Mobo/CPU/Ram + maybe VGA for $150ish to play WoW?

[teemotom]

Hello, I've got a friend that is strapped for cash but his old cheap presario mobo has died (Micro ATX form factor). So I'm going to replace the mobo, cpu and ram (and probably vga unless there's one onboard that will play WoW good enough). All he cares about doing with it is schoolwork and playing WoW. Do you have any good suggestions for $150 or less? Thanks!

 

[jaquith]

Welcome Newcomer

There are several choices, and what you want can be done.

MOBO / CPU / VGA Combo - http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007623%204017%20600038107&IsNodeId=1&name=Motherboard/CPU%20Combo

World of Warcraft {requirements} - http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/faq/technology.html

Good Luck!

 

[teemotom]

I didn't like any of the combos, so I ended up buying seperately. I went with:

BIOSTAR G31D-M7 LGA 775 Intel G31 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813138142


GIGABYTE GV-R435OC-512I Radeon HD 4350 512MB 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX

Intel Pentium Dual-Core E5400 Wolfdale 2.7GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80571E5400
Item #: N82E16819116076


Kingston 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model KVR800D2N5/1G
Item #: N82E16820134114


Subtotal $147.97
Tax $0.00
UPS 3 Days $0.99
Order Total $148.96

Criticisms welcomed

 

[jaquith]

The {KVR800D2N5/1G} is not listed as supported. http://www.ec.kingston.com/ecom/configurator_new/modelsinfo.asp?SysID=65608&mfr=Biostar&model=G31D&search_type=&root=us&LinkBack=http://www.kingston.com&Sys=65608-Biostar-G31D-M7+Motherboard&distributor=0&submit1=Search

2GB KIT (2X1GB)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134635&Tpk=KVR800D2N6K2/2G

1GB $22
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134634&Tpk=KVR800D2N6/1G

 

[wolfram23]

I doub 1GB is going to run anything lol. Windows uses up just over 1GB on it's own. I'd say 2 at the absolute minimum...

The rest isn't bad. I actually just upgraded my gf's HP computer with that mobo (or a very similar one), that cpu, and 4gb kingston value ram and it's running great! No GPU tho. Maybe you can get him to spend an extra $50? Tell him to go mow a few neighbours lawns or something lol.

 

[jaquith]

^+1 2GB {OP budget}; work 1GB yes, work well no.

 

[teemotom]

Yeah, I know that 2 gb would be better than 1, but that's all he can really afford. Easy to stick another one in it later. I didn't see any corners worth cutting to get him 2 gb. I looked at the supported list, but I assumed it was old as I didn't find hardly any of the ones I checked on newegg. So I got one that had many ratings with the hope that it would fit most. Thank you for all your replies

 

[wolfram23]

What was his old graphics card? If he can keep running that, honestly, that 2gb RAM will make things run much smoother. I dont think he'll be happy with the results of windows is constantly page filing, because HDD is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay slower than RAM access.

 

[teemotom]

His old was integrated, so no dice. He's also only going to have XP, so it won't be horrible with 1 like it would be with Vista or 7. When he has another bit of money we can easily upgrade to another stick of ram.

 

[wolfram23]

Well, yeah. I hope he's happy with it. For $150 there isn't much else you can do I guess.

 

[teemotom]

Best answer selected by teemotom.