I'm not in a rush to build a new computer, but my rig is in a declining spiral and is beyond upgrades (sempron 2400, radeon 9550, ecs 741gx-m)
It can handle games such as portal, homm v, galactic civs 2 or sam&max, and I have overclocked some, but it clearly isn't up to task for most new games. Though aside from bioshock, nothing out really grabs my attention and it isn't failing, so I don't have to rebuild tomorrow.
I enjoy reading the build threads, and when the time comes will have a budget I'd like to keep in the $800 system/$200 monitor range. Right now $800 would get me a p35/radeon 3850/e6550/250gb/3gb/dvd/antecsonata3 or roughly thereabouts.
What I am slowly leading up to, is if I am building a computer in the 800-1000 range, is there a specific time of year in which it makes more/less sense to be purchasing parts? Do prices trend downward in the spring, or early fall, or is there a general release schedule for new cards/boards that could dictate buying patterns.
Prices are most affected by new technology coming out. With in the few weeks Intel is releasing their 45mm CPU and I believe that both nVidia and ATI are coming out with new series of video cards so likely to see a drop in prices for current CPUs and video cards. Right now RAM and hdd prices are very good and not likely to drop more. There are also always sales and rebates
New technology will usually come at a premium because of high demand and low supply. When the Core 2 Duo E6600 was first launched some places were selling them for $400+. After about 6 or 7 weeks, the price dropped to around $320 which was the expected retail price for it's launch.
Expect the Penryn to sell higher than the suggested price upon release. The side effect is that prices on Conroe CPUs may drop a little bit. But it is also possible that will stay the same and then eventually increase to encourage people to buy the newer technology.
for you a good time was 3 years ago. Just busting on you. But seriously based on what you're coming from right now is a great time. I'm currently in the process of upgrading my self and prices are great. $800 on the low end of your budget will get you a great machine. Waiting 10 days probably wouldn't be a horrible idea to see what new CPUs bring, but I can't see things getting too much cheaper. New video cards really aren't going to make much of a difference unless you plan on buying one. For example the new 9800s will not effect cheaper cards in price. Rather some of the older 8800s will be phased out and the newer ones will fill out that "just below top of the line" tier at the same price. I'd say buy now and enjoy the market as it is because it probably won't stay this way for too long.
thanks for the responses, in regards to intel releasing the 45nm shortly and new gpu cards coming out- do these releases take place roughly every year, around this time?
or is it more random?
Technology generally moves so fast that companies generally release new/better products when they are able. Waiting to release the product until a set time will result in allowing a competitor to develop a better product and force them to sell theirs for less.
Timelines of '08
Intel Release Dual Core Penryn Chips in Late Jan.
These will be some very nice chips for those don't need Quads.
Not too prices and run fast and cool.
Late 'Q1
Intel Releasing Penryn Quad Core - Nice for those who want a Quad.
ATI Releasing new GPUs. (Very Eearly Possible)
NVIDIA Releasing new GPUs. (Very Early Q2 Possilbe)
Early Q2
Intel Releasing Less Expensive Dual Core Penryns for the price concious.
Late Q4/Early 09
Intel Releasing the Next Generation Nehalm Processor.
May and February are both good times to buy PC parts. Slow time for PC industry and as previsouly mentioned, new technology is coming out making the old tech a dump for vendors. The trick is to upgrade 1 year after a new socket standard comes out. That way you are in at the ground floor and can upgrade the CPU in 2.5 years for an economical bump.
The problem now is that Intel is supposedly coming out with a new socket in the near future. Either buy a Intel Core 2 Dual and know that your upgrade path is short or wait a year.
the best time to buy a new rig is somewhere around summer in july or August.because thats when the new 45nm Intel and new gen GPU is gonne be released.so wait round that time and see massive price cut when retailer try to clear out stock that got stuck!!!
