Re: Ok time for an upgrade in computer
 

My rule of thumb is a computer that old is not worth updating, you will always have a weak point that chokes the system.

Buy new :)

Re: Ok time for an upgrade in computer
 

Well just don't get stuck in the philosophy of waiting for what is "around the corner". Because you'll always find something that might be worth holding off for and then in another few months you'll find another thing. But the end of this year does seem like an interesting time to build, as new CPU architectures should be released.

However right now if there was ever a time to upgrade a graphics card, it would be now. The plethora of killer cards being released in the sub $240 range is just incredible.

Re: Ok time for an upgrade in computer
 

It's unlikely that a 5 year old MB will take a quad-core chip, so your option is really to get a new CP.
Are you a gamer? If so, here is what you are looking at...a machine with,
> 250GB HD(or thereabouts)
> 4GB RAM (Vista will run noticeably slow unless you have
4GB)
> Quadcore chip of some variety
> Windows Vista 64bit(expensive!)
(a digression here. If you go with 64bit OS then be
prepared for a lot of software to NOT work with it)
> DirectX 10 compatible video card

All of the above will set you back some bucks. Also, when buying the multi-core chip, try to get as good a single core speed as you can, because if the application you are currently running doesn't take advantage of the multi-cores,,,,then it will run at the speed of a single core.
Hope this helps

Re: Ok time for an upgrade in computer
 

I think the starting question for a new build is: What is your budget?

There are some tremendous deals right now and as the newer processores, et.al., are released what is high-end now will drop in price in matter of months.

But as SecretMaster rightly points out if you are needing a new system you might as well jump in now because as soon as you do its old in a matter of weeks.

But, if you can hold off until the end of this year, the beginning of next, some nice releases should be avaliable.

Re: Ok time for an upgrade in computer
 

Well some news about AMD was released today. B3-Stepping Quads should appear out in Q2 of this year... so hopefully by June you'll be able to put together a system.

And just for clarification, I was under the assumption that we were talking a new computer from the get-go. I assumed you assumed that upgrading your current one at this point would be out of the question (a five year old compy is really old). However if you are intending to upgrade it, what are the specs of it just to see what we are looking at.

But in terms of buying a complete new system. Well I'm not quite sure as to what your budget is but nowadays $1000 alone in parts can make quite a powerful PC. Again I refer you to the guide I linked on the first page because I find that to be an excellent reference for starting a new build.

Re: Ok time for an upgrade in computer
 

QFT. It is amazing what you can build for that amount and that includes Windows OS and Office 2007.

Re: Ok time for an upgrade in computer
 

oh definitely im buying a new system ;) im not even thinking of upgrading my old computer anymore. it will just be there for surfing or just playing old games.
I have a 1000aud budget so thats roughly 900USD. Im more than happy to wait for Q2, if Secretmaster says AMD is releasing the new chipsets earlier than expected :) coolz.