Upgraded Lately?
Monday, April 21, 2003 by Frogboy | Discussion: WinCustomize News
Am I the only one who's not upgraded their computer recently? In the good old days(TM) it seems like computer junkies like myself were upgrading their computers at least every year, if not more often. Now I sit with my P3-1Ghz machine and a old ThinkPad T20 laptop.
I think I'm going to upgrade my laptop this year to the new IBM Thinkpad T40 which has a 7 hour battery life. But it's still weird to go this long without upgrading. Anyone else finding themselves in the same situation?
I think I'm going to upgrade my laptop this year to the new IBM Thinkpad T40 which has a 7 hour battery life. But it's still weird to go this long without upgrading. Anyone else finding themselves in the same situation?
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Tech Cat
Reply #2 Monday, April 21, 2003 1:59 PM
Reply #2 Monday, April 21, 2003 1:59 PM
I used the same computer for 3 years, but I added more hardware and software to it as I wanted to do more things the computer was not originally capable of. I recently purchased a new machine since I wanted a faster processor, and I wanted to be able to view DVDs. I added a DVD drive and new video card to my old computer, and it could not play every DVD without problems.
Phoon
Reply #3 Monday, April 21, 2003 2:58 PM
Reply #3 Monday, April 21, 2003 2:58 PM
At work, I have a P4-1.7Ghz w/512 Ram. At home, I am still using a P3-800 (overclocked of course 
) and frankly, I don't notice an astounding difference. Not enough to really make me want to upgrade yet. My P3 runs the business apps just fine, and so far, all my games play great as well. I may however upgrade soon just so I can use a state of the art video card which would require a different AGP slot... time will tell.
) and frankly, I don't notice an astounding difference. Not enough to really make me want to upgrade yet. My P3 runs the business apps just fine, and so far, all my games play great as well. I may however upgrade soon just so I can use a state of the art video card which would require a different AGP slot... time will tell.
dagwinn
Reply #4 Monday, April 21, 2003 4:42 PM
Reply #4 Monday, April 21, 2003 4:42 PM
I had a PC from 1995 to 2000 that I was constantly upgrading (processor, memory, hard drive, OS). I had to do it to keep it from being a snail. But my current desktop and laptop are both PIII machines made in 2000. The only upgrade I've felt the need to do to them is hard drives and Windows XP.
I think that for the average user, we've reached a plateau where the desktop computer is able to keep up with our speed of thinking. Most people, myself included, just don't need a faster machine. What we've got now is completely adequate for our needs. Because even though PC's get faster, we don't.
Not that I wouldn't like to upgrade, but it really isn't necessary for a comfortable experience. Heck, I sold my old PC to a friend. It's now 8 years old and still works just fine for him.
I think that for the average user, we've reached a plateau where the desktop computer is able to keep up with our speed of thinking. Most people, myself included, just don't need a faster machine. What we've got now is completely adequate for our needs. Because even though PC's get faster, we don't.
Not that I wouldn't like to upgrade, but it really isn't necessary for a comfortable experience. Heck, I sold my old PC to a friend. It's now 8 years old and still works just fine for him.
GhoS
Reply #5 Monday, April 21, 2003 4:51 PM
Reply #5 Monday, April 21, 2003 4:51 PM
I'm finally upgrading now after 3 yrs with the same machine, and that's mainly so my kids can get my old computer. Even though its only an AMD 
-2 500 mhz, its performed wonderful for what I need to do. It certainly hasn't become obselete like used to happen with PC's.
Although I have bumped the memory up and added a 3D video card since I purchased it. I think I would have got rid of it sooner though if it wasn't for XP. XP revitalized my computer. It turned it from a crash every other day, reboot a day PC to an always on, almost never crash able to run more Stardock products PC
-2 500 mhz, its performed wonderful for what I need to do. It certainly hasn't become obselete like used to happen with PC's.Although I have bumped the memory up and added a 3D video card since I purchased it. I think I would have got rid of it sooner though if it wasn't for XP. XP revitalized my computer. It turned it from a crash every other day, reboot a day PC to an always on, almost never crash able to run more Stardock products PC
mr.bo
Reply #6 Monday, April 21, 2003 5:44 PM
Reply #6 Monday, April 21, 2003 5:44 PM
I think that a lot of what made us unsatisfied with our old PCs was exactly the stuff that GhoS is talking about. When your PC crashes all the time, and needs to be rebooted everyday, it makes you feel like you need a new one, but once things begin running smoothly (usually with the introduction of Win2k, or XP) you just have an overall feeling that you have a good computer. Programs work the way they are supposed to, and you aren't always blue screening (that always made me feel like there was something inherantly wrong with my computer (instead of my OS))
I'll bet if you polled users that still run Win9X, most of them would still be pretty close to an upgrade. (although I'll probably only get responses from loayal Win9X users that love their PCs now that I've mentioned this.)
I'll bet if you polled users that still run Win9X, most of them would still be pretty close to an upgrade. (although I'll probably only get responses from loayal Win9X users that love their PCs now that I've mentioned this.)
SparkelingSilver2010
Reply #7 Monday, April 21, 2003 8:29 PM
Reply #7 Monday, April 21, 2003 8:29 PM
Well, I dont know about upgrading every year. I dont have the money to upgrade every year.
I have updated every two or three years. I upgraded to XP and I agree my computer runs like it is supposed to and I am happy with mine. But hey you can give me some money to upgrade .. ..j/k
I have updated every two or three years. I upgraded to XP and I agree my computer runs like it is supposed to and I am happy with mine. But hey you can give me some money to upgrade .. ..j/k
Scotty Anryugyo
Reply #8 Monday, April 21, 2003 8:52 PM
Reply #8 Monday, April 21, 2003 8:52 PM
I was an upgrade junky for the past decade, but I've been in an upgrade drought for the last year. A rule of thumb I've used in the past was when processor speeds doubled my current system I was due an upgrade. At first this seemed to happen every few months, however it seems to have slowed due to the physics involved in producing a processor that breaks the current top speeds. My pocket book seems to be grateful, but I still feel the mental itch to pop open the case and tinker. I have added more fans and cool cathode light kits (even a lighted fan!), but that just doesn't seem to take care of the jones's. I think an upgrade is in the near future
Snapperhead
Reply #9 Tuesday, April 22, 2003 12:26 AM
Reply #9 Tuesday, April 22, 2003 12:26 AM
I agree with Scotty. If the upgrade does not produce a very noticable difference in performance and your system hasn't crapped out since XP was installed, what's the point. Just a few short years ago, technology improvements created huge gaps in performance, and since the hardware really wasn't fast enough to run the software properly, it was necessary to upgrade - as fast as humanly possible. It seems though that in today's market, the performance gaps have been dramatically reduced which decreases the need to spend more money just to keep up.
I built a machine back in 2000 that I still use now - the only things that I have purchased have been another stick of RAM to help smooth out XPs rough edges, and a 'last year's' video card because it was cheap. When my system can no longer run my software, I'll upgrade.....unless that 3Ghz happens to go on sale.....
I built a machine back in 2000 that I still use now - the only things that I have purchased have been another stick of RAM to help smooth out XPs rough edges, and a 'last year's' video card because it was cheap. When my system can no longer run my software, I'll upgrade.....unless that 3Ghz happens to go on sale.....
craeonics
Reply #10 Tuesday, April 22, 2003 4:00 AM
Reply #10 Tuesday, April 22, 2003 4:00 AM
Ahum, I still use my p75. Only upgraded the drive and video card, but that was years ago.
Gollums
Reply #11 Tuesday, April 22, 2003 8:47 AM
Reply #11 Tuesday, April 22, 2003 8:47 AM
Usually I only upgrade when something new (software wise) comes out that I have to have better performance-wise. Does that say something about the software lately? I got as much RAM as I could afford at the time, and the best video card at the time (TI-4600) and haven't upgraded since. WindowsXP works with my AthlonXP 1500, and 756 Mb of RAM, UT2k3 plays fine, and the Object Desktop suite works fine, so why upgrade? I keep thinking about getting a new motherboard (sorry MAIN-board now), but instead just opted for a cool new case with bubble-lights and blue cool cathode lights and fans.
So I have to agree with the majority here, when something catches my eye that requires a better system, I'll upgrade.
So I have to agree with the majority here, when something catches my eye that requires a better system, I'll upgrade.
Randahl
Reply #12 Tuesday, April 22, 2003 8:56 AM
Reply #12 Tuesday, April 22, 2003 8:56 AM
Yeah, I have to agree with the majority myself. I built my own PC last year and have had to do some repair works (upgrade OS, more RAM) but overall I'm very happy with it! I have to run two OS' now so the kids (and wife) can still play their games; but since I partitioned the drive I have been extremely happy! Especially since I can't lose any of my work again, like I did when I was sharing with the Kids!
Especially since I can't lose any of my work again, like I did when I was sharing with the Kids!
Mordalo
Reply #13 Tuesday, April 22, 2003 10:22 AM
Reply #13 Tuesday, April 22, 2003 10:22 AM
I've been upgrading components piece by piece. Just added a new GeForce4 video card in the main computer, and I got a ATI All-in-Wonder 8500DV for my second machine so I could hook it up to my 27" console TV.
But I've been thinking about replacing my CPU and motherboard (P3-733), but I don't want to reinvest in new RAM (I've got 1.25GB of older PC-133 DIMMs in the system, and don't want to go buy more). I'd love to move to a P4, tho...
Maybe this summer.
But I've been thinking about replacing my CPU and motherboard (P3-733), but I don't want to reinvest in new RAM (I've got 1.25GB of older PC-133 DIMMs in the system, and don't want to go buy more). I'd love to move to a P4, tho...
Maybe this summer.
cjorli
Reply #14 Tuesday, April 22, 2003 10:29 AM
Reply #14 Tuesday, April 22, 2003 10:29 AM
I usually only upgrade when a new game comes out that revolutionizes gaming and therefor needs more power. My upgrades go something like this:
Jediknight (P 300; 3GB HD 12MB video)
==> CS Mod for Halflife (P3 600; 20GB HD 32MB Riva TNT2)
==> Jediknight II (ASUS A7V266 AMD 1GHz; 20GB HD; Geforce2 GTS 64MB; 512GB DDR)
==> Medal of Honr/Battlefield 1942 (ASUS A7N8X; AMD 2600+; 80GB HD; Gaiward geforce4 TI4200 128MB; 1GB DDR).
My CS upgrade lasted me about two years and I suspect is will be a while (such was the case for CS) before I feel a game deserves an upgrade out of me.
To satisfy my upgrading lusts, I just mod my case (which is pretty sweet now!).
Jediknight (P 300; 3GB HD 12MB video)
==> CS Mod for Halflife (P3 600; 20GB HD 32MB Riva TNT2)
==> Jediknight II (ASUS A7V266 AMD 1GHz; 20GB HD; Geforce2 GTS 64MB; 512GB DDR)
==> Medal of Honr/Battlefield 1942 (ASUS A7N8X; AMD 2600+; 80GB HD; Gaiward geforce4 TI4200 128MB; 1GB DDR).
My CS upgrade lasted me about two years and I suspect is will be a while (such was the case for CS) before I feel a game deserves an upgrade out of me.
To satisfy my upgrading lusts, I just mod my case (which is pretty sweet now!).
dfouts
Reply #15 Tuesday, April 22, 2003 11:02 AM
Reply #15 Tuesday, April 22, 2003 11:02 AM
I've been building my own systems for years and upgrading OS's and components as desired. But THEN I got a new Dell laptop and the damn thing does everything my tower did and I can carry it anywhere I need.
Now is the first time I've seen affordable laptops that can replace desktop systems. Fast, dual monitors, DVD, etc. This geek is geeked!
Now is the first time I've seen affordable laptops that can replace desktop systems. Fast, dual monitors, DVD, etc. This geek is geeked!
Dark-Star
Reply #16 Tuesday, April 22, 2003 11:38 AM
Reply #16 Tuesday, April 22, 2003 11:38 AM
I just built a new system as well:
AthlonXP 2500+ (Barton @ 1.83GHz, 333MHz FSB)
512MB PC2700 DDR 333MHz
Asus A7N8X Deluxe
IEEE-1394
3Com 3C520-TX
Nvidia NIC
WinTV Tuner
56K Modem
3 x IBM Deskstar 7200RPM 60GB's - 2 in RAID, 1 for storage
1 x Maxtor 7200RPM 30GB's - boot drive
16X Pioneer DVD Slot drive
SiliconImage SATA RAID 1/0
AthlonXP 2500+ (Barton @ 1.83GHz, 333MHz FSB)
512MB PC2700 DDR 333MHz
Asus A7N8X Deluxe
IEEE-1394
3Com 3C520-TX
Nvidia NIC
WinTV Tuner
56K Modem
3 x IBM Deskstar 7200RPM 60GB's - 2 in RAID, 1 for storage
1 x Maxtor 7200RPM 30GB's - boot drive
16X Pioneer DVD Slot drive
SiliconImage SATA RAID 1/0
TaoX
Reply #18 Tuesday, April 22, 2003 4:49 PM
Reply #18 Tuesday, April 22, 2003 4:49 PM
I use to update/upgrade alot, but computers are so fast now, I don't feel the need, still running a P3 @ 866MHz 512MB Ram etc etc.. I don't see myself upgrading anytime soon. As long as I'm satisfied with the speed, I'll just keep upgrading the OS etc. I never thought the time would come after having had 5 computer over the last 7 years, that I would be running this one for 2 years(I think), and still satisfied.
Aqua.
Reply #19 Tuesday, April 22, 2003 6:56 PM
Reply #19 Tuesday, April 22, 2003 6:56 PM
I'm using an old Celeron 700 based computer. (I bought it for $800, the very next day I went to the store, they had slashed prices, and pIII 1ghz machines were selling for $600 GRRRRRRR) Of course, about the only thing that's still as originally made is the motherboard and CPU.
Only in the past few months have large numbers of programs started to require a more powerful CPU than I have to run smoothly.
The only reason I haven't replaced it is a small matter of being laid off.
Only in the past few months have large numbers of programs started to require a more powerful CPU than I have to run smoothly.
The only reason I haven't replaced it is a small matter of being laid off.
Chef Garry
Reply #20 Wednesday, April 23, 2003 10:20 AM
Reply #20 Wednesday, April 23, 2003 10:20 AM
I've got the same system that GhoS handed off to his kids. For surfing, my kid's homework, Email and instant messaging it works just fine. Mind you, it's the switch to XP that keeps it sane.
We don't do any serious gaming so faster isn't an issue here.
We don't do any serious gaming so faster isn't an issue here.
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Reply #1 Monday, April 21, 2003 1:00 PM
Gigabyte SINXP/1394 mobo
2.6GHz P4
512MB Corsair Dual Channel DDR333 RAM
3x40GB hard drives in RAID 0 array
TDK 48/40/12 CDROM
ATI 9700 Radeon Pro
Coolermaster ATC220 case
Cool blue cathode lights (IMNSHO the best bit