My iMac was stolen recently and the insurance won't pay a single dime because the deductible was too low. Instead of spending money to replace it, I was thinking instead to add a dedicated graphics card to a recent build from a few weeks ago (which I got help picking the parts here). The graphics upgrade will be in order to play World of Warcraft. Here's their recommended specs:
Windows XP 32bit (SP3), Windows XP 64bit (SP2), Windows Vista 32bit (SP1), Windows Vista 64bit (SP1) Windows 7:
* Dual-core processor, such as the Intel Pentium D or AMD Athlon 64 X2
* 2 GB RAM (2 GB for Vista users)
* 3D graphics processor with Vertex and Pixel Shader capability with 256 MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600 or ATI Radeon™
* 2600 or better DirectX-compatible sound card or motherboard sound capability
* Broadband Internet connection
* Multi-button mouse with scroll wheel recommended
What I need to know, based on the parts that are listed below, are two things:
1) Will the power supply and motherboard be able to handle playing video games?
2) How cheap can I go with the graphics card without sacrificing performance?
I want to keep the graphics card price under $100, since once I have enough money for a gaming pc build I would do that.
BIOSTAR TA785G3 AM3 AMD 785G Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
Antec EarthWatts Green EA-380D Green 380W Continuous power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
AMD Athlon II X3 425 2.7GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Processor ADX425WFK32GI - OEM
Crucial 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model CT2KIT12864BA1339
Windows XP 32bit (SP3), Windows XP 64bit (SP2), Windows Vista 32bit (SP1), Windows Vista 64bit (SP1) Windows 7:
* Dual-core processor, such as the Intel Pentium D or AMD Athlon 64 X2
* 2 GB RAM (2 GB for Vista users)
* 3D graphics processor with Vertex and Pixel Shader capability with 256 MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600 or ATI Radeon™
* 2600 or better DirectX-compatible sound card or motherboard sound capability
* Broadband Internet connection
* Multi-button mouse with scroll wheel recommended
What I need to know, based on the parts that are listed below, are two things:
1) Will the power supply and motherboard be able to handle playing video games?
2) How cheap can I go with the graphics card without sacrificing performance?
I want to keep the graphics card price under $100, since once I have enough money for a gaming pc build I would do that.
BIOSTAR TA785G3 AM3 AMD 785G Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
Antec EarthWatts Green EA-380D Green 380W Continuous power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
AMD Athlon II X3 425 2.7GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Processor ADX425WFK32GI - OEM
Crucial 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model CT2KIT12864BA1339