Cost effective system upgrade..

**Draggar** · June 24th, 2002, 10:04 AM

And I'm talking about a whole new system.

I've found out the most cost effective way to keep your system current, yet inexpensive is to triple your processor power, but wait until you can get the chip itself for under $150 (the lower the better).

It seems to have worked really well for me,
My first system was a 386SX-20, for about $1000.

I upgraded to a 486DX2-66 (Total cost including new video, VESA-local bus, new HDD, new case about $500).

From there, i bought a Compaq (aak!) Presario, 200MHz for about $900 (rip off, I know).

Now, my main PC is a P3-650MHz, that system overhaul (mostly new, little was re-used) built, total cost was about $750.

Now, I should go with a 1.8GHz to 2.0GHz system next. Each computer lasts me about 3-5 years, the latest going on 5 (I originaly had a P2-450 to quickly get out of the Compaq) years. No issues of compatability yet.

Looking at it, maybe next year I'll upgrade my system. I'm starting to shop now.

How does upgrading systems work for everyone else (not including defective equipment)?

**Radical Dreamer** · June 24th, 2002, 10:13 AM

My upgrading happens majorly every year at tax time and smaller upgrades in between. I spent over 3 times the money on computers as I did my car <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />

**cookin chef** · June 25th, 2002, 09:55 PM

Present systems are mostly in the 1 ghz to 1.6 ghz range, both in celerons, P4's, amd durons and athlon xp's

I think the average range will be 1.6 ghz to 2.2 ghz by christmas time.

**Commander Klarg** · June 26th, 2002, 08:50 AM

I upgrade when the computer won't play the newest, coolest games.

**NooNoo** · June 26th, 2002, 10:39 AM

I upgrade when stuff falls in my lap, but this time I am actually going to buy a NEW board!

**Budd** · June 26th, 2002, 05:07 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Lt. Cmdr Klarg:
I upgrade when the computer won't play the newest, coolest games.

<hr /></blockquote>same here, i won't upgrade until my computer won't play my favorite game. right now, my PIII 800 and geforce 2 gts play Counter Strike (the only game i play anymore) just fine so i won't be upgrading for awhile.

**-Senectus-** · June 26th, 2002, 10:01 PM

I'm pretty much the same as Lt. Cmdr Klarg
Except that I design a machine that will last 2-3 years.
Normally (through trial and testing) 2-3 years will bring about a machine that is 3x more powerfull than my last. (Incl Processor and Vid Card).
Ie: My last machine was a k6-2 400 with a 16 meg tnt1 canopus card. My current machine is a 1.2 gig Athlon and a Geforce 2 ultra. I've had the 1.2 for 2 years now.. I expect it to last 6-12 more months... by the the 3gigs will be on the market *droooool*

**JungleMan1** · June 26th, 2002, 10:17 PM

I'll upgrade when I need an upgrade, not when someone tells me that my stuff is too slow.

**orange** · June 30th, 2002, 04:13 PM

Generally in the past i have only upgraded the key components, CPU, mobo, mem & HD, buying things like CDRW's or Monitors as and when i 'need' them. However, i have just upgraded the majority of my system, only keeping my original SB Live! card and my Plextor CDRW. I like to at least double my CPU speed when i upgrade, and this obviously means a newer type mobo and memory to suit. I've just gone from a Duron 900 with SDRAM to an XP2000+ with DDR333. I also went from a 30GB HD to an 80GB drive, 17" monitor to a 19" monitor and so on. The only thing i haven't got is my new vid card, which was out of stock with my supplier

I'm hoping that my upgrade will only cost me around £150 by the time i sell my original system...

**Lycia** · July 1st, 2002, 11:28 AM

I just upgrade parts as needed. So eventually I have enough old parts to build a new system..then start all over with the current system...an endless cycle...

**+Daemon+** · July 3rd, 2002, 11:51 AM

I upgrade here and there, if I see somthing new I want ill get it.

Though my memory and mobo friedout so I upgraded my 1.2ghz amd tbird to a dual amd mp 2000+ with 1 gb pc2100 ddr ram

Im hapy with it now.. Im at the point right now to upgrade my 700 mhz linux box to a dual amd mp 2100+ I got the mobo and memory and everything else but the cpu's right now

**SCHTUDE** · July 3rd, 2002, 12:55 PM

I haven't upgraded since I got my PIII 450 years ago. I haven't had anything that won't run well on it yet.

Jungle Man?...What the heck is that picture from?? I can't stop looking at it!

**D@ve** · July 4th, 2002, 03:39 AM

I recently upgraded my P3 600 Mhz to a AMD 1800+ XP with a new M/B and fan for just £150 (inc. VAT)everthing else came from my old PC.

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