How much do systems improve over a 3-5 year period? Check it...
 

See subject line, & take a peek @ this difference I have noted (literally, by comparing 2 sets of tests I use here):

SETI@Home built-in Benchmark system results (text) -
--------------------------------------------------------

New System (based on AMD Athlon64 x2 4800+):

Measured floating point speed 4257 million ops/sec
Measured integer speed 13724.95 million ops/sec

Old System (based on Intel Pentium 4 3.2ghz std. edition):

Measured floating point speed 2097 million ops/sec
Measured integer speed 2143.95 million ops/sec

:)

* This is WHY I "hold-off" every 3-5 years between purchases - the leaps in power are massive, & worth the buy @ that point imo & experience (+ results noted above).

(Other benchmarks I use like the older Wintune97 bear out much the same results as this test did... & it shows MOSTLY in games!)

APK

P.S.=> Do you guys have results from your older rigs that are @ least 2-3 years old vs. your new rigs?

If so, post up your benchmark tests results between them, to illustrate this point to others as to when it's "best" to update/upgrade to a newer rig, by showing how much YOU gained, & by jumping from 1 type of system, to another newer one...

TIA! apk