How do you know that the computer you are buying is "worth it"?

Yeah. I hear a lot about people who want future-proof PCs, but I'm not sure they exist in the context people want them to. I will say, however, that there very safe ways you can go. A quad-core processor can handle any gaming. Although Intel has processors that put those to shame with their i-series, my AMD II X4 635 @ 3.1GHz is a beast. I think anything nVidia 400/500 series and up and is pretty safe for future-proofing. I have a GTX 460 and there's not a game out there I can't handle. For RAM, 4GB seems enough for me. Going to 6 or 8 certainly wouldn't hurt, but if you're only worried about gaming, 4GB is plenty, since a good GPU is going to have at least 1GB on its own. HDD size is really irrelevant. You're looking for speed here. Throw in a 1TB just for storage purposes, but set up a 250gb if you want gaming. This type of hardware wouldn't need to be updated as long as you kept it clean and cool. The best part about great hardware is that it works with any OS Windows tries to trow at you (I don't know how Mac operates). So if 7 becomes obsolete, I can keep my current hardware and just upgrade my OS. But other than that, just make sure you keep an updated BIOS, clean and cool hardware, and anything mid-sized will smoke any game. Also check for GPU updates regularly. My 460 runs even better almost 2 years later, thanks to new nVidia driver releases. It clocks faster and I can play on higher settings without artifacts. I laugh at the hardcore gamers when they stack 2 GTX 580s on top of one another with 12GB of RAM and special Raptor hard drives with overclocked i7 processors. What's the point? It's a waste of money. Quality hardware is all you need. It doesn't have to be the most powerful. I think of gaming PCs like I think of cars. While some Fast and Furious fan might want to add nitrous and a huge aftermarket motor and 102 things to improve fuel injection, etc, I don't want any of that. I'll take the 454 Chevelle SS, thank you very much, and I'll rear end your piece of crap clown car.

The only way you would be able to get a computer with those kinds of specs that will last you 10 years would have to be home made.. meaning bulit it yourself.. and even them you will still have to improve certain hardware and upgrade software.. With a lot of the games that are coming out the graphics are becoming more precise and new Sound cards/graphic cards are needed... Unfornatuley the computers that are on the shelves at the stores become old the moment they hit.. there is always something better and or more effiency coming out... It will be hard for quite awhile to really get ahead of the game....

I would talk to the popular gaming stores in your community and see what they reccomend. Not one but several. Talk to people who have computers that do handle the games they are getting. I think ten years is a bit of a stretch. I like to replace mine every 3-5 years to be sure I am up to date on new technology. I have owened three Dell laptops and they have been great products. I once worked for HP and you know what computers they used? Not HP but Dell. Good luck in finding what you are looking for and keeping it for that long.

You know, in the nearly 11 years that I've been with my husband, I have never actually bought a computer. The reason that I've not bought a computer is because of the fact that my husband loves to tinker with computers and has custom built both my desktop that I use on a daily basis and his desktop that he and the children regularly use. What is important to us is the brand of the motherboard, the processors, the ram and also the internal hard drive. I will tell you that I also do have two external hard drives attached to my computer for additional storage.

Don't you look at the budget? Wow...you must be prepared to pay a premium for the specs that you want. It may be cheaper to go for lower specs, and change once in a few years than to buy a super computer and hope it last for 10 years.

I'm not really a gamer but I have an AMD Radeon, I know it's for gamers, according to the technician who assembled my desktop, this can last for several hours without heating - maybe 17 hours straight. I believe computers can last for several years and it depends on how we use it or handle it. A good anti virus is a good investment also, to maintain the good health, we need also to take good care not only the things inside, software but also those hardwares. Thanks

I see that you have mentioned the processor, RAM and hard drive, which are often considered the main and most important components of the system. Personally I am primarily concerned about the motherboard because this is a very important part of any computer. In order to maintain an up to date system it is necessary to upgrade components from time to time. However, what components your computer is capable of supporting depends solely on the motherboard. The processor socket will decide what processor may be added and the DIMM sockets will govern what type and how much RAM you can add. It also helps to have several expansion slots on the motherboard for installing graphics and audio cards etcetera. Choosing a computer with a good processor and decent amount of RAM simply provides a decent system at the moment, whereas choosing one with a good motherboard ensures that you will be able to upgrade it as your demand increases.

In my experience, a computer needs to prove itself. You will pay more for higher tech, more capabilities, and an expensive brand. There is always the matter of your expertise before purchase, how much you are willing to spend, and your opinion. I had a bargain brand for 6 years, and I was pleased with my purchase. Gaming and high memory use activities will take a computer that allows for those activities to be performed successfully. Get informed and make your choice an educated one.

The first new computer I ever had was hand built according to my specifications. It gave me a good 6 years of service. I had windows 98, then upgraded to windows 2000. As the computer programs got larger and required not only more space but also more processing speed, etc., I had to replace it. My computer could not handle all the upgrades from Win2000 and other programs that are necessary, such as the anti-virus software, adobe and whatever else was being upgraded and new and improved. Unfortunately, my friend, what you are asking for is virtually impossible as things are changing so rapidly with the software. Hardware has to be able to keep up with the changes, and I think they meet rather briefly on the road to compatibility and smooth operation.

I'm much like you. I think on similar lines as you. For me the most important factors in descending order are:- 1. Screen size and quality (for laptops nothing less than 15.6" will do and 17" for desktops) 2. Processor (the latest the better) 3. Graphics card (be it nVidia or ATI, 1GB dedicated graphics is needed) 4. RAM (4GB is a good number. The reason I keep RAM at the 5th position is because it can be added on at anytime and costs negligible) 5. HDD (hard disks are very cheap these days. So putting in a big disk is not a problem. The more the space, the more convenient to use) 6. Mouse (if one is really into gaming, you can't go without a proper gaming mouse. Logitech provides a wide range of it. I prefer wired mice though. I had a wireless one. Didn't lasted long and gulps down a lot of battery) The above will be the criteria that I'll check before I can say that the computer one is buying is worth it. Good day!

Best thing to know the true worth of your computer is to build it yourself or if you don't know how to build it, let someone built it for you. Right from there you can choose the best hardware best suited for your budget. Computer to last for 10 years will definitely depend on your usage but for your computer to handle future advances in gaming is a loser bet... It's a reality right now that a top notch computer hardware as of today will be Jurassic for just a few years. Happy computing!

Most buyers usually have that in their list and that will be enough maybe you can consider the brand in buying a computer since a lot of brand coming out from the market. Happy mylotting!