1) buy modern motherboard w/ cpu and memory at mid point
2) year or two later, max out memory
3) another two years later, i buy most powerful cpu that is supported by motherboard
4) repeat from step 1
I also upgrade hdds / video cards as needed. It seems these components are upgraded more frequently than mb / cpu / memory. Though, my video card has been plenty fast for a few years now, probably because I don't play as demanding games any more. I also didn't skimp on the power supply and it's been performing well. I use a UPS to make sure the power stays clean.
When upgrading the motherboard, I also evaluate the technology space to see if it makes sense to upgrade any other components. For instance, I may buy into NVMe in the next cycle depending on what my research reveals.
I'm still hanging on to Windows 7. I'll probably upgrade that in the next cycle but it's been smooth. I use VMware for software that needs newer version of Windows.
Last good version of Windows. Possibly ever. I miss being treated as a user/customer and not as eyeballs to be monetized.
The next AMD CPU to be released will almost certainly have a new AM5 socket. I'm waiting for this reason alone, considering the amazing support AM4 has had.
Back then it matched my car because I used up the surplus paint I had from some small paint job repairs...
But manufacture warranties are crap these days. Used to be a machine was warranted for 4 years, and a good one would last 10. But these days it seems like they're 1-2 years. Part warranties aren't great, but the stuff I've built seems to hold up.
The 10 year old machine above current has a failure. I think it is the PSU, but I'm not sure. But in the 10 years it ran, the only failure it had was a HDD died like 4-5 years in. And that drive was a used datacenter drive, that when sold to me had a "it's been abused in a datacenter, 30 day warranty" on it, so it did fantastic. And I think its replacement is also now out of warranty, too, though I'd like to see it last a few more years, ofc.
Wow, i have heard that datacenter drives (more than any other datacenter equipment) gets trashed the most...so that's awesome that it lasted even that long! Nice!
Intel on the other hand seems to change sockets basically every CPU generation, making significant upgrades more difficult.
It's not 100% non-upgradable, but there are a lot of bespoke oddball parts in them, notably the motherboard and power supply.
I do wish these companies were more upfront when it comes to how upgradable systems are. Some may not care, but I'm the go to tech support person for a bunch of people, and I hate having to tell them they can't upgrade their machine like they want to, despite being a desktop in principle.
Murphy's law...