Checking WoW out, seeing what I need to do

[LeatherBoot]

From what I've seen, I think my main problem is RAM, but I really am technologically retarded.

This is all the information I could divine in my stupidity.

NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 420
Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.53 GHz
256 MB RAM

Is it possible to get more RAM out of my computer without buying new hardware?

I haven't tried the demo yet, is it worth it?

[Kalos]

Not even worth trying. The technology you are using is about six or seven years old. It's not made for modern gaming. It's a worthless scrap heap, the graphics card stopped production in 2002.

Also, if you had read this sticky thread at the top of the forum: http://wow.incgamers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=391708 then you would have noticed this link:
www.systemrequirementslab.com - Good for checking a computer's performance with WoW and other games

It would have given you the playability in a snap automatically.

[LeatherBoot]

So then I would need a completely new system to play the game?

Or could I just get more RAM and a better graphics card? And which is more crucial? Could I upgrade RAM and still have a subpar video-card? The system reqs list that the video card is acceptable, but not recommended. So would you recommend that I upgrade it to about a gig immediately?

[Tunga]

Really you'd need a new motherboard, CPU, RAM and graphics card. These would almost certainly all require a new PSU (Power Supply). Effectively you'd be building a while new system minus drives and case.

You might be able to find some old RAM that fits and an AGP graphics card and just barely run WoW but it would really be a waste of money.

[Kalos]

A new computer.

At this point, it would be easier and cheaper.

[LeatherBoot]

Whole new computer isn't worth it as I'm going to college next year and would have to get a new laptop then anyways. Even if I get a brand new video card and update to a gig of RAM it would still be more or less unplayable though?

[Tunga]

The problem is that modern graphics cards and RAM won't fit in that system so you you'd have to buy something that's already old and probably still wouldn't run it.

[Twoflower]

just get a new laptop now, it will be good enugh to run WoW and still good enugh to tipe some text in a year when you go to college :)

[LeatherBoot]

Okay, appreciate the help. Can someone recommend me the best upgrades I can get that are compatible with my system as far as RAM and video cards are concerned?

[memetootoo]

As people have already stated, anything modern in terms of ram and gpu would not fit on your system. And what you WOULD be able to upgrade prb. still would not be able to run WoW or any modern game.

Its really not worth upgrading at all. The money you spend trying to upgrade it, you might as well buy a brand new system thats at least half way decent. I really suggest that you simply save your money and spend it on your laptop :)

[LeatherBoot]

Thanks.

But could anyone answer my question and tell me what the best I could buy for my system would be?

And how could upgrading the video card and RAM possibly be more expensive than buying a brand new computer?

[memetootoo]

I think since your computer is so old you would need a new motherboard, that would be a hundred or so dollars. And a current GPU would run you about as much, anything too old and it would be kind of pointless in upgrading right? And then of course the money for the ram, prb a new cpu and maybe even a new PSU. Sometimes when the computer is too old, it is often not worth the investment to upgrade it, and is more cost effective to buy a new one.

If your insistent on upgrading I think I'll leave this one to Kalos as I am no where as knowledgeable as he is.

[Tunga]

But could anyone answer my question and tell me what the best I could buy for my system would be? This depends what slot your graphics card is in: PCI or AGP (and what speed AGP).

Grab CPU-Z (free, small and no install is required):
http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php
Get your motherboard model from that and then look it up to find out if it has an AGP slot. Or post the model and one of us can look it up.

[LeatherBoot]

It says under Graphic Interface I have an AGP version 2.0. I hope that was what you were looking for. The model number for the motherboard is 0J0592 if it wasn't. Thanks.

[Kalos]

AGP cards are older and slower, yet more expensive, than their PCI-E equivilents. They can be obtained however.

The main problem people are having, why it's going to be more expensive to buff up an old rig as opposed to starting from scratch, is that the parts cost more money. DDR ram is older and more expensive than DDR2, and it performs worse. AGP cards are more expensive than PCI-E ones. And you've still got a lousy Pentium 4 at the heart of it, the P-4 being one of the most wasteful and inefficient processor designs ever to hit the PC. In the end, Intel simply went back to the older Pentium III design and worked on that instead, the Pentium 4 was an abysmal failure. It's still going to sink your rig's performance like a lead balloon, even with everything else patched up. You may get performance up to twice as much, after spending something in the region of $300, which could buy you a whole brand new computer these days.

It doesn't add up. But if you want me to go ahead and mark the parts you should aquire, I shall deliver appropriate links.

[LeatherBoot]

I would appreciate that very much.

But I am also interested in how I could get a new, better computer for around 300 bucks? is this serious? I figured it would take me around a grand.

[memetootoo]

You can build it yourself, or go with Dell.com. They often have computers around 300-400 range. Often all you really need to do is add a good GPU and your in decent shape. I'm sure more knowledgeable members will prb. have better recommendations. (See recommended hardware sticky for GPU recommendations)

Ibuypower.com also have computers in the 600 dollar range that will be able to run many current games at a good quality. (2.33 core 2 duo, 256mb 8600 gts, a gig of ram, 550 psu for about $640, 160 gig hd 7200 rpm, 3 year warranty which usually cost a couple of hundred just by itself, and of course free shipping) I have had good experiences with them, and most of their computer come with a 3 year warranty at no additional cost.

[Tunga]

AGP 2.0 only goes up to 4x (cards were generally 8x once AGP by the time it became mainstream which was ages ago and it's not been replaced) so you'd have to underclock whatever you bought to 4x too. It's a waste of money, don't bother.

[LeatherBoot]

How does the Inspiron 1501 strike y'all? Is it what it's represented to be? Will it still be effective for a few years, i.e. could I take it most of the way through college with me without it becoming obsolete? Does it run games well? A general summary would be great, pros and cons, It's the only one reasonably within my price range, and it looks adequate. Do I need to upgrade it and how much more would it cost?

I know jack about computers.

[LeatherBoot]

Really I'm looking for something under 500-600 dollars if at all possible that won't be obsolete in the next two or so years, and can at least run WoW.

[memetootoo]

The Inspiron 1501s only come with integrated graphics cards if I remember correctly. I am not certain if it will be able to run WoW well. I think you might have trouble finding any laptop in the 400-600 range that won't be obsolete in the next two years and able to run WoW well.

Although you could do it with a desktop I'm sure.

[LeatherBoot]

Should I just get a 360 and wait til college to get a good computer?

[Tunga]

That depends entirely on how much you want a 360 compared to how much you want a new PC.

[memetootoo]

As well as dependent on the games you want to play?

If its WoW then of course a 360 will not support that. If money is low, I would get a 360. I good gaming computer will cost you quite a bit more then that. Also something to keep in mind, PC games are usually 10 dollars cheaper compared to their console counterparts.