PCs: Upgrading vs. Getting a new one?

[Delusibeta]

I'd say that if you don't have a dual core processor at this point it would be probably wise to replace. Otherwise, upgrade.

(By the way, DJmagma is attempting to troll, ignore him)

 

[nick2150]

it kind of varies on what motherboard and processor you have and how much potential your motherboard has (i.e. 2 vs 4 Ram slots, what generation of ram your motherboard supports is there a combination of Sata2 or Sata3 controllers)

My personal method is to buy a decent spec computer/mobo and processor, upgrade it to the maximum the motherboard allows (don't bother getting a new processor though) then getting a new PC once you've pretty much exhausted that motherboard as then you will have an awesome legacy computer.

sometimes you just get really lucky in a computer that you build, and they seem to be better than the sum of their parts. im still using my pentium 4, DDR1 (2gig), AGPx8 slot (gForce 6800GT) sata 1 computer and im only now really considering an upgrade because it coped so well with most new games. gonna miss that computer :'(

 

[e2density]

Again, it's very situation dependent. With my current PC, it would be better to upgrade, since I have a fairly new DDR3 motherboard with support for lots of things. It's compatible with tons of stuff.

But if you have an older PC that doesn't accept some of today's best stuff, or for that matter, ANY of today's stuff, it's obviously better to build a whole new PC.

 

[TheComedown]

First of all he didn't ask about consoles.

i consider consoles a form of upgrade. and consoles are pretty much gaming dedicated computers, so it's like buying another computer.[/quote]

You'll Find this thread will be filled with a lot of PC users/fans, and the large majority will agree with me and say a console is a downgrade, not an upgrade. We will not give up our freedom for a joystick. (specially when you can have both and just plug the controller into the PC)

 

[Omikron009]

If at all possible upgrade, but if your computer is just too old or the cost is prohibitive then get a new one.

 

[TheComedown]

I've been arguing about this with my friends, and I'd like to know: Is it better to buy new parts for the PC you have, or to buy a completely new PC?

When it comes to upgrading or buying new, i think it comes down to what mother board you have(after how much you have and are willing to spend). If you have a decent motherboard that will take the current cards & processors (providing you have a decent power supply) then you should just upgrade. If your motherboard is old, you would most likely be better of buying new, case, slots, what processors it could take, power requirements. It all just depends on what your current rig is.

 

[HuntrRose]

I'm doing an upgrade of my current gaming/entertainment rig and server machine in one go now.

Replaceing PSU, CPU, MB, RAM, GPU and HDD in old gaming rig with new parts.

Taking MB, CPU, RAM and GPU and putting into server instead of 10 year old hardware (it's still running on Athlon Thunderbird 1200MHz with 512MB RAM.) Getting new PSU, HDDs and a new controller for it. Going for 4x 1TB disks in RAID 5 configuration.

Thinking about also getting more RAM for the server. The 2 GB I have in my old gaming rig is a little short for serious playing with virtualization. Another 2GB should do the trick. =)

I get this for just under 11000 NOK or 1700 USD if you want. Pluss I get the fun of putting it all together and setting up the systems just the way I like them.

So to answer the OP: Personally I'd go for update. More control over the contents of the machine, and fun putting it together.


P.S. If you want to know exactly what I got PM me and I'll send you the list.

 

[Woodsey]

Depends on how well you organise yourself.

You really don't need to upgrade that often if you start out with a decent set up, so I'd say maybe change a few minor things here and there as time goes on (more RAM, etc.), and after a couple of years you can do a bigger update (swap out the graphics card).

Obviously though, that will depend on your set up that you begin with. If you swap out your graphics card but you started with an uber shitty PSU then you're going to have to change that as well. And if the case is too small to fit either of those things then you'll need a new one.

It's better to upgrade, but there are instances where a brand new one is arguably more cost-effective.

 

[SL33TBL1ND]

quitting PC gaming as a whole and buying a console. plenty of mouse and keyboard peripherals, many games let you create your own content from scratch, no upgrading except from every 4-5 years, and that is quickly expanding to 9-10 years and at a third the price of consistently upgrading, and PC exclusives are rarer and rarer these days. as far as you've upgraded your PC, you should be able to play most indie games for the next few years without issue.

I call troll.

OT: Just upgrade unless you're really far behind today.

 

[TheComedown]

First of all he didn't ask about consoles.

i consider consoles a form of upgrade. and consoles are pretty much gaming dedicated computers, so it's like buying another computer.

You'll Find this thread will be filled with a lot of PC users/fans, and the large majority will agree with me and say a console is a downgrade, not an upgrade. We will not give up our freedom for a joystick. (specially when you can have both and just plug the controller into the PC)

since you seem much less condescending than the above user who pisses on console gamers, i'll be more polite in my response. i imagined this thread would be filled with PC gamers, but i'm amazed no one is on my side for the console/pc argument, but that's not important. i don't see how consoles are a downgrade, seeing as they practically eliminate system requirements and seem to run much smother. some argue PCs can do more, but wouldn't you want to get a console mroe so you have more free space on your PC?

and in all honesty, i think modding is, well, overrated. it's like if you bought a painting and started taping your vacation photos to it. if you actually did that it would be disgraceful. i'm not saying they should end it, as it's a good way for early developer's to get started, and their certainly are some great PC exclusives, but a console just seems like the best route. soon, the amount of PC exclusives will be fewer, and there are keyboard and mouse peripherals for consoles, so you can play with that if you don't want the gamepad.

oh, and it's not a joystick, it's a gamepad. if your gonna knock don't a beloved piece of console hardware, the least you can do si get the name right. i don't call the keyboard the "typy pad" or the mouse the "clicky button!"

a) No one is on "your side" because this thread is not a PC vs Console thread. Rather a thread about PCs. and PCs in general, not just gaming.

b)For most PC users they are a downgrade as in they don't have the flexibility to do everything I need my PC to do, why buy a console when I need a powerful computer for Photography work, others use them for CGI work, CAD soft, video editing, audio editing etc. Powerful PCs are not just for gaming, I need power in my PC for much more then gaming. "more free space" is not an issue when hard drives are as cheap as they are. this is one of the weakest arguments I've ever heard. Also, we have one unit that will do everything, you have your Consoles.. then you want to go on msn, the escapist, eBay, etc. you still have to have a computer around even for this simple stuff.

c) Modding, me personally I'm not a huge fan of it, but that's just me, i can see full well why loads of people love it, even I've played some mind blowing mods that are out their, Dear Esther & Korsakovia are just a couple.

d) This is pointless because you will never convince me that consoles are better, and I highly doubt that anything I've said or could say would have changed your mind. In the end it is all opinions, and that's all it ever will be, opinions and personal preference. My personal preference is for a PC, I like its flexibility, I like the keyboard and mouse set up, I like its potential for upgrading & customization, I like its power etc etc.

Oh one last thing. Don't forget where your "beloved piece of console hardware" began.

 

[TheComedown]

quitting PC gaming as a whole and buying a console. plenty of mouse and keyboard peripherals, many games let you create your own content from scratch, no upgrading except from every 4-5 years, and that is quickly expanding to 9-10 years and at a third the price of consistently upgrading, and PC exclusives are rarer and rarer these days. as far as you've upgraded your PC, you should be able to play most indie games for the next few years without issue.

I call troll.


OT: Just upgrade unless you're really far behind today.

IT'S CALLED A MOTHER FUCKING OPINION!!!!!!!!!!!FD,JHSB,JGHKFBSKGSGYDSLHUFHJ,FBHHFIUBSUIHGYU!

i apologize, I've had to explain that 5 times tonight. but it is just MY opinion.

You don't go shoving your opinions down other peoples throats in a thread where its clearly not wanted. The OP asked about new or upgrading PCs, said nothing about consoles, didn't ask to hear about consoles. Your comment actually provided absolutely no discussion value for the OP apart from flamebait.