Time to Upgrade and Game a bit

[Hotled]

I currently own a HP Pavilion M7580n with a slightly upgraded video card that I mainly use for playing World of Warcraft and surfing and some light office word/excel etc.
I am wondering if I can upgrade the RAM/VIDEO/PSU to get an acceptable level of playability in WOW. Currently in groups with allot of action the FPS drops to single digits and alone around 22fps in medium detail.
Or would I be better off just building a new system using a Phenom 955BE as a processor to keep cost at a minimum.

Here are the specs of the system:

Processors Information
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Processor 1			ID = 0
	Number of cores		2 (max 2)
	Number of threads	2 (max 2)
	Name			AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+
	Codename		Windsor
	Specification		AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4600+
	Package 		Socket AM2 (940)
	CPUID			F.B.2
	Extended CPUID		F.4B
	Brand ID		4
	Core Stepping		BH-F2
	Technology		90 nm
	Core Speed		1002.1 MHz
	Multiplier x FSB	5.0 x 200.4 MHz
	


Chipset
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Northbridge			NVIDIA GeForce 6150 rev. A2
Southbridge			NVIDIA nForce 410/430 MCP rev. A3
Graphic Interface		PCI-Express
PCI-E Link Width		x16
PCI-E Max Link Width		x16
Memory Type			DDR2
Memory Size			2048 MBytes
Channels			Dual
Memory Frequency		200.4 MHz (CPU/5)
CAS# latency (CL)		4.0
RAS# to CAS# delay (tRCD)	4
RAS# Precharge (tRP)		4
Cycle Time (tRAS)		12
Bank Cycle Time (tRC)		17
Command Rate (CR)		1T

Memory SPD
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

DIMM #				1
	SMBus address		0x50
	Memory type		DDR2
	Module format		Regular UDIMM
	Manufacturer (ID)	Infineon (C100000000000000)
	Size			1024 MBytes
	Max bandwidth		PC2-4300 (266 MHz)
	Part number		64T128020HU3.7A   
	Serial number		02055517
	Manufacturing date	Week 18/Year 06
	Number of banks		2
	Data width		64 bits
	Correction		None
	Nominal Voltage		1.80 Volts
	EPP			no
	XMP			no

Monitoring
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
A8M2N-LA- Motherboard Specifications, A8M2N-LA (NodusM3) - HP Customer Care (United States - English)
Mainboard Model		NODUSM3 (0x00000209 - 0x00657FD3)





Display Adapters
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Display adapter 0	
	Name			Radeon X1650 Series  
	Codename		RV535
	Technology		80 nm
	Memory size		512 MB
	GPU ref clock		27000
	PCI device		bus 2 (0x2), device 0 (0x0), function 0 (0x0)
	Vendor ID		0x1002 (0x1002)
	Model ID		0x71C1 (0x1002)
	Performance Level	0


Software
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Windows Version			Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition Professional  Service Pack 3 (Build 2600) 
DirectX Version			9.0c

[pam123]

These are the latest specs for WoW so a video card upgrade is in order : Blizzard Support

It'll be tough to find a 2600XT these days but worth the effort if you've only got a 300 watt power supply (If you've got a 400 watt power supply then you can step up to one of the lesser cards in the 3XXX - 4XXX range.).

That should run you less than $100 and keep you playing WoW for the next year while you decide on your new computer.
I wouldn't be worth the cash to do more with your current computer.

[Hotled]

Is that much better than the current 512 card I have? Would another 2g of ram help?

[pam123]

Since you have XP you won't be able to use the extra ram, so no don't buy it won't help.

The 2600XT would be an upgrade.
They were around the $60 mark before so check around, if you start seeing insane prices keep the rig you've got while you save for the new one.

[glc]

If the power supply is handling a Radeon 1650, you can certainly get a newer generation card that doesn't put a strain on it. My grandson is playing WoW with a Radeon 4650 with settings at medium in a system with XP and 2gb ram. 4650's are dirt cheap.

Here's one with 1gb DDR3 memory for 50 bucks:

Newegg.com - PowerColor AX4650 1GBK3-H Radeon HD 4650 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card

[Hotled]

Thx GLC, I may give that a shot. Even if my PSU comes up short I can get another one and it's a cheaper upgrade:P
The 1650 I have requires a 350w supply minimum and mine is 300 max I believe so it's worth a shot

By then maybe AMD will have something a bit stronger than the Phenom out AS I don't do Intel very often lol

[David M]

I would not take that chance. Under voltaging a graphics card can damage it. I have no idea if your proprietary PSU has protection against overloading it. A good PSU will shut itself down immediately if this happens.

[glc]

David, if it's running a 1650 it will run a 4650. If anything, a 1650 needs more power than a 4650.

[David M]

I was looking at the PSU requirements for the 4600 series cards which ATI says is 400 watts or greater.

Agreed, there is no reason it would not work if it does indeed require less power than the 1650.

ATI Radeon

[Hotled]

Well I installed the Radeon 4650 and grabbed a new monitor because it was free:P I went from a Samsung Synchmaster 213T to a HP 2310.
Man what a difference those 2 changes made. My WoW FPS doubled in max res and medium detail and it loads the screens much faster.
Getting used to a wide screen wow it is big.
So far everything is stable and for the 50.00 it was a great upgrade, thank you for the tips!

[glc]

I hope you mean you installed a 4650!

[Hotled]

Whoooops yeah I did lol typo!