Lately I've been trying to figure out the most cost-effective way to upgrade my computer. I was actually hoping to not upgrade it right now, but to maybe wait a few more months until a few of the up and coming things (PCI-Express, the new graphics cards) had come out and stabilized price-wise. I had even figured out that my current machine, with a 2100+ AMD XP Chip, an ATI Radeon 9800, and 1 Gig of PC2700 Ram, would run Doom III okay. But then just when I had come to that conclusion, my CPU goes out (and I still haven't figured out why). So, I've been debating over whether to spend a little to just upgrade the CPU to an AMD XP 2400+, a little more to upgrade the CPU to an AMD XP 2800+ (along with the motherboard), or a decent amount more (but still less than a new machine) for a new motherboard and an AMD 64 3000+ CPU (plus some new ram down the road). Still debating about it though, and trying to figure out if it is worth it.

Another issue that bugs me, is why is it taking them so long to finish Half-Life 2?? I know games take a lot of time, work and effort, but you would think at some point, Valve would kick it into gear, start pulling some extra shifts, and just get the thing finished. The delay is getting ridiculous, and I would be embarrassed if I was Valve. I mean the Pyramids were probably built in less time. They need to get with it.

More thoughts later.

- Tom