Need some help on upgrading comp for World of Warcraft

[depotman]

Right now I do a bit of gaming on my PC. Mostly playing WoW. Lately the comp bogs down on the fps from time to time. A good bit of the time I can run 50-60 fps, but sometimes it creeps down to 10-12fps, and occasionally down to 5.

I know what I'm doing in game or how many addons in game I am running can effect that, but I would like to build a comp that will have no problems no matter what is going on in game.

Current specs are:

Processor - Intel Core 2 CPU 4400 @ 2.0 GHZ. (over clocked to 2.4 GHZ)
Motherboard - Abit IB9
Memory - 2 GB Corsair DDR2-667 PC5300, 1 GB DDR2-533 PC4200
Power Supply - Enermax Infiniti 720W
Video Card - ATI Radeon HD3870 running at 500mhz core and 1200 mhz memory.

CPU, DRAM Clock, and PCI Express can all be overclocked with the Mobo Software.

Ultimately I am willing to dump some money into the PC, and buy a whole new mobo, cpu, memory, and hard drive. But I was wondering if I could keep the mobo and upgrade the processor (and a few other things) to something more stout and have it be effective for my needs. The mobo will support the following -

CPU - Designed for Intel® LGA 775 processors with 1066/800MHz FSB support 2006FMB & 05A. Support Intel Core™ 2 Extreme & Core™ 2 Duo & Pentium® D & Pentium®4 & Celeron® D Processors

Chipset - Intel® P965 / ICH8 Chipset


Memory - 4 X 240-pin DIMM sockets support max. memory capacity 8GB. Supports Dual channel DDR2 800/667/533 Un-buffered Non-ECC memory

Here is a link to the full mobo specs - http://www.abit.com.tw/page/en/motherboard/motherboard_detail.php?pMODEL_NAME=IB9&fMTYPE=LGA775

Right now I know my ram is a little weak at 3 GB's and having a slower speed at 533mhz isn't helping. I'll wait to see if I need a new Mobo/CPU to address that.

I guess my question is, is the mobo decent enough to keep it and upgrade the CPU, and memory and get pretty decent gaming out of it. I am thinking my Video card is decent enough at this point. Hard drive wise I'm not sure what the specs are. Currently running XP, with full version of 64 bit windows seven ready to install when I get a fresh hard drive.

If trying to keep some of my components isn't an option can anyone point me to a decent Mobo/CPU/Ram/HD setup. I apologize on all the questions, I know I could try and research a lot of the questions listed above, but I like the info given out by members on this site and wanted to see what other gamers opinions are. Especially if they currently play WoW.



Moved from PC Gaming

Anandtech PC Gaming Moderator
KeithTalent

 

[Schadenfroh]

To be honest, I think something must be wrong with your system or Windows install. The system you have should easily run WoW with no dips in FPS like you are describing, unless they have done a major engine overhaul since last I played.

 

[nyker96]

post this in CPU section. you'll get answers there.

 

[KaOTiK]

From what I read in other areas, since the patch came out peoples performance has went to shit, the reason is mods. If you delete all the mods and their files you should see it run pretty well then. At least that is what I read has worked for people who have tried it.

 

[Pantlegz]

an e8600 and GTX260 or 460 would be more than enough I run with most everything maxed out with an e8400 and gtx260 been thinking about getting a 460 or 2 lately though.

If you wanted to replace the mother board then it would be another story, I've been looking at an i7 920 or 930 to upgrade to but the downside there is you'll need new RAM too.

 

[CVSiN]

I run an E8400 and an 8800GTS 512 and have no issues at all maxing WoW even in raids at 1920x1200 and my framerate never even stutters.

GF's rig is the same except using a GTX 260 and hers runs just as well.

you dont need a super badass I7 with SLI to max out WoW

 

[Arkaign]

45nm chips will *not* run on P965 boards reliably, most will not run at all. So no E8xxx.

I'd recommend cheap PhII X3, cheap compatible AM3 mobo, 4GB of DDR3, and looking at maybe a 5750 or so, it's a pretty big leap from the 3800 series. After reselling the old stuff, you shouldn't be out of pocket much.