New desktop or upgrade existing one

[SuperSet]

Computer gurus - I'd like your input. I have a good desktop, the Gateway DX4831, that I've been using to edit and publish videos. I don't play any games on it but as some of you video guys know, it takes a lot of juice to do it. It currently has an Intel i3 530 @2.93Ghz processor, 6GB RAM and ATI Radeon 4300 video card in it.
Would it be cheaper for me to upgrade the processor and video card in this system or buy a new desktop with an i7 processor?

[Blackhawk556]

It's hard to say because it all depends on which components you plan on buying. A new computer with an i7 processor could cost you a good chunk of money. If you have the cash buy a new computer but sometimes upgrades are all you need.

Sent from Los Alamos Nuclear Facility

[yellowsulphur]

Have you thought of upgrading your hard drives? Maybe a stripe set or an SSD. These can be transferred to a new system if you chose to upgrade later.

[Bonedoc]

SS..
Just more or less 'did' what you are contemplating however I had an older system... I was able to retain the PS, case, video card and updated the mainboard, cpu, ram... overall I found it cost me about $100 less than a comparable 'Dell' or other mainstream "but" it took time and labor. Win 7 Pro 64 meant/means to me at least some new software. I do DVD creation and then just normal PC use. I7s are, IMHO, still rather expensive. I went with AMD 955 Phenom X4 and it is pretty fast, 8Gbs ram and 2TB storage. I guess, lastly, every time I build my own I say, "I'm never doing this again" but I do... good luck with your decisions.

[SuperSet]

I saw a Gateway desktop at Fry's with i7 / 8gb ram / 2gb drive and ATI video for around 1k. Good price and performance?

[DiscoBayJoe]

computers are disposable. The only "mod" worth doing is an SSD. If your issue isn't disk I/O, get a new box. You can resell your i3 to offset some of the $$

[Bonedoc]

HDs (not SSDs) are expensive these days due the Thai storms. What are 100G SSDs going for? I recall they are not cheap but certainly improve I/O remarkably. $1K is a lot to spend but the I7 processor is pricey. The 'extremes' are upwards of $1k by themselves, the lower Blooms are nearly $300 and the Sandy is near $600... so a whole system does depend on 'which' one. I often check NewEgg for reviews/opinions before buying and then do some online searching for more reviews as they might pertain to my use. Then I build my own.