Upgrade now or later?

Hey everyone,

My six year old computer with just a few upgrades over the years is simply outdated.  I'm looking to buy a new system to last for another few years - gaming included.  I may end up going dell (I do not wish to build my own system for a number of reasons and I can get discounts on dell). 

I'm having trouble deciding when I should be upgrading (keep in mind I am not moving to vista until it is stable and more mainstream). I know its never possible to future-proof, but with vista/dx10 technology on the horizon, I feel like things are a bit different.  I don't want to invest a lot of $ in a dx9 system now only to be forced to have to buy the new OS and a dx10 video card in just a year or two to take advantage of what games have to offer.

I guess I'm just wondering when dx10 gaming will be the norm (if thats even possible to know)?  If having dx10 won't be absolutely necessary for another three years, I may as well buy now.  If I'll regret having a dx9 system after a year, however, then I will just wait.

 When I buy, my budget will likely be between $2-2.5k on the high end, including monitor (and I don't want to have to spend any more money on it for awhile).  I've been searching for advice for some time now, so any tips would be fantastic.  Thanks so much!  

Here ya go! Hope I didn't leave anything out. 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811129017

 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16822148157

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16829102005

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817341002

 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820227191

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813131073

http://www.newegg.com/product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814130072

 http://www.newegg.com/product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819115003

oh yeah and the monitor:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824116076 

Here ya go! Hope I didn't leave anything out.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811129017

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16822148157

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16829102005

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817341002

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820227191

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813131073

http://www.newegg.com/product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814130072

http://www.newegg.com/product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819115003

 

_SKatEDiRt_

[QUOTE="_SKatEDiRt_"]

Here ya go! Hope I didn't leave anything out.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811129017

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16822148157

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16829102005

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817341002

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820227191

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813131073

http://www.newegg.com/product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814130072

http://www.newegg.com/product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819115003

 

supergamer1289

thank you 

Some better components for better prices.

$160 WD RE2 500gb

$125 Corsair HX620w

$165 SuperTalent 2x1gb DDR2 800 4-4-3-8

$200 DFI LP UT ICFX3200-T2R/G

BTW- if this is your first build, I would suggest you don't go with the P180.

Also if you are planning on getting an 8800GTX, pick up a Dell 2407wfp for $630. 

Honestly, if I were you, I would wait until the summer. By then, the core 2 duo price drops will have come, as will the mid range directX 10 cards. Get vista. I hate to say it, but even if it is buggy now, it's an investment. Buying XP, when you know you will need to buy vista soon, seems kind of dumb. (If you do have xp allready then probably no worries, just buy it when you want.)

You definitely want to buy a core 2 duo and a directX10 card if you want to make your pc last long.

Also, you have my condolences for using a pc that old :-S.