Is now the time to buy?

[dvander64]

...I know this is kind of an opinionated question, but are there any huge technological breakthroughs on the way that would constitute me waiting a few months? I want to build a new computer but I?m fairly content waiting a while. I know there will always be newer and better things coming but I?m just worried I?ll miss out on something big if I buy now If I were to buy now I?d be looking at an athlon xp system with the kt266a chipset that would be used as a gaming machine along with general applications. I'm just looking for your opinions I guess, any input would be greatly appreciated. (I'm a long time reader but this is my first post so be gentle)

 

[Rand]

The way I figure it is your screwed no matter when you buy. You can buy at any possible time and there is always something big a few months away.

Northwood is close, Thouroughbred isnt terribly far away. Rumours of new nVidia boards in January, a VIA based board supporting QBM memory is rumoured to be nearing release for the P4.

Wait for those, and more stuff is coming shortly after.

Now is as good a time to by as any.... something new is always just around the corner.

 

[BuckNaked]

Rand hit the nail on the head.... Its a never ending cycle of bigger and better just around the corner....

Dave

 

[Duvie]

I concur with above...Go ahead and jump ion the xp and kt266a ship and sail that for awhile...I see nothing to major from amd for about 5-6 months...

 

[Mitzi]

I totally agree with the above, anything you buy now will last you for the same amount of time as anything you buy in 6-12 months.

Go for it otherwise you?ll still be asking the same question in 6 months..

 

[boyRacer]

Yep...they're right...and if you're gonna buy you might as well buy them altogether instead of stocking them up... by the time you do complete everything... its gotten so outdated its depressing.

 

[Wind]

If u really need a system...buy now. If u dun...dun buy. Simple. There is no "correct time" to buy in computing technology. Wht ever u buy now will be outdated...say in 6 mths time. Having said tht, if ur current system serve u well...why bother? Lots ppl here still run some P2 & Athlon classic.

 

[Conroy9]

i think there are correct times to buy technology, sometimes...

now may not be the time to buy an LCD, for example...

and it can be worth waiting up to a couple months. New technologies aren't continuous, they still last a few months

 

[Yoshi]

I made up my mind a while ago to wait for the next P4 (Northwood) before making an upgrade. This proved to be a wise decision. P4 with Intel's DDR enabled chipsed sounds promising, you can't really go wrong with Intel. It costs a bit more, but the stability and compatibility are there. Also Athlon XP with VIA's KT266A seem to be an promising combination. Athlon XP is no doubt the most powerful CPU you can buy right now. The only thing that worries me is VIA's chipset, IMO they have not done it quite right yet. You should not have to constantly update your motherboard drivers and reduce settings to get things working right. I have an Asus A7V with a Duron 800 on it in the other room. I have installed new 4 in 1's several times and had to significantly reduce the hardware acceleration of my SB Live to make some apps work correctly. The ECS board with the SiS735 chipset seems to be a good deal, but I wonder what kind of life expectancy a board that cheap has??

 

[Quoch]

What about an NForce mobo? I have heard the've been getting good reviews and performance I think is on par with KT266A although I don't now about compatibility or stability but I've heard its good.

The only NForce board I really know that is available is the MSI K7N420 PRO and I think the ASUS A7N266 aswell. MSI's board has alot of of integrated features but lack certain overclocking options, don't know about the ASUS though. Anyway thought it might help.

 

[Jeff7]

And even ATi is coming out with their response to the nForce; think it's the A3. It's supposed to be here 1st quarter of 2002, and be much cheaper than nForce.