Drake the Dragonheart said:
My computer is from 2005/06. So yeah by computer standards my machine is bloody ancient. Been more than a few times I have wanted to give it a hands on introduction to gravity. There are a fair number of games on the PC I have been considering getting, but I doubt my system could handle most of them.
So I am asking the escapist community to help me come of with the pros and cons of getting a new computer vs trying to upgrade parts on what I have already got.
Cost is obviously one of my main concerns. Also, I don't want to lose any data/saves on my hard drive.
I use it primarily for playing games, watching videos here on the escapist moviebob's game overthinker on screw attack, occasionally printing characters sheets for role-playing, internet, and a small amount of word processing.
Alright, upgrading is ALWAYS cheaper. Even if its a 100% replacement of everything upgrade; you're not paying someone else to build it for you.
Did a similar thing with a similar rig two years back. A full replacement will be expensive. You can get a great rig for under $1000 though.
As for save data on the harddrive; 1. Keep the harddrive, and you'll keep the save data. Simple. 2. If you even just upgrade your computer to something modern, you will have to reinstall the OS [Motherboard upgrades do this. Its a pain], which means formatting and wiping one harddrive for the installation. If you have 2 harddrives, copy all files you want to keep to one [Not the whole game folder, just the saves and settings or W/E - you can just reinstall the game and copy in the rest later, whereas you are limited for space on a harddrive], wipe the other and install windows there, then copy across all the save files after reinstalling the games [You'll have to reinstall the games anyway thanks to reinstalling the OS, even if you have all the files and folders for one of them].
Anyway, pros and cons of three options;
New, store bought;
Pros:
-Easy. Very little effort on your behalf
-If you're willing to spend the money you can get a great rig
Cons:
-Expensive
-Possibly locked out of what you can get, and may get ripped off. Unless they offer the option of letting you choose the parts and then assembling it for you - which adds more work for you - you are limited in what you can get, and the high end rigs will come with components you really don't need - i7s for example.
Complete replacement of rig, built by self;
Pros:
-Complete control over rig and components in it. You will not get what you do not need
-No costs of assembly as you are assembling it yourself
-Can get a very powerful rig if you are willing to spend the money
Cons;
-Still relatively expensive. Less so than a Store bought rig, but more so than a simple upgrade
-Most difficult option. Not only do you have to choose all the parts, but you have to assemble a whole computer from scratch. Not as hard as it sounds, but is about 1-2 hours work.
Upgrade of only necessary parts;
Pros:
-Cheapest option. Since you [hopefully] won't be replacing everything, you won't be spending as much, and there are no assembly costs
-Fair level of control over your rig. You choose what goes in, but may be limited by your old hardware
Cons:
-Limited options for parts. If you don't do a near complete build replacement your motherboard will limit your options when it comes to some components. This will limit how much power gain you are able to get from the upgrade.
