What proportion of your cash do you spend on Hardware?

HangTime

HangTime

HangTime

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Just curious really as to how much of a 'habit' this upgrading lark is for fellow forumites. Quite often I will read posts from people talking about how they need to sell stuff to fund an upgrade, or are waiting for their student loan to come through, or until payday before buying a new shiny thing as their overdraft is maxed out or whatever.

So then, what are your spending habits like?

-Regularly put yourself into debt to get the latest kit?
-Any spare cash you have each month goes on an upgrade?
-You like to treat yourself every now and then but overall are saving money
-You spend maybe 25% max of spare cash on your PC
-Your hardware spending is so small in comparison to your income/savings that you barely even notice it
-Something else

Just trying to get a feel really for what the trend is here (given that most of us are enthusiasts to one degree or other). If you like you could include other 'gadget' spending as well like ipods, phones etc.
 
errr guess mine would be
-spend nothing, unless told to buy own birthday/xmas pressie
...but hey, im a student moneys not exactly flowing.
 
I dont upgrade often, but when i do it's usually all my money at once :p Then i have to work out how to survive until the following month.
 
I'm not too bad these days just spending a couple of £200 a year to keep my system ticking over. I used to change it ALL the time just upgrading piece by piece and buying 2nd hand stuff on the for sale board but I think what has largely put me off is all this activation nonsense with modern operating systems. back in 2000 I probably changed motherboards about 4 times a year. I've not changed the motherboard I have now for 2 maybe 3 years!!!
 
Less than 25% generally - though sometimes needs determine what I buy. I really need an external backup drive so I'll probably be getting one soon..
 
The only things I have bought since last years upgrade to my C2D system are 3 x 120mm fans and a new DVD-RW drive, So i've spent about £35.

I've thought about getting an 8800 GTX but my games play fine so I see no need. Although I think there must be some sort of subliminal messages on these forums as I always have the urge to buy one for the sake of having the latest card and to have something new to play with.

I've thought about getting the Auzentech Prelude and some new speakers but I would again just be buying for the sake of buying really as my 5 years old(I think) M-audio Revolution 7.1 and Inspire 5300' do the job for games really(sensaura). I know i'm missing out on EAX but the drivers are so much better than Creative bloated suite. For better sound quality i've heard that the X-Meridian is the dog danglies but be honest guys is it really worth it if you mainly play games on your PC and listen to music on your Hi-Fi?
 
Bought my pc ages ago, in the first 2 weeks i got a new graphics card and ram. Since then for a christmas present i had a 7600gt, and for my birthday i got an X-fi. I only get them as i like boyish presents still for my birthday/christmas... especially if theres some easy and quick assembly involved (sense of accomplishment :D)

My wages.... well with my wages i bought 2 case fans and a braided floppy cable in the past 2 years :eek:
 
I reckon I probably spend at least £300/month on kit, but I'm a 40 year old with a decent income. It's my hobby, and I don't smoke, drink very little etc. etc. I certainly wouldn't go into debt anymore to get something. Been there, done that, just about kept the house;)

I also recycle massively through Member's Market. I generally get about 75% of what I spend back, so the true actual spend is more like £75/month.
 
Usually a major upgrade every 12 to 24 months to keep up with current games but this years been different from norm. Have spent about 1K this year and still plan to buy either a 22" panel this month or a 24" next month decisions, must be the turning 40 thing this year:D
 
"Your hardware spending is so small in comparison to your income/savings that you barely even notice it"

I upgrade once a year, and even then i dont splurge.
Last year i upgraded to an AM2 X2 3800 PCI-E and DDR 2, This year I've had to buy a new case, new GC, Motherboard, C2D 6750 and a new DVD drive.
Its less than £500 a year any how.
 
I buy to keep up to date with games, trends/replace old stuff.

-Had to get a bigger monitor, better gfx card and a faster cpu this year.
-I've changed my phone 3 times in the past 6 months.

I think its the love of brand spanking new gadgets tbh
 
I tend to buy value for money items, rather than top of the line stuff, so it feels like I'm not spending that much. Probably one big upgrade a year (CPU one year with mobo + Ram probably, GFX card the next year) with bits and bobs through out the year (chunk of RAM, quiet fans, aftermarket GFX cooler). So probably about £400 to £500 a year max.

Not counting my laptop this year :p
 
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