Decent video card for WoW -Inspiron 530 350w PSU

[klbg]

I have a family computer that I often play World of Warcraft on. The computer is a Dell Inspiron 530 Core 2 Quad @6600 2.4GHz, running Vista with 3gb RAM. It runs the game fairly well (about 20 frames per second) with all the graphic settings on lowest. But, I'd like to make an upgrade to run the game smoother and with higher settings. I'm making this upgrade with my own small budget of maybe $70, so a new PSU isn't really on my mind yet. Basically my question is; what would be a good video card to run the game? I won't be running any newer demanding games, so it shouldn't reach peak. So far I have the idea of the 4670, which I've found on newegg for around $65. Apparently it doesn't draw any external power, and takes around 50w at peak. Nevertheless, the recommended configuration shows 400w minimum. Then again, I've seen people saying this is overkill. I haven't checked just yet but I've read that the Inspiron 530 comes with a 350w PSU. Would this be enough? If not, are there any other decent cards that can run this game with even lower requirements? Thanks.

 

[Ron23]

Id go with a new 400watt psu you can find them for cheap prices these days under 60 bucks

 

[klbg]

But shouldn't the 4670 work? I've talked with people who've used it on a 250w fine for years.

 

[daship]

4670 will work but youll get minor improvements but if you could OC your CPU to 3.4+ youll really start seeing some FPS in WoW. WoW is mostly CPU based.

 

[Ron23]

id prefer 400 watts because ive had bad experience with psu. the quality of you pwersupply is also important because if you have a crappy brand PSU thats 350watts it actually supplies less than that.but if you have good amperage on the 12v rail you should be fine you might stress your psu quite abit because of the other components do take into account

 

[klbg]

I'm thinking it's the card, because I get up to 100fps in regular indoors places, just starts dragging when spells come up, and GPU won't allow shadows or AA in game.

 

[Ron23]

it is certainly your gpu it seems like you videocard is bottlenecking your whole system...why not save up a little more for a card im sure itll be worth it..also you can go with a 3870 which is quite better than the 4670 but im not sure if it takes more energy

 

[klbg]

Just to clarify, the 9800GT EE is similar to the 4670 in that it doesn't use external power? If so, that would be great. And about the 9600GT, what's the difference? Is it just cheaper, or does it also use less power.

Thanks for the advice so far.

 

[klbg]

Great, I'll start saving. Thanks.

 

[messerchmidt]

9800Gt 512mb, or get the radeon 4870, should be fine

 

[klbg]

Hey, one more question. I read up on the 9500GT card. It's relatively cheap and from the reviews I've seen it can run the game at maximum settings. Also, it has a 350w PSU, which I seem to have. Would that be a good upgrade?

 

[klbg]

Ok, thanks, just making sure. The 9800GT EE it is then.
I'd preferably like to just pick one up at BestBuy, so could you tell if this is the same model?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9293533&st=9800gt+ee&lp=2&type=product&cp=1&id=1218076082739

I'm only asking because it says that it require 6-pin connectors and a 550w PSU, and that's kind of overdoing it.
I'm hoping that's just copied and pasted from the regular 9800GT, would it'd nice to make sure.

 

[klbg]

Yeah and luckily it's not available at my best buy. I almost gave in to my impatience.


Ordered it from Newegg and apparently I'm getting some flimsy cardboard 3D glasses... a $60 value.


Thanks to everyone for the help.

 

[nutz]

My brother has a Inspiron 531 with a 300w and he is using a 4670