The "itch" to want to upgrade my computer - How to stop?

cattynip

cattynip

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Lately I have been seeing YT videos on the the tech that's come out across 2024. For example "Best CPU 2024", "Best XYZ for 2024". And this has given me the "itch". The itch to upgrade or miss out on the offers. For the past few days I have been searching for parts and set-up a timeline for when I'd like to upgrade. But the thing is the hardware I have now does what I want perfectly fine. It can run most of the stuff I throw at it. Why do I feel like I am missing out? Ahhg how do I stop?
 
That "khujli" is hard to let go but if you want to spend then do it on more productive things maybe buy something nice for your loved once like gold for your mother/wife/sister, A surprise gift to them will go a long way.

OR invest the money in some scheme that will give you return (FD is an easiest and safest bet)
Lastly stop watching those videos, Personally when I need something I ask myself a question (Do I need this product OR I want, If its a need buy it else leave also make sure to give yourself sometime to think before making any decision)
 
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Honestly if you have the disposable income just do it, nothing wrong with spending some money on a hobby you care about and which brings you happiness. When accounting for selling old parts, it's pretty hard to spend obscene amounts of money on an upgrade. Obviously only you know what your financial situation is and whether this is financially prudent for you.

This post bought to you by TE Markeplace association.
 
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cattynip said:
Why do I feel like I am missing out?
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Find more things to do with your computer. Running LLMs is a huge investment, tell yourself you're doing this for privacy and security reasons.

Take a look at the GOTY awards over the years, get sucked into one of them.

I was/am a performance snob, so I'd find reasons like USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 and 10G networking to upgrade. Then when my main system does what I need it to do, I'd build other systems.

For example, you definitely want redundant storage on a seperate system just in case something happens to your main system.

These days I don't upgrade unless I see a 50% improvement in single-threaded performance in synthetics (basically cpu benchmarks). I tell myself it's not worth it otherwise.
 
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I understand the itch, but as someone here has already mentioned, if you have the disposable cash, without relying on credit/EMI/loans, go for it! PC building is a passion. It's a hobby, not unlike coin/stamp collecting.

For me, I treat my computer as an investment, as a supercar that I love to maintain. Every upgrade I make to it, I don't regret it. It's a dopamine rush.

I went from a R5 5600/RX5700XT/16GB DDR4/MSI A320M-Pro/24" 60 Hz straight to a 7800X3D/RTX3080/32GB DDR5/B650 Tomawahk/30" 200 Hz. I saved up and paid for it in full. No regrets, not even for a moment.

Recent upgrades were:

a 990 Pro, Liquid Freezer III, and the Logitech Z623. Again, I saved up the money for it, and no regrets.

You keep a Maruti because it does what you want. You upgrade to a Mustang because of the rush and passion.

YOLO. Get what makes you happy, as long you stay financially responsible in the process.
 
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It is simply about what you get out of it. While money is one aspect to it, the other is time. In my case, the time I spend on each device as well as time in terms of experience has made sure that I stop upgrading stuff that I am not going to use a whole lot. What has remained though is trying a lot of different stuff instead, as a new experience seems more worth it than an upgraded experience.

There is simply too much to do and learn, so if you direct the time to something different, you will probably be not fixated on one thing that becomes a sinkhole. Simply have to find a balance between hobby and obsession.
 
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