Howdy -- Check out my system specs in sig. I'm considering building a new rig but don't know if I should hold out for the next line of technology or buy now. I know, if I keep waitng for the next best thing then I'll never upgrade. Anywho, I guess I'd just like to take a big leap in my upgrade rather than just getting more of the same, just a little bit faster. As for my use history: I game quite a bit -- WOW, Rome TW, NWN, HL2, Doom 3, RVS. Also, I work a bit with geographic information system (GIS) software (ArcView 3, ArcGIS 9), AutoCAD/Map, Terrain Navigator Pro, and do some graphic editing/manipulation in Photoshop CS & Illustrator. I'd like to move up to a system that can do it all. Right now I'd say my gaming performace could improve a bit, but I'm fairly pleased with the GIS/graphic work I do although I'd like to improve if possible particularly with the loading and manipulation of remotely-sensed high resolution aerial and satellite imagery. Let me know what you all think, any input is appreciated.
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Thinking of updating system
- Thread starter puphus
- Start date
If your a heavy gamer, you should already be AMD. And imo AMD runs those other apps perfectly fine..I can wait 2 secs. I say wait until after the new generation of game consoles are out then upgrade your PC..I don't know why I say that but there must be some reason.. 
If you have the money now just go AMD64, 939, and get some cheap 3000+ or 3200+ proc.
If you have the money now just go AMD64, 939, and get some cheap 3000+ or 3200+ proc.
Thanks for the reply as it seems there have been plenty of views, yet little interest in voicing an opinion. I understand what top-of-the-line is now and am willing to upgrade to it. I guess what I am really interested in knowing is what people's opinions are on upgrading from what I have now. Would it be wise or should I hold out? I guess I'm leaning on holding out a bit as I can play the games I like to with no problem, just not top-notch speed and my work related tasks do fine. I guess I'm always looking to do better though. I read the articles here and elsewhere reviewing hardware and it's performance in gaming, but there is not much on the other half of what I use my computer for. I was hoping to get some feedback from both gamers and GIS folk alike, if not a few "hybrids" like myself. I'm comfortable in knowing what I would upgrade to now if I did. The question is all about timing. Any thoughts would help.
Technology changes so quickly, it's always a good and bad time to upgrade, regardless of what system you have. If your current system is working well, then I'd hold off a bit. Prices will go down, and flaws in current models will be worked out.
On the other hand, it never hurts to have a blazing top end system. I just built another rig because my old one wasn't up to the challenge anymore. Really, it's a subjective thing...if you're happy with what your rig does, keep it around. If you're not happy, or it doesn't perform the way you'd like, pick some higher end components, and build a new system. Personally, I don't jump on the brand new products immediately. They almost always have flaws, and holding out a bit gives the manufacturers time to update and fix their wares.
On the other hand, it never hurts to have a blazing top end system. I just built another rig because my old one wasn't up to the challenge anymore. Really, it's a subjective thing...if you're happy with what your rig does, keep it around. If you're not happy, or it doesn't perform the way you'd like, pick some higher end components, and build a new system. Personally, I don't jump on the brand new products immediately. They almost always have flaws, and holding out a bit gives the manufacturers time to update and fix their wares.
BlindedByScience
More Human than Human
- Joined
- May 26, 2000
- Messages
- 9,282
puphus - my #1 system is in my sig. I built it about eight months ago. Is it the fastest system there is? Of course not. Is it rock solid, relatively inexpensive to build, does everything I want, play every game I'd like at the resolution I want....yep.
I'd have said "you could upgrade your video card" but PCI-e is coming on hard and fast, and the PC of the not too distant future has (1) USB interfaces and (2) PCI-e slots....period. Not even PS2 ports for meece and keyboards. AGP is a dead end road. PCI-X will be hot in servers for another two to three years, maybe, but that's the end of that show. My $00.02 is to wait one more generation; wait one more generation of video chips. Wait one more generation of PCI-e chipsets. Then....punch in. The chipsets will be more mature, dual core in both Intel and AMD flavors will be with us, and the video chipsets will be....newer and faster, like always....
In the meantime, do the things that will make your system run its best. When's the last time you re-installed the OS? Yes, it's a pain in the butt but we both know how much better things go if it's been a year or five. Keeping your current system maintained and up to date will easily get you another year or so down the road. Then....that's when I'd make a move.
My $00.02 - B.B.S.
I'd have said "you could upgrade your video card" but PCI-e is coming on hard and fast, and the PC of the not too distant future has (1) USB interfaces and (2) PCI-e slots....period. Not even PS2 ports for meece and keyboards. AGP is a dead end road. PCI-X will be hot in servers for another two to three years, maybe, but that's the end of that show. My $00.02 is to wait one more generation; wait one more generation of video chips. Wait one more generation of PCI-e chipsets. Then....punch in. The chipsets will be more mature, dual core in both Intel and AMD flavors will be with us, and the video chipsets will be....newer and faster, like always....
In the meantime, do the things that will make your system run its best. When's the last time you re-installed the OS? Yes, it's a pain in the butt but we both know how much better things go if it's been a year or five. Keeping your current system maintained and up to date will easily get you another year or so down the road. Then....that's when I'd make a move.
My $00.02 - B.B.S.