How often do you upgrade?

[Thibaudv]

Title says it all. I am talking about parts that improve performance (CPU, GPU etc)

 

When new hardware comes out and Linus makes a video about it, I always get excited about buying it. But then I think, why spend that much money on a barely noticeable upgrade?

Right now I only use my PC for gaming and regular pc stuff, so I don't need to have the fastest extreme edition goodness the day it comes out.

 

So here are my rules: if you wan't to upgrade, only do it when you can get double the performance for about the same money.

For example when it comes to GPUs: 3Dmark scores will have doubled (compared to my 570), probably when then 870 comes out or the AMD equivalent (9950?), so that's when I'll probably upgrade my GPU.

 

I use 3Dmark scores because they represent a good score of what your GPU can do and they are not optimized for one card or another (games sometimes are).

 

I'd like to hear your opinions

 

 

PS: at this pace, I won't have to upgrade my i5 for a really long time :P

[whatthe_fuzz]

I upgrade everytime I shower.

[shmurple]

I upgrade when its necessary to achieve acceptable frame rates in games which for me right now means 50-60 fps at 1920x1080 that will probably change though when I get a 120hz monitor

[Glenwing]

I upgrade when my current computer is no longer sufficient for what I do.

[Volbet]

I upgrade when components die.

[mr moose]

usually when something dies or I can't run a program, or I need more storage, or the missus needs a new computer, or I want a new case, or I get an itch in my wallet or I want to , or because its today.........  It's buying pc parts its addictive and fun....

[pcexplosion]

You forgot to add the option to upgrade when you have the money to do so

[TheDigitalRealm]

Meh, when things start to get visibly slower or a part dies, I'll upgrade.

[Oseirus]

You forgot to add the option to upgrade when you have the money to do so

Your avatar is mesmerizing... 

 

Anyway. So far it's looking like I'll do a completely new build about every three years or so. Or, at least, that's how it's been so far. I'm gonna try and stay on top of this new build a little better, but we'll see how well that works out.

[qwertywarrior]

i upgrade my GPU every 3rd generation

i upgrade my cpu every 5+ generations

but personally i normally wait until my CPU dies

my 780i died which housed a QX6700 also i had to upgrade my ram

and DDR2 ram isnt cheap and its not easy to find a 775 socket boards

[Wats]

You forgot to add the option to upgrade when you have the money to do so

this pretty much^

 

 

 

Great avatar btw. 

[Mightybaal]

I have a set of rules.

 1. When my GF lets me

2. When i have the money after the GF lets me

3. When i am not busy working to save the money after the GF lets me.

 

All in all not very often.

[jbr]

Well, since finances have been pretty tight owning 3 yachts and a mansion in British Properties and all, I had to vote 2 years.

[Woodypc]

When i see a good deal and have the money get it.

[EChondo]

I have a set of rules.

 1. When my GF lets me

2. When i have the money after the GF lets me

3. When i am not busy working to save the money after the GF lets me.

 

All in all not very often.

I'm afraid this will be my situation in a couple years.

 

Maybe getting my girlfriend into computer hardware will help her understand why some parts are a lot of money...

[WoodenMarker]

I upgrade when I need to.

Until then, there are better ways to spend money.

 

Sure it feels nice to get expensive parts but think of all the little moments candy and food can get.

Or presents for others. It's not the same feeling but it is also a very good one.

[PhegMan]

I just started on my own PC last year so im slowly upgrading it until it is beast and then leaving it until I have the money and the need for a new one

[Mac]

"I have a special set of rules when it comes to upgrading"

 

Translates to: When I have money.

[deafboy]

"I have a special set of rules when it comes to upgrading "

 

Um...whenever I need/want to.  No set time period or anything. lol.

[LogicalDrm]

Depends on part. Base (cpu-mobo-ram) every 5 years, GPU every 3 years or when needed, HDD when needed. Then I do smaller every year. Change case, fix cooling etc.

[Samdb]

My computer, about 3 years. The GPU every 18 months.

[MooseParade]

With my current job, it will be sometime in 2015 lol. I used to upgrade my CPU and GPU with every new generation. That's the difference of going from a $17/hour job to a $9/hour job.

[Ramzez]

When it's time to make some upgrades, I usually change all the components excluding the peripherals. This happens 3-5 year cycle. I'm really not into small upgrades at a time, since it rarely makes any big improvements but it is quite costly in the long run. I like to enjoy a completely new build and the clear speed improvement compared to the old computer. This makes me feel like the money wasn't wasted.

[SSOB]

With my current job, it will be sometime in 2015 lol. I used to upgrade my CPU and GPU with every new generation. That's the difference of going from a $17/hour job to a $9/hour job.

That sucks

[MdX MaxX]

I recently did a round of upgrades, but nothing that affected performance.

 

I'll probably upgrade my GPU in the next year, and I'll probably hang on for dear life to my 2600K.  So I guess you can say every 3-4 years maybe.