how long do new computers last

[Spawn-Inc]

i want to build a really good and overclockable computer but i want to know how long will it last in terms of newer and better technology coming along.
i built a full water cooled computer all from www.ncix.com which would run me 4,138.05 (CDN). yes i know i am dreaming but i would buy things over time. anyway here are specs

XFX GeForce 8800 Gts 500MHZ 320MB 1.6GHZ GDDR3 PCI-E Dual DVI-I HDTV HDCP DIRECTX10 Video Card $380.04 x 2 $760.08

Thermaltake Armor VA8003SWA Silver ATX 11X5.25 6X3.5INT No PS W/ Window And 25CM Fan $228.68

ASUS DRW-1814BLT Black SATA DVD+RW 18X8X18 DVD-RW 18X6X18 DL 8X Lightscribe Retail Box $60.63

ASUS DRW-1612BL DVD+RW 16X8X16X DVD-RW 16X6X16 DL 8X IDE 2MB Black Lightscribe Burner W/ SW Retail $54.83

Logitech G15 Gaming Keyboard USB Black Silver LCD Panel Programmable Backlit Keys $89.25

OCZ Flex XLC PC2-9200 2GB 2X1GB DDR2-1150 CL5-5-5-18 240PIN DIMM Dual Channel Memory Kit *IR-$33* $617.65

ASUS Striker Extreme Nforce 680I SLI LGA775 Conroe ATX DDR2 3PCI-E16 PCI SATA RAID Sound Motherboard $433.28

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Dual Core Processor LGA775 Conroe 2.40GHZ 1066FSB 4MB Retail $399.99

OCZ GameXStream 850W ATX12V 24PIN SLI Ready Active PFC ATX Power Supply 120MM Fans $215.82

Logitech G7 Laser 2.4GHZ Cordless Mouse USB 2000 DPI Black Green W/ LI-ION Battery $91.84

Danger Den TDX 775 CPU Waterblock Lucite Top for LGA775 Mounting Hardware Included 1/2IN Barbs $57.96

Danger Den Koosah Full Coverage Video Card Waterblock with Backplate 7800/7900 1/2IN Barbs *IR-$6* $112.72 x 2 $225.44

Danger Den D-5 12V Water Cooling Pump with Mounting Bracket 1/2OD Barbs $83.30 x 2 $166.60

HW Labs Black Ice GT Xtreme 480 Quadruple 120MM Water Cooling Radiator Black 1/2IN Barbs $171.57

Danger Den Single Bay Reservoir 5.25IN 1/2IN Barbs $38.70

Thermaltake BigWater UV Sensitive Coolant 500CC for Liquid Cooling System $29.25

Noctua NF-S12-800 120MM Ultra Quiet Cooling Fan 800RPM 59M3/H 8DBA Molex 4-PACK $74.99

how long would this computer last before you need to upgrade? i am assuming you guys have full time jobs with kids and a wife. how much do you spend on computers and how much time do you get to use them? also will all that fit in the case? (i ask becuase of the 4x 120mm rad) not that it as anything to do with how long it will last technogolically but for the water cooling would setting it up this way be good?

http://inlinethumb32.webshots.com/415/2093732100100511463S600x600Q85.jpg

(link if u can't read it)
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2093732100100511463ASiCSd

also how do you leak test a water system? as for overclocking would it be safe to overclock the cpu to 3.50ghz ?

[Zephik]

Hmmm, I think having two feeds into that radiator would be a bad thing. Wouldn't it cause a build up of negative pressure? As far as I know, that would result in something popping and coolant being sprayed all over your rig.

If you are looking at getting a dual pump setup, I would get a quad feed reservoir (two in's, two out's), two 120mm radiators (maybe two 240mm rads), basically two of everything. Which would result in running to separate kits off of the same reservoir.

[Spawn-Inc]

ya i was thinking something along those lines too. what i mostly want to find out is how long is that going to be usable until you need another upgrade i personally would think at least 5 years.

[simon275]

Either you have one large loop or two separate loops you can't run a mixed system.

Getting back to your original question. No one knows how long their expensive box could be still top of the line.

New procs will come out over time. Also new graphics cards come out every year. My rule of thumb is if you spend big you will get 3-4 years before you will feel that your system is dated. Over time you may have to turn off in game effects and use lower resolutions in computer games. This is of course if you buy now but if you are constantly building you should be fine for a long time.

Only time will tell.

[Zephik]

I have a good piece of advice for yah!

Get what you want now and be forever happy that you got what you wanted at the time you wanted it. Even when all of your friends are laughing at how lame your "system" is a month later.

;)

[b4i7]

heh...kinda reminds me of a friend...

he spent 3000 USD building a system the best he could at the time

then 3 days after his video cards came in...the 7900's came out....so we joked with him...tellin him his system was old and he should give it to one of us

with how stuff is coming out now....instead of aiming to have the bst system...you should shoot more for building the best for your needs....and making something that is upgradeable

[Ironcat]

By the time you buy the parts, assemble the parts, load all your software and update your drivers... there will be newer and better technology, newer and better parts, newer and better software, and newer and better drivers.

You will NEVER beat the game at it's own game.

Build a computer that does what you want it to do, and does what you think you'll want it to do tomorrow. That's all you can do.

When you drive a car off of the lot, it depreciates...
When you first power on your computer, it's outdated...

Do what you can for the now and worry about tomorrow when tomorrow comes.

[Spawn-Inc]

whats a good program to monitor VGA temp?

[xRyokenx]

When you drive a car off of the lot, it depreciates...
When you first power on your computer, it's outdated...


The thing is, they don't come out with roads that require better cars, it's actually the other way around. :)

nVidia's program for that (NVMonitor or something) is good for that. I don't think it has a system tray icon though...