New Desktop Gaming Specs, OS

[i_am_hyleon35]

I'm planning on buying a new computer for gaming seeing that WAR is coming and this [3 year old?] computer's video card can't hold up in Shattrah or other large population areas.
I was looking at this specific deal at iBUYPOWER: IBuyPower Computer :: Special-A

I don't need a new monitor, but I need a little help with the video card, processor, and the need for an operating system. I was thinking of:
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E8200 (2x 2.66GHz/6MB L2 Cache/1333FSB) but I don't know which video card to choose. I just want one that will run WoW/WAR decently [I don't have limitless amounts of cash ]. Also, would it be worth it to spend the cash to get XP/Vista (note: I plan on 2GB RAM), or should I find a free OS, like Ubuntu Home Page | Ubuntu ?

by the way, I'm not too much of a techno nerd, so if I'm unclear on anything, just let me know.

[Devicus]

I wouldn't reccomend a linux OS to someone without prior understanding or limitless patience, or someone to hold your hand through everything for the first year. I'm none of those and I hated ubuntu (specifically kubuntu the supposedly user friendly well supported distro, no manual and the on line user guides were like "how do you keep an idiot busy").

Anyway, graphics wise, you get what you pay for. I wouldn't reccomend an HD 2xxx series ATI, otherwise, get something newish not too cheap and it'll be fine.

[Absalom]

The system you linked doesn't look like it would be a bad machine. It has pretty much everything I'd say to check for ( core 2 duo CPU/ intel chipset/ 2GB RAM/ etc..).

I agree with Devicus in that I'd stick with a windows OS if you dont have previous techy know-how to handle the Linux experience (no matter how much the experience has improved).

I would say grab Windows XP Pro and put it on your system though you might be hard pressed to find a retail copy anymore. Microsoft dropped shipping it in June. Vista isn't great at all so I'd look around places to see if you can find a copy of XP.

As for video card.. pretty much any decent PCIe video card will make you happy. There is a preference war between nVida and ATI. Personally, I'd grab ATI but I'm not going to get into that. Again, as Devicus stated, you should be fine with just about new that isn't in the dirt cheap bracket.

[Tzyra]

Ditto what Devicus said. Unless you already know how to use Linux and love it, or are willing to spend many, many hours tearing your hair out while learning it, I would not recommend getting an Linux OS.

To be honest, I wouldn't really recommend Vista, either, though, since I've had some frustrations and unexpected blue-screens trying to get that up and running, as well! If you're thinking about using Vista, just make sure that all of the programs you care about are fully compatible and you should be fine. And I'd definitely recommend Vista 32 over Vista 64. (Most of the problems I ran into were Vista 64-related.)

So the one I'd recommend getting, if you can find it, is XP. You didn't specify what you're currently using as an OS, but I'm assuming it's XP since that's what most people use. And if that's the case, then you also don't need to relearn an entire new OS so you'll be up and running faster.

[Gritz]

3 guildies have had trouble with ibuypower machines in the past (connections loose, DOA components, cracked case, if I recall correctly) - if you are comfortable taking a PC apart and checking connections and general troubleshooting, then you should be fine. If not, I'd stay away. (Yes, a sample size of 3 is not very big, but I've heard more negative about ibuypower than tigerdirect/newegg combined).

Edit: In regards to Ubuntu - stay away unless you are a hobbyist or IT professional (or want to become one). Google 'linux live cd' to try out linux without installing. I have an Ubuntu install on my MBP (via Fusion), but I can't find anything that is easier/faster on Linux than XP/Vista/OSX (the other 3 OSs on my machine).

[Cormanthor]

I use linux on a regular basis for playing WoW and just general computing. That being said, and as mentioned above, I would not recommend linux-based gaming to a new linux user. I also have recently purchased a new computer from Best Buy. It came with Vista SP2 preinstalled, and cost less than $600 for a quad-core AMD with 3Gb of ram. I am not a big supporter of Microsoft in general, but SP2 seems much improved over the original.
If you do choose to use a linux based OS, please do yourself a favor and get an nVidia based graphics card. They have better linux support than ATI.

Good Luck!

[chemical whore]

like all above posters, i strongly recommend staying away from a linux OS.
and if you're limited to 2GB ram, stay away from Vista.

the E8200 is a great processor.

you should pay special attention to your graphics processor. spend as much as you can. even if it means getting a less expensive processor to offset the cost a bit.
you say you want to stay inexpensive, but you didn't give a ballpark figure. my idea of "inexpensive" would be around $200. if that works for you, i would recommend either an Nvidia 8800GTS 320MB or an ATI HD 3850 256MB. they're both around $200 these days.

this is what i use:

E6750 overclocked to 3.6MHz (450x8)
Abit IP-35 Pro Motherboard
XTX 8800 GTS overclocked to 640/916MHz
4GB OCZ Ram overclocked to 900MHz (4-4-4-12)

i get anywhere between 80-200 FPS depending on zone and server population. 80 FPS would be Shat on a Saturday night with 10,000 other people running around. 200 FPS would be Feralas with no one around.

[jeprscreprs]

Since you are not a techno nerd stay away from linux. I am a techno nerd, so linux is an option. Also, vista is more trouble than it's worth. XP will work just fine. I was in your situation, just needed a new cpu. I went to www.visionman.com and orderd a gaming desktop and was extremely happy with my purchase.

I could have gotten a bare bones and built it with new parts, but I was lazy and wanted it 80% built. The parts I'd have needed to move from my old desktop were pretty old anyway.

[wayneyoung]

I am using a Geforce 8600 GFX overclocked model in my pci x16 slot - it has 512mb ddr3 on the card.

I am using it with a 3.4Ghz Pentium 4 w/ hyper threading, 3GB ddr memory, 10,000rpm sata hard drive.

I've seen frame rates as high as 110fps and everything is set on medium, rarely the frame rates dip into the low 40'sfps

[Meridani]

If you wish to continue gaming comfortably into the near future, I recommend you take a look at ATI's 4850 card. It's above average and quite easy on the wallet. If you want to go high end and be safe for even longer, try the 4870. Nvidia has their own cards in that area, I think they are the GTX280 or something. Haven't been keeping up with Nvidia as lately ATI has taken the cake and run away with it.