Something to remember when buying hardware

[Morgoth]

Unless you pay absolute top dollar, someone's always going to have something faster or cooler than you. It's just like the real world saying of no matter how big and strong you are, someone's always around that can kick your bellybutton for you.

When you start to feel the need for bigger, better, faster, NOW

stop

Ask yourself what you're getting in return for your hard-earned cash. I've got a top-end GeForce3 in my box now. Why should I buy a GF4 at premium price right now? Is there anything out there game-wise that I currently play that really shows off the brand-new features of the GF4? Are my framerates so bad that $300-400 worth of vid silicon will fix it? My formula for replacing vid cards is to skip generations. Just cause nVidia likes to put out new silicon every six months doesn't mean I have to buy it.

I don't upgrade CPUs until I get get something twice as fast as I currently have for half of what I paid for my current CPU. Going from my PIII750MHz to a 1.4GHz Athlon is a perfect example.

Stay off the CPU and vid card 4-6 month upgrade merrry-go-round and spend cash on hw that will serve you better in the long run. The new ThrustMaster Cougar is a good example. It isn't going to be any cheaper in a year than it is now and it will last you for years.

A high end monitor is another good example. No matter what you're doing with your box, you're going to be staring at that fat CRT for hours/days/months/years on end. Spend some of that CPU/vid card mad money on something that won't give you migraines, cause seizures, and shrink your testicles to the size of stale raisins. I just replaced a monitor I had for five years because I bought a very good model back in the day.

Sorry about the semi-rant

[SKurj]

can't agree more +)


SKurj

[AKWarp]

Agreed, that' why I just bought all my top-end goodies...had the old MSI board and Athlon 1.4 for quite some time.  Not only that, but the wife wanted a new system for herself...so she TOLD me to go buy a new one for me so she could have the old one

Who am I to argue with her!

I average an upgrade about once every 1-2 years depending on how things advance.  I rarely ever do the 4-6 month upgrade thing and most upgrades are usually middle level stuff.  The TI4600 is the first time I've ever bought the latest greatest thing....

[Wanker]

Words to live by, Spof. Couldn't agree more about spending more for a top-quality monitor. I just bought myself a 22' NEC 1250+ and I know I'll get 5 years out of that. Dunno if my Cougar will last that long, though. Or my right arm, either.

[funkedup]

"Is there anything out there game-wise that I currently play that really shows off the brand-new features of the GF4?"

Right now you need a GF4 to play Il-2 at 1600x1200 resolution with all the effects turned on + FSAA.  On GF3 the frame rates are not so good at those settings.  

As far as CPU/mobo, they are so cheap (if you don't buy Intel) compared to the old days that it's really not a big deal to upgrade a lot.

Yer right about monitors though.  They don't follow the same pricing trends as the rest of the 'puter.

Beg to differ about the Iron Phallus errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Cougar though.  

[Mathman]

What did Mietla do to his throttle?  Did he step on it or something?

[Mr Hanky]

He dropped it off of the couch and it landed on a hardwood floor right on the tip of the throttle.  That's a 10 lb throttle's force all being excerted on that point.  Such is the problem with a heavy object.

[Morgoth]

I knew I shouldn't have used the Cougar as an example

OK, how bout my last CH setup (Pro stick, throttle, and pedals). It lasted ... uh, I've had it 5 years and just replaced it with a Saitek X45 6 months ago. The CH rig is on my spare gaming box now.

My point of using your head instead of your di*k when it comes to buying hardware still stands tho

[funkedup]

[Mathman]

Damn, that sucks.  Is he going to be able to get it fixed or fix it himself?

[capt. apathy]

looks fixable.  if you can get the wires out of that area it may be weldable (depending on type of metal it's made from). otherwise it's time to get out the epoxy and some fine stainless wire.

btw if you can't get it fixed and it is made out of steel(no pot-metal or aluminum)  I'll weld it for nothing, you just pay shipping both ways

[Mr Hanky]

That particular piece is plastic.

[Mr Hanky]

Something to remember when buying hardware...

Figure out how much you want to spend... then decide what you want to spend it on.  Get as much advice as you can before making a purchase.  And remember... there is only one person that really decides how much is too much... you.

If you want to spend a fortune on top-end stuff then more power to you.  If you don't... then good for you too.

Just seems odd that someone would care what other people were buying enough to rant about it.

[Skuzzy]

There are basically two types of computer people, with varying degrees between...

1)  The 'bleeding edge' guy.  This is the guy that has to have the fastest thing on the block, at any costs.  Bragging rights are more important than system stability.

2)  Then there is the guy that wants a washing machine.  This guy just wants it to work everytime he turns it on and hates messing with it.  Keep it simple stupid, is his motto.

I lean to number 2.  I like building my computers, but hate to tear them apart after that.  They work everytime, never lock up, never fail to do what I need.  I like being at least one generation behind the curve.  It insures stable hardware and software, whic is far more important to me than having the fastest thing on the block.

[Morgoth]

Originally posted by Mr Hanky
Just seems odd that someone would care what other people were buying enough to rant about it.

I don't care, I'm offering advice. Last time I checked, that is what this board is about.