why buy a new computer [upgrade] now?

DocanoDocano Texas
edited August 2003 in Hardware
Doesn't new technology come out during the holiday season each year? Why buy now if something newer with a better design will be out in three months? Don't get me wrong, I know computer hardware develops quickly and something newer and better comes out every day, but I mean significant improvements, like moving to 64-bit processor architecture and new types of RAM and video card designs. Basically I want to put together a good computer to last me awhile, and I want to wait on purchasing new hardware until the next "big thing" is released so I can get a little more prolonged usefullness out of the hardware I invest in.

Is that time now - with the relatively recent releases of the Canterwood and Northwood Intel-based products - or should I put off, for another few months, my buying a new machine?

Thanks for any guidance. :)

Comments

  • primesuspectprimesuspect Beepin n' Boopin Detroit, MI Icrontian
    edited August 2003
    There's never a good time. If you put it off for three months, then you'll be saying, "but in three more months the blah blah blah will be out, and the cool thing that I'm buying right now will be $100 cheaper" etc.. It's a vicious cycle that never ends.
  • DocanoDocano Texas
    edited August 2003
    You're so right.
  • AgeekAgeek
    edited August 2003
    What you will find are a few relevant things.

    DDR333-PC2700 has probably close to bottomed in price-- at a guess it will bottom in 2-3 months max. DDR266-PC2100 HAS bottomed and is going back up as mfrs make less and less and make more DDR333 and faster.

    CPU prices will drop some for OEM CPUs in three months-- maybe 10% to 15% drop.

    The P4 motherboards do fine with DDR266 or DDR333, and do not need more now.

    I would buy the RAM now, then get a board that will take DDR333 or DDR400 later with the best CPU you can get around Late November or Christmas, unless you want to definitely go faster on the RAM in which case would buy nothing now.
  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited August 2003
    Erm, the p4 boards run an 800 FSB for a reason, and it ain't marketing.
  • a2jfreaka2jfreak Houston, TX Member
    edited August 2003
    Wait six months, that wait the stuff that comes out in three months has dropped in price. :D

    Actually, I probably would wait a few months because even though new things are always coming to the market it is only once every 2-3 years (or longer) that a whole new technology (like 64-bit CPUs) comes to the market.
  • stoopidstoopid Albany, NY New
    edited August 2003
    OAALHA ;)
  • a2jfreaka2jfreak Houston, TX Member
    edited August 2003
    I need 100 points to view that thread.

    Blah!
    Originally posted by stoopid
    OAALHA ;)
  • stoopidstoopid Albany, NY New
    edited August 2003
    There's a lot more to the thread, forgot the o/c nazis put the post count requirements on the general discussion forums... :rolleyes:
    Overclockers Army Against LackLuster Hardware Advances
    Anonymous Overclockers.com member wrote on 12-20-2002 03:55 AM:

    I am currently running an 8K3A board. A friend wants to buy it. I would not mind getting a board with USB 2.0 and also 8X AGP (not that it matters) but I have a 9500 Pro.

    I want to do a format so I thought good time for a new board and also the swap to my new Thermaltake case.

    I considered the Epox Nforce2 board but there seem to be issues and I just do not need the hassle. My 8K3A has performed very well and I use bios 2619.

    I plan to keep my ddr pc2700 ctl samsung also. Just wondering what your thoughts are on the KT400 board by Epox, or would you hold off for the Kt400A??

    Anonymous Overclockers.com member

    [rant]

    I'm looking to hold off for something with a 1/6 divider and PC4000 memory, which doesn't exist at this moment (maybe KT400A??).

    I refuse to continue to fund further development of products by buying only marginally faster components every 2-3 months. I think we, as a hardware-buying community, need to stand up to the developers and tell them what WE want and when WE want it. They could have all these things (1/6 divider, PC4000 cas2 memory sticks), but too many people still buy these in-between nf2/KT400 models (as an example). Why should they skip right to a REAL performance boost/advance? There's a lot of money to be made in baiting us with lack-luster parts!!

    The 8k3a was a perfect upgrade for myself, coming from the KT266 8kha+, and I had the option to go with a KT400 for a few dollars more... why didn't I? Because the performance gain between the KT333 and KT400 chipsets didn't warrant the added cost, EVEN for ONLY a few dollars more ;).

    That's sad, when an entirely new chipset is only 5-10% 'faster'... no, it's pathetic.

    Kevin

    [/rant]
  • stoopidstoopid Albany, NY New
    edited August 2003
    Just for the record, the ONLY reason I went from my old 8k3a to the 8k5a2+ is for the onboard raid. The 8k5a2+ is essentially the same performance board with added features.
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