When do you upgrade your PC?

I upgrade my GPU within few years of build or when it starts to drag. After GPU I may replace CPU or wait a few years and buld a new high-end pc. Usually I build new cause I can't upgrade the old one no more.

Either when it costs more to repair than to buy a new one or when it has gotten too old.

I got a new computer when going to university and I will probably get a new one when I finish my studies.

On average, I use the same pc for +/- 6 years.

I try to upgrade before I can't run the games I like at solid 60FPS on at least medium settings without AA (or solid 30FPS with High settings+AA).
AND if I have the money to, of course.
Retrospectively that means a new platform every about 5 years, with a GPU upgrade about half-way through that.

While after 4-6 years it's usually just better to pick a new platform than upgrading the old one this year I found a way to upgrade my current platform so cheap that it was actually worth it, as long as it doesn't die on me within the next 2 years. :)

If I had unlimited funds: every time an "interesting" milestone is achieved in performance + power consumption.
Usually every about 3 years for MB+CPU+RAM, about 2 years for GPU.

when I get aggressive bc something does not run "smooth" anymore. programs, games. or if some equipment explode (never happened tho)

When I see that I need more RAM, I get more RAM sticks. But in general, only if component is malfunctioning so it need to be replaced. I'll try to get best one covered by warranty or if its out of it, I'll get one which will do its job till I reach my 5 year cycle.

When I have money and the old one begins to start dying.

It's been five years.

I stock pile. Reply if you want me to elaborate.

Decision Matrix:

1. Do I have to sacrifice graphics quality significantly in order to run games? / Does my rig lack something I need (i.e. storage capacity)?

NO -> don't upgrade

YES -> see 2.

2. Iz I have moneyz?

NO -> don't upgrade

YES -> see 3.

3. Will I continue to have moneyz in the foreseeable future?

NO -> don't upgrade

YES -> OMG, UPGRADE!!!

I guess you have to ask yourself "do I need to run every new game at max settings?"

If yes, then you'll be dishing out for a new graphics card every year. You can get away with the rest of the build probably every 5yrs max if you're lucky and put in good components at the start. Other than things like Wowcraft, I haven't noticed much in the way of cpu intensive games so that should be ok for a while to come. Ram is just easy, just don't get duped by the speeds because your setup will need to accept the right one.

long story short... if it's 2yrs old and a good setup and plays your games just fine... I would wait. However, I would start saving now and figure out your target budget. That should make the transition a little less painful.

I only get a new PC when it can't run current AAA games on at least medium smoothly. I prefer to replace everything at once. It's been 6 years for me now and can probably squeeze 1 more year out of it.

As a university student i usually spend my money on food and books, traffic and other things like this.
I would upgrade it when i can't have fun with the games i want to play. Other thing that i can't afford it.

My biggest trigger is just when Im not keeping up, when I start really paying attention to requirements and that sort of thing. I upgraded everything within the last 3 months, so I should be set for at least a few years at the very least. I already am looking to upgrade GPU but Im in no hurry and will probably wait till this time next year before doing so as it'll be more of a vanity upgrade because I can do it rather than need. I want to see where developers are going with next year's big games. I have plenty of wiggle room and options, so Im future proofed for a while at least.

My biggest reason for upgrading this last time was the entire system was lacking. It was a business machine first that I got really cheap and cheaply upgraded it over a period of time as I was leaving console world and returning to PC fully. I finally got to the point where I was on the highest CPU it could handle (a Q6600), I was limited on GPU options because it was low profile, maxxed out RAM (8 GB) and my hard drive was nearing failure anyway, so I decided to start from scratch. That said, I got A LOT out of that system and it exceeded my expectations and outperformed many game's requirements, but it was on its last legs and I wanted to enjoy better resolutions and such.

upgrade when you need it, if you can play with it the way you need it, why would you up grade ??

When I have money and games don't run smoothly at medium details.

I upgrade when the current generation cpu and or gpu has twice the performance of the ones I'm currently using.

So far, on my third computer, around every 4-5 years. Mainly when there are significant enought enhancements on newer chipsets or motherboards or I'm starting to hit some limitation on my current machine.

I spend so long researching components for a new build though that I often go through three or more complete lists of parts ready to go before I actually decide to go ahead with the new system. I'm very particular about getting components that are quiet, so the choices of the case and graphics card are probably the two biggest.

everytime i save up some money i see what can i get, but i would not upgrade for around 2 years of building a new PC, and only upgrade GPU if i cant get 30FPS at low settings anymore

GPU Evolution: GF FX5200, GF 8600GT(Died), Ati 4670, Ati 7870.

CPU Evolution: AMD FX4200+, AMD Phenom X4 925, AMD FX8350

i think once every 5 years and gpu upgrade once 2-3 years.
2 years ago i've got i7-3770k, 16gb ram, gigabyte motherboard, watercooling system for cpu, 128gb ssd, bitfenix prodigy case
also i had 560ti, 1tb wd green, one more 128gb ssd
1 year ago i upgraded 560ti into 770gtx and got 3tb hdd
i think 2-3 years im ok, maybe i'll change when skylake comes out, but for now broadwell not really faster.
Also i prefer to not upgrade if gain <50-100% gain (CPU, GPU), seems i stuck on this i7-3770k because intel new processors just less power consumption not really more powerful.

Imho if you have no problems with current build you should stick to it.

When it stops working, pretty much.

When I can't play games at 50+ FPS with low settings.

I upgrade things as they need it. A little more RAM, a new HD when I run out of space, a new GPU when games start to tax my system, and then I start overclocking it when there's nothing left to upgrade. Once I run out of things to upgrade, I build a new system (MB, CPU, RAM and case). Lately it's been about every 4 years between system builds.

I'm still using a first generation Intel Core i5 750. I tested it while breaking it in and can safely overclock it to 4GHz with temps not getting too high or any errors during an 8 hour stress test. I can take it higher but it starts getting hot and getting errors during stress tests, but I don't think any game will push it as hard as a stress test suite.

I originally had 4GB of ram, a GTX 260 GPU and a 1TB HD. I've since upgraded to 12GB of RAM and two GPU upgrades later I'm using a GTX 660/OC, added a 64GB SSD and a 1.5TB HD. I'm still running it at the stock 2.66GHz because it runs everything I play maxed out or at high settings.

Whenever I get below 100~ fps on a game I play frequently. I honestly just can not play with any lower fps the input lag really screws with me.

(where i live) in south america, computer components cost a fortune... an upgrade it's most of the time just a pain in the ass. Even if you have enough incomings upgrade is not always an option... (and here i am with my hd7750 waitting... and waitting...:/ )

When I have money, or when a key component dies:(