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[archnemesis]

I care about being able to play games, not necessarily maxing out the graphics. Right now I have a nice $1500-2000 PC with an i7 CPU, 16 GB of memory, a spacious SSD, a mid-range GPU with triple fans (GeForce GTX 670, 4 GB). I can still play most games on high settings and once I can't do that anymore I can overclock both the CPU and the GPU before I give up on it.

When my current machine is 3-4 years old I'll replace it with a brand new one. I will either donate my old rig to someone else or repurpose it into a development machine.

 

[Durante]

Aren't their kits focused on 1080p/60?

DK2 is already 1080p75 (and more demanding than general 1080p75). CV1 is rumored to be 1440p90.

 

[KHlover]

My old PC had

ATI Radeon HD4850
Core2Duo E8500
4GB RAM

from 2008 - 2011. I got it from my father in 2010 when he upgraded. In 2011 I got across some free RAM and then had 8GB RAM.

Just this week I upgraded for the first time in five years (although I didn't technically own the PC from 2008-2010).

Gainward GTX770 Phantom 4GB
Intel Core i7-4790K
8GB RAM

Also had to buy a new mainboard (ASRock H97 Pro4) and a new PSU (BeQuiet whatever 580V).


So I personally spent about 800€ in the last 5 years (last week really), ~1500€ if I include what my dad paid when he initially bought the first PC.

 

[diggmcbadass]

I usually buy new hardware when there is something interesting coming out or if I find some aspect of my rig to be severely underpowered. I can live with mid range components as long as they aren't compromising my desire to play games at my monitor's native resolution at a reasonable frame rate. I also will not upgrade unless there is a pretty big jump in performance, which is why I still stick with i5 2500k and gtx680.

Other than that I recon that I buy more hardware than most people. Never replaced an entire PC though.

 

[Deepo]

 

[hepburn3d]

DK2 is already 1080p75 (and more demanding than general 1080p75). CV1 is rumored to be 1440p90.

1440p90! Yikes. I might be able to achieve immersive Pacman then

 

[Godan]

I just built my first pc this year around March time so will stay with this for two years then sell it on and build a new one. If I can make about £700 back which is about half of what I paid then I will be happy.

 

[Chance Hale]

1440p90! Yikes. I might be able to achieve immersive Pacman then

People keep begging for the first consumer kit but we aren't ready!

 

[Alex]

I buy a part when I need a part

If I need several parts then I buy a whole new thing

Old parts I deal out via ebay, amazon, etc.

Physically, I clean it out with some air and a soft bristle toothbrush for the thing on my water cooler every other week or so. It gets dusty in the area I live in.

Software wise, I run Malware Bytes and CCleaner once in awhile, I'm good about keeping my registry and bootup simple as for drivers and updates pretty much everything just auto updates nowadays.

Recommend this for dusting:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001J4ZOAW/?tag=neogaf0e-20

It is LOUD but it sure gets the job done. Way better than compressed air cans.

This seems promising, will read more into it tomorrow. Thanks for the link.

I care about being able to play games, not necessarily maxing out the graphics. Right now I have a nice $1500-2000 PC with an i7 CPU, 16 GB of memory, a spacious SSD, a mid-range GPU with triple fans (GeForce GTX 670, 4 GB). I can still play most games on high settings and once I can't do that anymore I can overclock both the CPU and the GPU before I give up on it.

When my current machine is 3-4 years old I'll replace it with a brand new one. I will either donate my old rig to someone else or repurpose it into a development machine.

If you're spending 1500-2000 on a PC, you should be maxing things out regardless of your viewpoint. That's a lot for a PC nowadays.

 

[The_Poet]

I was getting annoyed with all the dust that collects in mine so I taped up all the holes in my case

 

[Chainsawkitten]

I open it up and blow out the dust every so often.

 

[MrCunningham]

Not a good solution for squeaky fans. WD40 is a solvent and not a lubricant and can cause fans to cease up over time when it evaporates. It is much better to use sewing machine oil which is a very thin lubricant.

It is much better to use WD40 to clean off scuff marks, to be honest.

 

[archnemesis]

If you're spending 1500-2000 on a PC, you should be maxing things out regardless of your viewpoint. That's a lot for a PC nowadays.

Everything is more expensive in Sweden. A PS4 is $570, the $835 best value PC from the "I Need a New PC!" thread is likely 50% more expensive here. If you add some fans and double the SSD space then you will easily reach $1500 without getting any crazy performance out of it.

 

[Deepo]

Not a good solution for squeaky fans. WD40 is a solvent and not a lubricant and can cause fans to cease up over time when it evaporates. It is much better to use sewing machine oil which is a very thin lubricant.

It is much better to use WD40 to clean off scuff marks, to be honest.

It was an attempt at a bad joke to be honest. But interesting that you actually can use it for something computer related!

 

[Seanspeed]

I was getting annoyed with all the dust that collects in mine so I taped up all the holes in my case

If you just take the fans out, they'll stop sucking in a bunch of dust in the first place.

 

[Protocol7]

Personnally as soon as I don't reach the 60fps, so usually every four years (not really a rule) for the rig and my GCs every 3 to 4 generations (SLI FTW).

When I change the rig, I usually take the top tier (not the ridiculous really high priced one one though) I like to spoil my baby *^^*

I'm also slowly moving to a full watercooling system.

 

[ArmsOfSorrow]

I've just built my PC like half a year ago, haven't had the need to upgrade yet (although I could get some more hard drives, since one can never have enough storage space).

I don't plan to upgrade soon, though, not even during the next year. As long as games play at 60fps and look sufficiently good for me, everything's ok.

 

[MrCunningham]

It was an attempt at a bad joke to be honest. But interesting that you actually can use it for something computer related!

Oh I just had to say it because I knew someone who tried to fix a noisy fan on a video card with WD-40 and he ended up ceasing the fan altogether and had to get a Artic cooler for about $60 dollars.

 

[hooijdonk17]

I'm a cheapskate, I always go for what gives me a reasonable performance for the least buck.. Currently running an Athlon X4 640, 16GB RAM and a Radeon 7770. Does the job for me, since I usually cheap out on games also. All my games are at least 2 years old. Steam sales ahoy!

 

[bj00rn_]

1440p90! Yikes. I might be able to achieve immersive Pacman then

I get about 120-130 fps at maximum settings in Live for Speed with a 660Ti, it's not the best looker in the world but not too shabby:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeKjVWIbwzE

(That guy is not running Live for Speed at max settings BTW..)

So, shouldn't be too much work to get it running in 1440p @ 90Hz.. I'll upgrade for CV1 anyway..

 

[robin2]

I upgrade when something dies, otherwise I delay as long as I can (4~6 years now).

 

[Joseph Merrick]

I keep it running 24/7

 

[Durante]

I keep it running 24/7

I also do this.

For those with dust issues, the secret is positive air pressure + good dust filters on all intake fans.

 

[Madchad]

Take it out to the shed once in a while and hit it with my old mans air compressor

 

[CaptainFalafel]

I built my PC two years ago and the only thing I'm currently thinking of upgrading are my GPUs, and that is when the new generation of graphic cards are released.

My current rig for those who are interested:
CPU: Intel 3930k @ 4.5GHz
MB: Asus Rampage Extreme IV X79
GPU: 2x GTX680 2GB @ 1200MHz
RAM: 32GB @ 1866MHz
SSD: 2x Vertex 4 256GB (RAID 0)
HDD: 2x WD Green 2TB

Everything is water cooled with EK blocks and Alphacool rads.

 

[OmegaDL50]

I generally do a fresh build every 5 years or so and recycle minor parts that are still functional.

I built my current PC back in July of 2012, so it's got about 3 more years until I replace it.

Intel i5 3570k, G.Skill Sniper 1866 8GB DDR3, MSI Twin Frozr Radeon HD7950 3GB GDDR5, Rosewill Capstone 550w PSU, in a Rosewill Blackhawk case. (Just under $800 for all of this)

When I do my next PC in 2017/18 it's going likely emphasis on DDR4 Ram and Nvidia's 900 series GPU, and likely a Intel Broadwell or Skylake 8-Core CPU.

I generally build a new PC a few months or so after each new Elderscrolls release. I built a PC in 2007 for fully modded Oblivion, and my current 2012 PC for a fully modded Skyrim. So if my guesstimate being accurate, 2017 or 2018 seems about right for my next build.

I also do this.

For those with dust issues, the secret is positive air pressure + good dust filters on all intake fans.

Yup. I use a positive pressure fan configuration on my PC as well.

The front panel intake are filtered, and the side intake has a mesh cover filter.

 

[CybernatonEvolution]

I have gotten a gaming PC only a couple of months ago. I do plan on upgrading/exchanging my current equipment with new ones sometime next year; I doubt I will change the case for a while.

My gripe is the shipping prices and time; I import everything and that costs a fortune (especially that damn 30lb case).

I will most likely upgrade my graphics card (gtx 780). I would like to see +6GB V-RAM single cards (800 series).

 

[SMOK3Y]

I'd hate to think what I've spent 'upgrading' my PC in the last 3 or so yrs some good some I should not have bothered with & this is in AU so it has not been cheap all to basically use for racing games

 

[DSix]

I buy a new $200-250 GPU every two years. Anything else, I upgrade only when it becomes absolutely necessary.

This. Usually I upgrade the GPU once or twice, and after 4 to 6 years I change the entire computer.

 

[hepburn3d]

The front panel intake are filtered, and the side intake has a mesh cover filter.

I have this case I think and have the same filter on front. How the hell do you clean the filters??? Aside from heavy air blasting I can't get the damn dust out!

 

[hodgy100]

i have an i5 3570k and a r9-290 4gb. I'm expecting this build to last me quite a while

 

[Kyoufu]

I typically build a new PC every four or so years with my recent build being 12 months ago. I don't think I'm going to upgrade again for a long long time though because I just don't play anything technically demanding on the computer anymore.

Any new hardware purchases will now be limited to capture cards or monitors.

 

[OmegaDL50]

I have this case I think and have the same filter on front. How the hell do you clean the filters??? Aside from heavy air blasting I can't get the damn dust out!

I remove the front case panel and take it outside and use a Metro Vacuum ED500 on it to blow the dust out of it. Basically like you said, heavy air blasting more or less.

 

[Gumbie]

There are two types of PC gamer - those who spend all their time obsessing over the rig itself, and those who actually play games. Very occasionally, someone will be both of these things at once.

Upgrade when there is a tangible need - i.e. you can't play a game you want to, or you can't play it at a decent frame rate.

Truth.

Honestly I used to be like the OP and felt like I always needed to upgrade to the newest and greatest. As I got older though it became less and less of a priority and I realized I can still enjoy gaming without spending tons of money and worrying about having the best. Got a good deal on my current PC and plan on having it for a while.

-i7 3770K (OC to 4.5ghz)
-16GB ram
-780ti
-480GB SSD

 

[Fraktruck]

I just upgraded my video card and moved to an SSD this past weekend, as of now the only thing holding the rig back is a new chip/mobo...which I will likely pick up by this time next year.

This build started fresh about 2 years ago and ran well enough up till now, decided to use a bonus to upgrade.

Current setup:
i5-2500k
16gb DDR3
Samsung evo-800 250gb ssd
gigabyte GTX760 4gb vid card

upgraded from a pair of GTX560's but the ssd is the major upgrade, if you don't have one it is definitely worth it.

The upgrade gave me a good excuse to completely empty the case and clean everything out which was satisfying. Discovered I need to replace some case fans however.

 

[Ramza]

My setup:

Intel Core i7 2600k OC to 4.4 GHz
Cooler Master Hyper Evo 212 cooler
Sapphire AMD 7950 w/ Boost BIOS
ASUS P8Z77-V LX motherboard
16gb Corsair Dominator DDR3 1600
Corsair M500 SSD (boot drive)
Western Digital Black 1TB (Steam drive)
Western Digital Green 4TB (Storage drive)
Corsair Carbide 400r case

Love that case so much. Perfect cable management, great cooling, and nothing gaudy about it.

 

[FeiRR]

I buy new internals every 3-4 years when the old ones start showing problems. I choose my parts carefully: top quality and fastest CPU I can afford for reasonable money. I used to buy a GPU every 2 years but I don't care that much anymore.

 

[BPoole]

I spray the dust out of mine 3-4 times a year. Other than that I don't really do much

 

[Kazoo]

Thanks to Microcenter's verrrrry awesome warranties, I upgrade every 2 years. Just upgraded recently actually! I get the warranties and I get credit to get new stuff right as they are about to run out.

My rig:

i5-4690K OC'd to 4.2
Corsair H60 cooler
EVGA GTX 680 FTW LE (Waiting for the 800 series to upgrade)
Asus Maximus Gene VII
16GB Corsair Dominator Platinum 1866 MHz
Samsung 840 Evo 250GB SSD
500GB Seagate Barracuda
2TB Seagate Green Drive
NZXT H440 Case (this case is fucking awesome and silent)

 

[knitoe]

I spend way to much money on PC and console gaming. These days, on the PC side, I plan to upgrade less, highend GPU(s) one year and CPU / MB the next. It's the CPU / MB turn.

Current setup:
Intel 2600K@4.5GHz
16GB 1600MHz DDR3
SLI Titans
SoundBlaster X-FI Titanium Fatal1ty
2X Samsung 830 128GB (Raid 0)
2X Samsung 840 256GB (Raid 0)
2X Seagate 2TB (Raid 1)
Seagate 3TB

Parts incoming:
Intel 5930K
Asus X 99 Deluxe
Corsair LX 2666Mhz DDR4

As for cleaning, I rarely need to. Good filters work wonderfully.

 

[alstein]

I just get something new every 6-7 years or so when I need it. I don't bother maintaining/upgrading.

I don't do a lot of bleeding edge games though.

 

[UnrealEck]

I prefer to keep my PC within the realm of high (not max) settings at decent framerates (~50+).
I'm still using an i7 from something like 4 years ago. Same with the motherboard and memory. The graphics card I upgraded a year ago.

 

[Auto-Reply]

I never did maintain a certain level of hardware-potential.

I've bought exactly 2 desktop pc's in my entire life and I used the first pc for nearly 10 years, needless to say I did most of my gaming on consoles in it's later lifespan.

The new rig is from the end of last year and I wasn't planning on upgrading it anytime soon as it outperforms consoles multiple times already but VR Occulus Rift may force my hand next year, we will see.

I guess I'm not a hardware-updater in general, I'm not compfortable with the idea of buying new components every year or even every other year.

 

[Randam]

How did OP spend over 1000$ a year on hardware?

And his rig right now isn't even that impressive.

 

[molnizzle]

I came back to PC gaming less than a year ago and I've already replaced my CPU and GPU. In fairness, I underestimated how much I would be playing PC vs the current gen consoles (i.e. PS4/XBO).

Still, I'm waiting for the GTX 880 announcement for immediate pre-order, and I'll absolutely be replacing that once the 20nm chips finally come out next year. I'll probably buy a Broadwell i7 to replace my Haswell i5 too.

It's a habit I picked up after I switched to using Macs as my primary computers. I sell my old MacBook and buy a new one every year. Thanks to the resale value (and education discount) I only end up losing about $50-100. Totally worth it to have the freshest shit every year. The resale value for PC components isn't quite as good, but it's pretty close — especially for relatively high-end components that are less than a year old.

Best way to live, OP.

Recommend this for dusting:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001J4ZOAW/?tag=neogaf0e-20

It is LOUD but it sure gets the job done. Way better than compressed air cans.

I have one of these too. Great piece of kit.

 

[LogicStep]

I don't maintain it. I build it and build a new one when it becomes obsolete for my needs. I've had my PC for like 6 years now. Only switch things out every couple of years like the video card for example. I have a GTX 660 that I upgraded from a 560 because it broke. And I got an SSD because it was cheap and it was a quick and easy upgrade. I plan on getting a new build when I decide to get OR.

 

[jacobeid]

I built my PC last February and I'll probably upgrade my GPU in a year or so and put in an SDD.

Then after that it'll probably be a rebuild with a new mobo, CPU, GPU, etc.

 

[Dr Mayonnaise]

I generally upgrade every 3 years or when a major component dies. As for keeping it clean I take it apart every 4-6 months and blow out all the heat sinks/radiators, clean off the fans ect. And I replace thermal paste every 12 months

Current Rig
AMD FX 9370 @ 4.7
8GB of 1866 Ram
2 EVGA GTX 760s
CM 750W bronze certified PCU

 

[Randam]

I build a brand new pc last year.
First real gaming pc.

Will upgrade when u have to.

Have a 4770k and a stock 290.
The CPU should last a couple of years.
Can overclock too if I have to.

Gpu will be replaced as soon as it gets to weak.


But right now nothing is planned.

 

[Cuban Legend]

I buy a new $200-250 GPU every two years. Anything else, I upgrade only when it becomes absolutely necessary.

this advice is my creed.