Needing a upgrade?

[Shortliner]

Right now I'm debating on whether or not to update my current machine, or to just build/buy a new one.

My current machine was made in 2006, 32 Bit Windows Vista dual core. I want a 64 bit system with at least 4-8 GB of RAM and quad core with Wins 7 64.

It seems that it'd be cheaper to upgrade my current machine than to build/buy a new one. However, it is pretty old by computer standards.

Thoughts?

[Toonces]

Well i really dont want to build my own.. I Think that would cost way to much.

Let me tell you what I have done. I picked up a used Dell T5400 from eBay - these things are just coming off of corporate lease. I have a box just like it at the office with 8G of memory and 2 quad-core CPUs. The box I picked up from eBay only came with a single CPU with 2 cores, and 2G of memory. Total price - 214$. Plus something for shipping..

When I got the thing, I put in a new video card - I didn't spend a huge amount on the thing (maybe 40$), but it is a no-name card with an NVidia chipset. I put in more memory (this mobo requires special memory that is a bit more expensive, unfortunately, but it has 8 slots and supports up to 32G). Memory cost something like 60-80$.

I went out and bought a 2nd CPU - the somewhat slower 2-core chips like the one the machine came with are really cheap - about 15$ (I think because everyone wants the quad-core chips). I had to buy a heatsink for the CPU - that was about 40$, and about 5$ for some thermal paste (the heatsinks are matched to the T5400 cabinet - don't pick up generic CPU heatsinks). The CPUs are Intel Xeon 5130 (about 2GHz) - and upgradable later to something faster should I feel like doing it later.

Now I have a 2 dual-core CPU box with 4G of memory. Railworks purrs like a kitten on this box. At the moment I have XP32 on the thing, but instead of messing with that, I installed 64-bit Ubuntu that I use when not running Railworks.

[arizonachris]

Chris, good catch on the MaximumPC article about the under $700 PC. It is via that magazine that I really learned about building PCs. I have always liked their build your own articles, especially when they build 3 machines at 3 different price points. Even their most top of the line PCs run around $1500. The only time they go all out is when they build the Dream Machine.

I've been subscribing to Maximum PC for about 5 years now. They have great how to articles and keep up with testing on the "bleeding edge" new stuff on the market. Best PC mag there is, and their online info can't be matched.

[PapaXpress]

I use Bit-Tech for most of my building information. Before that I used Anandtech, and a very long time ago, I used Tom's Hardware.

[WhiteKnight77]

I've been subscribing to Maximum PC for about 5 years now. They have great how to articles and keep up with testing on the "bleeding edge" new stuff on the market. Best PC mag there is, and their online info can't be matched.

Another good PC magazine and it is free is Computer Power User. You can subscribe to it online and get it either way, in the mail or online. I used to buy it in the store and I noticed that stores stopped carrying it. I went online and found out that now, everything is paid for by advertisers so they no longer charge for a subscription. I haven't noticed any more ads in the magazine due to it. One of the contributors in the owner of Anandtech.com.

[BNSF650]

I think i am just going to sell this one and buy a new one.

[Shortliner]

I think i am just going to sell this one and buy a new one.

I thought about that too, but I doubt I'd get anything for my machine. It's 5 years old, might as well give it to Goodwill.

[BNSF650]

Mine is only 2.

[Hawk]

I think i am just going to sell this one and buy a new one.

Good luck getting any thing worth while, money wise for it.
I believe computers depreciate faster than about anything else on the market.

[Shortliner]

Good luck getting any thing worth while, money wise for it.
I believe computers depreciate faster than about anything else on the market.

No kidding, I might as well just give my machine to Goodwill when I buy my new one.

[Toripony]

Don't forget about pawn shops. People hock brand new machines when the rent is due. I bought a good HP (current model at the time) laptop in one for $150 and used it for nearly 2 years! No warranty of course... that's why the shop owner sells them so cheap.

Tori

[artimrj]

Here is where I go. Got a AMD Phenom II 3.1 ghrtz with 6 cores and 8 gig of ram. 1 TB HD, 12 in one card reader, blueray dvd/dual layer burner and an ATI 5570HD with 1 gig on it for $750. I added 2 more TB drives at $90 each and upgraded to an ATI 5750HD with 1 gig of DDRS5 on it and an 600 watt power supply to run it for another $150. I got my wife a quad core with 6 gig of ram and an nvidia 9800 and 750 gig HD.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Desktop-Com ... 2600050009

[Shortliner]

I wonder if there's a place or a website where you can buy the tower only. I don't need the monitor, keyboard, etc. I just need a new tower.

[Hawk]

I believe NewEgg still sells towers. Also maybe TigerDirect.

[arizonachris]

I believe NewEgg still sells towers. Also maybe TigerDirect.

New Egg is the best. I had bad luck with Tiger Direct. http://www.newegg.com/Store/Category.as ... uter-Cases (yes, it is bookmarked ) Look for the deals with free shipping.

I have the Cooler Master HAF 922 and Cooler Master 690 cases. Both fantastic, easy to build in, don't even need a screwdriver.