Computer upgrade questions...

XionTawa

XionTawa

New Member
To get to the computer question, skip the first paragraph...

Hi all, yeah, I know it has been awhile since I have been on here, and kinda bailed on all the forums and on the Warhammer group without even really realizing I did it, a lot came up all at once and I kinda bailed on everything online for a few months...even left WoW without even canceling the account...lol... Well, first I would like to apologize for that, and now that I am back...kinda...I would like to trust you all with a question, or opinion, on me upgrading my computer...

I am working on upgrading my computer, and have decided on 3 different "steps" of upgrading... And would like to know what you guys think, and what order they should be done in...

Things to know before hand:

I bought this computer from Dell, it was a Dell XPS 410...and the MoBo and case is reversed from normal cases and MoBo's...

Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz
2GBs of RAM
600W PSU (recent upgrade)
512MB 8800 GTS GPU (recent upgrade)
250GB SATA HD
XP MC Edition 32-bit

The 3 "steps":

First: Upgrade RAM to 6GBs (even though it seems that all 32-bit OS's only support 4GB), and add additional fans to my case... (Possibly upgrade to Vista)

Second: Get normal case and MoBo that would serve better for future upgrades...

Third: Upgrade to a faster processor...


So...what do you guys think...?
 
What's the purpose for upgrading? I think you have a really nice system as it is. If you want to upgrade to Vista 64 then I'd recommend doing that and the ram first.
 
Bowser said:
What's the purpose for upgrading? I think you have a really nice system as it is. If you want to upgrade to Vista 64 then I'd recommend doing that and the ram first.
Click to expand...

Well, after getting WotLK, it won't alt tab instantly, and I would like it to, and I do a lot of Video and Converting, and I just need a bit more of a boost in performance...I thought maybe more RAM would help, and some people told me that Vista will actually use my dual core CPU better for just about everything... It is also my birthday in a week, and I have no clue what I would like, so why not do a little upgrading on my computer... :)
 
System is nice, I also say go for VistaHomePremium64 or even Windows7 and bump to 4+gig ram.

(With 32bit OS its 4gig total ram, so -512 from your videocard makes 3.5 gig avail..so definitely go for 64bit OS)
 
Last edited:
XionTawa said:
Well, after getting WotLK, it won't alt tab instantly, and I would like it to, and I do a lot of Video and Converting, and I just need a bit more of a boost in performance...I thought maybe more RAM would help, and some people told me that Vista will actually use my dual core CPU better for just about everything... It is also my birthday in a week, and I have no clue what I would like, so why not do a little upgrading on my computer... :)
Click to expand...

Just to let you know there are some known issues with Alt Tabbing out of WotLK right now. Such as it creating your FPS to drop when tabbing back in and it taking you a while to load it back up. Me and quite alot of my friends have core to quads with 6+ gb of ram and i think i have the worse graphics card with an 8800 gt, the rest of them have the new geforce that came out that is huge... they all get a little delay when tabbing in and out of WotLK it is just the game that will cause that because of poor scripting (and yes i know it is because of poor scripting my brother just went through game design and development at Full Sail University and played WotLK with me for a little while and was irritated by that because it was simple scripting mistakes that is causing that but blizzard isn't worried about that, they are more worried on satisfying the customers who are quiting because PvP is terrible and PvE content is easy enough to blow through.) But i don't see a problem with upgrading ram a little bit, 2gb is on the lower end nowadays...
 
ewoksrule said:
System is nice, I also say go for VistaHomePremium64 or even Windows7 and bump to 4+gig ram.

(With 32bit OS its 4gig total ram, so -512 from your videocard makes 3.5 gig avail..so definitely go for 64bit OS)
Click to expand...

Well, I am beta testing 7, would it be plausible to run the beta 7 as my main?

EDIT: So, going to 64-bit Vista, and upgrading my RAM would be a good thing to do? as a first step?
 
Last edited:
Now, I pretty much have decided I want to go Vista Home Premium 64 bit...and I would like to upgrade my RAM, but my HD is a stock Dell one, would it be better to get a faster HD, rather than upgrade my RAM?
 
XionTawa said:
Well, I am beta testing 7, would it be plausible to run the beta 7 as my main?

EDIT: So, going to 64-bit Vista, and upgrading my RAM would be a good thing to do? as a first step?
Click to expand...
A friend of mine is beta testing Windows 7 as well and I believe that he told me that all the beta content will be inoperative after August this year. Plenty of time for you to get a 64bit OS; however, you will not be able to use it forever as stated by Microsoft in the terms of service and, despite it being an M$ product it would be unethical.

As for the "normal" motherboard:

I knew that some computers, Dells included, mounted the motherboards on the opposite side of the case. I also thought that was all they did... just put it on the other side. If my logic serves me right, then there no need to get replacement mobo/case. NOW... granted I have never owned a computer that used its components like that, but I never thought would be any more easy or difficult than a "regular" computer.

The OS:

I recently got an OEM copy of Vista64 Premium Home Ed. for $99 at a Microcenter near where I live. The only catch is that when you buy it and install it, you automatically agree to do all of the servicing for that computer that you've "built". I have heard some places require you to buy a computer part to try to proove that you indeed are building a computer.

RAM:

If you are content with your current OS, 3.5 gigs will definitly be enough ram for WOTLK and fraps for making WoW videos. It is a widely known fact that WoW will run on almost any computer (computers much less powerful than yours), since WOTLK uses the same base, it should also not be much different other than minor changes. If you want more ram then I would suggest an OEM Vista 64.
 
Last edited:
Odale said:
A friend of mine is beta testing Windows 7 as well and I believe that he told me that all the beta content will be inoperative after August this year. Plenty of time for you to get a 64bit OS; however, you will not be able to use it forever as stated by Microsoft in the terms of service and, despite it being an M$ product it would be unethical.

As for the "normal" motherboard:

I knew that some computers, Dells included, mounted the motherboards on the opposite side of the case. I also thought that was all they did... just put it on the other side. If my logic serves me right, then there no need to get replacement mobo/case. NOW... granted I have never owned a computer that used its components like that, but I never thought would be any more easy or difficult than a "regular" computer.

The OS:

I recently got an OEM copy of Vista64 Basic Home Ed. for $99 at a Microcenter near where I live. The only catch is that when you buy it and install it, you automatically agree to do all of the servicing for that computer that you've "built". I have heard some places require you to buy a computer part to try to proove that you indeed are building a computer.

RAM:

If you are content with your current OS, 3.5 gigs will definitly be enough ram for WOTLK and fraps for making WoW videos. It is a widely known fact that WoW will run on almost any computer (computers much less powerful than yours), since WOTLK uses the same base, it should also not be much different other than minor changes. If you want more ram then I would suggest an OEM Vista 64.
Click to expand...

If I put the MoBo the other side, it would be upside down, and wouldn't work...but oh well...

On NewEgg they have Vista Home Premium 64 bit for $99 also...I have been thinking about that...

I guess I wouldn't mind with just running the 3.5GBs, but I figured if I went with something more like 6GBs it would last a bit longer before I would have to upgrade it again...

Thanks for your info and thoughts... I think I am wanting to do the 64 bit Vista upgrade, upgrade my RAM, and get a faster hard drive, but I wanted to know what you guys thought of that...(I still need to pray about it also, just trying to get as many opinions as possible...)...
 
 
i suggest the seagate. a little bit more known for quality than wd
 
ewoksrule said:
dooooont get home basic.. you want premium
Click to expand...
Fixed - meant Premium XD

Thanks Ewoks!

From the system specs posted on Anandtech I would get the Corsair 2gig (2x1 gig sticks) PC2 5400 ram. Closer to the specs of your system and more importantly cheaper!
 
Last edited:
From the 2 you posted the cheaper set has a better timing and less latency, but the more expensive one appears to have a great track record with 3 customer choice awards.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top