Would you downgrade your computer for more camera gear?

So I have a pretty nice computer... I5-2500K, 16GB Ram, 5TB, etc... Completely overkill for what I use the computer for. And my friend suggested that I just downgrade and that way, with the money I could buy another nice lens or flash.

And I'm partially torn cause it sounds like a good idea, but I don't know how 'bad' it'd be to downgrade...

So people of POTN... Would you do it?

I'd say no just because computers go out of style (ie require more frequent upgrades over time) faster than cameras. If anything you could drop the hard drive size and half the ram as that wouldnt much impact future performance but I don't know if that will fund what you need or want. What is limiting your photography presently?

Nope.. as a general rule, never give up one great thing for 3 mediocre ones. I can't imagine that downgrading will get you a sufficient amount of funds to purchase anything worthwhile on it's own. Plus by the time you sell/shop/buy anyone running a 1/2 floating personal budget can pull the belt tight enough to save the amount you've gained without having to sacrifice an already purchased item.

Nature Nut wrote in post #14802295
I'd say no just because computers go out of style (ie require more frequent upgrades over time) faster than cameras. If anything you could drop the hard drive size and half the ram as that wouldnt much impact future performance but I don't know if that will fund what you need or want. What is limiting your photography presently?

I see what you're saying but at the same time I find it hard to see in the next 2-4 years what technology advancement I would "Need". And as a starting hobbyist photographer who's trying to become a 2nd shooter, right now I only have 2 Lens and it would be nice to sling those and upgrade all at the same time.

Nope, but depending on what the camera gear was it can quite possibly hold its value better.

ben_r_ wrote in post #14802426
Nope, but depending on what the camera gear was it can quite possibly hold its value better.

I was thinking of getting a Tamron 17-50 and then an ultra wide.

But what I was thinking of doing is just selling my motherboard/cpu and then just going to an AMD 6-core. Microcenter has a deal where I can get a 1045T and motherboard for $100. And then I can keep the rest of my hardware or sell a HD or two if I'm short on my purchase.

Whatever you paid for your computer, you won't get crap for it used. Not worth it at all. You already have enough gear to take great pictures.

Your computer is already dated and you will not get anywhere near what you paid for the components. If you keep your computer that you have now it will feel slow in 3-4 years. If you downgrade it will feel slower even sooner. Not worth it long term

Impatience will cost you more in the long run IMO. Save those pennies and get what you need later on down the road.

Bleufire wrote in post #14803223
Impatience will cost you more in the long run

Boy aight that the truth!

to down grade my computer would mean buying a pencil and paper so wouldnt free up much money

I spend about as much time culling, processing, editing, and distributing as I do shooting. So, no.

What you'd get for that and what you'd pay for a new one wouldn't leave you with enough left over to make such a move worthwhile or even very intelligent. That computer will last you a while so aside from replacing anything that may go bad in three to four years you won't be likely to complain about it being slow if you take care of it unless you significantly change your workflow.

No. You'll get sod all for your computer, not enough to buy another one and buy a lens.

If you're going to get a nice chunk of cash, go for it. But it's probably not worth it.