Could a noob PC gamer please get some help.

[Gamerpower321]

Ok, so im here to ask for help on Getting the most out of my computer for playing World of Warcraft. I play on high settings with 30 FPS and then lowers depending i never have anything above 30.

My System Specifications

Operating System:
Windows 7 64 bit Home Premium

CPU Type:
AMD Athlon(tm) II X2 245 Processor

CPU Speed:
2.92 GHz

System Memory:
4 GB

Video Card Model:
NVIDIA GeForce GT 520

Video Card Memory:
2.72 GB

Power Supply:
480W

Desktop Resolution:
1280x1024

Hard Disk Size:
931.41 GB

Right now the only thing i was thinking of doing was getting a new GPU. I have my eye set on

http://www.geforce.com/hardware/desktop-gpus/geforce-gtx-550ti

Please let me know on anything else i could possibly do to my computer to help.

Thank you all.

 

[abekl]

That video card upgrade would be a good start. I would suggest going for the sweet spot though, which is currently $200 with the 560Ti. Maybe also add a cpu upgrade for additional speed to an Athlon II X2 270 (3.4 GHz).

 

[Gamerpower321]

That video card upgrade would be a good start. I would suggest going for the sweet spot though, which is currently $200 with the 560Ti. Maybe also add a cpu upgrade for additional speed to an Athlon II X2 270 (3.4 GHz).

Hey thanks for replying. I'm a complete beginner when it come to modding my computer. Would I just need to buy the CPU and install it or would I need to do anything else?

 

[abekl]

Replacing a cpu isn't difficult, but it is delicate. Basically, first you remove the old fan/heatsink, then remove the cpu. Then you install the new cpu and install the new fan/heatsink. You might or might not reuse you old fan/heatsink, it just depends on your situation.
AMD Athlon II X2 260 Regor 3.2GHz Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor ADX260OCGMBOX - $69 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103873

also

AMD Athlon II X2 270 Dual Core Processor Socket AM3 3.4GHZ 2MB L2 Cache 65W Retail Box
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=63619&vpn=ADX270OCGMBOX&manufacture=AMD

 

[wr6133]

If your going to upgrade your CPU firstly post the make and model of your motherboard so we can see whats compatible if its an OEM system it may have been aggresivley locked in what it can take. Personally though I wouldn't bother upgrading to another athlon that only has a slight clock speed upgrade you won't see much change. If your upgrading CPU and your motherboard can take it you would be better suited getting decent quad Phenom II, more cores, l3 cache, faster clock speeds.

You definitley need to upgrade your GPU though the 520 is not a gaming card by a long shot. 550ti minimum like abekl said though at the cheapish end of the range 560ti is sort of the good spot on price right now.... beaware that for either you may need a new PSU

Best thing you can do is post the make and model of your motherboard and your budget.

 

[Gamerpower321]

If your going to upgrade your CPU firstly post the make and model of your motherboard so we can see whats compatible if its an OEM system it may have been aggresivley locked in what it can take. Personally though I wouldn't bother upgrading to another athlon that only has a slight clock speed upgrade you won't see much change. If your upgrading CPU and your motherboard can take it you would be better suited getting decent quad Phenom II, more cores, l3 cache, faster clock speeds.

You definitley need to upgrade your GPU though the 520 is not a gaming card by a long shot. 550ti minimum like abekl said though at the cheapish end of the range 560ti is sort of the good spot on price right now.... beaware that for either you may need a new PSU

Best thing you can do is post the make and model of your motherboard and your budget.

Is there anyway i could find out what motherboard i have? Like i said, when it comes to most of this im a complete beginner.

My budget would be 300-400 dollars at the moment. I have no problem waiting a couple of weeks for other parts. Right now though i just want what would make the most difference in my gameplay.

thanks for the help.

 

[wr6133]

http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html

Download that, run it, mainboard tab will have the details of the motherboard.

OR

If you PC is made by a large company tell us the model number and we can go digging for the info it'll be published somewhere.

CPU-z is better as it will definitely be correct.

First thing I would do is upgrade the GPU that will be a instant improvement though the CPU is also a bit rusty. Like I said before the GPU upgrade is likely to require a new PSU (power supply)

 

[Gamerpower321]

http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html

Download that, run it, mainboard tab will have the details of the motherboard.

OR

If you PC is made by a large company tell us the model number and we can go digging for the info it'll be published somewhere.

CPU-z is better as it will definitely be correct.

First thing I would do is upgrade the GPU that will be a instant improvement though the CPU is also a bit rusty. Like I said before the GPU upgrade is likely to require a new PSU (power supply)

Ok so it says here that my motherboard is.

Manufacturer: ASRock

Model: N68-VS3 UCC

Chipset: Nvidia GeForce 7025 Rev A3

Southbridge: Nvidia nForce 630a Rev A2

LPCIO: Winbond W83267DHG-P

I have no idea if thats anygood. and also would this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341018 Be a good power supply to get with the graphics card?

Thanks again for your help.

 

[abekl]

The OCZ ModXStream Pro 700W power supply that you linked to would be great with a 500ti or 560ti graphics card.

 

[wr6133]

That motherboard only accepts 95W parts (CPU's) so the CPU i linked is the best you can get its an OEM so I included a cooler for it (OEM parts has no cooler included)

AMD Phenom II X4 955 Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113007

COOLER MASTER Hyper TX3 RR-910-HTX3-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" 92mm CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103064

ZOTAC AMP! ZT-50302-10M GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500196

CORSAIR Builder Series CX600 V2 600W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028

Total - $389.96

Theres some mail in rebates there that bring the total down to $344.96

 

[mojito0]

I would go with this as a graphics card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102908
It's a very good choice aswell it can cover you as much as the ZOTAC will with a much lower price, now as for cpu etc wr6133 has some good ones there

 

[wr6133]

I have to disagree there the 6850 is linked 2 places lower here than the 560ti

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/gaming-graphics-card-review,review-32442-7.html

it also loses to the 560ti in every benchmark here

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/539?vs=547

 

[mojito0]

well i just talked for a little cheaper graphics card, the dude can see his budget and from there choose if he will go with a more expensive one or not.

 

[Gamerpower321]

Thanks for the help guys and as for mojito, thanks for trying to help me spend a little less money haha But what wr6 posted is actually perfectly inside my comfort Zone.