Upgrading my 3 yr old PC

[PCNoob101]

Looking to upgrade my computer so that I can play WOW on max settings with no lag. I know I'll need a new graphics card, cpu and mb but not sure what else.

Current setup:

LIAN LI PC-7B USB Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower

Antec TRUE480 480W ATX Power supply

AMD Athlon 64 3500+ Winchester 2.2Ghz socket 939

ASUS A8N-sli 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX

EVGA 256-p2-n369 GeForce 6600 256MB 128-bit

Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Value

Western Digital Caviar SE WD2500JB 250gb 7200 rpm IDE Ultra ATA100

NEC 16x dvd burner

linksys EG1032 pci network adapter

Viewsonic A90f monitor 19" crt



Looking for the cheapest way to be able to do this hopefully under 1k, using old parts or not. I know WOW isnt very intensive so I know I dont need any top of the line hardware. Things I've heard (not sure if this info is right): 1) 8800 GT, 4850 or 4870 for graphics card. 2) Duo or quad (intel better than amd right now), duo better for games currently quad for future proofing.

I'd also like a suggestion for a monitor this is not included in my under 1k. I saw the suggestion of an acer 22" on a sticky above but the product was removed from newegg.

If I left out any information let me know.

Thanks.

 

[DSF]

You can easily do that for under 1000. Take a look at the stickies for suggested parts.

 

[mpilchfamily]

How much RAm do you have?

If you don't have 2Gb then upgrade to 2Gb. It will go a long way to helping the whole system run smoother. But your best upgrade will be a new video card. There is a good cahnce the new card will require you to upgrade the PSu as well. While your at it you'll want to get a dual core CPU. So basicly you should just save your money for a new build.

 

[PCNoob101]

What is the cheapest video card and cpu combo that will run WoW at max settings with no lag?

This basically will be a new system with a new cpu, graphics card and MB, but I dont want to spend money on a new case, psu, HD if I dont have to. If I should also get these new, then thats cool too.

 

[DSF]

What resolution do you want to play at?

 

[PCNoob101]

1680x1050

 

[PCNoob101]

What is my biggest bottleneck?

 

[CuriousMike]

I suspect your video card is the biggest bottleneck for WoW -- your CPU *should* be fine.

I wouldn't be surprised if you could just find the fastest 939 CPU, ensure you have 2 gigs, and find the latest ATI AGP card ( I think they have a 4x50 ) --- you should be able to do this for $300.

If you really want to rebuild your system, then if you have a Frys around you, almost any of the $99 mobo+CPU combos, a 9600GT ($99), and $40 worth of RAM and you're done.

 

[Denithor]

WoW really needs a dual core these days to run smoothly.

I'd suggest

e5200 $83
G31 motherboard $50
-or-
X2 4850e $60
Asus 780G $65

-with-
2x2GB G.Skill DDR2-800 $45
9800GT $100

Your PSU & HDD should be fine, just upgrade cpu/mobo/ram/gpu as shown above and WoW will run smooth as silk.