WOW (mostly) upgrade or rebuild

[ffbsm85]

Wasn't getting much response on my thread in the homebuild section, so I'm asking over here

Looking to upgrade or rebuild my computer. It's mostly for WOW. Here's the current specs:

MOBO: BIOSTAR TF560 A2

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ 2.6GHz

4GB RAM

Video Card: Radeon X700 Pro 256MB

The video card is my wifes since mine died. That is the first thing to replace. So, I play at 1920 x 1200 and want to get 60 fps on high/ultra. I'd prefer nvidia, so first suggest me a GPU that can do that for ~$150.

Then, I'm thinking about a complete rebuild to an intel chip. So also suggest me a mid price range intel chip. TY TY

Budget is MOBO under $100 and CPU under $200

 

[kajabla]

Why Nvidia in particular? Many Radeons are good values; in this case, the 6850.

Also, why Intel? This is almost the same situation as the graphics card. On this level of GPU, a 955 or 965 would do you fine, and at a better price.

 

[izoli]

Nvidia and Intel seem to be more compatible and have less problems with certain programs... Also Nvidia have features like PhysX, I dont think Raedon does, I remember some beta program but I dont think anything developed out of it.

 

[Nihilis]

You need nothing higher than a gtx 560Ti for WoW. WoW uses an old engine, so is fairly heavily CPU based. I can get a consistent 60FPS at all Ultra settings with a 2500k and 560Ti. You need nothing better from a GPU point of view, and could even downgrade a bit.

-Nih

 

[eightdrunkengods]

You need nothing higher than a gtx 560Ti for WoW. WoW uses an old engine, so is fairly heavily CPU based. I can get a consistent 60FPS at all Ultra settings with a 2500k and 560Ti. You need nothing better from a GPU point of view, and could even downgrade a bit.

-Nih

The 560ti seems like a pretty good value right now, especially for a degree of future proofing, but, yeah, it is colossal overkill for WoW at any resolution.

A good Nvidia for exactly $150 is:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500202

Just make sure your PSU is up for it.

The following will also play WoW at max/high settings. At your resolution, you *might* have to turn some of the eye candy down to high. This is a lot more reasonable for what you want to do. You could even buy that "SLI bundle" that tigerdirect has for this card and then put the second one in your wife's machine so she doesn't have to play at 800x600.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5639261&CatId=3669