How much would you spend on a new computer?

[Canis Lupus]

Yep, it's poll time once more! This time, we're taking a little stab at hardware...

So, how much are you willing to spend from your own money to buy a new computer system? Note that you can't use old components that you already have - everything has to be brand new ... either you're making a computer from scratch with new parts, or you're buying a brand new one pre-assembled.

Are you the improvisational cheapskate? Or are ya an extravagant wallet-masher? Poll away!


This poll was suggested by Kaneth ... if you have suggestions for a poll, post them here (http://www.opentechsupport.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4323)!

[redwench]

if my house burned down and i had to buy a brand new computer, id spend what it took to get what i wanted.

[Spider]

I'd spend over two-grand for the components I'd want. Definately.

[Chako]

Same here. Seeing that my recent upgrades (waiting for the parts) will cost me $945 tax included...and that is just for a MB, RAM, CPU, and Asus Ipanel toy.

[Nfested]

I'd spend around $1000 on a new comp. I always buy mine preassembled and $1000 is the standard for me.

[Null Actor]

IMO, it'd be pretty tough to spend over 2000$USD on a computer. If I were to sit down right now and price out a new machine, I could probably get a monster machine for less than 2000$ CDN. Add in a nice monitor, and I *might* get near 3000$ CDN (Which is about 2000$ USD).

[SKYHN]

Ill be building a new machine when the clawhammer comes out. Probably be spending more than $2000 on it cuz im gonna deck it out, most likely in the $3000+ range. An investment opportunity I took 2 years ago is really paying off and when I decide to take my money, it will be a big payday.

If I wasnt getting that money though, I would probably spend around $1300.

[Ion Silverbolt]

Personally I think the way technology increases, the best bet is on the 750$-1000$ mark. It may not be the fastest machine, but it will easily handle anything out there just fine and offer respectable performance.

As long as you have a setup that can be easily upgraded, there's no reason to ever spend 2000$ for a home PC. Time is your friend. And your wallets.

The only way I might ever spend that much on a PC again would be when LCD monitors improve enough for gaming. A 19" LCD is on my possibility list once the refresh rates get better.

I still probably won't get one. I'm going to switch to the X Box for most of my gaming while using the computer for the net.

[Bobaroo]

Well It all depends on what I want and what I need.

I am probably building a new computer soon and I will spend about $800.

I would love to spend more and get a P4 5.3ghz but I do not have that much money and I am not allowed to spend that much money on a computer.

[Swilo]

I's spend somewhere around 1000, probably 100-200 over though, so I voted 1k-1.5k
A really good machine is only 1000. Mine is good for at least another 3-4 years, and it cost me 1600 last august. Right now I doubt it's value would scratch 1000.
I'd be splurging on more HDD space for a new comp though.

[-EG-raynor]

comps are getting really cheap .. and i alrdy got alot of good compoents its just my process and mobo and such .. i could spend about 750-1000 get what i need such asa high processor huge HD and all of the nessasary stuff then just add the stuff i alrdy got and maybe buy a new vid card and some extra DDr ram

[Tweaker]

I would spend up to $2K for a system to get what I wanted. Cheaper to spend it now than later. ;)

[philmcneal]

um EXCUSE ME!!!!

is this canadain currency?

[redwench]

why would it be canadian currency? with 2 exceptions everyone thats posted lives in the US, including the person making the poll.

[-EG-raynor]

lol ... i dont think most of us know how much 2000 american dollars is in canadian ... atleast i dont :rolleyes:

[Swilo]

Like nova said, 2000US is about 3000CD, It hovers around a 1.5 conversion factor, usually.

[redwench]

anyway, id have a hard time coming in under 2k. 300 for a good monitor, 100 or so for a good large case, and 150 for a ups. havent even started on the internal components and im over 500 ;)

[Bobaroo]

Originally posted by Ion Silverbolt


The only way I might ever spend that much on a PC again would be when LCD monitors improve enough for gaming. A 19" LCD is on my possibility list once the refresh rates get better.


That is an very nice and very expensive monitor.

[Swilo]

UPS doesn't count, that's peripheral to more than just the computer. That's like saying you need to add in $20/month for 56k dial up, it doesn't get included as a necessity to run the computer.

[redwench]

personally, i consider the ups to be part of a new computer system, unless you already have one. a burner isnt a necessity either, but i think most if not all of us would include it. just as i would include speakers. i presume the question was for a computer from the ground up, which includes monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc. and in my case ups ;)

[Canis Lupus]

Hehe, I always considered a power strip or a surge protector an integral part of the PC, not a UPS...

[redwench]

a ups is a power strip and surge protector. it just also happens to be a battery :D

[Ion Silverbolt]

I wouldn't own a PC without a UPS. Mine has saved my ass dozens of times. Sure it's not likely to cause pemanant damage, but surviving a power outage is awsome. :)

[Canis Lupus]

Originally posted by redwench
it just also happens to be a battery :D The battery is what actually earns it the name "uninterruptible power supply" ;)

The same way a router is also a hub and a switch ... yet people still call it a router coz of the automation ;)

[Canis Lupus]

Anyway, as much as I would have wanted a UPS, I never really did buy one for personal use (mainly coz of the hefty price), but I never had a situation wherein I regretted not having it ... then again, I may have been extremely careful through the years - or extremely lucky ;)

[redwench]

well, probably because of where you live. we get a lot of power flickers, surges, and outages here because of weather. i hear my ups going off almost daily, even during good weather. the noise drives me nuts during ice storms :D
i cant keep a surge protector longer than 2 years before i have to buy a new one. i also happen to like the ups's lower clamping voltage and faster clamping time. makes it less likely that my comp is going to get fried. i consider it as necessary as a case fan for an overclocker :p

[Freak]

As much as possible

I don't care, I want the latest stuff if I have money to burn.

The last computer I got cost me US$2300 with the monitor.

[Rayneeday]

Hehe, we just got a new comp. Spent about $650 cause we have a friend who got some of it for wholesale, but it isnt exactly a great computer :) I could see myself spending about 1-1.5k easily though, and that doesnt include all the games I want of course!

[REVENGE]

1-1.5k for me. But then again, it all depends on the insurance money. Considering the computer they would be paying me for was an antique and would therefore be worth much, much more!


Laggy, go get a UPS! Regulating your power is always a good thing. You never know what type of spikes you are getting each day.

You can get one just for the PC (exclude monitor, speakers, printers) for about $60-90.

I have 3 in my office. One for the server, one for the hub, dsl and my monitor (it is the old server UPS) and then one for just my computer case.

You only have to have the power flicker once and kill your computer to make you realize you need one.

[EddieJ300]

Build your own and get more power for you money!

[The_Turks(ff7)]

id spend about 1-1.5 grand. maybe up to 2 grand but probably not. i would need like mega ram and stuff cuz this comp i have now kinda sux

[PhantomGamer]

i would spend $750-$1000