27 replies to this topic

[Tw33ks]

Hey guys!!

As we all know this is a community of gamers and one thing that comes with the territory of gaming is spending money on upgrades whether it's a new graphics card, a new controller or even a new TV..

So what is your next planned upgrade? It doesn't have to be something you are getting within the next week or month it could be something you want to get but will only get when you can afford it in 6 months to a year. So here you can talk about it and why you want it. Perhaps something you want may be owned by another member and they may suggest something better based on their experiences..

I'll start..  

I am currently in the middle of re-assessing just how good my PC is for gaming and also assessing where I believe games will be in a year or two and what hardware will be needed to run those games. I currently have a rather moderate to high spec system and I'm starting to see that it won't be rendering games to the standard I expect by the end of the year, so I am looking to make a massive overhaul. Including Case, Power Supply, Processor, Graphics Card and Monitor.

The parts I have in mind are as follows;

Case: Antec 1100 'Full Tower ATX' Case
Power Supply: OCZ ZX 850W Modular
Processor: AMD FX-8 8150 3.6Ghz
Graphics Card: Asus GTX 670 Direct CU II
Monitor: HANNS-G 27" 1080p Monitor

I feel that will be a pretty high end rig for a few years and possibly only the Graphics Card will need upgrading again in 2-3 years as the rest won't be surpassed for a while. Should be a good upgrade when it happens, hoping to be able to do much of it with my next pay cheque if not then in a few months.

So yeah hopefully there are a few replies with things other people want to buy, I think it will be quite interesting to see what people are wanting right now and possibly just how expensive their tastes are.

[Conzerban]

I love the computer and derping around on it, but I never really cared or needed to upgrade my computer. I have a ASUS which runs every single game just fine. I really don't need anything more. One time before my ASUS I had to purchase a better graphics card to run a certain game.

[FoolishlyEpic]

I think I will get a new graphic card, not sure which one though...

[jdsaint27]

I'm looking to get a new gaming computer... so, what are some recommendations?

[Tw33ks]

Conzerban, on 16 June 2012 - 02:52 PM, said:

I love the computer and derping around on it, but I never really cared or needed to upgrade my computer. I have a ASUS which runs every single game just fine. I really don't need anything more. One time before my ASUS I had to purchase a better graphics card to run a certain game.

Ah that's awesome. It's great that you have had to upgrade in the past so you know how to. I often come across people that aren't happy with their current set up but don't know how to upgrade the one or two things they need, so in the end buy a whole new computer which is not ideal lol.

FoolishlyEpic, on 16 June 2012 - 02:59 PM, said:

I think I will get a new graphic card, not sure which one though...

Oh cool. Do you know what graphics card you are currently using? I could possibly offer up a suggestion or two for possible upgrades.. Also how much would you be willing to spend if and when you do fancy an upgrade?

jdsaint27, on 16 June 2012 - 03:33 PM, said:

I'm looking to get a new gaming computer... so, what are some recommendations?

What is your budget? Budget is typically the first thing to get in the way with a gaming computer, on that topic though have you ever built a computer? I only ask as building one can save a fair bit of money.

So the questions I ask of you are;

- How much are you willing to spend?
- Have you any experience in building or a willingness to learn?
- What country do you live in?
- What games do you want to play on it?

Depending on your answers I will have a better understanding of what to suggest and in what form be it individual parts or links to some pre-built systems. Just to add once I have your answers I will try my best to do research either later today or tomorrow, but if I take a little longer I do apologise in advance.

[saadkillu555]

jdsaint27, on 16 June 2012 - 03:33 PM, said:

I'm looking to get a new gaming computer... so, what are some recommendations?

as far as i know alien ware is the best

[Tw33ks]

saadkillu555, on 16 June 2012 - 04:15 PM, said:

as far as i know alien ware is the best

While I would agree they are also very very expensive. Their labour charges for building it for you are $800 to $1000 making what would typically be an $800 build if you did it yourself close to $1600 or higher. Alienware is good if you can afford it and can't build your own or have no desire to learn, but there are possibly far cheaper alternatives from DELL, Acer and Asus but I do need to know his budget.

[Mutilatedpuppet]

Since I am in the Navy I have to stay mobile and ready to move at a moments notice so I do not have a desktop computer.  For the next 5 years at least I see myself using laptops as my main computer for all uses including gaming and video editing.  I currently have a Sony Vaio VPCF126FM laptop as seen here: http://www.google.co...ved=0CGoQ8wIwBA

I have been looking online for a top of the line laptop as a replacement, as mine has been having issues overheating (While playing Skyrim at medium settings every once in a while my comp will restart because of overheating) and I've been having weird usb problems randomly my usb ports will just lock up and stop working or give me a blue screen with the reason being usb bug code.  This is a major problem for me because I use my laptop as I would a desktop.  I have a 22 inch 3D Display that I use as my monitor and I have a wireless keyboard and a wired gaming mouse that I use at all times with the system.  I'm fed up with having these issues, not to mention the 600GB harddrive isn't very fast and isn't enough room for all my photos, music, and games.  Its also getting pretty old as it was released July 2010 (I bought it the same month/year it was released) with that GT 330M graphics card, newer games I have to run at low - medium graphics at best at a steady 30 FPS.  I've been saving up a good amount of money and have been looking at this new MSI gaming laptop as a replacement:  http://www.newegg.co...-MSI-_-34152345

I'm going back to the states on leave on July 2nd, and I'm torn between just ordering this laptop and having it shipped home so I can start transferring all my data as soon as I get home, or going around local stores back home and finding an equivalent or better laptop.

If anyone here can show me a laptop just as good or better for around the same price, that would be excellent.  The most I am willing to spend on a new laptop is $3000 but the specs really have to be worth it, I'm looking for something that will last me 2+ years that can handle today's most demanding games at high-ultra graphics settings with at least 60FPS or better.  I'm also thinking about getting into making some Lets Play's on youtube and want something that can handle fraps running and still have great performance in game at high resolutions (I currently play most games at slightly lower resolutions than 1920X1080 but want to have a system that can handle EVERYTHING at 1080P so I can get the most out of my monitor.)

The laptop I'm looking at buying shown above is pretty much right where I want my new system's specs to be.  At least 16GB RAM, at least 2.2GHZ i7 Processor and I don't want to go lower than NIVIDA GT 675M graphics card unless it has dual cards.

One last thing is I don't care about battery life, I always use my laptop plugged in, I never use it on the go very much, the only reason I'm sticking to laptops over desktops is when Its time for me to move to my next command, the less space I take up the better, I still live in bachelor housing, so I don't have much space to keep stuff, although when I move on to my next command, theres a good chance I will live off base in an apartment, but until then, I think I'll stick with laptops.

Anywho besides that, I'm planning on "upgrading" to a WiiU console as soon as it is released and getting rid of my Wii, and depending on how things go for the system, I might rid myself of my PS3 somewhere down the line as the only game I really play on it anymore is Mass Effect 3 for the multiplayer and if ME3 on WiiU is just as good or better than the PS3 version, I might just switch over

[kres0185]

My next upgrade is my desk lol. Should be coming in a few weeks.

After that, I'm going to wait for my PC to "die" out, then get a new one. Should last a couple of years.

[Tw33ks]

@Mutilatedpuppet, I used that MSI laptop last year at several gaming conventions, it had similar specs but with a worse graphics card, it was running a GT 570m I think it was and even that was running some pretty demanding games at some impressive visual settings. I think I will be hard pressed to find something better as I do believe you will have a very good laptop on your hands if you order that one.

Ah a Wii U.. I haven't seen much support for that system over the internet though I am not sure if Nintendo are just misunderstood or if it is merely a case of "you have to play it to understand what the screen in the controller really adds". I am looking forward to it, I may not buy one but I want to try it out for sure. You'll have to let us know what you think if you end up getting one, it'll be interesting to read an owners insight on the system.

kres0185, on 16 June 2012 - 04:33 PM, said:

My next upgrade is my desk lol. Should be coming in a few weeks.

After that, I'm going to wait for my PC to "die" out, then get a new one. Should last a couple of years.

Haha very nice. I actually forgot to mention in my post I'm after a desk as well. How much is the desk costing you? If you don't mind me asking. From looking around myself they can be rather pricey for what is literally a cut down tree on some form of supports lol.

[Mutilatedpuppet]

FatalHybrid, on 16 June 2012 - 04:47 PM, said:

@Mutilatedpuppet, I used that MSI laptop last year at several gaming conventions, it had similar specs but with a worse graphics card, it was running a GT 570m I think it was and even that was running some pretty demanding games at some impressive visual settings. I think I will be hard pressed to find something better as I do believe you will have a very good laptop on your hands if you order that one.

Ah a Wii U.. I haven't seen much support for that system over the internet though I am not sure if Nintendo are just misunderstood or if it is merely a case of "you have to play it to understand what the screen in the controller really adds". I am looking forward to it, I may not buy one but I want to try it out for sure. You'll have to let us know what you think if you end up getting one, it'll be interesting to read an owners insight on the system.

Thanks for the insight.  I've never had an MSI computer before, been using Sony computers since 2000 so I wasn't sure what to expect out of other brands, Sony just isn't producing high powered laptops compared to the other brands, but if you've used an MSI before, some model even, I think I might just stick the buying that one, thanks for the reply!

Also I've been a big Nintendo fan since the early days, started with a NES, then got a N64 and GCN and Wii as each system came out.  I was surely disappointed with the Wii, good 1st party games but the lack of HD and weak online is what made me get a XBOX360 and eventually PS3.  I don't have the same gaming habits as I used too, not as much time to put into many games as once so I only play one or two console a year for the most part but I'm a big die hard Star Fox, Zelda, Smash Bros, and Mario fan so its hard to keep me from owning a Nintendo system.  The selling point for me on the WiiU is the online capabilities which are finally on par and in some ways beyond what the current gen systems.  The whole online system where you can pause the game and chat with friends or look up info, compare scores, ect that the WiiU will feature is a really cool concept that I'm really interested in.  I'm less skeptical about the new controller, from what they showed off at E3 this year, it looks like it works well and will be a fun addition.

[jdsaint27]

FatalHybrid, on 16 June 2012 - 04:04 PM, said:

Ah that's awesome. It's great that you have had to upgrade in the past so you know how to. I often come across people that aren't happy with their current set up but don't know how to upgrade the one or two things they need, so in the end buy a whole new computer which is not ideal lol.



Oh cool. Do you know what graphics card you are currently using? I could possibly offer up a suggestion or two for possible upgrades.. Also how much would you be willing to spend if and when you do fancy an upgrade?



What is your budget? Budget is typically the first thing to get in the way with a gaming computer, on that topic though have you ever built a computer? I only ask as building one can save a fair bit of money.

So the questions I ask of you are;

- How much are you willing to spend?
- Have you any experience in building or a willingness to learn?
- What country do you live in?
- What games do you want to play on it?

Depending on your answers I will have a better understanding of what to suggest and in what form be it individual parts or links to some pre-built systems. Just to add once I have your answers I will try my best to do research either later today or tomorrow, but if I take a little longer I do apologise in advance.

My budget is around $1000-$1500
I guess I am willing to learn how to build a computer
I live in the US of A
I want to play FPSs like ArmA2, I also want to play games like Diablo 3 and others like Diablo...
Hope those answered your questions

[Tw33ks]

Mutilatedpuppet, on 16 June 2012 - 05:09 PM, said:

Thanks for the insight.  I've never had an MSI computer before, been using Sony computers since 2000 so I wasn't sure what to expect out of other brands, Sony just isn't producing high powered laptops compared to the other brands, but if you've used an MSI before, some model even, I think I might just stick the buying that one, thanks for the reply!

Also I've been a big Nintendo fan since the early days, started with a NES, then got a N64 and GCN and Wii as each system came out.  I was surely disappointed with the Wii, good 1st party games but the lack of HD and weak online is what made me get a XBOX360 and eventually PS3.  I don't have the same gaming habits as I used too, not as much time to put into many games as once so I only play one or two console a year for the most part but I'm a big die hard Star Fox, Zelda, Smash Bros, and Mario fan so its hard to keep me from owning a Nintendo system.  The selling point for me on the WiiU is the online capabilities which are finally on par and in some ways beyond what the current gen systems.  The whole online system where you can pause the game and chat with friends or look up info, compare scores, ect that the WiiU will feature is a really cool concept that I'm really interested in.  I'm less skeptical about the new controller, from what they showed off at E3 this year, it looks like it works well and will be a fun addition.

It's no problem at all if you manage to find something you believe is better and aren't quite sure just post the link here and I'll be sure to take a look at it, it is no problem at all.

Oh that's pretty cool. I have heard the same good things about the online and the fact it is now capable of playing the same games Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 can is a huge bonus. I have never been a huge Nintendo fan which may be why I'm slightly more sceptical about the system on the whole. I want it to be good, but the last Nintendo system I enjoyed was the Nintendo 64 and even that got neglected in favour of my Playstation.. The screen does look interesting and I'm liking the look of that 'ZombiU' game which is like a survival horror game which looks cool..

jdsaint27, on 16 June 2012 - 05:09 PM, said:

My budget is around $1000-$1500
I guess I am willing to learn how to build a computer
I live in the US of A
I want to play FPSs like ArmA2, I also want to play games like Diablo 3 and others like Diablo...
Hope those answered your questions

Thank you for the responses I will do some research later on and try to get back to you as soon as possible. As you said you are willing to learn look on google and youtube for "guides on building a computer".. I will be offering both pre-built systems I can find and individual parts for building so you can take your pick.

[Monko2k]

my next upgrade, will be a new computer

[Mutilatedpuppet]

Well, I decided to go ahead and get the MSI GT70.  After hitting the submit button It pained me to see that much money go, but It will be worth it in the long run I'm sure.

[rocklobster1985]

I will just upgrade my RAM, because I only have 6 GB at the moment. Everything else is fine. I have a Radeon HD 5450 video card, which is actually not for gaming, but games like skyrim and civ5 work surprisingly well (not with high-end graphics of course, but our first computer was an Amiga 1200, so I'm not too crazy about super-graphics : P as long as the game works and doesn't lag it's fine for me )

[Tw33ks]

Monko2k, on 16 June 2012 - 06:29 PM, said:

my next upgrade, will be a new computer

Oh nice!! Reading your other thread I'm sure you can't wait for that upgrade.

Mutilatedpuppet, on 17 June 2012 - 04:06 AM, said:

Well, I decided to go ahead and get the MSI GT70.  After hitting the submit button It pained me to see that much money go, but It will be worth it in the long run I'm sure.

It'll be worth it. I just read a review of the Acer Ultra M3 and the Alienware M14x laptops.. The Acer ships with a pretty mid-line Intel i5 and a GT 640m, that system runs pretty much everything maxed out at about 30FPS. The Alienware ships with a high end Intel i7 3720QM which is slightly better than the one in the MSI you just bought, but the graphics card is only a GT 650m and that was running many games maxed out at 60FPS. Judging by those laptops you MSI should smoke both of them as you have a good processor and a vastly better graphics card with the GT 675m than both..

rocklobster1985, on 17 June 2012 - 08:57 AM, said:

I will just upgrade my RAM, because I only have 6 GB at the moment. Everything else is fine. I have a Radeon HD 5450 video card, which is actually not for gaming, but games like skyrim and civ5 work surprisingly well (not with high-end graphics of course, but our first computer was an Amiga 1200, so I'm not too crazy about super-graphics : P as long as the game works and doesn't lag it's fine for me )

Oh cool. What you looking to upgrade to? 8Gb seems to be what all the gamers are heading towards.

[kres0185]

FatalHybrid, on 16 June 2012 - 04:47 PM, said:

Haha very nice. I actually forgot to mention in my post I'm after a desk as well. How much is the desk costing you? If you don't mind me asking. From looking around myself they can be rather pricey for what is literally a cut down tree on some form of supports lol.

Around $850. 2 desks, a curved one for the corner, and an extra to extend the length
Edit: My mom also decided to get 2 chairs for herself, which is why it's a bit more expensive

[Tw33ks]

kres0185, on 17 June 2012 - 12:57 PM, said:

Around $850. 2 desks, a curved one for the corner, and an extra to extend the length
Edit: My mom also decided to get 2 chairs for herself, which is why it's a bit more expensive

Ah nice, not too bad then seeing how much you are getting for the money. I need something similar to that and I actually never considered buying two desks and merging them. Thanks for the tip.

[noghiri]

!'m building a new system, an Asus 1155 mobo, a late-gen Celeron processor (to be upgraded to an i5 when I have the monies), an Asus GTX 560ti DirectCUII (birthday present ), 4GB of RAM, an a 500GB hard disk packed in a Cooler Master HAF 912.