Compuer Geeks: Upgrade or build new computer?

dgfalk

dgfalk

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I'm thinking about building a new PC but am wondering if just upgrading the one I have now would be a better decision. I pretty much only use this computer for IM stuff, watching movies, music. It seems like I always have 5-10 browsers open, word, photoshop, and a couple IM programs (nothing extreme like gaming or video editing).

Right now Im running XP on an AMD 2.4Ghz dual core, with 2GB DDR2 800 ram, should also note my operating system is running on an old IDE hard drive.
If I upgrade this computer all I would do is add more RAM, max it out at 8GB (most my motherboard can support), and change my HDD to a solid state drive.

If I build a new computer Im looking at getting an AMD 3.4GHz quad core with 8-16GB DDR 3 RAM, and a solid state drive.

For what I use my computer for, would getting a quad core be worth it? Would just upgrading the RAM and getting a solid state drive make a noticeable difference on my current PC? Basically I want something a little more faster and make the switch from XP to 7.

EDIT: After some pricing it would cost me $140 to upgrade the RAM and get a SSD. To build the computer I want is only $342. So for a $202 difference I might as well jsut build a new one.
 
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If you can get an Intel Processor.

Now before all the AMD fanboys take a piss on me, I know what I am talking about. Just compare them yourself side-by-side and perform a few stress tests and see what benchmarks better.

Always you have a room to OC and what not.

That being said, if I were you I'd just build a new one, but since your requirements aren't that hefty. I'd suggest just stick with the rig you have now.

Just stick in a few ram sticks, perhaps a mid-range gfx card and as far as SSDs go, yes they do make a difference, by a couple seconds if you're running games like crysis and etc...

I wouldn't go with SSD at this point though, perhaps in a couple months. Over at tom's hardware they suggested prices are gonna drop in a few months. So just hold it up till then.
 
I would have to say build another one. I also recomend Intel processors over AMD. I would build a new one. Prob can get a case for 50-100, Def recomend a SSD...They actually make a big diffrence. Lauching Photshop an booting the computer in gernal is much faster. If you dont do no gaming I see no reason for spectacular gfx card, just something midgrade would be fine. If your current computer already has dvd burner just reuse it. If the case you buy doesnt come with a power box then you could POSSIBLY reuse the one you, depending on processor you go with etc. Just my opinon though. I use to be a AMD fan, but too me it seems the AMD slow down over time. Im not sure if its a lower quaility built or what.
 
For sure build your own, i5 or i7 processor depending on your price range, get some good dual channel ram maybe about 4GB worth, throw an SSD on for the OS and a 1TB drive for storage. You'll be surprised at the money you'll save building your own computer (or how much better the computer is if you spend the same)
 
win 7 is so slow. use xp upgrade its service pack to 3 and update all the patch so you that you can use applications that run on win 7.

or alternately, you can build a virtual machine and run any os you want inside it.

do not trash your old pc. yes i vouch for buying a new graphics card. however, it is best if you have two pc's. one for tracking,documentation, photoshop. the other of spamming, running seo programs, etc.

for speed use AMD. for performance and rigidity use INTEL. AMD tends to burn. In my computer servicing career (7 years), I never encountered a dead machine with dead intel processor. I encountered 2 dead machines with 1 fried x2 processor and 1 old amd processor K1 class.

if you want a faster rig, go with AMD as long as you got adequate ventilation.
 
I'd build a new one from scratch. Turn your existing PC into a Windows Home Server box (WHS 2011). Use it to store your videos, backups, and other things. I've been running WHS for a while and it is the most stable Windows OS I have ever used. It's amazing. The OS is cheap on Amazon.com.

Having said all of that, I would not be too consumed with putting a SSD in your new PC unless you plan to only put the OS on it. You have to drop a lot more money to get one that holds 256GB+ and for me, that would not be enough space. Since SSD's will become larger and cheaper, I'd go with SATA for now and take that extra money and put it towards a good motherboard and processor so that you can upgrade it down the road.

Also, having the WHS will allow you to use it to run some apps that you may not want you primary computer to be tied up with overnight.
 
Build a new one.

Intel will score a little higher on benchmark tests, but that's only useful if you run around parading benchmark scores.

Personally, I have not scored my PC in years, so I could care less.

AMD scores less on the important benchmark; in that it's WAY less expensive. Do you want the car that goes really fast? Or do you want the car that goes a little bit faster, has a nice shiny key dongle and costs 2x as much?

I built my PC just before they announced the quad-core AMD Phenom II's. I actually ended up with the AMD Phenom II X3 (black edition.) It'll save you some money and it's still very powerful..... I have a ridiculous cooler on it also and it's OC'd to 3.4GHz.

A SSD is not going to speed up your computer significantly because your bottleneck is your CPU/RAM/Mobo. Just because your HDD is able to provide the files faster, does not mean that your machine can process them faster.

It really all boils down to what you're wanting to spend. If you want to keep it under $100.. Iunno, maybe get a dustbuster and clean it out or something. :P

$200 and you can get a pretty decent CPU/mobo combo and maybe even a couple chips of RAM.

$300 CPU/mobo/RAM/HDD and maybe some other cool stuff like fans or a GPU.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I know Intel is better but they also cost twice as much. I built my current PC about 4 years ago with an AMD processor and never had a problem with it. I was talking to my brother and he told me he wouldn't get the AMD Phenom which I was looking at because its pretty old now. He said to look at the AMD Fx, any thoughts on the 2?

With the SSD I would just get a small one, found a pretty cheap 60GB one. I plan on using that just for the OS and will swap out my 1.5TB drive and stick it in the new one for all my other files.

So really all I need is a nice CPU/Mobo/RAM combo. Im gonna use the case, power supply, and video cards from my old setup.
 
Hehe... You asked if quad-core was necessary... Now you're onto 8-cores.

You're just like me. lol.. I had to remove the Asus Crosshair IV Formula from my cart several times before I finally bought my mobo. ;)

Also.. You mentioned your HDD was IDE. You may want to look into getting an external case. Because do they even have mobo's with IDE connections anymore?
 
Windows 7 is fine, just have enough memory. Definitely time for a new box by the way.
 
dgfalk said:
I'm thinking about building a new PC but am wondering if just upgrading the one I have now would be a better decision. I pretty much only use this computer for IM stuff, watching movies, music. It seems like I always have 5-10 browsers open, word, photoshop, and a couple IM programs (nothing extreme like gaming or video editing).

Right now Im running XP on an AMD 2.4Ghz dual core, with 2GB DDR2 800 ram, should also note my operating system is running on an old IDE hard drive.
If I upgrade this computer all I would do is add more RAM, max it out at 8GB (most my motherboard can support), and change my HDD to a solid state drive.

If I build a new computer Im looking at getting an AMD 3.4GHz quad core with 8-16GB DDR 3 RAM, and a solid state drive.

For what I use my computer for, would getting a quad core be worth it? Would just upgrading the RAM and getting a solid state drive make a noticeable difference on my current PC? Basically I want something a little more faster and make the switch from XP to 7.

EDIT: After some pricing it would cost me $140 to upgrade the RAM and get a SSD. To build the computer I want is only $342. So for a $202 difference I might as well jsut build a new one.
Click to expand...

you can't go wrong there
 
Worst thing you can do is go cheap on the Power Supply. A cheap $35.00 PSU can kill the motherboard, video card and sometimes the hard drive too. This is the most common, and most serious mistake a new builder can make. But they only make it once.
 
Whatever you do, don't get an AMD processor. Worst choice you can make.

I'd say it depends on your needs and uses. If you need a computer for games, gogo. If just for IM get a laptop imo.
I'd read around, look at my uses and get something accordingly. Good luck :).
Protip: ASUS = best quality and effectiveness/price.
 
I'm a computer tech (so pretty much as "computer geek"y as they come)

Several recommendations:

1. Don't get an SSD right now, the tech is too new and there are issues with most of the SSDs on the market.

2. You don't need that much RAM.... especially not with the things you said you do with your computer. Get a decent video card instead.

3. Don't upgrade, redo your rig.

Also, I read one of the responses here saying Windows 7 is slow?? That's a load of bull, Windows 7 is plenty fast and you'll be glad you switched from XP once you get used to it.

My current computer is a Pentium D, 2 gigs of RAM, and an x1600 video card. sure all that stuff is way old and outdated, but it gets the job done just fine. Hell, I'm running Windows 7 with full Aero on this rig and it's running great, even with 2 gigs of RAM!
 
i'm assuming you're using 32bit, if you can still live your comp just add 1gig-2gig ram to max out the 32bit lol then change the hdd to sata it will probably only cost you 50dollars :) you can keep the ide for extra space
 
You can get it customized by certain sellers who actually build the computers. You can buy the parts off them for real cheap, and they just put everything together and send it to you. That's what I have done my past 2 computers now.

If you do get a new computer, I wouldn't recommend you buying through retailers. For the specs vs price, you can get way cheaper for the same hardware.
 
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lovefishball said:
i'm assuming you're using 32bit, if you can still live your comp just add 1gig-2gig ram to max out the 32bit lol then change the hdd to sata it will probably only cost you 50dollars :) you can keep the ide for extra space
Click to expand...

To upgrade to SATA requires a new bus and motherboard so there goes the CPU and RAM. Might was well go the whole nine yards and upgrade the entire computer. Also, get a discrete graphics card rather than using an integrated video solution, much better video performance even if you are not a gamer and as stated earlier the beefier your video card the large the power supply required.
 
Steezy said:
I'm a computer tech (so pretty much as "computer geek"y as they come)

Several recommendations:

1. Don't get an SSD right now, the tech is too new and there are issues with most of the SSDs on the market.

2. You don't need that much RAM.... especially not with the things you said you do with your computer. Get a decent video card instead.

3. Don't upgrade, redo your rig.

Also, I read one of the responses here saying Windows 7 is slow?? That's a load of bull, Windows 7 is plenty fast and you'll be glad you switched from XP once you get used to it.

My current computer is a Pentium D, 2 gigs of RAM, and an x1600 video card. sure all that stuff is way old and outdated, but it gets the job done just fine. Hell, I'm running Windows 7 with full Aero on this rig and it's running great, even with 2 gigs of RAM!
Click to expand...

lol... There's one that says AMD is the biggest mistake you'll ever make with building a PC.

Also a bunch of nonsense.

I also started building computers about 15 years ago and almost since the start AMD has been a very reputable brand.

Sorry if I sound like a dick, but anybody who says Windows 7 and AMD are piles of crap... Quite simply has absolutely no clue what they're talking about and I'd take their advice with a grain of salt.

It's like Apple vs. PC... Apple will cost you 2-3X more. But why? Nobody knows; I assume it's because they're shiny. But go build a computer on their website and explain to me how 2GB of DDR3 comes out to $150 just because they looked at it.
 
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