Thinking in the WRONG direction ?

[caveman16]

     Good Morning Guys and Ladies,
I would like your input concerning a second PC.   My present PC is a Gateway Micro-tower. A real piece of junk and is NOT upgradeable.   I'm waiting until this fall to BUILD a PC just for the new Sim [FSX] and Vista.    This fall is a long way off and my thoughts are :      Go to the PC repair  shop and see what THEY have  as " TRADE-INs ".  ???    

     If  I  were to do that - - - is it possible to get a trade-in that could be  " UP-GRADED " ?  Is everything out there at this time too old to consider for  " THIS FALL " ?  

     If  YOU were to do such a thing - - keeping in mind - - that you would up-grade this fall - -   what would you insist on being in the trade-in  PC  ?  

     OR - - - - Is my thinking way out in left field  ?    ???

     I  - -  Like many of you  - -  I'm sure  - -  hate waiting sooooooo long to get started on the NEW  PC to run the  Fall Programs.                  

     Appreciate your help,     Wishing you all a nice day,    caveman

[candle_86]

Well you can probably get a trade in, but like all trade in's you need a little cash. If you want to be vista ready read my thread a little ways down, that will give you a good starting point. Just make sure you have at least a socket 754 motherboard with PCIE and you should be ok for an upograde.

[Delta_]

Look for a comp that has a fast processor, then add more RAM, and a good GFX card.  If it is lacking hdd capacity add another.  Socket 754, 939, LGA775 will be good.  Socket 754 will be the cheapest and LGA775 the most expensive.  If you find a 754 with a processor you think is fast enough for your needs, then that may be a good deal because it will be cheap.  However 754 is not expandable significantly, the other 2 are.  Make sure when you are buying it you know what the full spec of the pc is, don't let them take you for a fool by selling you something that is overpriced for the spec.  Go back for a second visit if you need to, so you visit the first time and check the specs against typical prices on the net, then go back.

Hope that helps

[caveman16]

     Thank you both for the advice.     THAT  is called Wisdom that you guys gave me.   I shall indeed follow that information.

    I am so happy to have others helping me so much.                                     caveman