Computer hardware prices are ridiculous!

  • Thread starter svtsnake
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svtsnake

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Ok, im not as computer savy as some of you but i know enough to say some prices are just way over the fricken top.
ive been planning on building a system for 2 years now, and recently decided to check out how much CPU and VIDEO CARD prices were.
WOW, if you wanted to get to the cream of the crop (closer to heaven gaming wise/multi tasking apps) you'd have to spend $$$$$. I knew Alienware or any of those gaming computers were expensive too, but building your own should be cheaper, looking at the prices now its probably the same price.
how can any young adult (25 and younger) making 30k or less afford these?
i thinks its insane, to run a top running computer you would have to shell out at least 500 bucks on 1 video card, now theres this SLI deal, if u wanted a top of the line SLI running computer you;d have to have 2 of those $500 cards.
then theres the CPUs, running the top of the line CPUS (AMD) you'd need another $500. then everything else:
1 gig of ram (at least $100-cheapest)
Power supply (at least $75 to run SLI)
MOBO (at least $150)
case ($65-$200)
sata150/scsi (at least $110)
good size LCD monitor (at least $350)
dvd rom, a drive, everything else ($200 & up)

i know i wouldnt really need the top of the line of everything, but everything is far and between from what i would like to get plus, i want to invest on something longer lasting then 4 years.
ive had this puter for 5 years and ive been wanting a new one since. but since the prices are so over the top, i think ill just save my money and spend it on a car.

somebody tell me prices will drop so i dont waste my money on something that is $500 now and $300 in less than a year. i did some numbers and i can finally afford a decent puter running with an amd64 3500 and its within reach, but i wanted to go big on graphics looks like ill just be waiting. :ouch:
 
i read some where by 2007 most computers will be running dual processors, ahaha looks like the computer i plan to get is already obsolete.
so once again ill be behind the curve.
 
It's a fact of life, a $2K computer will be out of date in about 2-3 years...if you want to be playing cutting edge games. If you are happy with gaming circa 1995, then you can get a system damn cheap.
 
i know it seems like im whining, but some people dont have alot of money to spend, especially when they are on there own.
a couple years ago, i would be like "yea right im not going to buy an f'n $300 vid car".
now its double that and that was only a couple years ago.
 
svtsnake
i know it seems like im whining, but some people dont have alot of money to spend, especially when they are on there own.
a couple years ago, i would be like "yea right im not going to buy an f'n $300 vid car".
now its double that and that was only a couple years ago.
Click to expand...
Well, the Radeon 9800Pro came out like 3 years ago for $400. I bought it a year ago for $200. Now it's $140. It's an exponential relationship between time and money.
 
You could spend around £2500 (roughly $4800) on a pc here in UK and for that you'd get all the gubbins:

Newest CPU available, 2 x SLi cards, 2 gig RAM, 500G HDD, 19" LCD etc. etc.

But why would you want spend that much? Everyone knows that buying top of the range is suicide. You will spend £££ more than you need to.

So? You can compromise. Look at getting a 64 bit 3500 AMD (or 3.5Ghz Pentium), SLi motherboard, a gig of RAM, 1 SLi graphics card, 150G HDD, and a 19" CRT. That should run almost any new game at medium/high settings and I reckon you can buy that for £550 - £600 (which is the same price as the latest AMD CPU!). And then when you get more money you can add more RAM, whack in another graphics card and add another HDD if required.

If you really want 2 SLi cards now, don't buy two of the latest! Get two of last years cards. They'll be very similar but probably £100 less.
 
The bleeding edge of technology has always been outlandishly pricey. It's the cost you pay to have the best of the best - these ultra high end parts are typically limited runs or stocks are kept low for the sole reason that they won't sell as much as the mid-range. The companies have to charge an arm and a leg in order to actually make money on these things.
 
If you want something that last 4 years or more for gaming, get a console. If you really need a computer, then get a simple, cheap computer AND a console.
 
Just a small piece of advice:
Don't get a 3500+ processor, the 3700 san diego is faster and has a cache that is twice the size, get the 3700 if you are looking for middle of the range, get the 4800+ of FX55 if you want top of the range, the FX57 is still too pricey for the small performance gain over the FX55
 
ok ill definately look into that. thanks! :D
anybody know of any good websites that do tests on CPUs and Vid cards? either in combos or seperate tests?
and specifically what magazine should i subscribe to if i wanted some monthly information/tests/reviews on PC products?



**edit**
if i get an SLI capable card lets say 7800GT, and finally had the money to get another card to actually do SLI, does it have to be the same exact 7800GT?
or can i get a any SLI capable card?
im currently lookin at the:
EVGA 7800GT Link
and later on adding EVGA 6800 to do SLI: Link

thanks for the help everyone :dopey:
 
svtsnake
ok ill definately look into that. thanks! :D
anybody know of any good websites that do tests on CPUs and Vid cards? either in combos or seperate tests?
and specifically what magazine should i subscribe to if i wanted some monthly information/tests/reviews on PC products?



**edit**
if i get an SLI capable card lets say 7800GT, and finally had the money to get another card to actually do SLI, does it have to be the same exact 7800GT?
or can i get a any SLI capable card?
im currently lookin at the:
EVGA 7800GT Link
and later on adding EVGA 6800 to do SLI: Link

thanks for the help everyone :dopey:
Click to expand...


For reviews I use xbitlabs.com and anandtech.com

Yes, you have to get the same exact card. Last time I heard they were working on it, so you don't need exactly the same one (company, architecture,etc.)
 
svtsnake
ok ill definately look into that. thanks! :D
anybody know of any good websites that do tests on CPUs and Vid cards? either in combos or seperate tests?
and specifically what magazine should i subscribe to if i wanted some monthly information/tests/reviews on PC products?



**edit**
if i get an SLI capable card lets say 7800GT, and finally had the money to get another card to actually do SLI, does it have to be the same exact 7800GT?
or can i get a any SLI capable card?
im currently lookin at the:
EVGA 7800GT Link
and later on adding EVGA 6800 to do SLI: Link

thanks for the help everyone :dopey:
Click to expand...

Generally If you google the card/processor that you're looking at, loads of review sites will show up. Most seem pretty reliable, since they are pretty consistent across the board. Just read a bunch of them to get the general idea of how good something is.

As of now, you need to have two of the SAME cards made by the EXACT same manufacturer (EVGA with EVGA, BFG with BFG, etc.). They are suppose to have a driver release soon though that will let you mix and match manufacturers, but you'll still need the same card (6800 Ultra with 6800 Ultra, but you can't do like 7800 GT with 6800 Ultra).
 

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