How long do you use your computer until you replace it?

[plentonimus]

I was wondering how long on average most people use their computer before they replace it with a new one.

My small research revealed:

According to a recent survey that research firm Gartner conducted with 177 large businesses, the average life span of a desktop PC is 43 months, and only 36 months for mobile PCs. More than a third of respondents said the main reason for replacement of PCs is to improve user productivity, while more than a quarter cited escalating support costs with older machines. More than 20% said new software requirements led to the need for new computing systems.

Source: The PC Replacement Decision -- PC Replacement Cycles -- InformationWeek (http://www.informationweek.com/news/hardware/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=164900387)

Based upon experience with the continuing changes and improvements in desktop computing capabilities, it is recommended that a three to four year replacement cycle will create an adequate platform to support standard business applications.

Source: IT Services: Computer Replacement Recommendations (http://www.stanford.edu/services/ess/adminapps/recommended.html)
It appears that the replacement cycle is approximately the same for Apple products.


How long do you use your computer until you replace it and how long do you keep them around?

My replacement cycle: 4-5 years
usually I keep 'em for 6-7 years

[Kuno]

until my pc lags by playing the newest game on very low.
Then I upgrade it again.

[Doppelboom]

after 2 years, then i upgrade it

[GotIt]

Well for my last 2, it's been 3 years a piece, and they both sucked. This one is slightly better, but I already want a new one after 6 months.

[saebrtooth]

when the capacitors start to leak then I say, "hmm maybe its time to start looking for another computer" :eek3:

[renzokuken]

lol i d upgrade my computer every 6 months if i had enough dough :tongue: which is rarely on me so i just hold on to my computer until it totally gets on my nerves when playin out the newest games.. held on to a pentium 3 for 6 years once..yeah i know its outrageous :biggrin:

[Blocker]

when the capacitors start to leak then I say, "hmm maybe its time to start looking for another computer" :eek3:

I agree ,When your computer is damaged could be the best time for a replacement :tongue:

[pekamp]

My current one is about 1,5 years old - and still good enough to play any game on 1920x1200. I am going to upgrade it, when nvidia is selling dx11 cards for under 400€, dont want ati anymore. The one I used before my current one lasted about 5 years, until the GK cooler became very noisy and as games developed, I had to change. The new one had a cool case, looked like a BMW, it had additional country beam lights :D. Too bad the light switch was beside the reset button, hehe.

The PCs more than 5 years ago... hm, I dont even remember, which one I had back than^^. 486 dx2 66mhz, lol. That was one of them, just too long ago to remember... Just one thing I am sure of... it lasted longer than the average 2-year life span.

Hard to find an average, as the speed of development changes, and so the possibilities to upgrade.

[sbiuser1]

I will upgrade only "if i have cash and my current computer is uanble to play latest FPS games".

[Nobody]

Typically 4-5 years. When I buy, I aim for the top of the line that is the best in terms of cost-effectiveness, while still being the newest stuff. Then I upgrade as needed from there.

[v6ph1]

This depends on the component:
Within 7/8 Years I have:
4 PSUs (The first was to small - the second damaged and the third too loud)
3CPUs with Mainboards ("too slow")
4 Graficcards (GF3 Ti 200, Radeon 9600XT, Radeon X700 (after the 9600XT was broken) and a HD3870 - Now I'm looking for a HD5850 but with lower prices)
2 TV-Cards (One was damaged - now I'm looking for a cheaper DVB-S2 Card)
6HDDs (80,120,300,500,1000,1500GB - all too small)
10 Sticks of RAM.

One DVD-Burner, Only one DVD-ROM and only one CD-burner.

(And nearly 10 Fans)

So I would say:
Mainboard + CPU + RAM 3 to 4 Years
RAM-upgrade: 1-2Years after the new PC
GraficCard 2 Years
HDDs every Year
Rest: If broken

My laptop I'm using for 44 Months - a new one isn't planned jet.
But the akku was already dead - so I had therefore a new one and I've upgraded the RAM.

best regards
v6ph1

[yoco]

The one I'm using right now, it's almost 7 years old. :biggrin: but it's gonna retire soon! :wink:

[GotIt]

Do you guys ever get a soundcard? Other than the integrated one?

[Instab]

not anymore. i did a few years back tho

[saebrtooth]

unless you need a high end card for pro or maybe amature editing and with many inputs and outputs, but for gaming and viewing movies I think integrated is fine

[yoco]

I guess I have intergrated soundcard :biggrin:

[v6ph1]

@soundcard:
A long time ago I had one - now I don't.

I thought about buying one to listen 5.1 sound with my receiver (because it has no analog 5.1 input)

But now I have a DolbyDigital-Chip on my mainboard and so I can use 5.1 via optical cable.

best regards
v6ph1

[shadowww]

I build my PC over time, when sometimes brakes, I just buy that part and so on... I don't need any extra fast PC, I'm happy if it can play 1080p movies flawlessly, and thats most what I need from it.

Oh, and that its not too much noisy... Silent PC ftw.

[PressPlay]

the computer i am using now is 4 years old but have few upgrades

[Master Razor]

I never replace my system unless it fails. Usually when the motherboard drops dead only then I'm consideering a new pc.

[Skipinder]

I upgrade when my computer dies. I had my last system for 7 years before I bought my current one.

[Imacheater]

Mine is a year old
Core i7 920
6GB DDR3
Shit HD4870 because i'm run out of money :wink:

[ironace]

I replace mine if my computer is too slow for the next new OS.

[fake]

i change my computer once at 2 years.

[Vation]

Two to three years and than selling it OR just constant one by one element update.

[thejazzman]

i always seem to upgrade in march of year normally right after my birthday i guess its my present to myself

[dreamer]

the computer i am using now is 4 years old but have few upgrades

I have my computer for 2 years + a couple upgrades (HDD and RAM).
everything's awesome except for the GFX which gets a little old by now so that would probably be what I'll upgrade.

I don't see myself buying a new PC in the next 2 years:redface:

[DarkSaibot v.1.3.10]

depends on how much money i have :smile:

[SBfreak]

same here.:tongue:

[shawshankraj]

I replace my computer when My father gives me money for new computer and that never gonna happen..

[desodorante]

I replace my computer when it does not work anymore OR I can get a VERY good deal on a new one. The PC I use now is 4,5 years old and still does a good job.

[anon]

The PC I use now is 4,5 years old and still does a good job.

More or less the same here, I've been using my current PC since early 2005. My friends make fun of me because they have they have way newer and faster hardware, but for what I use the computer daily (surfing, downloading, and a bit of gaming), it's more than enough.

[Instab]

for what I use the computer daily (surfing, downloading, and a bit of gaming), it's more than enough.

that's the point.
the vast majority of home users don't have 'real' reasons for an upgrade. and that gös for hard- and software

[Uninvited2611]

I use my P4 PC for 6 yrs now, It works fine :)

[xixifrank]

I won't change my PC until it can't be used any more. Because I don't use it to play game(I prefer consoles) ,I just use PC to browse,watch movie and chat. That's enough.

My Lenovo PC which I bought 7 years ago can still work now, I have installed linux on it. And I install win7 on my notebook :smile:

[zipang]

My oldest PC was made in 1997.
I use it with XP and has no problem.

[hellman]

week i'll never leave my old pc until its its bones diaapear but in tim i'll buy a new pc too

[thecoolest]

omg..i m kinda mad coz i used my p3 pc for about to 3 years..

after it every 1 year i changed it with new 1...soon trying to get new lcd monitor for my new gaming experience.

[japanrocker]

the longest I've had a computer was 6 years. the computer i have now is great! i love running games at 1920 by 1080. The way the games and youtube is amazing