Having been away from PC gaming for 2 years or so, I'm looking to build a system in about 6-8 months time. I don't have the money for a system right now, but plan on purchasing some of the parts that don't really affect gaming performance bit by bit, such as the case, optical drive, fans etc to satiate my need for hardware while I get on with some mods and save up for the cpu, gfx etc. However, this has left me wondering... While I know that a 650w PSu like an Antec Signature will be fine to power a system built around Christmas time, does anyone know of any future changes to power connectors that may turn my early purchsed PSU into a £100 brick? It would be rather silly of me to buy one now and find out that mobos or graphics cards in 6 months time will be using different connectors. Any advice/future hardware articles anyone could point me to? ... many thanks.
Even if there were changes in the connectors used then adapters would more than likely to be easy to find - graphics cards still get molex to pci-e power connector adapters bundled with them for example.
Can't go wrong with a HX1000W. It has 2 8pin motherboard connectors (most mobos today use just one AFAIK) and enough wattage to power your next PC and the one after that.
The only problem with doing things this way (buy now to wait/fit later) is that with computer bits the cost is always going down, so something you buy now for say £100 could cost £65~70 in 6~8 months time. The other thing is if there is a problem with it not working and you have say a DOA but dont know until 6~8 months time and then try to tell the Co. that you have just only now used it. I know its hard (well is for me) to save up the money and buy when you can, but its the better way. If you just cant do it that way, what ever the reason be try to buy parts that can sit for a while without problem. I often get the case first as I think the price of them does not change too much, and then other parts that you can use in another computer if you have one, hard/DVD drives or things that it is easy to test to see working, memory (but RAM prices are always changing) graphics cards that sort of thing. As to the PSU, I dont think there will be much changing with them any time soon, they can be a good 'buy now part' as long as they have no problems, I have had a few DOA PSU's that just got backed for a new one, but try getting one with a good warranty is smart. I like Seasonic and their Corsair brand versions have a 5 year warranty IIRC. The place I go for good PSU info Jonny Guru Sorry if that is a bit off track to your Q but I hope its of some help.
If you're worried about spending excess money sitting around in your bank account, instead of being able to save it up, there are investments you can stick your money in, that will tie up the money for a set amount of time, and earn you a higher return than whatever your bank account would get. And that means being able to afford better parts come build time!
Thanks for the replies....making sure the thing isn't DOA is a good idea and I'll do that... The fact that most manufacturers give 3-5 year guarantees is a nice thing - working in electrical retail makes you realise just how stingy a limited 12 month warranty is with so much of today's kit. I also thought about the hdd and optical drive as early purchases too. Given the way I tend to be, I'd happily pay a little more for a PSU now and be able to play with some cable combinations/routing and case mods (I bought the case two weeks ago) for a while. I'll definitely be looking at one with a max of around 650w of power and not much more, as I only ever really use 1 HDD + single optical drive. The only extravagances will be the graphics cards (potentially two but as I understand that kind of power is fine for two) and a bit of mild overclocking.
Scrub that perhaps I should be sensible and wait (itching for the new system it's so easy to get overexcited!) Thanks for the help (my wife just made the same point about waiting )
