Tom's Hardware > Forum > Homebuilt Systems > New System Build > Future proofing, is it worth it?

Future proofing, is it worth it?

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - Future proofing, is it worth it?

Tom's Hardware: Over 1.4 million members in 6 different countries available to answer all your high-tech questions. Sign up now! Its free!
Ask the community Add a reply
Word :    Username :           
 
kanati   02-28-2009 at 11:42:52 PM

I'm planning on building a new system some time in the next few months (my first homebuild). My current system isn't all that dated, but a poor choice of motherboards has limited my upgrade possibilities. The current chip is a CD2 E6400 and the best I could go up to is an E6700. I'd like to avoid being stuck like this with my next build. So my question is, will spending the extra for a Core i7 based system (with the more expensive boards and ram) pay for itself in the future by allowing me better upgrade options 3 or so years down the road? Or should I just worry about what gives the best price/performance now?

Also, what gives the best price performance ratio in the $1,000 price bracket right now (taking into account that I'm carrying my 8800gt over to the new system)?

Message quoted 2 times
Add a reply
Sponsored Links
Register or log in to remove.
jaypamps   02-28-2009 at 11:53:08 PM
- 0 +

kanati wrote :

I'm planning on building a new system some time in the next few months (my first homebuild). My current system isn't all that dated, but a poor choice of motherboards has limited my upgrade possibilities. The current chip is a CD2 E6400 and the best I could go up to is an E6700. I'd like to avoid being stuck like this with my next build. So my question is, will spending the extra for a Core i7 based system (with the more expensive boards and ram) pay for itself in the future by allowing me better upgrade options 3 or so years down the road? Or should I just worry about what gives the best price/performance now?

Also, what gives the best price performance ratio in the $1,000 price bracket right now (taking into account that I'm carrying my 8800gt over to the new system)?



yah Id like to know this as well.

Reply to jaypamps
ohiou_grad_06   03-01-2009 at 12:08:17 AM
- 0 +

Well you could always look at either an amd socket am3 board and phenom 2, or at an i7.

Reply to ohiou_grad_06
jaypamps   03-01-2009 at 12:17:59 AM
- 0 +

there ARENT any good AM3 boards tho and even if you find one....

there are almost no AM3 CPUs LOL!

Reply to jaypamps
Bronze Home Brew badge WR2   03-01-2009 at 12:30:39 AM
- 0 +

kanati wrote :

My current system isn't all that dated, but a poor choice of motherboards has limited my upgrade possibilities. The current chip is a CD2 E6400 and the best I could go up to is an E6700. I'd like to avoid being stuck like this with my next build.
Also, what gives the best price performance ratio in the $1,000 price bracket right now (taking into account that I'm carrying my 8800gt over to the new system)?

What motherboard do you have?
List the other components as well (including monitor size/resolution, case and PSU)

Are we talking a gaming system here?
You might be better off getting a new motherboard and giving the E6400 a nice boost through overclocking and upgrading the video card.

Reply to WR2
Zorg   03-01-2009 at 01:44:53 AM
- 0 +

There is no protection against the future. Do you even need an upgrade?

 

First determine whether you need an upgrade.

 

Is there something that you want to do that you can't do now?

 

Ask your questions with that in mind, otherwise keep what you have.


Message edited by Zorg on 03-01-2009 at 03:00:49 AM
Reply to Zorg
kanati   03-01-2009 at 01:54:15 AM
- 0 +

It's true, I don't actually need an upgrade. My dad is looking for a new system but needs XP for work software. My system dual boots vista and XP so I've offered to sell it to him and put the money towards something new.

The specs are:
-Intel Core 2 E6400
-Asus P5LD2-VM
-2x1gb ddr2 5400(?) OCZ
-Antec NeoHE 430
-Nvidia 8800gt (which will be joining my new system)
-WD 250gb HDD with XP
-Seagate 250gb HDD with Vista
-Antec Sonata II

Message quoted 1 times
Reply to kanati
kanati   03-01-2009 at 01:56:45 AM
- 0 +

I use it for some gaming and photo work. Right now I'm playing supreme commander, which really pushes the E6400 to its limit.

Reply to kanati
Zorg   03-01-2009 at 02:42:15 AM
- 0 +

It doesn't matter what you do, your PC will be old in short order.

 

Get what makes you happy, but don't expect it to last.

 

I'm waiting for the octo-core, with 16 threads.

 

Time marches on.


Message edited by Zorg on 03-01-2009 at 03:01:20 AM
Reply to Zorg
Bronze Home Brew badge WR2   03-01-2009 at 02:55:36 AM
- 0 +

kanati wrote :

I don't actually need an upgrade. My dad is looking for a new system

Now I'm not a family relations specialist but I say help your dad get the shiny new PC now while you wait for the mainstream Core i5 CPUs and motherboards due out later this year. ;)

Reply to WR2
Ask the community Add a reply
Tom's Hardware > Forum > Homebuilt Systems > New System Build > Future proofing, is it worth it?
Go to:

There are 576 identified and unidentified users. To see the list of identified users, Click here.

Forum map
Bestofmedia Forum ©
2000-2009 Bestofmedia Group
Page generated in 0.435 seconds
Please mind

You are about to answer a thread that has been inactive for more than 6 months.
If you still wish to proceed, please ensure that your posting is original and does not duplicate or overlap any prior responses to this thread.

Add a reply Cancel
Sponsored links
  • Ask the community now
  • Publish
Ad
Related Topics
See all relatives topics
They won a badge
Join us in greeting them
How do I win badges?