Building a PC for WoW Playing

[Drakos]

Hello,
Okay here's the deal I have a gateway GT5058 with XP media center on it. I play WoW and I get about 15fps average. When in Dal I get aroun 8-12fps. I'm trying to find out a way to improve this. Was thinking of getting a new video card(nVIDIA GeForce 6100 GPU currently) for starters but I was wondering if there was anyway I could actually upgrade my system to run faster. I'm pretty much computer dumb. Most computer stuff gets in my brain for a short time then dissipates (which is frustrating cause I like computers) Oh yeah my system is AMD 64 x2 Processor 3800+ 2.0 GHz 2x 512 KB L2 cahce, 2000MHz system Bus with 2048 MB DDR Dual Channel....any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[MadAdmiral]

Might want to follow the guidelines from the link in my signature. What are you willing to spend?

As far as getting a faster computer, you would pretty much have to upgrade everything. All of that's a good 2 generations behind.

Here's a generic $850 build that would be great for WoW and many other things:

CPU: Phenom II X4 955 $166
Mobo: Asus M4A79XTD EVO
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws 2x2 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 7 $115
HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F3 500 GB $55
GPU: HD 5770 $143 after rebate
Case: Antec 300 $60
PSU: Corsair 550W $80
Optical: Cheapest SATA DVD burner $25
OS: Windows 7 Home 64-bit OEM Combo with mobo for $205 after rebate

Total: $849. It can get a lot cheaper than that (around $750) by simply changing the CPU, or finding combos and other deals. To get anymore specific, we need more information.

 

[Drakos]

Sorry first time on here and all...
Anyways I'm looking at about 800 for this depending on my return. My fiancee is looking for the same thing. My lil bro is looking for one as well but he's looking at 500 max. He's currently looking at a Walmart special

http://www.walmart.com/ip/CyberPower/13377138

I myself am looking at

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130498

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145260

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131402

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371015

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148451

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146060

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103680

and some cheap DVD burners. Though I have no clue if the graphics DDR2 would conflict with the MB 's DDR3 I'm not sure what else I would need off hand. The monitors we have as well as keyboards and Optical mouses. The OS doesn't matter as long as it doesn't drag down game play.

 

[banthracis]

Gaming + on board graphics= fail. Even wow won't play well with on board.

For $500 http://www.frys.com/product/5822103?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG, is at least playable.

Use Mad's build w/ a few changes to knock it down $50.

Saves around $65.

GPU/CPU
Phenom II x4 2.8 + 5770 $280.98 w/ $10 MIR

GPU
OCZ 550W $69.99 w/ $25 MIR

 

[Motopsychojdn]

I recently had to build myself a new pc cause my old one was having WoW issues, I'm talking about a fortnight ago, WoW seems to be struggling on older pc's atm for some reason, fps was down to 2fps just sitting there, couldnt chat even, I was running an amd 64xII 1.9Ghz on a msi k9n6pgm2-v with 2Gb ddr2 and Nvid 6200LE graphics and life sucked, I built my current for appx 350 english quidlets, unlocked the cpu and overclocked it, now all WoW setings are on eleven (including shadows,The real killer in WoW ) and its a steady if not fixed 60fps, instances, farming in Lagaran, speaking to a few guildies my graphics card could be improved upon,but its fine for what i need, I.E. Wow hehe

 

[Onus]

This is the lowest BASE system I think I'd build today. I've commented where I think improvements would help.

ASRock M3A785GMH/128M AM3 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Model #:M3A785GMH/128M
Item #:N82E16813157168
$84.99 -$8.00 Instant $76.99
You can get cheaper, but I've been satisfied by the quality and features of the ASRock boards I've bought. If you want to spend a little more, another $30 buys one that will do x8,x8 Crossfire.

Antec EarthWatts Green EA-430D Green 430W Continuous power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS 12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power ... - Retail
Model #:EA-430D Green
Item #:N82E16817371034
$69.99 -$15.00 Instant $54.99
Will have no problem with a HD5750, HD4770, or even a HD4850.

AMD Athlon II X2 250 Regor 3.0GHz Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Processor Model ADX250OCGQBOX - Retail
Model #:ADX250OCGQBOX
Item #:N82E16819103681
$64.99 $64.99
This is probably the second thing I'd upgrade if the budget permits. Less than $30 gets a X3 CPU; $50 or $60 gets a X4.

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL8D-4GBRM - Retail
Model #:F3-10666CL8D-4GBRM
Item #:N82E16820231275
$108.99 $108.99
Meh. RAM is volatile. Check prices the day you buy it. This is CAS8 at only 1.5V.

Western Digital Caviar Blue WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Model #:WD3200AAKS
Item #:N82E16822136074
$49.99 $49.99
Another thing to upgrade, to a Samsung Spinpoint F3 for only $6 more, but again this is the bottom-dollar base budget machine.

Sony Optiarc 24X DVD/CD Rewritable Drive Black SATA Model AD-7240S-0B - OEM
Model #:AD-7240S-0B
Item #:N82E16827118030
$24.99 $24.99
I've found no discernible differences to recommend one optical drive over another. A model with Lightscribe support will cost another few $$.

Subtotal: $380.94

No video card?! Right, that's upgrade #1 for games. Check out the Best Video Cards for the Money monthly article, and/or benchmarks of the games you intend to play. A HD5670 or HD5750 would make a nice addition to this PC for a budget gamer.
Oh, and you'll need to add the case of your [personal] choice. I've had good results with every <$30 Rosewill case I've ever bought. You may want more bling, or something that feels a little nicer because it is; check out the Antec 200 or Antec 300.