Milestones worth waiting for when upgrading or buying new PC?

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petes117

371 posts

Ultimate Geek

#101278 27-Apr-2012 21:09

Hi fellow geekyzoners,

I'm thinking of buying a new PC in a couple of months' time, what milestones are worth waiting for?

I know of a few potential examples to get the ball rolling: the new Ivy Bridge cpus, Nvidia's Kepler graphics tech and Windows 8...
Any of those worth waiting for? When will they be available here? Are they worth getting or is it better to wait so they drive prices of the previous gen down? Anyone tried gaming or using 3DsMax on Windows 8 yet?

Back when I was a Mac man, I used this page as an excellent guide with the Apple product cycles: http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/
Is there anything similar for PCs?

I use my PC for 3D modeling, rendering and gaming so I pretty much need top of the line or near enough gear.

While I probably could build my own, I really can't be bothered with that hassle if it only saves <$100, so I was thinking maybe Playtech...?

Thanks!

aionwannabe

147 posts

Master Geek

#617963 1-May-2012 15:09

Ivybridge, not unless they release a new revision which fixes the temperatures.
Kepler midrange cards definitely they seem to be a real performance increase by the example the 680 has hit. I think these will be out around june but don't quote me on that.
Windows 8 is a nope for me, unless there are significant modification that can be made to the UI cause I love the task manager :P
I tend to google the products release dates when ever my bank account is feeling surplus.

Playtech or computer lounge. If you're feeling real picky go to pricespy.co.nz and price out the individual parts, but that's only effective if you know the terms and specs your looking for and you can deal with the risk of multiple E-tailers.

petes117

371 posts

Ultimate Geek

#618107 1-May-2012 21:43

Thanks aionwannabe!

I hadn't heard of the temp problems with Ivy Bridge, best to wait a few months for them to sort this out right?

So far the only thing I know about Windows 8 is it will be using that awful awful metro design. Surely that will be optional and most other features will be improved on?

mattwnz

20141 posts

Uber Geek

#618117 1-May-2012 22:05

gurthang117: Thanks aionwannabe!

I hadn't heard of the temp problems with Ivy Bridge, best to wait a few months for them to sort this out right?

So far the only thing I know about Windows 8 is it will be using that awful awful metro design. Surely that will be optional and most other features will be improved on?

I don't really think there is anything much that is worth holding out for. I think Windows 8 is definitely worth waiting for...but only if you are using it on a tablet. I found it terrible and painful to use on a PC, and went back to window 7. I think windows 7 will be around for a long time as I don't think businesses are going to go for 8.

Lykho

253 posts

Ultimate Geek

#618313 2-May-2012 12:51

aionwannabe:
Playtech or computer lounge. If you're feeling real picky go to pricespy.co.nz and price out the individual parts, but that's only effective if you know the terms and specs your looking for and you can deal with the risk of multiple E-tailers.

I know nothing of Playtech, but bought my last PC from Computer Lounge. they spec'd me a build on their build forum, no obligations/hassles/etc. -- so, you can always ask them for an assist like that and then use the specs they suggest to compare prices everywhere.

mattwnz

20141 posts

Uber Geek

#618336 2-May-2012 13:19

Lykho:
aionwannabe:
Playtech or computer lounge. If you're feeling real picky go to pricespy.co.nz and price out the individual parts, but that's only effective if you know the terms and specs your looking for and you can deal with the risk of multiple E-tailers.

I know nothing of Playtech, but bought my last PC from Computer Lounge. they spec'd me a build on their build forum, no obligations/hassles/etc. -- so, you can always ask them for an assist like that and then use the specs they suggest to compare prices everywhere.

It's pretty easy to build your own too, and save a bit, plus it is quite fun and satisfying building one. That way you are also not restricted by the limited range of cases they may have. Also what is with all the real ugly cases around.

Lykho

253 posts

Ultimate Geek

#618365 2-May-2012 14:22

mattwnz:
It's pretty easy to build your own too, and save a bit, plus it is quite fun and satisfying building one. That way you are also not restricted by the limited range of cases they may have.

definitely depends on the person.
I just plugged in my USB 3.0 PCI-e card last night ...the instructions only mentioned the 4-pin power plug as an afterthought rather than in the installation guide (luckily I'd already seen this part in a YouTube video lol), and it took me long enough just mucking about with what cord should be out of the way where (HD audio and PCI-e were a tight fit on this mobo) and worrying about damaging anything. very glad I paid someone on TradeMe to throw together the components I ordered from CL :)

mattwnz:
Also what is with all the real ugly cases around.

I wonder the opposite...what's with all the pretty lights lately? ...nothing annoys me more than little lights and logos everywhere ... I like everything that I can ignore to be inconspicuous. admittedly the neon stuff can look 'cool', but it seems like it would be annoying (imagine putting x-mas lights around your plasma screen).