If/When should I get a new computer to play GW2?

My computer was custom built some time back in 2005, and I've been playing GW on it ever since. It seems rather old to be playing GW now, so I've been considering whether to get a new one or not. The more I think about it though, the more it seems to be a question of when I should get a new computer.

Considering that GW2 isn't scheduled to be out for another two to three years, and possibly also a number of other highly anticipated titles, I'm concerned that if I get something new now, it will end up being... I don't want to say "inadequate" to play them, but more just not playing things smoothly.

Is my concern just an empty worry, or would it pay off to wait some time before updating?

Well, what hardware does it have now? GW1 is fairly light on requirements, and im sure GW2 will be as well. If your only concern is GW2, im sure a $100 upgrade may serve you perfectly well.

Also, from personal experience: wiping your harddrive and reinstalling the OS from scratch is the best way to make a old computer new again. save all your documents/media somewhere else, insert your OS disk (which hopefully you still have) and go for it. Its actually quite easy.

Also, if you dont have access to your OS disk, if your hardware can handle it (im sure its close to be able to) the windows 7 RC is free untill march of next year. From my personal usage, it works great, and better then vista by far.

Update: also, if GW2 is indeed 3 years away, ANYTHING you buy now will be old by the time GW2 comes out. A new system now should certainly handle GW2 later, but you will save time and money and have a better system if you get it 2+ years down the road. (and by saving money, i mean current top of the line stuff now will be cheap come 3 years from now)

i say wait a while before you buy anything. after all prices can only get lower and they will hardly go any higher. most likely GW2 will have fairly low requirements, compared to the "crysis" of 2-3 years from now. Even if you buy something now however you will still most likely be able to play GW2, maybe not the newest games on all highs but close. you might want to do a little upgrading though, since it was from '05. and wrath's advice about format+reinstall is very true.

Never. Vaporware!

id say if there is a need to play something better at the moment then get one now and upgrade when it gets released if the answer is no wait a while maybe after we get a confirmation when itll be released would be a good time to buy.

Well by the time the beta is released in 2029-2030, the new Sony 3D positron computation devices will be released allowing full access to the latest games with neurological impulses. Priced anywhere from 1200-1800 even the cheapest positron will allow you to enjoy the latest in gaming pleasure.

On a more serious note... I think you're fine, my old comp which I bought in 2005 was an HP that ran the game beautifully. If you can run a game like oblivion or crysis on your current comp, there's probably no need for you to upgrade for GW2, unless A-net somehow manages to surpass those graphical limits :O:O:O:O

GW2:

Most likely, GW2 will have graphics settings options like GW1, which will essentially mean that how much power you will need will depend more upon what level of graphics detail you want, than how much GW2 "needs".

Have any of you noticed that any version of GW is hard to find in stores these days? Is this because they are clearing out stock to make way for GW2 soon? Hmmmm.....

If you do not have any reason to urgently upgrade, I would advise waiting until late this year, for specific reasons that shall not be mentioned here...

I am saving up for an upgrade/new computer, and believe me only getting £30 a month it will take a while. I have a computer that I got in 2004 and I still get 30fps. I would wait it out man, if it is playable then don't upgrade:

Good things come to those who wait.

I know the reasons
If the only game you are currently playing is GW and if you are just waiting for GW2 then there is no reason to upgrade. Just wait until you know the reqs of GW2 then base you upgrades on that.

Rahja.. could it be that GTX 300 is finally coming out on by end of the year?

both GT300 and RV870 are coming Q4 this year.

Video cards are drop-in upgrades; there's generally no reason to delay an entire system build for them. And that's ignoring the perils of early-adoption: insane pricing, immature hardware, poor support/KB, etc.

Buy what you need, when you need it, at the lowest price you can find at the time. You can sit on a planned build forever if you're always looking towards the future. There is a real and significant opportunity cost to not having a brand new machine right now that a many people tend to ignore or underestimate when trying to pinpoint the "perfect" time to buy.