How long will this system last?

[Windows i7 920]

My desktop can run pretty much any game I want to throw at it, but how long might this last until I will have to buy a new machine? I can upgrade it up to 24 GB of RAM, and I have heard of P6T motherboards running Xeon Nehalem CPUs. Maybe it could take an 8 core? I know for sure it can take a 6 core. As for GPUs. I can run up to 4 ATI or Nvidia GPUs using two dual-GPU cards. This would also mean 4 GB of dedicated graphics memory. My desktop can also house up to 4 internal HDDs. How long do you think this system has as a gaming / high-performance machine?

 

[robbymcnob]

About 20 mins or a few years but much longer than mine

 

[linnemeyerhere]

It's already obsolete you need to start a new superbuild and give this outdated piece to me !

 

[robbymcnob]

yup i agree

 

[whs]

The problem you have is that all the leading edge hardware of today is outdated in a year from now. It is better to settle for something that is middle of the road (which was leading edge yesterday) and rebuild in a couple of years - again with middle of the road then (which was leading edge now). That is a more friendly approach for your pocket book.

 

[ken9122]

Computer hardware is obsolete even before it hits the shelves. So you be always be behind, but realistically you should be fine for several years baring equipment failure.

Ken

 

[smarteyeball]

My desktop can run pretty much any game I want to throw at it, but how long might this last until I will have to buy a new machine?

Several more years with key upgrades.

I can upgrade it up to 24 GB of RAM

Absolutely pointless. Even 12GB is mass overkill for the majority of 'normal tasks' - No benefit for gaming at all.

and I have heard of P6T motherboards running Xeon Nehalem CPUs. Maybe it could take an 8 core?

That would be BIOS dependant. But even a 6 core would net you quite a few more years easily.

This would also mean 4 GB of dedicated graphics memory.

Unfortunately it doesn't work that way. Dedicated graphics are limited to the max amount of an particular card, ie 1GB, 2GB or 4GB per individual card

It doesn't matter whether it's a single, dual, tri, quad setup. Basically, it's not accumulative. (4x1Gb cards does not equal 4GB total)

My desktop can also house up to 4 internal HDDs.

One or even two SSD's down the track with two fast large capacity HDD's will see you through.

 

[pparks1]

The problem you have is that all the leading edge hardware of today is outdated in a year from now. It is better to settle for something that is middle of the road (which was leading edge yesterday) and rebuild in a couple of years - again with middle of the road then (which was leading edge now). That is a more friendly approach for your pocket book.

I agree completely with this viewpoint and this is the way that I have approached new computers for the past 10 years or so. Even with state of the art motherboards and such....generally speaking....a new line of CPU's will come out and they almost always utilize a different socket type. So, you are usually then upgrading not only the CPU, but the motherboard....and then it's the RAM which has usually changed, etc.

I build a new machine every 18-36 months and just re-purpose my existing machine for something else in my house. Give it to the kids, make it a new server, turn it into a Linux box, whatever.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

This is why I believe the smartest long term move is to invest in the best case and a great PSU. These things won't need upgrading near as often if at all and the rest is just the current fad which will out date in short order!