My current computer is running Windows 7 and I know that support for the OS runs out next week. I have the option of upgrading the current computer to Windows 10 or buying a new machine.

My current Desk Top system works fine, despite being 5 years old, though has had various upgrades, ie Graphics card and RAM over the years.

It's specs are:

OS Name Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
Version 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 Build 7601
Other OS Description Not Available
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name ANNE-PC
System Manufacturer MSI
System Model MS-7817
System Type x64-based PC
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-4570 CPU @ 3.20GHz, 3201 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 4 Logical Processor(s)
BIOS Version/Date American Megatrends Inc. V1.1, 19/08/2013
SMBIOS Version 2.7
Windows Directory C:\Windows
System Directory C:\Windows\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume1
Locale Australia
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "6.1.7601.24540"
Time Zone AUS Eastern Daylight Time
Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 8.00 GB
Total Physical Memory 7.95 GB
Available Physical Memory 5.95 GB
Total Virtual Memory 15.9 GB
Available Virtual Memory 13.7 GB
Page File Space 7.95 GB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys

Graphics Card

Name NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050
PNP Device ID PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_1C81&SUBSYS_85C71043&REV_A1\4&1610F4F8&0&0008
Adapter Type GeForce GTX 1050, NVIDIA compatible
Adapter Description NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050
Adapter RAM (2,147,483,648) bytes

Also, if I was to upgrade this current computer I would need a new SSD, as the 120GB SSD presently installed is running out of space (only 26GB free).

I'm undecided about upgrading and coming around to buying a new custom PC. Money isn't a problem and my favourite computer store will build it to my specs and in a timely fashion.

Any advice? Is a clean installation of Windows 10 preferable to an upgrade?

It's still a decent computer for adventure games, though it may be worth getting a new computer if you play other genres like RPG's.

If you get a second hard drive, you can install Windows 10 on that and make sure your BIOS/Setup is set to boot from the new drive. Windows 10 should detect Windows 7 on the older drive and give you a boot menu -- so you can have a dual boot.

I'd be tempted to just get a new computer though, since you say money isn't a problem.
I've never regretted having a backup computer. If a game, for whatever reason, doesn't work on one computer, you can try it on the other.

I agree with Jenny. It's a pretty decent computer. If you want to upgrade that SSD, you can get a 1 TB WD SSD for a little over $100.

But if money isn't a consideration, I'd lean towards a new computer especially when you have a place that will build it for you.

Thanks Jenny & Draclvr for your feedback. You've convinced me to get a new computer, which truth to tell I was leaning towards.

Sigh, it also means that I'll have another old computer box lying around, joining the old XP desktop and Vista Laptop. Happily there's lots of storage place where I live, but it seems so wasteful.

At least with a new Windows 10 computer I won't have to buy a new one due to the release of a new version of Windows for some years.

Hoping it will be a good long time!

Ordered my new custom desktop today. Probably went for overkill, but wanted to future proof if it's going to be around for a while.

Basically ended up with:

CPU Intel Core i5-9400F 2.9GHz
Graphics Card GEforce - GTX 1650 4 GB
16 GB DDR 4 Ram
Windows 10 Home 64 bit
DVD writer
SSD - 500 GB
Second 1TB hard drive
Including various other bits and pieces

Was pricey, but hopefully worth it.

If it does have problems, the guy at the computer shop is a wizard at repairing broken computers and their components. He's saved my bacon several times in the past.

I think you'll be very happy with it! I might have gone for a better video card, but the 1650 is a step up from the 1050.

Having a good guy at a computer shop is worth his weight in gold!

As I don't play any RPGs or Shoot Em Ups, I reckon the 1650 should be more than adequate for Adventure games.



Yes indeed and he doesn't charge an arm & a leg for it either.

I think you made the perfect choices! I DO play the shoot 'em ups and RPGs, so this will be perfect for you!

Thanks Draclvr, I'm looking forward to it. It will compensate for having to move to the dreaded Windows 10.

I hope the dreaded Windows 10 will be nearly as bad as you anticipate! I've had a couple of people who also dreaded it tell me it was nothing as bad as they anticipated and actually liked it! Should you have any questions or issues, please feel free to email me through my profile as I can do Windows 10 in my sleep.

I think buying a new computer was a good idea also and WISH I had a "computer guy". I was dreading Windows 10 but MOSTLY it is fine!

No doubt Windows 10 will not be as bad as I imagine. Oldbroad, I'm encouraged by your opinion that it's mostly fine.

Actually we do have a Windows 10 machine in the house used by my Luddite partner, who is always swearing at it. I've had a fiddle with it, but I must admit on first impressions I didn't like it.

Thank you Dracvlr for your kind offer of assistance. I may take you up on it if I get too confused by the Windows 10 layout.