PC Gamers: how often do u upgrade your computer?

[ProfessorLayton]

I just got a new computer for Christmas, but before then I had upgraded early summer of 2008. So a while. And that was just a new video card. I don't upgrade that much because it's expensive plus everything was running just fine since then. Then Left 4 Dead 2 came out and my 5 year old computer chugged with the settings on low and it wouldn't register my mics... so I had to upgrade. Now this guy will last me a decade depending on how fast PC games upgrade. When it gets to a point where I cannot run a game, then I'll upgrade slightly. Won't get a new machine until I can afford a VooDoo.

 

[luckshot]

whenever it becomes impossible or just intolerable to play current games on, i've replaced the vid card a couple years ago because the first one i bought on a much smaller budget.

right now i dont have any money so even if it couldnt play any i would be unable to upgrade. though when i do i plan on cannibalizing whatever i can or just keeping a spare computer around

 

[Henrik Persson]

Every 4-5 years I upgrade all the essential parts (RAM, processor, motherboard, graphics card). I always buy the best outdated equipment, it tends to be the most cost effective.

 

[Enigmers]

Well, the time between my first PC (that is, one that's specifically mine) and this one was 4 or 5 years, but they're both "budget" computers, nothing top-of-the-line.

 

[DazZ.]

About 2 to 3 years.

However this is around 5 years old (with the upgrade in the middle) and I need a new mobo, so completely new system this year (if I finally get around to it instead of wasting every fucking penny I get on parties).

 

[Void(null)]

I upgrade whenever a game comes out that I cant play at the settings I want to play it at. Which is pretty much "Everything on max."

 

[Blue Musician]

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?

Whenever I got the money, which is basically never. And worst of all I'm a PC gamer only.

 

[Abbyrose07]

When it breaks...which unfortunately my laptop has done 2 times already and I don't have the money right now to buy a new one so I am using my old dell pc.

 

[xDarc]

Surprised no one else goes by Intel's tick-tock model. The tick's are improvements upon existing architecture, less heat, less power, smaller circuity, etc.

Tock's are entirely new architecture. They usher in very large advancements of performance because of an entirely new chip design.

That's when I buy. I grab a new video card every 2 years or so besides that. The i7's are technically new architecture but they are so closely related to core that I couldn't justify a new build for 15-20% gain, per core, clock per clock on just the CPU.

Waiting for Sandy Bridge in Q1 2011.

 

[Ralen-Sharr]

been using the same rig for 2-3 years, and it's getting about time for an upgrade

so 2-3 years between upgrades for me

 

[antidonkey]

I usually go all out and build top of the line machines. That lets go 3 years between machines. It doesn't stop the desire to upgrade. It just helps with the feelings of needing to upgrade.

 

[Jandau]

I tend to buy a new mid-range computer every 4-5 years. It's quite sufficient, especially if I time it well...