What would you do?

[slint]

1.
Mainly I play WoW. But While playing wow i am often streaming hulu or watching movies on my 2nd monitor. I plan to start doing some Video Recordings or some live video streaming. I currently have 2 - 24" Dell 2408WFP's at 1920x1280.

When i first started out I was going to stick with all EVGA parts but after reading some stuff on there forums http://www.evga.com/forums/tm.asp?m=100743740. I think i might just stick with what has good reviews.

With my current system i'm getting about 20fps max on raids. I can bump this up if i turn alot of stuff off but i would like to be able to keep it bumped up.

2. I would really like to stay under $1000

3. USA

4. Brand preference. = I'm open to just about anything.

5. Current Setup
Intel Core 2 Duo E6420 2.13GHZ
EVGA 650i Ultra Motherboard
EVGA Nvidia 8800 GTS 640MB
4 Gigs Patriot DDR2
Corsair 520HX PSU
LITE-ON LH-20A1S DVD Burner
Antec 900 Case
Boot Drive:
WD Raptor 10k 60gig (1st Gen)
Data Drive:
Seagate 7200.10 500GB
Storage:
Seagate 7200.11 750GB
Dual 24" Dell Ultrasharp 2408WFP
Windows 7 RC 64bit

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

8. WHEN do you plan to build it?
Ordering in about 2 weeks.

======================
So currently i'm thinking about sticking close to what the anandtech Performance Midrange guide is suggesting.
I might just wait for the next release of it.

Intel i7 920 Nehalem Socket 1366 = $279.99

Vigor Monsoon III LT for Socket 1366 = $55.40

XFX HD-489A-ZDFC Radeon HD 4890 1GB = $199.99

Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX = $184.99

OCZ XMP Ready Series 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3X1600LV6GK = $80.99

Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST31000333AS 1TB = $89.99

Move old DVD over = FREE
Use old Case = FREE

Silverstone ST70F 700W = $99.99

 

[slint]

I would normally just slowly overtime replace parts slowly but my cpu is the bottleneck it is maxed out all of the time.

 

[California Roll]

Quick comment about WoW, read this thread. Your current vid card is actually probably good enough to play it at max settings. What's holding you back is definitely your CPU, especially if you're dual displaying with Hulu. Flash videos use a honking amount of CPU. Couple that with WoW and that's why your frame rates are so low.

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...ght_key=y&keyword1=wow

Your current system isn't that bad. Your proposed system is very nice indeed, but if you're looking to save $ and improve WoW performance go with cpu for now (mobo/ram also if needed to accommodate new cpu).

 

[100Core]

I would reccommend just a decent cooler, and get your current cpu to 3.5+ Ghz. I agree that the cpu is the bottleneck, but a strong OC should keep up with the 8800 GTS. Maybe you already do have it OC'd? What CPU cooler do you currently have? I've had good luck with the Coolermaster Hyper N520 (37$). Your next best bet would be a processor upgrade (but staying with LGA775) maybe a Q9550 with the above CPU cooler and get it to 4.0Ghz? No more bottleneck and the Q9550 is $216. LGA775 still has plenty of life in it for another processor upgrade, imo

Your proposed i7 system is very nice and would definately give you a good jump, but your current system is a pretty solid gaming rig, and really just needs a processor if anything (so why drop a grand?)

 

[Lunyone]

First thing I'd do is OC your CPU to around 3 gHz and see how you like the performance increase. If this isn't doing it for you than I'd upgrade the CPU to q9550 or even a q9400 would do also. Other than the OC and the CPU change, you have a very nice rig for WoW! I'm sure the Hulu is tasking your CPU too much and is affecting your WoW experience.