Author: Russell Reagan
Date: 21:22:41 06/22/02
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My advice is to not buy another computer until there is some reason to. For example, if you had your own chess program and you wanted it to participate in CCT5 (whenever it is), that might be a reason to upgrade. I am currently running a PIII 733 MHz machine which I've had for 2 years now. I keep thinking I want to get a new computer, but there isn't much that my current computer won't do that I need it to do. I have a long time until my own chess program will be strong enough to the point where extra processing power would do it some good. The main reason I bought this computer was so that I could play the newer 3D games. At the time I had a 233 MHz Pentium, and it wasn't cutting it anymore on the newer games. If there isn't a legitimate reason to upgrade, or a good deal you come across, I'd say hold out for something better. In other words, is there anything you'd like to do that you can't currently do on your 1GHz machine? I don't think wanting to run Fritz faster is a very good reason. It's still going to beat you. Unless you have your own program and are entering it in competitions, or you are running a server (which you already said you aren't), or you are doing things that take serious cpu time (rendering, compiling maybe), then I'd hold out until your machine can't cut it. Doubling your cpu speed means what? Maybe an extra ply of search? Unless you're competing, that's not a big deal. In my pondering over whether or not to buy a new machine, it has always come back to asking myself if I would feel 100% satisfied with my decision. 2 years ago I spent $1800 for this machine, got the best graphics card at the time (geforce 2), a good monitor, and even though I was spending most of my money (I had just graduated high school) I was satisfied with my purchase, and I have gotten my money's worth out of this machine. I have recently looked at Macs, dual cpu machines, 64-bit machines, and single cpu machines, and there isn't really anything that makes me think, "I would LOVE to have that!". 2 years ago, I thought, "I have got to have a geforce 2 graphics card!" because it made the games I played look so much better (and I in turn became a better player since I didn't have to play with low frame rates and low resolutions). Currently, my opinion is that it would be nice to have a new faster machine, or a dual cpu machine, but that's about it. I would always look back and wonder if I made the right choice. If you're not sure, hold out until you are. Judging from your post, you're not sure, so hold out for something you just can't live without. Waiting is always a good thing. Prices come down and you can get better machines for cheaper. 64-bit machines are still expensive for the most part, and are still developing. Dual machines are nice, but they too are more expensive. A faster single cpu machine would be nice, but you probably won't run a 2GHz machine and say "WOW! This is lightning fast compared to my 1GHz!". Going from 233 to 733 was more of a "wow!" experience. In short, I think you should wait, but the bottom line is do whatever you will be happy with, and don't get a system you will have any regrets about. If you just have to get something new, I'd recommend a decent dual system. Maybe dual Athlon's at 1.4-1.6GHz. They seem to be the best deal about now. I guess you could probably get a decent machine like that for $1500-2000, depending on how much you want to invest in graphics card, sound card, and other "extras". Russell
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