What upgrade should i get?

Hi, i'm looking for some input into some upgrades i'm thinking of doing to my old computer.

I'm wanting to play World Of Warcaft with actually decent fps.

Basic computer stats:

2.93 ghz p4 processor

512mb ram

crap intel 910GL express graphics...

I think my processor will do the job, but i think i'll need more ram and a better video card( my motherboard only supports a basic PCI slot).

So i was wondering if you ahd any suggestions as to what to upgrade to and maybe some links on a good price, i also live in canada, so any place that ships to canada or have a retail store near by.

any input would be greatly aprecaited, thanks a lot.

Buy a new Mobo and RAM, then fit your CPU and others on it...

For Mobo $55 http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=27870&vpn=P5N%2DMX&manufacture=ASUS

For RAM &55 http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=18583&vpn=VS2GBKIT667D2&manufacture=CORSAIR

The onboard nVIDIA GeForce 7050 is enough to play WoW, even CoD 4 on low-medium setting...

Chances are that he has a socket 478 P4, which won't fit into the newer LGA775 socket. So, he'll also need to get a new processor if he upgrades his motherboard. I'd recommend getting an Intel E2180, as they're cheap and have decent performance.

Since the OP wants to play WoW at "a decent FPS", he (she?) will need to buy a video card. The new onboard graphics chipsets aren't magic, they still suck and they still steal system memory. He can get this 2600XT, but only if he doesn't plan on playing anything besides WoW or Source games. If he want's something that will last longer, he can get an 8800GS, but he'll also need to upgrade his power supply. A decent one can be gotten off Newegg for $40 w/ free shipping.

It's a shame to throw money into a computer which can't actually be upgraded any further. He might as well stop putting-off the inevitable and do a total overhaul.

Also, the links I provided are to a US store which doesn't ship to Canada. I missed that part in your first post.

It's a shame to throw money into a computer which can't actually be upgraded any further. He might as well stop putting-off the inevitable and do a total overhaul.

Also, the links I provided are to a US store which doesn't ship to Canada. I missed that part in your first post.

kodex1717

Hmmm, yah, i was thinking about maybe building my own computer, looking for something total'd under $750 max( including shipping and tax and such)

I fooled around on newegg with the basics and made a pretty decend computer that was $530 American without shipping( it idn't have and hard drives, operating systems or optical drives or anything, because i can use my old. But on another note i was thinking about my OS system, because i only have xp right now, but i'm not sure if i new xp, so i think i do without.

But yah, aside from that, i think it would be cool to make a computer by myself, my dad can probably do most of it himself.

If anyone had any good sites that ship to canada and has cheap parts for making a computer and maybe even give me links to specific items that i should get at this site that would be sweet!

thanks for your help again! and input is greatly apreciated!

Unless you have the XP install disk (not restore disk), you won't be able to use that installation over again. If you do have it, then you're fine.

Processor: Intel E2180 - $97

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=26099&vpn=BX80557E2180&manufacture=Intel

Motherboard: DFI Blood Iron - $116.33

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=25751&vpn=B%2EI%2E%20P35%2DT2RL&manufacture=DFI

RAM: Corsair 2 x 1GB TWINX DDR2-667 - $49.99

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=18582&vpn=TWIN2X2048%2D5400C4&manufacture=CORSAIR

Power Supply: Corsair 550VX - $99.99

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=25984&vpn=CMPSU%2D550VX&manufacture=CORSAIR

Case: Cooler Master Centurion 5 - $61

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=13954&vpn=CAC%2DT05%2DUW&manufacture=COOLERMASTER

Operating System (if you need it): Windows XP Home - $87.55

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=6526&vpn=N09%2D01153OEM&manufacture=Microsoft

TOTAL = $511.86

I chose that motherboard and processor combo on the assumption that you aren't afraid to overclock. You seemed anxious to build your own computer, so I figured that you might also take the time to overclock. If you aren't going to, you should get a cheaper motherboard and a faster processor such as the E7200.

Now that we have that out of the way, are you only going to be playing WoW on this computer? If so, we can slap any old graphics card in there and call it a day. However, if you want to play other games such as Crysis, Starcraft 2, or anything released in the last year, you'll want to get a better card. Something such as the HD 4850 will let you play any game out there on high settings, including upcoming titles.

I'm a little affraid of overclocking but only because i havn't really looked into it and i don't really want to take the risk, i'm just taking the route of building my own computer because it seems to be the cheapest way to do it, compared to many retail stores near me and even some pre-configured computers i see on a few sites..

as for games i'm looking to play WoW as of now, but i'm thinking that i'm just going to get a good computer that'll last me a few years, nothing extreme, but something that can play most games at decent settings and get good fps, i'm kinda currently waiting for diablo 3 to come out, and a few other pc games that i might want to get.

If that made any sense at all and you understood what i meant that would be awesome( sadly it's pretty clear in my head, it's just kinda hard to say exactly what i mean).

So..yah, thats kinda what i'm looking for, is Ncix a good site to buy parts from for Canadians?

any other input or suggestions would be great, thanks!!!

There isn't much risk involved with overclocking if you keep things at stock voltages along with a good heatsink.

The best way to have a computer that will last is to buy high-end parts. You won't have to upgrade as soon and games will still be running decent down the road. If I were you, I would get an HD 4850. It's overkill for games like WoW, but you know that it'll still be running the newest games in couple years, albeit on reduced settings.

NCIX is the only decent site I know of. There's TigerDirect, but they're pretty bad even in America.

is Ncix a good site to buy parts from for Canadians?

any other input or suggestions would be great, thanks!!!Legitplaya

Yes Ncix is good, and so is DirectCanada.com. They're the same company but have different prices. Direct Canada offers free ground shipping when you buy for more than 300$. You can buy parts from both stores for your new pc. Compare the prices from both stores. At Ncix you can price match better prices from other stores, including Direct Canada. I do it every time I shop at Ncix and all my price matches have been accepted.

There isn't much risk involved with overclocking if you keep things at stock voltages along with a good heatsink.

The best way to have a computer that will last is to buy high-end parts. You won't have to upgrade as soon and games will still be running decent down the road. If I were you, I would get an HD 4850. It's overkill for games like WoW, but you know that it'll still be running the newest games in couple years, albeit on reduced settings.

NCIX is the only decent site I know of. There's TigerDirect, but they're pretty bad even in America.

kodex1717

hey, thanks, i have a couple questions since it seems you know a bit, processors, intel or amd, i mean i had been looking at some amd ones, but you suggested an intel one..why? Also, i was looking at the 8800gt's because i've heard a lot of good things about them, why go with the 4850, and don't get me wrong, i'm not maddly asking these questions, i'm just wanting to know why sorta thing. And then with those cards, what kind of powersupply should i be looking for?

[QUOTE="Legitplaya"]is Ncix a good site to buy parts from for Canadians?

any other input or suggestions would be great, thanks!!!matrixian

Yes Ncix is good, and so is DirectCanada.com. They're the same company but have different prices. Direct Canada offers free ground shipping when you buy for more than 300$. You can buy parts from both stores for your new pc. Compare the prices from both stores. At Ncix you can price match better prices from other stores, including Direct Canada. I do it every time I shop at Ncix and all my price matches have been accepted.

thanks for th advice, i'll try that price checking stuff and such, thanks.

i'm kinda currently waiting for diablo 3 to come out, and a few other pc games that i might want to get. Legitplaya

That's another reason to get the hd4850 over the 8800gt. I heard that Ati signed with Blizzard for dx 10.1 support in Diablo 3. Too bad you weren't shopping for parts last week, Ncix had the hd4850 on sale for 150$. This week it's at 170$, still a good price for the performance.