Saving money is not always saving money...

smoothjk

New Member
One thing I've learned with my PC upgrading is that even if it costs a little more, it's better to do it right the first time.

For instance:

- When faced with the choice between a 550W Antec PSU and a 650W, I figured I'd save about $20 and get the lower power one. I was coming from a 300W stock unit, so it seemed like a generous upgrade. Now, I'm wishing I had the 650W PSU so that I wouldn't have to worry about getting another PSU when I upgrade my CPU and GPU (eventually, two 4850s or 4870s in Crossfire).

- When I first bought my GPU a while back, I had it narrowed down to a 8800GT and a 9600GT. I was like, "Hmmm..the 9600GT is cheaper and it's higher in model number!" Now, I know how popular the 8800GT is and wish I got that instead.

I'm not advocating buying the top-of-the-line components all the time either...they tend to be overpriced for what you get (and how fast tech advances)...but cheaper is not always smarter. :D Just recently, I was debating whether to get the 4830 instead of the 4850, but I believe this would be a similar trap. The 4850 is only about $30 more, and power consumption is about the same. It's clearly a better choice IMHO.
 
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Tell me about it, When I build my current comp I first bought an Athlon 64 for $50.. days later I realized if I wouldve saved a bit more money I couldve gotten an X2
 
One thing I've learned with my PC upgrading is that even if it costs a little more, it's better to do it right the first time.

For instance:

- When faced with the choice between a 550W Antec PSU and a 650W, I figured I'd save about $20 and get the lower power one. I was coming from a 300W stock unit, so it seemed like a generous upgrade. Now, I'm wishing I had the 650W PSU so that I wouldn't have to worry about getting another PSU when I upgrade my CPU and GPU (eventually, two 4850s or 4870s in Crossfire).

- When I first bought my GPU a while back, I had it narrowed down to a 8800GT and a 9600GT. I was like, "Hmmm..the 9600GT is cheaper and it's higher in model number!" Now, I know how popular the 8800GT is and wish I got that instead.

I'm not advocating buying the top-of-the-line components all the time either...they tend to be overpriced for what you get (and how fast tech advances)...but cheaper is not always smarter. :D Just recently, I was debating whether to get the 4830 instead of the 4850, but I believe this would be a similar trap. The 4850 is only about $30 more, and power consumption is about the same. It's clearly a better choice IMHO.


It's not a cheap hobby, and you got to have commonsense.

Also..Just because it's a higher model number, doesn't mean it's better.
And the 8800GT and the 9800GT are practically identical.
 
Yeah that sure does happen, im thinking the same about my PSU.

I was also regretting not getting ati but I heard it gets hot really fast.
 
Yeah, I can feel you about the PSU thing. I wish I had sprung for a little higher power/quality, but, believe it or not, the one I have is an upgrade from what I was looking at.
 
Yeah, i've given up getting the cheapest thing around. it's like that with more then just computers. i dont buy the cheapest to save money, i buy what i think is the best.

Let me edit that:i buy what is the best that is still in my price range:P
 
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