Upgrading PC for gaming

[avpoh8]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: next 3 weeks
BUDGET RANGE: $500

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: World of Warcraft

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Mouse, Case, Keyboard, monitor, harddrive, DVD\CD, OS.

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg.com
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

PARTS PREFERENCES: Open to most

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1680x1050

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
I currently have
E8600 clocked at 3.6ghz
4Gb DDR2 Ram
P45 Asus Mobo
9800 GT
430w power supply

I am looking to upgrade the system for better performance in WoW. Just looking for some advice. Is it worth looking at an upgrade at this time?

 

[dndhatcher]

Cant you pretty much max out WoW at that resolution right now?

Upgrading the graphics card to a 5770 or even 5850 that you would move to your next computer is about the only thing that would make sense to me.

 

[rockyjohn]

The minimum power requirements of the 5770 and 5850 are 450w and 500w, respectively. You prett much have your PSU maxed out with the 9800GT. If you want to get a better graphics card now I suggest getting a new PSU now that you can also move to your next rig.

The E8600 is a fast chip and I see you have OC. The bad news is this really means you probably don't have overhead on the current PSU to increase the video card. Is your video card OC too?

The good news is the E8600 - especially with OC - is a very fast chip and can easily handle a graphics card upgrade.

Is the upgrade worth it? Well that depends on what you are missing now that the upgrade will provide, how signficant that is to you, and what is the oppotunity cost of the cash - that is what will you be giving up to get this and how important is that to you.