Convince me to build now, or later?

[wildjames]

Hi all, long time lurker. I haven't built a new computer in 4 years, and now time is about right for me, at least I think. I want to spend no more than $1200 on new everything except monitor, as I have a nice one. I'd like to have my computer by January, that would be nice. Is there any disadvantage to building them as opposed to building just now? I was anticipating a 9x series release from nVidia, but that doesn't seem to be happening anytime soon. I REALLY don't want to buy a graphics card that's over a year old by the time I buy it; that's the whole problem.

I haven't been able to play any new games in years, hell my computer barely runs WoW or CS. So I would like to catch up on all the games I missed (BF2, Supreme Commander, etc), as well as have a powerful computer to play Crysis and UT3, Warhammer and any new games very well for quite awhile. I know what I want to buy, and I know what the quality parts are. The graphics situation is what's holding me back. My build budget includes an eVGA 8800 GTS, but hell it did 4 months ago when I wanted to build then as well. Ugh, I hate the "should I buy now or wait question", because I know what everyone's response will be.

So what would you do in my situation? I am unable to play anything past WoW graphics, which is basically nothing new, period. I really want to play Crysis and UT3. But I DONT want a year old video card. What should I do? Thanks alot.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Waiting for a significant increase in GPU's is at least 6mos problably longer. I say build now and use a $270 GTS 320mb, it will be an astounding leap over what you have now and you gan upgrade to the latest and greatest in 6-12months and only be out the price devaluation the the 320mb. Do you really want to keep your current rig for another 6-12mos to save $100-150? Or is that $100 or so bucks well worth having a killer gaming rig for the next year while you wait on the latests GPU's?

 

[Deleted member 4644]

Honestly, I would wait about 1 more month. By then it will be CLEAR (or almost) what the benchmarks are on Crysis, QuakeWars, and we might know more about UT3 too.

Then you will know if the GTS640 will be enough, or if you will want to wait more. Another possible option is to just be sure to get a evga card and use its step up program (good for 90 days).

 

[wildjames]

Thanks for the responses, I appreciate them. I agree. It makes no sense to be totally unable to play any new games at all just because of the video card. I think I will wait one more month to check on the Crysis and UT3 benchies, but even if they're only @ 30 fps, would I really want to wait ANOTHER 4-6 months on a new card, just for 2 games? So I'll just have to wait and pray.

Thanks again.

 

[Deleted member 4644]

Personally, I have a 7800gt which plays most games "barely ok" right now on my big monitor. I ordered a 2900PRO today, but canceled it when I saw that the 800gts 640 is only about $80 more, AND it comes with Quake Wars free. I think I will wait a week or two more, and maybe get the 8800 Evga. That way I can use step up if a new card comes out in the next 90 days, and if a new card does NOT come out in the next 90 days, I will enjoy 100+ days of video games I want to play.