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Thread ID: 145972	2018-03-20 08:03:00	The desktop upgrade myth	Digby (677)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1447522	2018-03-20 08:03:00	I always used to think that having a desktop you built yourself would mean that you could upgrade in stages. But really I don't think that is possible or practical, aside from increasing the RAM (if you can get it) It usually comes down to the fact that you need a faster CPU and motherboard and then the latest standard of RAM to match them. So you are up for at least $600. And that's without a graphics card! What do you think?	Digby (677)
1447523	2018-03-20 08:13:00	I tend to agree, but pre built systems are never specced right for me either way. One exception is the Video card, you can generally upgrade that at least once in the life of a desktop PC. Every time I've decided to upgrade I ended up building a new PC and selling or re purposing the old one. $600 doesn't even start the upgrade for me :) looking at more like $1500 - $3k Actually the way RAM prices are right now I am considering keeping my RAM for the next upgrade, surprisingly even though it's 3 years old in a few months it's still relatively current (16GB DDR4 2400)	dugimodo (138)
1447524	2018-03-20 17:08:00	Actually the way RAM prices are right now I am considering keeping my RAM for the next upgrade, surprisingly even though it's 3 years old in a few months it's still relatively current (16GB DDR4 2400) I have two machines that I built and they are basically 3 and 6 years old. I am planning to upgrade one or both of them soon. Funnily enough the Ram I am looking at getting is 16GB DDR4 2400 I am not a gamer, just MS Office, browsing and watching videos.	Digby (677)
1447525	2018-03-20 18:40:00	I've always done the CPU, motherboard and RAM together, but other components are upgraded as required. It's definitely not a myth.	pcuser42 (130)
1447526	2018-03-20 19:38:00	I always used to think that having a desktop you built yourself would mean that you could upgrade in stages. Yes, you can. However motherboard, CPU and RAM are generally an all at once thing. Not upgrading amount of ram, but by the time you change CPU, you need another board and therefore the newer ram type. Even so, it's still far cheaper than tossing your entire machine. I've done this since 1998. PSUs last ages.....so long as you start with a decent wattage . Now by last I mean as far as necessity to change it, not hardware failures. Optical drives ditto. In fact they are now not used much at all so why bother. HDDs, likewise. Son had 3, this time round I swapped one out for an SSD but his others being TB, no need until they die. Cases: if you like it, then you don't need to. KBs, Mice, likewise. Graphics cards, well if not gaming same. This is the thing I would change the most when I did game a lot. usually every 2nd year.	piroska (17583)
1447527	2018-03-20 23:04:00	Unless your CPU is a ridiculously low spec single core, CPU (only) upgrades were just a waste of money anyway. And often no longer available after some years. By the time you want to upgrade, you'd want to replace pretty much everything: RAM CPU MB SSD-HD Operating system : keeping only the case :) May as well just replace the whole PC (for the average home/business user) SSD upgrade : thats worth doing . If your PC is a low spec POS, better to just replace it. Of course , its different for Techies, gamers & tinkerers.	1101 (13337)
1447528	2018-03-20 23:28:00	I buy the best but whenever I upgrade the tech has always moved on to a different socket or whatever. Future-proofing for upgrades is impossible.	DeSade (984)
1447529	2018-03-20 23:53:00	In comparison to any other type of computer (laptop, AIO, brand name SFF PC) then yes, a desktop is very upgradable. But as you've said, you often need to upgrade components in groups, as standards change.	wratterus (105)
1447530	2018-03-21 00:14:00	Also when you start with the top end parts there's not much chance of an upgrade. My 6700K was the fastest CPU the motherboard could take when I built it and it almost still is today. OK I could get a 7700K but I'd never notice the difference.	dugimodo (138)
1447531	2018-03-21 03:00:00	Some great answers Yes SSD's are great. I just have Windows 10 and Office on mine ( and a few other things) All my "data" is on a D drive.	Digby (677)
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