Building a new system for WotLK.

[Grev]

Yes, I know. WoW is not the most graphically enhanced game in the world, your 1998 Dell PC can run it at max settings, lag is what dictates WoW performance, etc. With that out of the way, I just want to play the game as aesthetically pleasing as I can. I'm not trying to build a top of the line rig that can handle shooters. Just something that can handle WotLK on its maximum display.

This is what I have thus far:

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-MA770 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128376)
Video: POWERCOLOR AX4850 512MD3-DH Radeon HD 4850 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131125)
Memory: Corsair XMS 2x2GB DDR2-800 Kit (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184)
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 X2 7750 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103300)
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling Silencer 420w (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703017)

Computer gurus, your feedback? Any changes?

[Gorvena]

Looks good to me, and you can add another 4850 and x-fire later if you want.

There's also a social group for discussing this. >.>

[Agnarr]

With the problems I've had with mine, I'll never use another AMD video card.

[Karkarov]

you need a better power supply and I dont advise amd but thats just me. Is DDR 2 800 the best memory your mobo can handle?

PS: No your 1998 dell can not run wow at anything near max. I know I own the pc that was their top of the line model that year. Now if you took it apart and changed out the internals it might, but then it isnt the same pc anymore either.

[Malethor]

Just curious, but why are you getting an AMD processor?

[Grev]

Just curious, but why are you getting an AMD processor?
Because I only require a low-end processor and the AMD x2 7750 is the best bang for my buck that I've seen. Now if I were going all out I'd probably grab a high-end Intel, but for playing WoW that's just overkill.

[Metal Dog]

Grev before I started touring with the band I was a data base administrator for the USACE. I also trained with Microsoft & have built hundreds of PCs. That being said, don't listen to the nay sayers, AMD is perfectly acceptable & in many cases much more overclocker friendly than an Intel chip & yes you definitely get more bang for you buck. Your power supply should also be fine what people don't realize is PC Power & Cooling doesn't name their gear by the peak power, that power supply is the same as an antec 600 which can also only supply 420 continuous power. If you were going to add another video card then you would need to upgrade it but it's fine for one card. The speed of your ram needs to be the boards standard, the important thing is to have the processor & ram running at a 1:1 ratio if possible. Check this memory out this will give you a base 1:1 ratio to start with if the board reads the speeds correctly. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227419 Next download CPUZ, this freeware will let you see the exact speeds of your system after you get it up & running. http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php So you can go into the bio & tweek the ratio to a 1:1 & eliminate all the bottleneck. The best thing you can do for that system is buy a sound card, this will take that task off the processor & you'll be faster than the Intel fan boys that don't have sound cards.

[Malethor]

If you get a good processor, there's no need to overclock. A computer can only operate as good as its "worst" component which typically are not CPUs at the moment. I suppose if you're on a tight budget it might be something you consider, but otherwise I really see no need for AMD chips.

[Gorvena]

Nothing wrong with AMD. In fact, some reviewers are giving AMD higher marks than Intel for gaming.

[Karkarov]

Intel and Nvidia have won the gaming market. Every benchmark I have read in the last two years always either places them equal, or says the intel / nvidia is better or more overclock friendly. The trick is not letting yourself be conned into thinking you need the top of the end stuff. The top end components of today are actual generations ahead of all current games, in other words the technology has exceeded the actual applications and is now being improved upon just for the sake of being improved upon and it is the consumer who is eating the bill.

[Xaraphyne]

The best thing you can do for that system is buy a sound card, this will take that task off the processor & you'll be faster than the Intel fan boys that don't have sound cards.

Is this true of any system, that a sound card will improve system performance overall? I never considered it.

[Gorvena]

Intel and Nvidia have won the gaming market. Every benchmark I have read in the last two years always either places them equal, or says the intel / nvidia is better or more overclock friendly. The trick is not letting yourself be conned into thinking you need the top of the end stuff. The top end components of today are actual generations ahead of all current games, in other words the technology has exceeded the actual applications and is now being improved upon just for the sake of being improved upon and it is the consumer who is eating the bill.
See, I have read just the opposite, that the AMD/ATI combo is better for high-end gaming. I guess it's all in who you believe.

[Karkarov]

Well my point is two fold in that technically I believe nvidia and intel are superior, however regardless of which companies product you buy dont be lured into thinking you need top end from either.

[Metal Dog]

Is this true of any system, that a sound card will improve system performance overall? I never considered it.

Absolutly

[Rand_Shea]

Maybe that's why my POS desktop I built a long ass time ago ran so well for so long... I had one of the top end soundcards in that thing.