Need help with my computer specs (running WoW)

[Kearnzo]

Hey guys, need help here. I don't know squat about computers, just that I would like to play WoW without the bad framerate drops. I'm playing it right now on my Dell Inspiron 1501 with the lowest graphical settings, and it still hitches up like crazy in highly populated areas.

I have another laptop, an HP ZV6000 that I haven't used in a while. It's pretty riddled with viruses, and you can't even log into the internet without getting bombarded with popups. However, if it can run WoW, I am thinking of having it wiped clean, as I don't have a recovery disc.

Anyways, here are my computer specs:

AMD Athlon 64 3200+ 2.0 GHz processor
768MB of PC2700 RAM
128MB ATI Xpress 200m video (dedicated memory)
8x Dual Layer DVD+/-RW drive
15.4" wide screen (no BrightView)
40 GB 4,200 RPM Hard Drive
Windows XP Professional
12 cell battery
No built-in wireless selected (USB based wireless card solution used)

WoW specs:

OS:
Windows XP 32/64-Bit (Service pack 3)
Windows Vista 32/64-Bit (with the latest Service Packs)
Windows 7** 32/64-Bit (with the latest updates)
Processor:
Minimum: Intel Pentium 4 1.3 GHz or AMD Athlon XP 1500+
Recommended: Dual-core processor, such as the Intel Pentium D or AMD Athlon 64 X2

Memory:
Minimum: 512 MB RAM (1GB for Vista users)
Recommended: 1 GB RAM (2 GB for Vista users)
Video:
Minimum: 3D graphics processor with Hardware Transform and Lighting with 32 MB VRAM Such as an ATI Radeon 7200 or NVIDIA GeForce 2 class card or better
Recommended: 3D graphics processor with Vertex and Pixel Shader capability with 128 MB VRAM Such as an ATI Radeon X1600 or NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT class card or better

Storage: 15 Gigabytes or more free hard drive space is required

Sound: DirectX-compatible sound card or motherboard sound capability
** The exact hardware requirements for Windows 7 are still being calculated. Only retail versions of Windows 7 are supported.


I am not sure if it will meet the requirements to run it without any slowdown, so that's basically why I am asking. Thanks!

[KENYON06]

Re: Need help with my computer specs (running WoW)

It would probably be the same as it is now. I looked at the Inspiron specs and it is an AMD Turion XL-50 and a Radeon 1150, right? The processor in the Inspiron is slightly better. However, the 1150 is pretty much just the 200m with a different name. It is integrated graphics meaning it shares resources with other components and is the biggest thing holding you back. Bad news for you is that you just can't replace a video card in any laptop like you can a desktop.

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: Need help with my computer specs (running WoW)

Save up $700 and get you a better laptop or PC. Actually for $700 you can get a REALLY good PC for that price nowadays.

[Kearnzo]

Re: Need help with my computer specs (running WoW)

Thanks for the help guys. Guess i'll just keep running it as is for now. It's not too bad, as long as there aren't a huge group of people in the same area.

[injunwal]

Re: Need help with my computer specs (running WoW)

Upgrading your RAM would be the way to go. I play wow and cannot imagine playing with that. A few years ago I was playing at 1 Gig and upgrading it to 2 Gig made all the difference in the world. Also a dedicated vid card as well.

I would just hold off on doing anything to your current machine as you can get a huge upgrade over what you have pretty cheap

[Kearnzo]

Re: Need help with my computer specs (running WoW)

I was actually going to ask about RAM. If I grabbed up another GB, would it run a lot smoother? I can get it for $25-$30 compatible with my Dell, and if I could do that, i'd order it right now. I'm not gonna upgrade PC's, as WoW is the only PC game I play. Not worth it to get a whole new machine just for that. I love the laptop's capabilities aside from running WoW.

[KENYON06]

Re: Need help with my computer specs (running WoW)

It couldn't hurt. Open up the task manager and see how much memory WoW uses. I wouldn't be suprised if it's over 350MB and coupled with system processes, it could put a strain on anything under 1GB pretty easily. Also, check system temperatures. Laptops by their design are terrible at removing heat and newer CPU's will throttle themselves back once they reach a certain temperature, usually around 90c. The throttling back of a hot cpu will reduce performance like crazy.

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: Need help with my computer specs (running WoW)

Get yourself 3gb of ram on there and it will run a hell of lot better. The reason I said 3gb is because XP would eat 1GB alone and that usb wireless internet card would eat up a half of gig. More ram you have the smoother any PC will be.