PC Gamers: how often do u upgrade your computer?

[Poomanchu745]

So i built this PC im currently using about 3 years ago which means it has equipment that can still run everything, even if it is on medium to medium/high settings. I would love to build a new computer to run everything on max settings while my computer handles it without a problem but also just want to hang on to this machine as long as it still runs everything.

So my question to all you PC gamers out there with rigs setup for gaming, how many years till you scrap (for the most part) your current rig and replace it with all new stuff?

 

[RhombusHatesYou]

Whenever I've got the money and the technology has improved enough to make it worthwhile.

 

[Richard Hannay]

Whenever a game comes out that I want but can't run. "Necessity is the mother of?" well, not invention in this case, but you get what I mean.

 

[Jamieson 90]

Usually 4 years, 5 if I want to push it or wait for prices to come down, pritty similar to the life cycle of consoles really, People make out that you need to update your PC every year or it wont run anything, mostly missinformed I guess.

I have had mine for just under 2 years, 4G of RAM, 500GB space, 9800 GTX, Intel duo quad core 2.5GHz 0S Vista 64.

Most games still only require a 7800 GT or better so Mine should last another 2 years.

 

[OrdinaryGuy]

I usually do a complete rebuild every 3-4 years. I reuse as much as I can from my old rig like the hard drives, disk drives, monitor, keyboard, and mouse. Sometimes it is necessary to do a small upgrade in the "middle" of the computer's lifespan, like extra RAM, a new hard drive, or overclocking. If you decide to go with parts that can be overclocked easily your computer can last even longer.

My current rig is about a year and a half old and it runs everything at high settings no problem. I'm still running Windows XP though so I will need to upgrade soon when I get a new hard drive. It cost me about $600 for a new motherboard, RAM, video card, processor, case, and power supply. Everything else I recycled.

 

[thiosk]

Minor upgrades on a 2 year timescale and rebuilds generally on a 4-5 year scale.

 

[ottenni]

Hopefully this year. But i seriously doubt i will get around to it. Money is an issue.

 

[Fayathon]

My PC's about three years old and still running strong, and so long as it stays that way I'll be happy with it, once I get to where I have problems running the games I want I'll upgrade it.

 

[Jasper Jeffs]

I upgrade the worst part, then wait a few months until I upgrade the next worst part, and so on. If, however, I see no need in upgrading because there isn't a game I want that requires more power, I'll wait a little longer to upgrade. At least this way my PC is usually up to date for the most part, it's worth it too! I like being able to play Crysis, GTA IV, UT3 and even WoW on the highest settings with 45+ (60 all the time in WoW's case though) FPS.

 

[qaztim]

once every 2 years

 

[ParkourMcGhee]

About a 3 year life is good I'd say. Anything more and you're pushing it - especially if you economized on building it in the first place.

 

[Slayer_2]

Every few years. The least time I spent on one PC was 2 years, the most, 6.

 

[Vendor-Lazarus]

So far, about every 7 years.

 

[wordsmith]

So far, about every 7 years.

I'm with this guy for a total rebuild, although saying that I also tend to upgrade parts 2-3 years in.

 

[Nivag the Owl]

Rather than gradually upgrade hardware, I just wait until mine is useless then buy a completely new system. Of course, I've only had to do that once so far. Had my current system for a year or two now and can still play new games on max specs so, should be ok for a while

 

[Meggiepants]

I used to go a year between video card upgrades, and two between CPU upgrades.

I have since decided that I don't really need to run games at the maxed out graphics settings. It helps that a lot of the games I played on PC now come out on the console.

But I still get jealous when I see screen shots and videos from stellar PC setups. So pretty!

 

[Mr. Purple]

I have been meaning to buy another couple Gigs of RAM, but I just haven't had the money lately.

 

[Pingieking]

Barring something major, such as an overhaul for DX, or some really cost effective components show up, I usually upgrade once every 3~4 years, with a total overhaul in the area of once every 10~15 years.

 

[Amnestic]

About every 3-4 years. My rig's due for a semi-overhaul to be honest, but I just don't have the cash on hand at the moment

 

[SimuLord]

As a general rule, I buy a PC, then about 18 months later upgrade the video card and add RAM, then another 18 months later, buy a new PC.

Unfortunately, due to economic circumstances, my 2006-issue desktop is going to have to last me at least another year.