How long before this computer becomes obsolete?

Phoenixthug

Distinguished
Mar 30, 2009
1
0
18,510
I'm thinking about getting a costumized gaming machine. My question is how long before it will be obsolete when it comes to gaming? How soon will i have to upgrade my cpu and GPU?

*Intel core I7 920 (2.66GHz)
*AMD 4870 1GB
*p6t deluxe motherboard
*4gig kingston high performance 1333 ddr3 gaming ram

wont go into any more detail.
 

The Third Level

Distinguished
Feb 21, 2009
336
0
18,780
That will support gaming for a long time...look at it this way. Right now people run games efficiently with Core 2 Duos.... a Core i7 is an enthusiast CPU. It will be great. Maybe someday you may get another 4870 and CF them, but that setup will be fine. You can also increase the RAM as you need to.
 
Maybe two years on the CPU if you don't overclock it, 3 if you do. For the GPU maybe 1.5-2 years depending on your resolution and what games you're going to play on it, and of course if you add another 4870 down the line that would certainly help.
 
It depends on your resolution, and triple channel does little for gaming, and most apps on Desk Top. Id guess at 16x10 resolution, 1 1/2 to 2 years with most games running full tilt, or close to it
 

killerzuchini

Distinguished
Jan 20, 2009
53
0
18,630
Also depends on what you mean by "obsolete." To keep running games at full throttle, you'll have to upgrade, but that machine can continue playing games at high settings for quite some time. I had an entry level computer last 3 years before I decided it was past it's time. A high end enthusiast machine could probably stretch longer.
 


This. Gordon Moore (and others) have understood this for over 100 years.

Find the sweet spot where you get 85-90% of the performance for 50% of the cost.
 

daedalus685

Distinguished
Nov 11, 2008
1,558
1
19,810
Obsolete is a silly word. There will be better parts for every aspect of your rig in a month.

How long will you get to game out of it? Well that is up to you. My brother games on an old althon x2, with a radeon 2600.. plays WOW well enough for him.. I go nuts not being able to play at max settings at 1900*1200 at all times. He upgrades every 3 years.. I tend to always be upgrading something..

That rig will last you a long time though, no doubt. How long is entirely up to you.. I bet it will still play games at medium settings for 4 years... May not be able to keep up on high settings as soon as dx11 comes out.. who knows.