Dumb question about timing a new desktop purchase

The DaveR · #1 02-20-2006, 10:16 PM

My current desktop is 2+ years old and its age is starting to show. I'm going to get a new one with just about everything maxed out and I wanted to know if I should just go ahead and do this now or if it makes sense to wait until the new Windows (Vista?) is released. The intent is to have a high performing desktop (for poker and music) for the next 2 years. TIA.

wonderwes · #2 02-20-2006, 10:48 PM

The technology of desktops is going to change within the next 12 months. There is now a movement on the dual core processors, you will see pc's with the cell chip that is also on the playstation3, and I think Intel will release a new style of chip. Its hard to say.

Windows Vista is still in the works. It will be an improvement for high end gaming, not sure what other advancements there are.

It depends on what you really need out of your desktop. Is it only poker related, or do you also play games on it? What type of music? Just playing mp3s or doing high end audio editor applications? Plus its hard to say when we dont know the specs of your current machine.

Dell does offer some cheap deals. Plus, any computer can be sold on ebay easily. If it still has the warranty included with it, it will sell at a high price on ebay. A P4 with a 1gig of ram will be a fast machine. The p4's are still quite a fast processor, that have been around for over two years now.

If you do decide to buy one, dell always puts out slick coupon codes. Though, you could also build your own pc.

Terry · #3 02-21-2006, 05:08 AM

Pretty much no matter what you buy or when you buy it, within about six weeks there will be something better available.

MadTiger · #4 02-21-2006, 09:25 AM

I would never get the first release of an operating system. I worked on them before, and they will send it out raggedy everytime, and fix it later. Might as well wait for the update/bug fix.

If you insist on buying the best at the time you buy, wait until the first OS update at least.

chris b · #5 02-21-2006, 01:32 PM

I have to second never using the 1st release of an OS, wait till its out for 3-6 months then get it. Are you building a machine or buying it from like dell or alienware? Dual core are the new chips, but as its been said before the second you buy something its already outdated. The problem with the dual core chips is that yes vista will support and utilize the capabilities but realistically there are not any programs that are set up to use the full power of them. Its really a waste of time. Your better off getting a P4 or an older AMD chip. If you want the best of the best right now your going to want to go with a mobo that supports PCI Express video cards, if your not doing gaming than the SLI isnt needed. I just built a semi budget gaming machine. I had a video card, but everything else I bought new for ~ $800. P4 3.6 chip, 1 gig ram, mobo (non pciE), dvdrw, 80gb SATA hd, case and 500w PS. I play some pretty decent games on there, farcry, battlefield 2, etc with no problems. I think for poker and lilstening to music its more than enough, if your doing the datamining and storing a lot of music your going to want more HD space, but other than that it would be perfect.

Maybe a little more info on to if your purchasing or building, budget and confirming that its only for Poker playing, internet, and music listening we could give you a better idea.

Lady Dont Tekno · #6 02-21-2006, 03:04 PM

definitely get a machine BEFORE vista comes out. there's a lot of negative press in the tech industry regarding potential vista features concerning HDCP and that may only be the tip of the iceberg in terms of how intrusive microsoft plans to be.

so i'd get a machine w/ XP and if vista turns out to be cool, no harm done, you can upgrade easily.

icepick · #7 02-21-2006, 04:10 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Pretty much no matter what you buy or when you buy it, within about six hours there will be something better available.

[/ QUOTE ]

FYP.

Plus Vista is aways off yet.

Meech · #8 02-21-2006, 04:19 PM

I wouldn't hold off until vista. It's not that great, IMO.

With the price of desktops as low as they are, just buy one now and then in a few years -- buy another.

I'm an early adopter when it comes to new OS's. That wait till the first patch stuff is for large corporations :P

I starting using 2000 around RC1, and XP around the same time. Both rollouts have been smooth for me. Unless you are using a bunch of crap that needs 3rd party drivers -- you'll be ok.