Computer that will run WoW

[Rogul]

Well I have been thinking about buying a new computer.The system im running on now is pretty bad:

Processor: Intel Pentium 4 CPU 2.80GHz
Memory: 254MB Ram
Video Card: Intel(R) 82865G Graphics Controller (Intel(R) 82865G Graphics Controller)

It is a Dell Computer and a couple years old. It runs fine till I get into heavily populated areas. Stormwind and Ironforge are a pain to get through. It's like watching paint dry. It takes a couple minutes to log in. I can't play BGs. Too laggy in there.

Anyways, I was hoping to get a computer that was realatively cheap and ran it smoothly. So I could run BGs smoothly and be able to travel through the major cities smoothly. Anyways you get the picture. I was wondering if this would be a good build?

PROCESSOR: Pentium® D Processor 805 with Dual Core Technology (2.66GHz, 533FSB)
OPERATING SYSTEM: Genuine Windows® XP Media Center 2005 Edition
MEMORY: 2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz- 2DIMMs edit
HARD DRIVE: 250GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™
MONITOR: 19 inch E197FP Analog Flat Panel
VIDEO CARD: 256MB ATI Radeon X1300 Pro
SOUND: Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio

It comes to a cost of $1084. I was hoping not to spend that much. Any ideas on what i could do to make it cheaper. Also any links to cheaper computers that will run WoW fine with the BC expansion(i know the specs aren't out yet). Something from $1000 or lower would be nice. Thanks.

[Clavina]

Well to be honest with you a whole new system isn't really required. If you are on a budget then an upgrade will do the trick.

Get yourself 1 GB of ram and a proper video card instead of your integrated one and you should notice a massive performance improvement. Only problem is that some Dells aren't very upgradeable, what model is it?

[Rogul]

Dimension 4600 if that is what your talking about.

[Clavina]

Well getting one of these (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814145135) and some of this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820227039) will improve WoW performance hugely and will cost $240.

Of course if you really want a new system for a price cheaper than what you have then perhaps looking elsewhere will get you a better deal. Sorry but I can't really give any useful links as I'm not in the US.


Looking at your listed spec..

The graphics card is a bit low level, i'd try and get at least a nvidia 7600 (or ATI X1800) as you will be limiting yourself for new games when they are released.

There's no real need for XP media centre, selecting the standard XP Pro might save you a few quid there.

Is there any need for a new monitor? Getting rid of that completely and using your old one will save a lot on that spec.

[Boseiju]

Honestly Ino people have a hard time with buying from large companys but I would definitly recommend to puchase a package deal from some company. Alot of the times they are better deals. and sometimes they are not. :P But in all honestie its usally a better idea.

[Rogul]

Well I would stick with my same monitor but I would leave that computer to my brother and sister.

Would any of these be good?

Click (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductCompare.asp?Category=228&N=2032280010+4021&Submit=ENE&Nty=1&SubCategory=10&CompareItemList=N82E16883103040%2CN82E16883107121%2CN82E16883102664%2CN82E16883103018%2CN82E16883113 016%2CN82E16883107199%2CN82E16883103038)

And yes im aware that it vomes with no moniter.

[Rogul]

BUMP

I was looking into laptops and found one with this spec for $1084

Operating System Genuine Windows XP Home Edition
Processor AMD Turion(TM) 64 X2 Dual-Core TL-50(1.6GHz/512KB)
Graphics Card 256MB NVIDIA(R) GeForce(R) Go 7600
Memory FREE Upgrade to 1024MB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
Hard Drive 80GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
Networking 802.11a/b/g WLAN
Primary Battery 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery

Would it be worth it to spend an extra $150 to upgrade to 2048MB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)? Would I need a better processor? Thanks.