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I need to upgrade for WOW Cataclysm

Last response: in Graphics & Displays
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I'm trying to play Cataclysm and the game-play is lagging alot. I checked Can I Run This and they're telling me 2GB ram is preferred (I only have 1.9GB and I'm maxed-out) and I need to upgrade my graphics card.

Here are the specs on my computer:******************************

Processor
•
AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 Dual-Core Processor 4000+ for TRUE multi-tasking
multi-tasking(a)
Processor Speed
•
2.1GHz(a)
Chipset
•
NVIDIA nForce 430 Chipset
Cache (L2)
•
512KB+512KB L2 cache
Bus Speed
•
2000MT/s System Bus
Memory
•
2048MB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM memory (2x1GB) (expandable
(expandable to 2GB)(b)
Hard Drive
•
250GB 7200RPM hard drive(c)
Optical Drive(s)
•
SuperMulti DVD Burner with LightScribe Technology 16x DVD±R,
DVD±R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 8x DVD+R DL, 4x DVD-R DL,
DL, 5x DVD-RAM, 16x DVD-ROM, 40x CDR, 32x CDRW, 40x CD-ROM
CD-ROM(d)
Video Graphics
•
NVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE Graphics with TurboCache with 128MB
128MB dedicated graphics memory. Up to 623MB Total Available
Available Graphics Memory as allocated by Windows Vista™(p)
Network Interface
•
10/100 Base-T network interface
Sound
•
High Definition Audio, 6 speaker configurable
Fax/Modem
•
2-1GB DIMM (240-pin, DDR2) (occupied)
Expansion Slots
•
2 PCI slots (one available)
•
1 PCI-E x16 slot (available)
•
1 PCI-E x1 slot (available)
Expansion Bays
•
2 external 5.25"(one available)
•
1 external 3.5" (one available)
•
2 internal 3.5" (one available)


My Monitor is an HP W2207h with the following specs:***************************

Display size 22-inch (55.9 cm) diagonal and viewable image
Display type Thin-Film Transistor LCD active matrix

BriteView technology
Input terminal VGA 15-pin D-type connector

HDMI connector
Scanning frequency Horizontal scan range 24-82 KHz

Vertical scan range 48-76 Hz
Recommended resolution (H x V) 1680 x 1050 @ 60 Hz
Contrast ratio up to 2000:1
Dynamic contrast ratio up to 3000:1
Response time 5 ms (on-off)
Pixel pitch 0.252 mm
Power source - AC/DC adapter Input rating: 100 to 240V~

I'm under major budget constraints and would like to get the best I can without spending a lot.

Having said that, what card should I get that will get me to the recommended level (as cheaply as possible), and what (slightly more expensive) card would make use of the monitors abilities?

Thanks for helping me out with this...

More about : upgrade wow cataclysm

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Graphics card Master

otepvashj said:
I run an 8800GT (about 3 years old) and I run on high settings (medium terrian distance) with 60FPS.

I'd say pick any card better than that and you'll be fine.


I agree if treated right that G92 will give you a year or two more but with lowered settings. It is the best cards that in the end last far longer than they were meant for. 9800 pro, 6800gt/ultra, 8800gtx, and the G92 GT/GTX/GTS.
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Graphics card Master

plznote said:
A GTS 450 would be great if you don't play any other demanding games.
I think a 460 is overkill for that res.


Wrong it is not overkill at that ress and it isn't economical to buy a card that only suffices when there is a need to have something that actually lasts longer than a few months to a year unlike people like you have have wads of cash that upgrade as soon as the next gen cards are out. Overkill yea right I can max one out playing on 1280x1024 on a ancient crt but then again people have never heard of any thing above 85hz refresh rate and maxed settings such as aa and af models.


I may have missed it in the post, but I do not see anywhere what PSU you are using, and without knowing that, offering up advice as to what possible card you could upgrade to makes no sense.

So, unless I am mistaken, could you list the PSU and we can possibly come up with a decent card as an upgrade to your PC.

What about this card??

GeForce 9400 GT 512MB DDR2 PCI-E 2.0 Graphics Card

Jumpy graphics, video start-stops and play and pause gaming just became a thing of the past. Introducing the XFX NVIDIA GeForce® 9400 GT, a gamer—and visual computing enthusiasts—new best friend. The 9400 GT delivers astonishing vibrant video-watching with NVIDIA® PureVideo® HD technology. HDCP-Capable, the 9400 GT ensures exceptional playback of encrypted Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD movie content when connected to HDCP-compliant displays.

General Features
OpenGL Support OpenGL 2.1
DirectX Support DirectX 10 (Shader Model 4.0)
Graphics Processor NVIDIA GeForce 9400 GT
Core Clock Speed 550MHz
RAMDAC Clock Speed 400MHz
Shader Clock 1400MHz
Stream Processors 16
Memory Installed 512MB DDR2
Memory Clock Speed 400MHz (800MHz Effective)
Memory Bus 64-bit
VGA Connectors (1) VGA 15-pin
DVI Connectors (1) Dual-Link DVI
Interface PCI Express 2.0 x16
Power Supply Requirements 350 Watt Power Supply
Software Included Drivers & Utilities
Manufacturer Warranty Lifetime Limited Warranty
Graphics card Master

With that psu you are not going to get much working for your system. Even a weak GTS 450 draws 106-109w depending on the sample at load. Get a quality unit from Antec or some other highly reputable brand.

So would this (plus a new PSU) be a decent choice?

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml...

I'm looking for a short-term fix and an eventual new CPU. So I'm hoping this card will smooth out the game-play for now and still be able to migrate to a newer PC.

And this video card is $40 after rebate which is definitely in my price range. I'm not looking to max out the graphics but just satisfy the gaming needs of my son. :) 

Thanks for all the replies.
Graphics card Authority

that card the 240 should play wow with that setup probably at medium settings with playable fps, just make sure to drop the shadows to low, at thats the biggest gpu burden in WoW
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