Looking for advice about a new setup - run WoW smoothly

[anniesek]

Hello all.

I am trying to build a new computer, and would like some input if you would be so kind. I will try to follow the guidelines given in the sticky, but below I will also post what I have been working with already, though that is completely flexible.


1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.

I want to be able to play World of Warcraft, as well as its upcoming expansion, at comfortable graphics settings. With my current 2.26GHz P4 w/128MB vid card setup (1 GB RAM), that is just not happening, even at minimal settings. Aside from that, I just do typical word processing, internet surfing and occasional DVD burning. I intend to keep running Windows XP.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread

I would like to try to stay under $800.

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.

I plan to use newegg.

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc, etc, etc, you get the picture.

From what I understand, I would be best off in an Intel core duo of some sort and preferably an NVIDIA card. (See current list of items below).

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

I will be keeping my monitor, speakers, keyboard, mouse, and OS.

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.


I've read stuff all day from many different sources, some of which looked like Mandarin Chinese to me. I have developed quite a headache. I really want to learn, though.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.

I probably would if I knew more about it. Since I don't, I won't.


Here is a list of items I have tried to put together on newegg for your perusal. Perhaps some of this could be used as a base, or perhaps it's a complete waste of time. Either way, absolutely any help and input is appreciated.

Thank you so much in advance!


Rosewill R6A34-BK 0.8mm SECC 120mm Fan ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retai
$49.99

GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX All Solid Capacitor Intel Motherboard - Retail
$89.99

EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
$229.99

Rosewill RP550-2 ATX12V v2.01 550W Power Supply - Retail
$56.99

Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80557E6750 - Retail
$189.99

G.SKILL 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail
$84.99

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
$69.99

SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S203B - OEM
$26.99

Subtotal: $798.92

 

[MarcVenice]

http://www.buy.com/retail/sear...e&display=col&dclksa=1 That PSU, order one quick, before the special offer runs out !!!

This would be the 8800gt I'd want: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814127329 but if you want lifetime warranty, then there's a 190$ XFX, or a 200$ EVGA, After Rebates.

Mobo is a good pick, could save some money getting this though: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...7031&Tpk=abit%2bip35-e

Drop the e6750, and either get this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819115031 or invest a LITTLE more money into a much faster e8400. The e4500 should be fine for WoW though.

I'd get this HD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822136178 or this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822152052 you pay 30$ more, for double the space ?

Good luck with your build, you did your fair share of research and are on the right track for sure.

 

[DSF]

There's a very easy to follow guide in the CPU forum about overclocking Core2Duos. I have the E4500 MarcVenice is recommending on the P35-DS3L you chose. It's running absolutely stable at 2.93GHz. Even at stock speeds it would handle WoW just fine though. I agree with his PSU choice as well.

 

[anniesek]

Hello again!

Thanks so much for the suggestions thus far.

I have swapped out the video card and HD on my wish list per your suggestions.

I can't seem to find a single reputable source online that has the e8400 processor in stock. Are they just that hard to find? That tells me that you must be right, and that it's a really good CPU...hmmm...Is there anything in particular that makes you react negatively toward the 6750, even perhaps favoring the 4500 over it? I ask because I would ideally like to place an order and get to work on this this week while I have vacation from work, and i"m not sure an e8400 will be available.

Also, will I need any additional fans or heat sinks?

I really appreciate the help. You guys are great!

Thanks!

-Annie





So, here's the current selection, based on your advice:

(still includes the e6750 since the e8400 is not in stock)

Rosewill R6A34-BK 0.8mm SECC 120mm Fan ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
$49.99

GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX All Solid Capacitor Intel Motherboard - Retail
$89.99

MSI NX8800GT 512M OC GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
$219.99

CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX ATX12V V2.2 550W Power Supply - Retail
$84.99

Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80557E6750 - Retail
$189.99

G.SKILL 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail
$84.99

SAMSUNG SpinPoint T Series HD501LJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
$104.99

SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S203B - OEM
$26.99

+/- $840

 

[jterrell]

abit ip35e ... http://www.newegg.com/Product/...7031&Tpk=ABIT%2bIP35-E
antec earthwatts 500 or corsair 550 or 520 ...if you want modular.... antec: http://www.buy.com/prod/antec-...loc/101/203477216.html
e4500(the mulitplier is 11 so a minimal bump in bus speed raises cpu speed quite a bit and that chip will fly) linked above by Marc.
any roomy case ... coolermaster has refurbs cheap.
The 9600GT(msi has a 1 GB of ram version with an excellent fan) might be the best call if you are running a smallish monitor. If over 22" then the 8800 GT is the best bet.
the 9600 GT ... http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814127333 or the 1 GB version ... http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814127334

 

[anniesek]

OK, definitely switching to the 4500 chip after now having been told twice to go that way.

What difference will I be able to appreciate between the 9600GT and 8800GT? I have a 17" monitor, but may be able to upgrade to a larger one in the foreseeable future.

Again, thanks so much for all the help. I really appreciate all of your guidance with this.

-Annie

 

[DSF]

There's nothing wrong with the E6750, except that the E8400 is better.

A little bit of background will help explain. The E6750 is 2.66GHz for around $190. Before the E8400 was released, it was generally considered the Intel CPU to get. (Unless you were planning to overclock a budget chip like the E2180 or E4500.) The E8400 is produced on a smaller 45nm process and runs at 3.0GHz, making it completely superior to the E6750. The only problem is that while the E8400 was supposed to be around the same price as the E6750, the low supply and high demand have made that impossible recently.

 

[anniesek]

Regarding the e8400...I would even be willing to buy it at a premium if it's as much of an improvement over the 4500 processor as you say it is. Unfortunately, it just doesn't seem to be available, even at $250+. So am I better off waiting for it on backorder, or going ahead with the 4500? Dilemma...

Thanks again. This has been more helpful than you know.

-Annie

 

[jterrell]

Originally posted by: anniesek
OK, definitely switching to the 4500 chip after now having been told twice to go that way.

What difference will I be able to appreciate between the 9600GT and 8800GT? I have a 17" monitor, but may be able to upgrade to a larger one in the foreseeable future.

Again, thanks so much for all the help. I really appreciate all of your guidance with this.

-Annie

You really should "see" no difference. Both cards will run what you want to run easily. It is a potential of having better performance for the next WoW expansion with the 9600GT because it shines in DX10 games according to reviews. It is a little quieter and draws a little less power than the 8800GTs as well. All in all the 8800GT is the better choice if you do plan to scoop up a 24" widescreen monitor but the 9600 is probably better for you now because it is cheaper and will likely have new firmwares out for a while.

MSI has a really nice cooling system in place on their cards and do a good job of overclocking them for you if you'd rather not hassle with it.

The biggest benefit you'll see from WoW performance I'd bet is the additional memory you are adding to the new system. You can also get great HDD performance with the large 500 or 750 GB Samsung drives.

 

[DSF]

The E4500 will easily overclock to 2.93GHz. That's going to be slower than an E8400, but not enough to matter for your use. Any game should run just peachy on an E4500, and definitely will if you overclock. The extra power the E8400 provides isn't going to manifest itself in day to day use.

 

[MarcVenice]

Price/Performance wise the 8800gt for 185$ or so is the best card if you ask me. Not sure how the 9600gt 'shines' in dx10 games, and how it is going to outperform the 8800gt because of new drivers or something. I'd like to see a link to back up that claim.

Do you have a microcenter nearby btw ? Word is they still sell the e8400 instore, and for a good price to. Or you can pick up a e4500 for 100$ at microcenter.

 

[ussfletcher]

To play WoW on XP I think 2gb of ram would be sufficient..

This is $28 AR http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820145590

But.. If you really want 4gb this is $60.99 AR http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820227284

 

[anniesek]

Originally posted by: MarcVenice
Price/Performance wise the 8800gt for 185$ or so is the best card if you ask me. Not sure how the 9600gt 'shines' in dx10 games, and how it is going to outperform the 8800gt because of new drivers or something. I'd like to see a link to back up that claim.

Do you have a microcenter nearby btw ? Word is they still sell the e8400 instore, and for a good price to. Or you can pick up a e4500 for 100$ at microcenter.

Since I know so little, I do not understand why two video cards that have the same numbers would be different. I currently have the 8800gt that you recommended on my wish list.

I just looked, and I do have a Microcenter right down the road. I must have driven past it a million times and never even noticed it there. I'll be heading over there as soon as they open. Thanks for the tip. If I can get a chip that's much better, I can't imagine why I wouldn't try to make that happen.

As far as the comment about reducing the amount of RAM, I know that 2GB would be enough, but wouldn't 4Gb just be that much better? I would like for this thing to hold up for at least a little while. Maybe I'm wrong, but I will see if there were cheaper 4GB combos available than the one I picked, which seemed like a good deal with a lot of high reviews on newegg as well.

Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to reply and offer their advice, wisdom and opinions. This has been a great help, and I feel like I am actually learning something from you guys.

Thanks so much!

-Annie

 

[MarcVenice]

No, go with 4gb, it's cheap, and it will be usefull, maybe not now right away, but it will be down the road. And WoW loves more ram, especially in big crowded places.

You shouldn't really worry about the videocards btw, reviews have simply shown that the 9600gt is a little slower then the 8800gt, and the 8800gt I linked is factory overclocked, so it's a little faster then the 'stock' 8800gt.

 

[BlueAcolyte]

For $50 I'd get a Centurion 534 and move the side fan to the front. Or even better, I'd get the Rosewill 5601/5604/5605 cases... You'd want more than some budget rosewill case for that stuff.

 

[anniesek]

So, just as a quick update. I checked Microcenter and they didn't have the e8400, but Fry's did. I paid $225 for it, and feel quite good about it (maybe I paid too much, but I get the feeling that it's worth it). So, in the end, I've got the 8800gt vid card suggested by Marc, 4GB Ram, the original mobo I had chosen, a 500 GB HD per suggestion from Marc as well, and finally, the PSU that Marc linked in his first post. I am about to place the order, and it has come out to a total of right under $900, which I am comfortable with because I feel that the changes made to my original plan will be that much of an improvement.

Once again, thank you all so much for your help. It has been an educational experience, and you have all been very helpful, taking your time to assist a newb like me. I really appreciate it.

Thanks!

-Annie

 

[s44]

8800GT is sort of overkill for WoW, but why not I guess.

Do you have Vista 64 to take advantage of all your RAM?

 

[MarcVenice]

Yeah, he is right about that. This 9600gt http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814127333 would save you 30$, and would still be plenty fast for WoW. The 8800gt will last a bit longer if you buy 'new' games though.

 

[anniesek]

I have a copy of XP Professional x64 edition. I don't really want to switch up to memory-hogging Vista yet. Doesn't my copy of XP run at 64-bit? Wouldn't that make use of the RAM I am putting into this machine?

Thanks!

 

[MarcVenice]

XP 64x kinda sucks, but yeah you will see all 4gb of ram with it. Let us know how all your new hardware runs on xp 64x ?

 

[anniesek]

I also have a standard xpPro copy. Would I be better off with that?

 

[Arcanedeath]

To use all 4gb of your memory you need a 64 bit OS, so if the choice is between XP32 or XP64 and you already have both I'd go w/ XP64

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: s44
8800GT is sort of overkill for WoW, but why not I guess.

Do you have Vista 64 to take advantage of all your RAM?

fsaa+++
or higher res

 

[chinaman1472]

Originally posted by: s44
8800GT is sort of overkill for WoW, but why not I guess.

Do you have Vista 64 to take advantage of all your RAM?

Obviously, you've never ran into Ironforge on a Friday night.

 

[jterrell]

Originally posted by: MarcVenice
Price/Performance wise the 8800gt for 185$ or so is the best card if you ask me. Not sure how the 9600gt 'shines' in dx10 games, and how it is going to outperform the 8800gt because of new drivers or something. I'd like to see a link to back up that claim.

Ask and ye shall receive

Their final conclusion... With the introduction of the GeForce 9600 GT, NVIDIA?s finally provided a compelling sub-$200 DirectX 10 graphics part. If you?re a gamer on a budget who craves the best performance in DX9 and DX10 games, the GeForce 9600 GT is the best card on the market right now.

http://www.firingsquad.com/har...performance/page16.asp


There are a ALOT of owners of 8800 GTs out there and they work quite well but most reviews note they are likely to stop making them because they are more expensive to make then the 9600's.

There is a knee jerk on the forums for AMD owners to defend AMD and whatever parts owners to defend those as well.

The 9600 reference cards with the initial firmware versus an 8800 GT on about its 3rd firmware is not exactly fair now is it?