Gamers. I want to buy a computer that can run WoW very well

[ComerPerro]

but I want to save money wheverever I can.

I don't want a new monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers, cables, software, etc.

Just the computer itself.

It seems like a lot of places only sell packages for $700 to $1000 that come with printers and flat-screen monitors. But I don't want those.

I have a monitor, I am happy with it.


What can you reccomend?

BTW, places like TigerDirect.com offer barebones kit which seem cheap and like they would be what I want, but I don't have the skills to actually assemble the PC, so if assembly is necessary I might have to pass.

[YOY]

1. They have bare-bone built to order (tigerdirect)

Works as simply as Dell for deciding what you want.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?CatId=1918&

Just figure out what you want (check the specs needed and whatnot) and plug it in to the order page. You can get hands down a great PC with all the parts you need and none of what you already have.

Or you could always try...yech! Dell.

WoW needs:

Windows® System 98/ME/2000/XP OS:

800 MHz or higher CPU.
256 MB or more of RAM.
32 MB 3D graphics card with hardware Transform and Lighting, such as GeForce 2 or better.
4 GB or more of available hard drive space.
DirectX® 9.0c or above.
A 56k or higher modem with an Internet connection.

Hell, that should be easy to do and then some. For 800$ you can get something that will last you for years of quality gaming.

[ComerPerro]

2. thanks, ill check it out. Can anyone make RAM and graphics

reccomendations?

[YOY]

3. I'm not big on knowing the difference between graphics cards

I'd go for something with at least 256 Megs of Ram on it (graphics card) and as for RAM get a minimum of 1 gig or 2 gigs if you can afford it.

You could always upgrade further down the line. (RAM is not expensive and it IS easy to install even if you don't know alot about fitting new parts into the machines.)

[jayctravis]

6. For WoW, ram is critical.

I was thinking I was having a bandwidth bottleneck...Ironforge always lagged.

I had 512 megs of ram, and thinking I had one 512 chip I bought another 512 chip. Duh...2 256's.

So I end up removing one chip and get 768 of RAM. That tiny upgrade smoothed out Ironforge lag by a factor of ten. Ram is the easiest, relatively cheapest and best upgrade you can do.

[ComerPerro]

7. Ironforge and Ogrimar can be a nightmare at times

they are easily the most demanding capitals.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

9. Yes. Patriot RAM.

It's sold on NewEgg, great ram, always a great value. I have built a lot of pooters with it and have never seen a bad stick. Another brand that should be considered is G. Skill.

For best graphics price/performance, there is the Nvidia 7600 series. Every reviewer out ther calls it the best value, always at prices that can be afforded by us mere mortals.

That said, there is a new graphics card value just released: Nvidia 7900GS. Here is the review:

http://www.guru3d.com/article/Videocards/377/

Around $199, but shop around online for the best price.

[CabalPowered]

4. Go NewEgg

Have to decide between AMD and Intel. I'd go AMD. Probably don't need an X2 but the prices have come down considerably..

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?Order=PRICE&Page=1&N=50001028+2010340343+1051707439+1302820275&Submit=ENE&Nty=1&Subcategory=343

On the motherboard, I like Asus personally. I'd stay away from the ones that have all fufu stuff on it. Onboard audio, onboard wireless, etc.

Possible choice.. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131014

On the case.. I like Antec, except their cheaper cases have cheap power supplies. I'd spend a little more money here. This is a great case.. If you can find it locally you can probably save on shipping.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129155

On RAM, you'll want at least a gig in dual channel. I'd also double check the qual list for the motherboard you choose. I've had good luck with Kingston and if you step down into DDR2 667, you can save a few dollars.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820144199

For your hard drive, tough choice between SATAII or 10k Raptor..

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822135106

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822136054

On the video card, the new slot is PCI-E. I've had good luck with the XFX Nvidia cards.

The cheap choice.. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150152

or a step up.. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150154

You're on your own on operating system.

As far as assembly, it really isn't that difficult. But if you've never done it, I'd at least try and find someone to give you a hand.

If you want prebuilt, Costco is carrying some nice HP boxes with X2 processors, but I think they come with monitors and all.

Whatever you do, don't go Dell, Lenovo or Sony.

Hope that helps.

[ComerPerro]

5. much appreciated

[Occulus]

8. Little note about the OS...

DON'T get XP 64 Bit Edition. You may have driver issues, especially with older peripherals, like scanners, mice/keyboards with special functions, etc. I have XP 64, and the driver disk that came with my motherboard didn't have compatible drivers on it... and it's a 64-bit MB. Weird.

Go with XP Home, and make sure you get the actual OS on disk. Get an OEM copy; doing so will save you the money off the $100 pretty blue box (it's waaay cheaper to get XP as an OEM copy rather than off the shelf; see your local computer repair shop- NOT Best Buy or some such- for details).

[Greyhound]

10. Is there anything wrong with your present case and power supply?

If not you can build a good gaming rig for $400 - $700 that'll let you play pretty much anything out there.

All the advice I've read here is good. Building your own isn't hard at all anymore, and there are several excellent websites that'll take you through the steps. Don't be intimidated, just take your time and make sure you do what the instructions tell you to do.

I'd recommend finding/borrowing a Win2k pro disk for the OS as it is the same core as XP and doesn't put any of your money in M$ pockets. You can easily pare it down to a comparatively fast and stable game system, and it doesn't sound like you want to deal with Linux. (is there a WoW port?)

[ComerPerro]

11. I run Linux now, but don't have enough RAM to run any kind of mod

that would let me run Wow on a Windows style platform.

Right now, I have a HP Pavillion, 866 MHz, 512 RAM, without a video card or anything.

I could update, but the computer is 5 years old and I really would just rather get a new one. New and faster processor, larger hard drive, more RAM.

[Greyhound]

12. Well new case & power supply will only add

unless you've just got to have anodized aluminum with its own light-show...

[ComerPerro]

13. Oh, I gotta