Old Lady needs help!WOW

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Just some advice (toward the OP)...

I am an amateur builder (I have two comps to my name, one really sux - bought a barebones kit for 200 4 years ago, the other is mediocre). The things I have learned from those two were vast, and it seems you are ahead of me... it took me two builds to learn to find information first prior to buying, or else I would not have bought a p4 3 ghz... even though I am happy with it. Really, that is the point, if you do it yourself, you WILL be happy with it. Not to say that buying a prebuilt won't make you happy... it is like baking a cake from scratch, yea you can buy one and it will probably taste good, but putting it together yourself puts a little more love in it.

Now the advice! As i have gathered from reading this thread, you fell into the same pit I did, namely setting a budget and saying "screw it". If what you want is to play WOW and maybe some other games... a $700 system is more than adequate. The 8800Gts that people are recommending is a great card and will future proof you to some degree. But going with the 7600gt will be able to play WOW at full (I do not have experience with this) or Oblivion at more than acceptable settings (I DO have experience with this). I think all of the builds that people have posted for you would meet your needs. I would personally stay away from integrated graphics, but I cannot say that it would not do the trick. But from what I have read, if you need to upgrade to a pci-e card, you have to go into the bios and ensure that the integrated graphics are shut off. (as before, I don't have experience with this, just reporting what I have read elsewhere)

If you truly wish to spend more, I would put it toward a Good LCD, say 22" widescreen. Your 15" screen probably gets the job done, but a jump that much would make me look like this 8O (sorry, I love stupid emoticons)

Another small piece of advice, if you already know this, sorry for being redundant: DONT BE DISCOURAGED when you look online a few months from now and you see the price of your system has dropped drastically, it is the nature of the industry. If you kept waiting for prices to drop, you would never buy a computer.

Hopefully the OP is still reading this thread!
 
Well it sure seems that rather than a bit of frustration, you'd as soon dump her off to some Best Buy newbie who would sell her a POS. Education is the key to wise spending, and to getting what you want and need. Even if she decides to go with an X2 processor and a 7600GT...who's to fault her? At least she'll know what she's buying. To ALLOW her to be another uneducated consumer, is kind of shirking the responsibility you claim to take upon yourself...
"You've been on here a LONG time, helping people" isn't that what you said? So help them. Don't kick them to the curb after she's made up her mind she wants to research and learn. You came in trying to disuade her without even reading the thread, and then got cocky when you got shot down. Mind you, you were VERY cocky. "I've dealt with worse than you." No, I don't think you have.
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One of my customers is a doctor of oncology, he is one of the most brilliant men I know, he reads all the time to stay on top of his field, he is definitely not an ignorant person, but even with instructions in hand he couldn't build a computer.

Why?

I have no idea, other than he is just not mechanically inclined at all.

IMO common sense is probably the highest plus for being able to build your own computer, you turned a simple suggestion around and blew it up into something it was never meant to be, it was just an alternative for her not a kill the thread post, I didn't realize my posts had that kind of power. [sarcasm]

You are a rude, insensensitive, and obviously bitter young man, and thats the truth.

However I really don't have any malice towards you, I just hope you'll grow up eventually, and treat the others you meet here better, than you've treated me.
 
I just whipped this together - It does not differ too drastically from what others have posted. You noted that you did not want to overclock, and I am in the same boat as you... I don't like messing with things that run just fine. However, I included in this set up the Gigabyte DS3 because in 2-3 years or so, you will be looking at upgrading. Your son will be 19 and will probably be even brighter than he is now (I know how smart I was when I was 19 *note sarcasm*) This would be a great rig to try overclocking with, and it will be more than enough to handle what you are trying for in your more immediate future. On another note, I can't believe that the 7600 gt is $109... I got it for 180 this summer (still worth it). Plus EVGA has its return policy so you can upgrade to a better card in the future at a discounted price.

An Aside *I would recommend an AMD unit as well, I think they would be great for what you are trying to accomplish... but my knowledge is lacking in that department - what brands to look at, what is comparable... so please don't think I only recommend Intel!

Qty. Product Description Unit Price Savings Total Price
1 Antec Solo Black/Silver Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
$89.99 $89.99

1 GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
$132.99 -$10.00 Instant $122.99

1 EVGA 256-P2-N615-TX GeForce 7600GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
$109.99 $109.99

1 Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6400 - Retail
$221.00 $221.00

1 OCZ S.O.E 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2SOE6672GK - Retail
Model #: OCZ2SOE6672GK
$155.99 $155.99

1 Western Digital Caviar SE WD2500JB 250GB 7200 RPM IDE Ultra ATA100 Hard Drive - OEM
$64.99 $64.99

Subtotal: $764.95
 
SOOOOOOO, I must say it's taken me some time to get here, THANKS GUYS! :lol:

Sorry about all the dead dads, especially the great ones, but as for my DD I don't miss him.

I honestly don't remember ever posting " I can't build it myself." I am a retired art teacher and I don't think it could be that hard. I do think it would be fun to share with my son, and thanks to ALLLL of U I am much more aware. The good news is I have found tons of info with U and on my own. I know the dif. parts of a PC and what they do and what I need for what I want to do. Yes, I feel I am ready to do it myself alas I am falling in love with another. 😳

I can play pretty much anything I want on an imac and with the Parallel software I can run my win. XP Pro with the Tiger os and do not have to reboot each time. It is a click away. It comes preloaded with wireless card and Bluetooth with a small video camera built right in 8) With Mac there is far less spy ware and viruses even with the Windows aspect. The graphics and photo preloaded software is great and I do plenty of that. I get a 150 off for educational rebate and 100 off a printer of choice. I can't upgrade the graphics card but it's not the worse (although I would love better) down side here. Cost seems high, but it is comparable to HP Pavilion Media center (costs a bit less)or Dell XPS(about the same). To me if I were to buy a PC it would be VOODOO :lol: NO I can't afford it so I'd get a HP over Dell. Dell just throws crap together and the Tech Support sucks whereas HP is technologically driven at least and bit better tech support. Mac’s tech support is rated far superior. I am not sure how much longer they last, but people have a tendency to hang onto them longer than PC. I need to find out who pay SH costs if I have to get is repaired or repaired locally.

I have downloaded system requirements for the games I want to play and
a graphics chart comparing GeForce to Radeon has been very helpful. If I were to build my own right now it would be something like this.

Nividia 7600GT 256MB (buy back from Nividia good for upgrade)
2GB RAM dual channel for 2 - 1 GB stix
250GB HD
Intel core 2 duo E6300 or 6400 2.13GHz
Aluminum case
1GB GA-965P-DS3 LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel MoBo
Wireless keyboard and mouse
17"LCD
Think it would come in around $1,200


Compared to the imac
2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo(could bump up to 2.16 for +$100.00)
2GB 667 DDR2 SDRAM - 2x1GB
250GB Serial ATA drive(could bump down to 160 for -$75.00)
SuperDrive 8X (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
Apple Wireless Keyboard & wireless Mighty Mouse + Mac OS X - U.S. English
ATI Radeon X1600 128MB SDRAM(no options here!)
17-inch widescreen LCD
AirPort Extreme
Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR
With my educational discount $1,379

20"
2.16GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
2GB 667 DDR2 SDRAM - 2x1GB
250GB Serial ATA Drive
ATI Radeon X1600/128MB VRAM
SuperDrive 8X (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
Apple Wireless Keyboard & wireless Mighty Mouse + Mac OS X (US English)
20-inch widescreen LCD
AirPort Extreme
Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR
After disc.$1,611


you're THOUGHTS...and don't go off here, I realize this is a build it yourself site, and I just want good input from a site that I respect because a gamers site would never even consider an imac. I really am so glad I found all of you to help me. U really have made a super impact on my educating myself and researching. REMEMBER-4 days ago, I didn't know what a GB was or a Processor from a motherboard or the compatibility of the two. I never would have thought it possible to build my own and I know now I could do it! I certainly know a lot more about graphics cards and there seems to be my biggest problem :roll:
 
Now U R talkin. I kinda have a thingy for purples. Can't live with it but can't live without it! 8)

seriously I do think I am leaning towards the imac 20". I know U guys (I use this term for gals as well) have worked your asses off for me and I doooooo appreciate it REALLY. I just feel the need for speed-naw I just need to play and settle for enjoying myself again and no more headaches deciding. I just have to pick what's right 4 me and I think that's a prebuilt and I ain't talkin Dell. :lol:

U all have educated me a lot and I appreciate it. I hope this thread has been good for U in whatever U needed to get out of it and at leaste it's good to see some spunk. We aren't dead yet. My generation isn't the one having all the babies, by the way. I think that would be our parents and WWII. 😛
 
mac has limited gaming interface alot new games are pc only - you been watching to many apple comercials.

i swear you started out needing a el chepo pc know you getting an imac?
 
you wont be running dx10 since bill gates is pissed about the apple ads he pulled the vista support for the virtual software.

you better served with a partitioned system virtual software is not for gaming its for work apps.

i know nothing about apples but i do know running a pc in the virtual mode is poor for gaming
 
Now U R talkin. I kinda have a thingy for purples. Can't live with it but can't live without it! 8)

seriously I do think I am leaning towards the imac 20". I know U guys (I use this term for gals as well) have worked your asses off for me and I doooooo appreciate it REALLY. I just feel the need for speed-naw I just need to play and settle for enjoying myself again and no more headaches deciding. I just have to pick what's right 4 me and I think that's a prebuilt and I ain't talkin Dell. :lol:

U all have educated me a lot and I appreciate it. I hope this thread has been good for U in whatever U needed to get out of it and at leaste it's good to see some spunk. We aren't dead yet. My generation isn't the one having all the babies, by the way. I think that would be our parents and WWII. 😛
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Your an official nerd now! haha good luck on the build as im sure when you run into trouble you know where to come. The guys in here some times can be a tuff crowd but overall there pretty helpfull even to us old people. 😀
 
OK- I would purchase Parralles for 80 and get my disc. for education for about 70. With 1 click of a button I can run either of my 2 seperate OS. WINDOWS XP PRO which I already own and TIGER OS for MAC pre-loaded. I am not going to need extra virus protection due to the WINDOWS still being in the MAC!

PERFORMANCE-for the games we need will be fine. I am not into some of these games, but I do like the dif. ELDER SCROLLS, but checking the individual sites and their individual requirements I think I'm good to go.

DIRECT X 9 already got it so on the WIN XP paralle. Ok I don't have DX 10, but sure I can upgrade unless thats a card (not sure) but I will be ok for now.

THE VIRUSES-I am sick of them and PC asking me what the heck I want to do next.

GRAPHICS may not be the best, but it will be fine and I do a lot of graphics work with photos and videos plus as a retired art teacher I like the applications better.

SOFTWARE- more and more are coming out MAC compatable, but until then I can still run the WINDOWS side(THE DARK SIDE) ha! :lol:

COST-for what I get it compares to DELL (better graphicsa card here) for about the same price or HP Pavilion Media Center for a bit less. HOWEVER, with the Dell it's only 1 GB RAM

TRUE- no extra JUNK and far less spy ware and viruses. In fact they don't even advise buying extra protection.

You can run PARALLELS for 80- software and you are able to run 2 OS(operating systems with a mouse click)BOOTCAMP is free download but U would have to reboot each time you switch. SOOOO you can play anything you want using the WINDOWS side(I like to call it the dark side) and no this doesn't cause extra problems with viruses due to it being in a MAC! Also more games are coming out MAC friendly. It will have DirectX 9 at leaste. 10, not sure if that's upgradable from site or if you need better card for that. I'm old and not that computer savvy.

GAMER, yea sorta, but I have a life and as a retired art teacher I am into the super photo and digital video the MAC has. The Tiger OS is pretty much the VISTA without the problems. MAC is coming out with a new OS called Leopard in April, but I don't care to be the tester of any new OS. The prices won't drop enough on Tiger OS to make it worthe the wait. Yes you can set resolutions lower to play games, and no it's not SURROUND sound-the sound is actually not great in an imac. Best to connect to JBL cheap speakers.

COST- after EDUCATIONAL instant rebates of up to 150 of which I'm up to 130 and 100 off all printers it's very comparable to PC.

The decision is a bit hard because not many people who game understand the MAC-because it isn't a beast, but it sure is PURTY,compact, well thought out with no tower (yet that makes upgrading harder so pick the right one)

UPGRADING-Truly by the time I need to upgrade my PC I might as well buy a new one anyway that's why gamers usually build their own. That is the way to go, but I hoped someone here would help me figure out which imac would fit my needs.

GRAPHICS CARD-now that's a problem cause U just don't get it in a MAC. Even the 24" upgrade card could be a bit better. If you change resolutions each game it should play ok. I have talked to imac folks who do play WOW great and Oblivion is a dif. story. Come on it's HUGE and demands a lot. XBOX 360 is not the answer here-it's a different game play! The PC version is different! I am a PC gamer-not a console gamer...

THAT Said: 😉
17" base price $1,199.00
20" $1,499.00

MONITOR
17-inch (viewable) widescreen
1440 x 900 pixels

20-inch (viewable) widescreen
1680 x 1050 pixels

PROCESSOR
17"-2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
OR 2.16GHz Intel Core 2 Duo

20"-

HARD DRIVE
17"-160GB Serial ATA, 7200 rpm
or 250GB Serial ATA, 7200 rpm

20"-250GB Serial ATA, 7200 rpm
could upgrade to 500GB but $ issues

OPTICAL DRIVE
same at - 8x double-layer SuperDrive (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)

MEMORY
I can go 1 GB or 2GB and my choice is 2BG RAM

GRAPHICS CARD(kinda sucks)
17" - ATI Radeon X1600 with 128MB of GDDR3 SDRAM
20" - can upgrade to ATI Radeon X1600 with 250MB of GDDR3 SDRAM
*only 24" has 2 upgrades to NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT
(which still isn't fantastic only better!)

ADDING PARALLELS software for 80/70 f0r me with education discount

Really price is comparable/Building your own too-but with b y o you do have much more control and can usually upgrade if you leave wiggle room and the PRIDE in doing it yourself. I just don't want to be bothered anymore. I want to move on. :help: me make a decision between the imacs please. Even if it HURTS 8O
 
I am still confused how you went from an el cheapo to i mac- apple - yuk!

its a poison apple! sorry but i hate apple they are for graphics people and nerds not gamers! if work for news paper or do design work ok get an apple.

you started out knowing nothing about computers and wanting to play WoW now your running parallels! v-computers do not game!


For the price of an imac you can get a killer gaming rig that dx10 ready -- biggest upgrade in gaming in many many years! dx10 is a big deal - if your getting an apple and you want to game your apple will spoil.

apple yuk - thats worse then amti! IFB
 
our support and guidance.

SORRY some of have wasted your time towards educating me. As I have said several times-I went from knowing absolutely nothing to gaining a good knowledge base from here and other sites in basically 5 days. Not bad for an old 56 yr. old mom who wanted to play WOW while doing real work and photo journaling.

Some of U have been with me from the get go and continue to be helpful, while others seem angry that I am not the gamer they had expected. Hey, look at the POST!!!!!

I did look up the requirements of WOW and Elder Scrolls and I will be over their recs. with the exception of that darn video card, but still ok. I have also stated many times that I am a DESIGN CONSULTANT for new home builders and a retired ART teacher so YES the photo editing and video capabilities are important to me.

I do not want the viruses and spy ware plus the extra loaded crap on a pre-built. I have admitted many times over I could build, it would be much better system, but I don't really want to. GGGGEEEEZZZ, R you really suggesting buying a pre-built would make U all happier. Then you did your job well because I am outta here. I put up with fighting for 3 pages of these 7 and that didn't bother me a bit. I actually thought is was funny.I have been through a lot worse. I really have to thank many of U and U know who U R because you've been patient and kind and OPEN MINDED . I also thank those of you who posted many sites for me to browse in order to compare and get good info. The charts and game requirements were very helpful.

All and all I think some of you are snobs because you don't seem to get all the great things an imac can do other than gaming. U think APPLE represents the wealthy, lazy, artsy fartsy. Guess I am wayyyyy more dimensional than that 8)

Thinking outside the BOX
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BB_hza4w-Is
 
KrazyKat,

Then you did your job well because I am outta here.
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Kat,

I hope you do not let folks allow the above to happen. It would be a shame to lose a forum member (of the other persuasion 😉) just because of a pissing match. Your differing view/s may be/is needed here. So not to sound like an ass.. I would like it if you would stay. We need all types of backgrounds/people here and sadly we may be lacking in folks like yourself.

In fact I hope you take this experience and use it here to make things better. Who knows you may find someone else here asking similar questions and benefit them through the research in which you already completed.

Don't let a few spoil the rest...

And if ya get the MAC enjoy the OS as it may be one of the best built. All the aspects of *nix and the GUI goodness that is Apple :).

Good luck!!
 
I would like to show you a couple of sites I found that I think are helpful to nubbies like me. It's hard to understand everything straight away and it does get a bit overwhelming. I guess that's why I said OH F it! I haven't ordered anything and I continue to research. I know the graphics card SUCKS in the imac and I realize I could at leaste order a pre-built from Cyberpower or something like that. Just try to understand I am on a learning curve here and I haven't been at it very long. I am just throwing out ideas and when you get upset at them that's FINE I get it, but when you say I have wasted everyones time, I don't think so, and I'm sorry you feel that way.

Here they R and I hope they R helpful to some other old fart like me :lol:

Here's an article on what to look for in a video card. Ignore the statement "higher model numbers are better". That's NOT always true. The rest of the info is very accurate though
http://www.gamespot.com/features/6153327/index.html

You can compare video cards here.
http://www.gpureview.com/show_cards.php?card1=431&card2=350
 
I am just throwing out ideas and when you get upset at them that's FINE I get it, but when you say I have wasted everyones time, I don't think so, and I'm sorry you feel that way.
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I never typed that you have wasted anyone's time :?
 
Everett wrote
I never typed that you have wasted anyone's time
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GGGGEEEEZZZ I am sooo sorry, I did not mean that directed towards U at all.

hergieburbur wrote
She wasn't talking to you, it was aimed at certain others from earlier. I think she just hit reply to the last post on the thread...
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YEP, he's right 😳
 
I seem to have lost my fanbase and to make it up to all PC guys here's something really great to build! :lol: I don't do this anymore, but there was a time accompanied by, Oh well that was another time. U guys enjoy and I hope to hear you all are busy building this tonight! :idea:

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/445498/robotic_beer_launching_refrigerator

Still reasearching-I'm down to CYBERPOWER,IMAC(the one for 50 and over with the guy behind the curtain-I'll keep diggin) or I haven't totally given up on building, but certainly do not need any more of your time. Just thought you'd like to know. :roll:
 
I seem to have lost my fanbase and to make it up to all PC guys here's something really great to build! :lol: I don't do this anymore, but there was a time accompanied by, Oh well that was another time. U guys enjoy and I hope to hear you all are busy building this tonight! :idea:

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/445498/robotic_beer_launching_refrigerator

Still reasearching-I'm down to CYBERPOWER,IMAC(the one for 50 and over with the guy behind the curtain-I'll keep diggin) or I haven't totally given up on building, but certainly do not need any more of your time. Just thought you'd like to know. :roll:
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Unfortunate that the fanboys and trolls have driven you off with their insensitivity but they are kind of like roaches once they show up they are impossible to exterminate.
 
Hey Kat,

Good to see you are still here.

Cyberpower can make a nice machine. And the iMAC in its own right is a good machine (although a narrower target group which you also fit).

I guess it comes down to what is more important to you. Be advised that if you have not worked on a MAC before even that nice OS-X GUI has some learning curve (also understand that MACs DO crash "just in a different way").

With the Cyberpower/PC based machine you will have a greater upgrade path along the way. You will be able to change things at will to suit your needs.

With the iMAC you are limited in your upgrade path (usually easier to just buy a new one if you have to change something major). iMACs typically have proprietary hardware like SFF (Small Form Factor) devices/psu/...

This NOT to say they can not be upgraded (memory/HD are typically not that difficult). But something more major like CPU/Video Card/... may cause you a little more grief.

I think you will be happy with either one!!

PS.. Nothing wrong with PURCHASING a PC. Just on this site people would prefer you build (given the nature of the site).

PSS.. On purchasing a PC please be advised to NOT use integrated graphics if possible. That way you can play WOW now and later its update/new release.

Hope this helps!!
 
Kat,

Your gamespot article is a good general guideline, but I am learry of their materials. They typically under-rate video cards when they are reviewing games (like when they have an article on what vid card works well with Oblivion). Just make sure you read into the comments that people leave on the topic.

I hate to bring this up... it is mainly because I have never played a game on a mac (other than OREGON TRAIL!). But doesn't WOW make use of the left and right click on the mouse? would this be a problem with the mac's one button mouse? If I am wrong tell me, because that was one reason that I avoided macs.

Good luck with your researching!
 
We shouldnt ban anybody from the THG forumz cause I believe strongly in the freedom of speech, but add these idiots to a shortlist, with an icon that pops up next to their name in the post, so that everyone knows they are not credible and only there to waste oxygen/bandwidth.

Maybe even add them to one's ignore list so that replies from these twats dont even show up in your post. Any other ideas?
 
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