I haven't upgraded my computer since 1999 and I really want to build a new computer. I just got fresh credit line at new egg but now I am wondering if it is really a good idea to go in debt for one. Any opinions?

No, I do not believe it is ever worthwhile to go into debt. Especially not for a computer.

Save your money, put it into a high interest savings account. When you feel you have enough money, buy your dream computer. It'll be better than whatever you get today, and you won't have paid a crapload of money due to interest. In fact, you'll have made money by putting it into a savings account.

The only reason to go into debt over a computer is if it is vitally important. As in, your job or primary source of income demands it.

Did you know that, looking at your profile, you are "most active in" Off-Topic? 48% of your posts are in this forum.

Anyway, I agree with sthayashi; getting into debt is a really bad habit to get into. Most of my peers, although well-paid, have ridiculously little disposable income, as they are constantly trying to catch up with credit card debts that they have had for years.

Personally, I believe that if you can't afford it you should do without it.

My PC is probably a similar age to yours, and I can't afford to upgrade mine*. When I do it will no doubt not be a top-spec machine, but mid-range all the way (unless I win the lottery, in which case I'm building loads of mini-ITX machines to take over the world).

Are you a student?

Edit: * This is due to being a single-income family with two young kids (and another on the way), not a CD/gadget/Crack habit that I cannot control.

Yeah... I'm majoring in Computer Science and I have two years left out of four. lol...yeah...electronics and music are kinda like a crack habbit. I think about that awsome asus board at least 10 times a day, it would be so cool to have a female voice announce POST messages as the board board boots up (The AI post feature).

Never get into debt, unless the debt can earn you more income than the interest expense. This is of course assuming the investment is safe and sound.

Of course, none of the credit card companies and banks will tell you this and other sound financial planning tips. They need you to spend irresponsibly to earn your interest.

Edit: typo

Oh, you should have said! I'd sell my ass for that.

You've just got to remember that in two years' time, if you concentrate on your studies and not synthetic female voices, you will hopefully move into a well-paid job. If you stay young, free, and single you should have many years of being able to treat yourself to such whimsical buys.

If you get into debt now, that debt will simply accumulate in that two years, and you may never have that wonderful period, as you will be too busy paying back enormous credit card bills.

Getting into debt is a slippery road to misery. Thankfully I learned early, but I have many friends who have suffered from an earlier lack of willpower.