Upgrades

[Advent]

To begin, as a college student, I can only save about $140 per month. I just snagged an HP a6700z desktop computer, and I'd like to return to WoW. I know it needs to be upgraded and/or replaced, but I'm hoping I can fix it up to be able to do 25-mans without twisting my hair in frustration because my fps drops to 12 or lower. I'd like to maintain at least 20.

Desktop Specs:

CPU: AMD Sempron LE 1300 2.30 GHz
CPU Socket Type: Socket AM2 Core: SpartaMoBo: ASUS M2N68-LA

RAM: 2GB (2x 1GB) System memory Samsung 240-pin DDR2

GPU: Nvidia Geforce 6150 nForce 430 on-board 128-MB memory 425 MHz

PSU: Bestec ATX0300D5WC 175-300W

OS: Windows Vista Home Edition 32-Bit

Res: 1440x900

I'm asking the community, what would you upgrade first?

[Deleted]

I would get a graphics card.

[Kripparrian]

graphics card without question.

[Deleted]

If its an AGP slot then your limited to a HD 4670.

[Advent]

If its an AGP slot then your limited to a HD 4670.

Is that a respectable card to go for?

[Deleted]

It will run WoW easily. But a single core at 2.3ghz wont.

[ChexMix]

A single processor will run WoW, it's just not going to run it very good.

@OP..

Read this link and get to the recommended state as best as possible.

http://us.blizzard.com/support/artic...tem&rhtml=true

[Deleted]

A single processor will run WoW, it's just not going to run it very good.

Basically what i said.

[Advent]

Would I also have to upgrade my PSU to something more powerful?

[Kripparrian]

to get reasonable performance you will need a new graphics card and cpu. Also a psu to support them.

[Eurytos]

How well will the game run with the minimum requirements?

I mean, if the best computer runs it at the greatest settings without issue, then how much over the minimum requirements are needed to run it at, say, good or better than good settings?

[Advent]

How well will the game run with the minimum requirements?

I mean, if the best computer runs it at the greatest settings without issue, then how much over the minimum requirements are needed to run it at, say, good or better than good settings?

That's a good question.

[Asera]

I actually just installed WoW on an old Athlon XP 2400+ system for kicks. Did a few random heroics just fine. I don't think a 25man would be a good idea on it though.

Your Sempron is a wee bit more powerful though... Powerful enough for a 25 man though? Maybe. You might sustain 20FPS most of the time, just don't run any addons besides bare necessities.

[Advent]

If I were to add 2GB more memory, would I see any improvements? Or is upgrading the processor more of a priority?

[Asera]

Upgrading the CPU for sure. It uses an AM2 socket, so you could get an Athlon II X3 for it. (Do plenty of research beforehand though, ie: motherboard/ram compatibility etc)

[Advent]

My processor upgrades are:

Athlon 64 X2 w/ Dual Core Technology up to 4800+
Athlon 64 up to 3800+
All Sempron

Is the Athlon 64 X2 the better of the 3 types?

[Asera]

Can you get a BIOS update to use any K10 AMD? Or are you stuck with K8's?

[Advent]

I'm actually not sure. Would you happen to know how I can find out?