Please Help To Make a WOW gaming rig

dimmzeta73

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Hi guys! My friend was interested in seeing how cheap he could make a desktop that would run WOW on maxxx settings in every scenario within the game on the cheapest budget possible. He does want quality parts tough, so things that last are a plus! I told him i'd post this on the forum to see exactly what parts make the ultimate WOW rig for the least amount! Help a brotha out with them parts!


APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: This week!

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: WOW on max setting everywhere, web browsing, multi-taskking during gaming!

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, mouse, screen

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg

PARTS PREFERENCES: by brand or type None

OVERCLOCKING: No SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080,

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: SILENT PC windows 7
 
Solution
WoW is much more cpu dependant then most games. It's engine was built in the DX 6 era when gpus were still in their infancy.

It has been optimized for mult-cores (up to 4). There are plenty of people out there that are still getting sub 30 fps in Dalaran running 5870's so, the dream of running WoW @ max settings 24/7 everyplace is just that, a dream.

Get the best cpu you can, overclock the hell out of it, but still be ready to reduce AA and shadows.

CPU - Even the Athlon X2 2xx would suffice but the X3 would be better overall...
X3 425
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103726

Mobo - ASRock 770 - They are good quality if not great...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157176

RAM -
4GB would be very good...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277

HDD -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010150014%20103530113%201035307886&bop=And&ActiveSearchResult=True&CompareItemList=N82E16822148395%2CN82E16822152181

Graphics card - If only WoW, then this card would suffice...
HD 4850 1GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131163
But if he will be able to put more money towards the graphics, then this one...
HD 5770 1GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131327

CASE
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146059
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811154098

PSU -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341016

OS
WIN 7 Home Premium 64-bit

The above setup should be able to max out WoW...
 

jonpaul37

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gkay, check my sig below, the 4850 will definately not handle WOW @ Complete full settings, the 4870 barely did. and i play at a lower resolution (1650 x 1250). The 5770 should be able to handle it but the 4850 will not.
 
The 4850 gkay's put in the build isn't the same as the one you have. It's the 1 GB model.

I like gkay's build, but will elaborate on a couple of parts.

HDD: The Samsung is better, but is often out of stock. The Seagate is a good substitute.

Case: I like the NZXT better. It's got better options for adding cooling and it has a bottom mounted PSU so you could use a non-modular PSU and not have to worry about the cables.

PSU: That OCZ ModXStream is good, and it's also in a combo with an HD 5770 or with a DVD burner if you need an optical drive.

RAM: That CPU is in a combo with some OCZ Platinum 1333 mhz sticks for $137 after rebate. These sticks are slightly better, but might require some adjustments in BIOS to perform to the specs.
 

jonpaul37

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It still doesn't matter, i had the 4870 1GB version running in my same rig and it still would not let me get to FULL max settings, still gaming on a 22-inch 1650 x 1250 monitor. (the one thing i could not push all the way up on the 4870 was the shaders)
 
A 5770 didnt quite max WoW out at 1680x1050 for me, I had to turn AA & shadows down, and I was just doing a free trial in the starter zones, not the big cities or raids. I think to play at full max at 1920x1080 you will need a 4890 or 5850. Not that turning AA and shadows off made a noticeable difference in the graphics quality.
 

IH8U

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My $.02

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129069
$35 Antec VSK-2000 (yes I know I prefer Antec)
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817702010
$50 BFG GS-550 (very good, cheap PSU)
MB: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131619
$65 ASUS M4A78LT-M LE 780L (also does hybrid X-Fire)
CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103726
$74 (same Proc gkay suggested)
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277
$94 G.Skill ripjaw DDR3 1600
HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136358
$55 WD 500GB green (its for WOW mainly but the 32MB cache would help)
DVD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151193
$25 Samsung 24x DVDR/RW
Vid: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150351
$125 XFX 4850 1GB
OS: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754
$105 Win 7 home 64bit


*edit* sadly my Vaio laptop can run WOW fairly well, and it has a GF 9300, can't wait for my PC to finally arrive in Ak.

Total W/O S&H: $628 (not counting specials, MIR's, or combo deals)
 

a4mula

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WoW is much more cpu dependant then most games. It's engine was built in the DX 6 era when gpus were still in their infancy.

It has been optimized for mult-cores (up to 4). There are plenty of people out there that are still getting sub 30 fps in Dalaran running 5870's so, the dream of running WoW @ max settings 24/7 everyplace is just that, a dream.

Get the best cpu you can, overclock the hell out of it, but still be ready to reduce AA and shadows.

 
Solution

mognet

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May 4, 2009
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If you are only playing WoW you need something in the range of a 4850 graphics card, the game is almost entirely cpu/latency limited. I use a 4770 @ 1920x1600 with effeccts maxed and in the same area my fps doesn't move my lowering effect details and the gpu never hits 100% load.

It would take a rediculously expensive computer to maintain a high fps in Dalaran during peak times.

I second the recommendation of the X3 amd since wow only ustilies 2 cores, but the extra core is nice for other things and doesn't hurt the fact you'll probably have ventrillo in the background while playing WoW. Personally I got the PII BE for easy overclocking.
 
@jonpaul37 I have seen my friends play WoW with an overclocked 720 and HD 4850 1GB at those resolutions and very high settings without any issues...but maybe they do turn down the AA and turn off the Shadows, which I dont know...

So its upto the OP to decide which card to go depending on his needs as he would have got an idea about the cards that have been suggested here...
 

I think this is correct and WoW has improved the client to use two cores. Its not an all cores, full power client like GTA4.
 

Mr_E

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I'm not sure if this current Blizzard Technical Support: Minimum system requirements for World of Warcraft reply is the most current, regarding CPU optimization. A quesiton regarding CPU that appears near the bottom of the page:
Does the game utilize multiple CPU cores?
Yes, the game will recognize and use resources for up to 3 processors during play.
Regards, video card usage:
Are SLI or XFIRE features supported for multiple video cards?
Yes, these are supported features although that does not necessarily translate to higher performance.

Does the game require a 3D accelerator?
Yes, the game requires a 3D graphics card. We support a wide range of 3D cards that conform to the system requirement outlined above.

Supported 3D cards supported can be found here: http://us.blizzard.com/support/article.xml?locale=en_US&articleId=21085
 

Mr_E

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Not to hijack a thread but did you read this somewhere in an official Blizzard announcement? I've been unable to find anything specific about the graphics update in the next expansion. I know somethings being done because the water effects appear better in preview screenshots I've seen.
 

jonpaul37

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@ Mr_E I have heard things through some grapevines as well. I know that Blizzard plans to completely revamp the old world continents, so what better time to make enhancements which will require graphics updates.

Everquest did it with a few expansions, they even completely changed the look of the races of Norrath! this might be the opportune time for Blizzard to do so.

 

jonpaul37

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what is this "extra enhanced graphics macro" that you are referring to?
 

Mr_E

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While I dont' know the exact macro the OP is referring to you can google "WoW graphic macro" and get a variety of responces. I found one way back in vanilla WoW I used but I cannot recall what it was--at the time a guildmate emailed it to me and I copy/pasted it.

Closest thing I can find is on www.wow-pro.com (I'd be careful going to this site, I know they have had issues in the past with keylogging.) I'vll save you the trip and post a portion of the article, since I'm on a PC that isn't at risk.

With the use of a macro, you can increase your graphics with a higher view distance and grass density in WoltK.
So, lets get started.

The steps to make a macro are:
1. Type in /macro or /m
2. Create 2 new macros with different icons.
3.Copy paste these lines in the first macro
/console overridefarclip 1
/console farclip 1600
/console horizonfarclip 6226
/console groundeffectdensity 256
/console groundeffectdist 140
/console smallcull 0
/console skycloudlod 3
/console characterAmbient
/console extshadowquality 4

4. For the second macro copy paste
/console environmentDetail 2

Now just put them on your action bar and run both. You will notice a large FPS drop even of a high end machine. For me, it dropped my fps by about 25 but now WoW looks extremely well.

Notes: Create 2 macros because 1 wont fit it all.
I got the updated macro from
http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html;jsessionid=C7039CE15BBB66F5363F6DD4094787B2.app25_04?topicId=11228503053&sid=1
but since the thread is barely viewed I though I would post this here.

Now from responces below the macro posting, it sounds like the macros work better on machines that are overgeared for WoW. However that post was from early 2009 and I don't know if/when any additional graphcis enhancements were made by Blizzard.

(Jesus I write in passive voice!)