How much time should elapse between computer purchases?

How long should a person wait before purchasing a new computer?

I'm thinking of getting a new computer before I head to college, however the computer I'm using is only about three years old. Money isn't "tight" for me but my wallet isn't exactly burning a hole in my pocket either.

How much money should one be willing to spend on a computer if they need graphic cards that can "handle" things but don't necessarily need them to "exceed" requirements of most graphic utilities?

I suppose it is a silly question, if I want a new computer and can afford I suppose I should go for it, but also I hate spending money, so I don't like to do things unless I think it is important.

Also what if I need money for something actually important later X.X. I hate this concept, I know as soon as I waste the money either I, or someone else I care about, will need money.

It's better to upgrade in waves, like after 1 year get RAM, after 2 years get a new GPU, and after 3 years get new motherboard/CPU, then repeat.

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Originally Posted by drewmandan

It's better to upgrade in waves, like after 1 year get RAM, after 2 years get a new GPU, and after 3 years get new motherboard/CPU, then repeat.

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Thanks. I will keep that in mind.

Depends on how good your computer was when you bought it.

Low End PC - 2 years
Average PC - 3 years
High End PC / Mac - 4 years
Top of the Line PC / Mac Pro - 5 years

Does your computer get the job done as it is, without being excessively buggy or prone to crashing? If so, then I see no point in fixing something that isn't broken. To continually replace your machine based on some fixed time interval, with no thought toward whether or not you actually need to after that interval has elapsed, is just silly.

Regarding your graphics card, if that is primarily what you are interesting in improving then just replace the graphics card.

Save the bulk of that money for college life. I don't think anybody appreciably foresees how costly it can be.

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Originally Posted by DuB

I don't think anybody appreciably foresees how costly it can be.

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Yeah, beer gets expensive :tonguewiggle:

Hehe... no comment. :whistle:

If you computer does what it needs to without being crazy slow or virus raped or whatever, then why get a new one?

You will need every drop of money for college. My siblings who are in college now are always complaining to me about the money they (don't) have.

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Originally Posted by DuB

Does your computer get the job done as it is, without being excessively buggy or prone to crashing? If so, then I see no point in fixing something that isn't broken. To continually replace your machine based on some fixed time interval, with no thought toward whether or not you actually need to after that interval has elapsed, is just silly.

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It really depends on what you mean by "get the job done."

It gets school work done, but the problem is, for the moment, I plan on doing something in the video game industry. So, the thing is I have to have experience playing video games so that I can know what works and what doesn't. I need a computer with good graphic capabilities to do this, and unfortunately I have a crappy laptop and it isn't the type of laptop that allows you to upgrade easily because it is an integrated chipset.

If I get anything I plan on getting a desktop, but the problem then becomes the poor portability of most desktops...although I suppose since the new type of computer monitors have came out it is easier to transport.

Laptops aren't very portable either, unless you have a really small one. If you try to carry a large laptop around all day, you will break your back. So you might as well get the desktop and save a third of the price.

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Originally Posted by drewmandan

Laptops aren't very portable either, unless you have a really small one. If you try to carry a large laptop around all day, you will break your back. So you might as well get the desktop and save a third of the price.

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I fly a lot, desktops unfortunately aren't as easy to take around with you when flying. Right now I have some problems with my charger which makes it hard to use which is the main reason I'm even thinking about getting a new computer.

But I figure as long as I decide to leave my desktop in one State I shouldn't have to worry about flight that much.

Also, if you have a laptop already and can afford a new computer without trading yours in, just get a desktop and keep the laptop for travel/goofing off in class.

I don't know about a large laptop breaking your back. Mine is huge (Dell D820), but ever since I started working out my back hasn't been bothering me anymore.... haha

From what you're saying now I dunno, seems like maybe you should be getting a new one. I would wait a bit, though, until you start school. Spend the time until then saving up money, doing some more research, narrowing down your choices. Plus, once you get to college, you may find that you are gonna be going in a different direction than you thought you were. And even if it isn't a 180, maybe a slight change of plans that might mean all the money could have been better spent. If there's no current rush to buy a new computer, I'd put it off for a while. But I'm also the kind of person who doesn't rush into thing. Eh

I have a dell M1730, which cost an awful lot (as it was the highest spec), and I have to tell you, it's damn heavy!

I use it a desktop replacement that I can take to and from work, as that only involves a bit of movement each day, but it's certainly not cut out for being on the go, weighing a lot, being massive (17" screen) and having very poor battery life. It does nicely double as a heater in cold rooms though!

If you want decent graphics at a reasonable price, laptops are not a good bet. Cheap ones have integrated, non-upgradeable cards that are useless at 3D graphics, and you have to pay a large premium for high quality cards, such as a SLI setup (which also means you are likely to have to use hacked drivers if you want to upgrade, when on a laptop).

If you don't need any portability, get a desktop, which will have the best performance/price ratio.

If you need a bit of portability, such as being able to move a computer relatively easy from one static location to another, a desktop-replacement laptop is good. You can get similar performance to desktop machines, but at a heavy premium.

If you need lots of portability then forget high performance, as high performance demands a lot of cooling, large amounts of power, and will require bulky machines and eat through battery life.

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Originally Posted by Photolysis

but it's certainly not cut out for being on the go, weighing a lot, being massive (17" screen) and having very poor battery life. It does nicely double as a heater in cold rooms though!

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That about sums up mine as well. Huge, pretty klunky, but I don't mind that much. What really irks me is the shit battery life, the ridiculously expensive batteries, and bullshit one year warranty that expires just before your battery does... Mine died over the summer and I've just been using a power cord everywhere I go, which can be a huge pain in the ass when you want to move like 20 feet away and have to shut down :doh: But you're right, when I have to walk home from the library in the cold it is a nice warm weight against my back in my backpack :tongue:

Macbook Air if you want a light computer.

Macbook Air if you're tired of having money.

And if you want to carry around a DVD drive.

I have a PC that falls in ninja's "High End" category that I got in 2006. The hardware is holding up extremely well in terms of performance compared to other PCs and I don't anticipate updating until at least 2011 at the earliest.

However, my video card is completely shot. I get colored dots all over the place, games are unplayable and freeze, and it routinely overheats. All you really need with a high end PC is graphics performance for games and Vista effects, so purchasing a newer, higher performing video card would hold me off.

That would be fine, a nVidia just came out with a new set of graphics cards, so it's a good time to do it.

Turn off the Vista effects, they just waste power :tongue: