Tom's Hardware > Forum > Homebuilt Systems > General Homebuilt > need help building WoW rig
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jaywarren   09-30-2008 at 05:38:41 PM

I am going to build my 1st computer. I read a few books and looked at you tube. I think I can do it. I want to be able to play WoW with this computer. And surf the web. That's about all I need to do with it. I am going to get all parts from newegg. I hope to keep it under $700 with os. I have keyboard and things for it. What I need help on is what to get. Can anyone put together a list from newegg on what I should get that will all work together? Thank you for the help!

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mford66215   09-30-2008 at 05:48:33 PM
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WOW's video requirements are so low that if you can get it to boot and load the application it will run. Maybe not fast, but it will run.

One thing you can do is replicate one of the $$$ builds listed on this site. Pick how much money you're willing to spend, find one off the list that's close, then see if newer parts for THAT build are available by asking the forums for help.

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dhvd79a   09-30-2008 at 06:24:21 PM
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WoW runs fine on my non-gaming system that has an E6400 with a 7300GT @ 1280x1024 at default settings. Never tried it at other settings. Doesn't take a lot to run WoW.

dave

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pbrigido   09-30-2008 at 06:50:30 PM
- -1 +

The one thing I would invest in is a $200-$300 video card. Some of the new content that is in the new expansion will demand a bit more from your machine, especially in the new PvP zone (wintersgrasp I believe it is called) and some raid environments.

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rodney_ws   09-30-2008 at 06:57:25 PM
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Blizzard has said that future expansion packs will gradually push up the hardware requirements for WoW... that said... I don't ever see it being a cutting edge gaming experience. They've got 10 million subscribers they don't want to lose. Like everyone else has said, a basic computer will do fine. My (now retired) laptop with an ATI X1400 and 2 GB of RAM ran it just fine... and any desktop you get today is going to run laps around that machine.

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dirtmountain   09-30-2008 at 06:59:46 PM
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Here's a complete Intel system, right around $700 after shipping before rebates. Also an alternative AMD CPU/motherboard combo if you want to go AMD instead. Includes a HD4850 which is more than WoW needs although if you raid or PvP i'd recommend at least a 9600GT/HD3870 for good fps in graphically intense areas.

CPU- E7200 $120 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115052
Motherboard Biostar P43- $80 after rebate (uses combo deal)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813138122
RAM - 2x2 GB DDR2 800 1.8v Mushkin $50 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820146692
Case Coolermast RC 330 - $40 (uses a combo with PSU)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119115
Power supply - Coolermaster 500w $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817171031
GPU - HD4850 gigabyte $150 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814125238
Hard drive - WD SATA 640GB $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136218
Burner- Liteon SATA- $23
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827106100

Alternative AMD cpu/mobo/cooler
AMD athlon 64x2 5400+ black edition $77
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103289
motherboard - Biostar TA790GX $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813138128
cooler - silverstone NT07 - $20
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835220030
You can save about $70 by going with a 9600GT after rebate or $50 with a 8800GT or 9800GT after rebate

*EDIT* forgot OS which was included in the price Vista 64 Home premium
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6832116488


Message edited by dirtmountain on 09-30-2008 at 07:05:52 PM
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pbrigido   09-30-2008 at 09:07:26 PM
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Nice build dirtmountain. The Intel 7200 configuration would do great. If you have a few extra bucks to toss at the machine, check out a better heatsink and fan than the one that comes with the CPU.

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SizroSpunkmire   09-30-2008 at 09:18:13 PM
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While WoW runs perfectly fine under most machines, it does take a 'beefier' system to run it with a modified graphics console. If you dig through the WoW macro forums you can find one that will increase your draw distance by double what the ingame 'sliders' allow (7x in WotLK). As well it will increase ground clutter by almost 10 times and the Shadow Engine in the new patch is nothing to sneer at either.

dirtmountains build will suffice nicely for your price range.

I'm running an OC'ed E6600 (@2.93ghz), a 3870 and 4GB Crucial Ballistix Tracer...using the video macros mentioned above I avg 25 to 30 fps in both Northrend (beta) and the current PTR compared to the 80+ with all the ingame sliders maxed. 1280x1024 btw.


Message edited by SizroSpunkmire on 09-30-2008 at 09:22:17 PM
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wgdz   09-30-2008 at 09:43:14 PM
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to pbrigido with comment to get a $200-$300 video card for WoW is utter waste of cash. As people said WoW does not need a how lot of GPU power like Crysis or Stalkers, my 7900GS was able to run everything on high on 1600x1200 and that GPU is dirt cheap. Better getting 8800GT/9800GT ($110) or 8800GTX+/4850 ($150-$160, I prefer the 4850). I am sure these will be able to play the future upgraded WoW as well. Only opt for the higher end cards i.e. 4870/260/280 only if you consider to play other demanding games.

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pbrigido   09-30-2008 at 11:34:52 PM
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wgdz. It appears that you have not played WoTLK beta quite yet. If you had, you would realize that your system would suffice in most cases, but would be lacking in the areas I specified. When you play in the PvP zone of wintersgrasp, you will need that extra horsepower from a good card to push all of the graphics through smoothly. I would opt for nothing less than a 9800 or ATI equivalent for someone wanting to play a smooth game of WoW, wherever they may roam.

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jaywarren   10-01-2008 at 12:12:55 AM
- 0 +

Thank you for the help all! dirtmounta the total is $473 what am i missing? To get to $700? thanks! shipping is not that much right?

Reply to jaywarren
Proximon   10-01-2008 at 01:15:20 AM
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While Dirt's build is really good overall, I'm not real impressed with the PSU. The Cooler Master PSUs in that range are questionable.

This OCZ is the same after rebate... it's a bit overkill yes but good quality and less than an Antec EA500W (my second choice):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817341010

Reply to Proximon
Castilo   10-01-2008 at 09:29:53 AM
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Jeez dirtmountain, never mind WOW, you could play Crysis pretty well on that thing!
If you're not spending that much money I would prob go for a AMD rather than an Intel build, I know that the Intel CPU's are better designs but I've always found that for lower/mid cost systems AMD have a better price/performance ratio.

Reply to Castilo
dirtmountain   10-01-2008 at 06:03:00 PM
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The Vista home premium 64 operating system would add $100. I was getting $693 before rebates and combo deals and shipping. If there's extra $$ available go with the E8400 for the intel system. I should add that although you can play WoW with very low powered systems the same is true for every game. You just go with low resolutions, low settings and endure the slide show in graphically intense areas....but they are playable. To have high resolutions, good framerates, high settings even in WoW in graphically intense areas (PvP , raids, and crowded areas), you need decent graphic and CPU power just like in any other modern game.


Message edited by dirtmountain on 10-01-2008 at 06:16:59 PM
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jaywarren   10-01-2008 at 11:05:46 PM
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OK now for some noob questions. Will ant Intel cpu work with the motherboard that you recommended I get? I would not mind getting a bit more out of my computer for a few more bucks. But dont know what works with what. thanks

Reply to jaywarren
Proximon   10-01-2008 at 11:44:58 PM
- 0 +

The Biostar P43 board that Dirt listed is Intel compatible. The TA790GX is an AMD board.


Reply to Proximon
jaywarren   10-02-2008 at 12:12:53 AM
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how do you feel about Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8500 - Retail. Its $259 with motherboard?

Reply to jaywarren
Proximon   10-02-2008 at 12:17:49 AM
- 0 +

If you can fit that in, yes that would be a great deal.

Now your system is looking better than mine.

*stomps off muttering*


Message edited by Proximon on 10-02-2008 at 12:19:03 AM
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