I say.[/QUOTE]
Well, it's not like you have a choice. Unless we are expected to go shoplifting for computer parts :v:
[QUOTE=ClaBrendon;33068487]I'm in this boat. Bought a 570 only to be let down by my Q6600. Waiting for a nice budget to come around...but college isn't cheap. Specially living on your own.[/QUOTE]
OC that bitch, I run metro 2033, the witcher 2 etc at almost max with a E8500@4.2Ghz and a 6950.
It doesnt really like BF3 and GTAIV though.
[QUOTE=taipan;33076790]OC that bitch, I run metro 2033, the witcher 2 etc at almost max with a E8500@4.2Ghz and a 6950.
It doesnt really like BF3 and GTAIV though.[/QUOTE]I cant stay at a stable OC. Mobo is stupid.
The best time to buy is during the black friday, boxing day, cyber monday and christmas sales. Other than that, subscribe to email newsletters from Newegg or whatever site you use, since they tend to have coupon codes and tell you when they're having sales.
I've been running my Pentium 4 Computer for six years and I've only upgraded the graphics card to a 40 dollar one. And I only did that so I could run HL2 higher than 15 FPS
Hardcore shit bro
[QUOTE=halo_224;33081288]I've been running my Pentium 4 Computer for six years and I've only upgraded the graphics card to a 40 dollar one. And I only did that so I could run HL2 higher than 15 FPS[/QUOTE]
Northwood represent!
[QUOTE=altern;33068315]Kinda on the same note, when is the best time to buy? As in when parts are cheapest. Would that be between generations?[/QUOTE]
The key is to identify what you need. Then you can find the best deal.
An example would be: Let's say Directx 12 videocards come out. This results in Directx 11 cards being sold cheaper. What's the best deal?
That would depend. If you absolutely needed or wanted a DX12 card, then it doesn't matter how cheap the DX11 cards are, you aren't buying one. On the other hand, if you aren't needing DX12 features for a while, then paying extra for the newest generation card is not the best deal.
You can only make smart decisions when you know what you need, so the best time to get computer parts is when you don't have what you need but you know what you need.
Just don't shop for hard drives right now, you'll be washed up by the prices
It is allways next month.
[QUOTE=JohnFisher89;33088591]Just don't shop for hard drives right now, you'll be washed up by the prices[/QUOTE]Yeah the F3 is nearly tripled in price. Damn flooding.
Wait till 2040, computers will be much better then.
I hit informative because I thought the "i" was for idiot...
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