The last time around, I beefed up most everything, with the idea that the rig would be viable for at least 10 years. Cost an arm-and-a leg. Meanwhile I still had to replace a fried motherboard and video card. So, the system should be reasonably viable. HOWEVER, top line game manufacturers seem to think consumers should be upgrading every 3-5 years. Like we're all made of money or something.
Currently, I refrain from making changes that require me to reinstall ALL of my programs. That's motherboard and hard drive for the most part. (Even transferring all of the old hard drive's contents requires going through and reactivating each and every program. For me, that process takes more than an entire weekend of NOT playing anything or getting much of anything else done. That's too much like work! So, generally, if my system doesn't match the Recommended specs, I'll refrain from making the purchase. Which can be emotionally trying. NOT get the latest-and-greatest in the _______ series??? That's emotionally cruel and abusive! But going through the upgrade ritual, just to play ONE game? Likewise painful.
