How often do you upgrade your computer?

I'm planning to start getting into PC gaming again but what really turns me off from PC gaming is that it seems the most expensive way to game. I have a 360 and I play Halo and COD online mostly - its fun for only so long IMO. I guess my main question is - is how often do you need to buy more RAM, or a new processor, graphics card, etc. 2 years? 5?Also, how often do you just have to buy a whole new computer when every component in the computer is outdated?Thanks!How often do you upgrade your computer?
That depends highly on what parts you get and how much you pay. My last computer lasted for 2 years, but I made some poor choices. I had not gone dual core nor did I get a decent video card but a used one. I also skimped out on the amount of RAM. The computer I have assembled in May I hope to last at least twice amount of time than my old one. I don't expect awesome graphics all the way through, but I don expect that games won't soon be requiring an i7 as the minimum requirement :P .How often do you upgrade your computer?
I upgrade my PC mostly when needed,maybe every 1~1.5 year.
[QUOTE=''Luminouslight'']That depends highly on what parts you get and how much you pay. My last computer lasted for 2 years, but I made some poor choices. I had not gone dual core nor did I get a decent video card but a used one. I also skimped out on the amount of RAM. The computer I have assembled in May I hope to last at least twice amount of time than my old one. I don't expect awesome graphics all the way through, but I don expect that games won't soon be requiring an i7 as the minimum requirement :P .[/QUOTE]For the computer that lasted you 2 years, how much did it cost? (if you don't mind me asking). I've been out of PC gaming for about 8-9 years. :(
I just got my new pcMy system before that was 5 years old!I could still play most games on low :P
Usually you shouldn't have to replace your entire computer as long as you buy an upgrade every so often. Usually most people (or atleast me) follow a timeline. Example: Every 2-3 generations of graphics cards i'll upgrade.
Upgrade however often you want to, a lot of people on this forum upgrade when they really dont need to, eg: ''i have a 4890 now but a cant wait to upgrade to a 5870'', personally iam like ''wtf dude?''.A lot of PC gamers feel that if they cant max a game at 60FPS they are losing out on life so they just keep upgrading, remember providing you can run the game on medium settings @ 1024x720 at 24fps then it will still look as good as any xbox360 or PS3 game out there.For me i try to get 3 years out of my PC, i like the feeling of getting something when my current system is coughing itself to death so i really see a big imporvment.
[QUOTE=''Deadly_Fatalis'']Usually you shouldn't have to replace your entire computer as long as you buy an upgrade every so often. Usually most people (or atleast me) follow a timeline. Example: Every 2-3 generations of graphics cards i'll upgrade. [/QUOTE]Noob alert :P - about how long is 2-3 generations for graphics card?
[QUOTE=''Daytona_178'']Upgrade however often you want to, a lot of people on this forum upgrade when they really dont need to, eg: ''i have a 4890 now but a cant wait to upgrade to a 5870'', personally iam like ''wtf dude?''.A lot of PC gamers feel that if they cant max a game at 60FPS they are losing out on life so they just keep upgrading, remember providing you can run the game on medium settings @ 1024x720 at 24fps then it will still look as good as any xbox360 or PS3 game out there.For me i try to get 3 years out of my PC, i like the feeling of getting something when my current system is coughing itself to death so i really see a big imporvment.[/QUOTE]



I agree with this, I mean, you can still play games on high/max, what the point of upgrading?



[QUOTE=''Cwagmire21''][QUOTE=''Deadly_Fatalis'']Usually you shouldn't have to replace your entire computer as long as you buy an upgrade every so often. Usually most people (or atleast me) follow a timeline. Example: Every 2-3 generations of graphics cards i'll upgrade. [/QUOTE]Noob alert :P - about how long is 2-3 generations for graphics card?[/QUOTE]



I'll give you an example. The 8800 was released in 2006. Today, it can still basically play almost every game on high. If I had that card, I would upgrade to either a 5870, which comes out in a few weeks, or hold on until Nvidia comes out with their next gen cards which should be something like Dec 2009 - Jan 2010.
[QUOTE=''Cwagmire21''][QUOTE=''Luminouslight'']That depends highly on what parts you get and how much you pay. My last computer lasted for 2 years, but I made some poor choices. I had not gone dual core nor did I get a decent video card but a used one. I also skimped out on the amount of RAM. The computer I have assembled in May I hope to last at least twice amount of time than my old one. I don't expect awesome graphics all the way through, but I don expect that games won't soon be requiring an i7 as the minimum requirement :P .[/QUOTE]For the computer that lasted you 2 years, how much did it cost? (if you don't mind me asking). I've been out of PC gaming for about 8-9 years. :([/QUOTE] When I bought that rig, I spent $700, but I made some poor choices in price and performance.
[QUOTE=''Cwagmire21''][QUOTE=''Luminouslight'']That depends highly on what parts you get and how much you pay. My last computer lasted for 2 years, but I made some poor choices. I had not gone dual core nor did I get a decent video card but a used one. I also skimped out on the amount of RAM. The computer I have assembled in May I hope to last at least twice amount of time than my old one. I don't expect awesome graphics all the way through, but I don expect that games won't soon be requiring an i7 as the minimum requirement :P .[/QUOTE]For the computer that lasted you 2 years, how much did it cost? (if you don't mind me asking). I've been out of PC gaming for about 8-9 years. :([/QUOTE] Hey you need to get back in the game man you've been missing out! I can build you a nice rig that can last 2 years (depending on how much you want to spend). Don't worry I'm not going to rip you off my friend, because I'm a girl ;)
Bought a pc two and a half years ago, for about $1100 (including monitor, speakers, ect..) bought 2 gigs of ram 2 years ago, for about $60, and a 4830 a few months ago for $110, and i can play crysis on high. I dont know why people are saying pc gaming is expensive, i built a whole new computer sense i didnt have a computer to being with, once thats established just upgrade alittle while you go. I spend everyday on my computer for hw, talking to friends, work, movies, and games, its the best investment ive got.
[QUOTE=''UltimateGamer95''][QUOTE=''Cwagmire21''][QUOTE=''Luminouslight'']That depends highly on what parts you get and how much you pay. My last computer lasted for 2 years, but I made some poor choices. I had not gone dual core nor did I get a decent video card but a used one. I also skimped out on the amount of RAM. The computer I have assembled in May I hope to last at least twice amount of time than my old one. I don't expect awesome graphics all the way through, but I don expect that games won't soon be requiring an i7 as the minimum requirement :P .[/QUOTE]For the computer that lasted you 2 years, how much did it cost? (if you don't mind me asking). I've been out of PC gaming for about 8-9 years. :([/QUOTE] Hey you need to get back in the game man you've been missing out! I can build you a nice rig that can last 2 years (depending on how much you want to spend). Don't worry I'm not going to rip you off my friend, because I'm a girl ;)[/QUOTE]Haha, I bet. No game has really caught my eye since SWAT 3. I'm pretty big on tactical shooters - that and Diablo is about all I play on PC. That might change when I get a nice PC. :)
[QUOTE=''kakishi1'']Bought a pc two and a half years ago, for about $1100 (including monitor, speakers, ect..) bought 2 gigs of ram 2 years ago, for about $60, and a 4830 a few months ago for $110, and i can play crysis on high. I dont know why people are saying pc gaming is expensive, i built a whole new computer sense i didnt have a computer to being with, once thats established just upgrade alittle while you go. I spend everyday on my computer for hw, talking to friends, work, movies, and games, its the best investment ive got.[/QUOTE]



computer gaming WAS expensive(jsut console fanboys say its still expensive), but now its really cheap, now you can get really good price/performance for almost every part. as far as tcs question, my rig from 2003/2004( i forget when i built it) was $2200ish with tax(i needed new speakers monitor and case for this one would have been around $1700 without those) is still pretty kickass compared to alot of junk you can buy in stores, i did skimp out alot since i cound't afford a few high end parts i wanted and a few bad choices on others . it no longer can play many of the new games. but a good build should last about 4 years assuming you make good choices and dont mind not being able to max out every game 2 years later, but it does depend on your budget, if you go for a cheap build( less then $1000 assuming reg price no big deals) it might last 2 years. but on the other hand if you go all out and spend something like $3000+ then i could see it lasting at least 6 years,
New pc every 3-4 years. Always get mid-range parts and overclock out of the box. Spend about $1300 to $1800 on a new build. This one is almost 3 years old, cost about $1300. Spent $320 on a new card 1 year later, and 3 months back $160 for another. $25 for a 2x2GB memory kit and added a sound card a while back. Should last a while longer.A first time build can cost a lot, but after that you can recycle a lot of things like displays, hdd's, optical drives and cases. Those can last 5+ years. CPU/RAM/Mobo around 3, and a gfx card 1-1.5 years, but that is my take. Some people need to upgrade a lot sooner to always get the best performance. Others can put up with low detail and poor fps for a year or more before they simply can't play anything new decently, and are forced to upgrade.Course pc gaming is more expensive, but it is worth it. Be lost without it, runs the whole show. HDDVD/Blu-ray, my 50'' plasma/25'' LCD, surround sound, internet, games, printing photos, work/homework etc. Consoles can do a lot of this these days, but would never trade a pc for one.
[QUOTE=''Cwagmire21''][QUOTE=''UltimateGamer95''][QUOTE=''Cwagmire21'']For the computer that lasted you 2 years, how much did it cost? (if you don't mind me asking). I've been out of PC gaming for about 8-9 years. :([/QUOTE] Hey you need to get back in the game man you've been missing out! I can build you a nice rig that can last 2 years (depending on how much you want to spend). Don't worry I'm not going to rip you off my friend, because I'm a girl ;)[/QUOTE]Haha, I bet. No game has really caught my eye since SWAT 3. I'm pretty big on tactical shooters - that and Diablo is about all I play on PC. That might change when I get a nice PC. :)[/QUOTE]



Lol, I bought a new PC a couple weeks ago to play Crysis but I don't even play it. I'm addicted to the Total War games :P so yeah you'll probably end up playing more than what you thought