Trying to decide if I should upgrade ...

[mparr1708]

So it's been a while since I've built my last gaming rig (at least total platform change anyway) and I've been mostly away from the hardware world for a while so I feel a bit confused about just how much gain I would get over my current system. I'm essentially trying to balance whether or not my current system is good enough for things coming down the pipe with my overall desire to build a new machine because in the end this is a hobby for me as well.

Currently I have the following for my core components:

Athlon X64 X2 4400+
Corsair XMS Xtreme TWINX2048-4000PT 2 x 1 GB
DFI LP UT NF4 Ultra-D
BFG 8800gt

The 8800gt is a semi recent addition as I happened to get a BestBuy gift card at a point where they were on sale at a decent price.

So the question is this: Would I gain much (real world) by upgrading to a mid level C2D setup? I want to make sure I can play pretty much anything coming over the next 2 years. My machine now is used mainly for playing WoW and anything else that strikes me as decent at the time. I am very much looking forward to some upcoming MMOs (Chronicles of Spellborn, Aion, Etc) and Diablo 3 and I will want to play these things at native resolution on high detail settings. I game on a BenQ 20.1" widescreen monitor which may get swapped in this process as well. I'd like to upgrade to a nicer 22 or 24.

I'd probably spend at absolute max $1000 with less being better. Case + PSU would be included in that figure as I'm ready for a new look and my Antec TruBlue 480 died recently and was replaced by a very cheap band aid PSU from CompUSA. I'd be reusing my hard drives and likely replacing my optical drive just so I can get everything to SATA.

Any suggestions, help, comments are appreciated.

Thanks very much for your time and for reading my wall'O text.


MP

 

[TheNiceGuy]

Why not wait until it becomes clear that you need to upgrade?
It sounds like you're happy right now with the current setup. Prices will only drop. Building for games not yet released seems a bit cart before the horse.
However, getting a new display now seems fine, as that is generaly independant of a core system upgrade.

 

[mparr1708]

Originally posted by: TheNiceGuy
Why not wait until it becomes clear that you need to upgrade?
It sounds like you're happy right now with the current setup. Prices will only drop. Building for games not yet released seems a bit cart before the horse.
However, getting a new display now seems fine, as that is generaly independant of a core system upgrade.

This is very true and for what I'm playing now my system does work. I'm just jonesing to build something new and I think there is value in the enjoyment I get from the hobby of building my own system. Not that what you are saying isn't correct because it totally is .

I suppose in the end I'm wondering if I can get away with building now on my budget and still reasonably expect to be covered for everything coming up for the next two years?

 

[DSF]

With new Intel processors coming out in a matter of months, I don't see a reason to upgrade now if you don't have to. A system would last two years, but why not see what the new silicon can do?

 

[Juked07]

I was in your same situation a few months ago, and I decided to get a bunch of old parts together and dabble with Linux systems.

It was fun.

Then earlier this week I got around to building my actual upgrade.

 

[mparr1708]

Originally posted by: DSF
With new Intel processors coming out in a matter of months, I don't see a reason to upgrade now if you don't have to. A system would last two years, but why not see what the new silicon can do?

The new architecture looks nice but it also looks like it?s going to be wicked expensive for a while. Given my budget do you still think I should wait it out or will the new gear be priced over my head?

Of course I suppose waiting will still get me better pricing on the generation behind C2D gear as well. I ponder whether I want to build now for enjoyment or build later to save a few dollars. I suppose this is always the argument though. You can always wait to save money. Computer parts drop value faster than cars .

 

[DSF]

Originally posted by: mparr1708

Originally posted by: DSF
With new Intel processors coming out in a matter of months, I don't see a reason to upgrade now if you don't have to. A system would last two years, but why not see what the new silicon can do?

The new architecture looks nice but it also looks like it?s going to be wicked expensive for a while. Given my budget do you still think I should wait it out or will the new gear be priced over my head?

Of course I suppose waiting will still get me better pricing on the generation behind C2D gear as well. I ponder whether I want to build now for enjoyment or build later to save a few dollars. I suppose this is always the argument though. You can always wait to save money. Computer parts drop value faster than cars .

Last I heard there was going to be a 2.66GHz quad core around the $300 mark, but that's all rumor at this point.

I'm just saying that if you don't need the upgrade, you may as well wait and see in my opinion. If you want to build now, your system will last two years no question.

 

[Denithor]

You actually have a very well-balanced system today. 4400+/8800GT/2GB RAM is a nice rig for most MMORGP out today. By the end of this year or early next year it may start to slow a bit, but keep in mind that these games specifically are designed with maximum performance on minimum hardware in mind (the developers want everyone to be able to play on whatever POS computer they have to maximise profits).

Nehalem will require DDR3 RAM and a different CPU socket than currently used so if you build a new rig today it really won't have much potential for upgrades in the future.

I would suggest you skip this generation altogether. Your system should give you an enjoyable gaming experience for at least another 9-12 months. When it does start to feel a bit sluggish, upgrade the whole thing to a really fast quadcore Nehalem rig (or whatever AMD has available, if it's comparable in price/performance).

It'll be time for a new video card then, too, so start saving now.

 

[mparr1708]

Thanks for all of the suggestions and input. I think I will indeed let common sense prevail over my wants this time . I'll wait it out for another few months and readdress at that point.