Old Lady needs help!WOW - Page 2 - CPUs

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Being unfamiliar with WOW requirements, I did a bit of research. I found the following guide from Anandtech (march 23,2005), entitled "World of warcraft performance guide ".

http://www.anandtech.com/video/sho [...] i=2381&p=1

The final recomendations have a sweet spot for memory at 1gb, and a processor e uivalent to an athlon 64 3500+ or a pentium4 650/550. Both of these are outclassed by the E4300 or other current processors. As to the GPU, it would seem that a 6600gt(tier 13) or better would be appropriate to meet the reuirements of the original post.

Reply to geofelt

Register or log in to remove.

fishzboi

Quote :

I wish my girlfriend loved me. She says she does, but then again, she doesnt want to buy a new PC to play WoW with me. I'm not happy about this situation. I think I should get you to email her to convince her how totally addictive and fun that game is, LOL!

I'd be glad to tell her how much fun it is, but does she like any other games like I do - Wii Zelda or PC games like Morrowind, anything to compare it to? I have only played for 6 hours when my crapola PC started cutting out and reboots itself. I liked WOW soooo much I decided I had to get a new PC, HA! I am a Torin shamen level 10 and can't wait to get to 40 for my dumb mount, Tee Hee :lol: I just want to play again...
FOR THE HORDE!

Goin to research some more and use this site heavily with all the info U all have given and I am either going to build or look at an imac. Give me a couple days :roll:

Reply to KrazyKat

JonnyDough

Quote :

Sounds good. You might try Oblivion...

U R Starting to P_ _ _ me off! I'd love to play Oblivian, but if I don't build something U know I most likely won't be playing on an imac I don't think the graphics card could handle it and I don't think I can swap out a video card in an imac as it's prob. stuck to the MOBO. Geeez, I wish I could make up my mind and find out what the imac is actually capable of! :roll: [/quote]

Reply to KrazyKat

Quote :

I can't build myself

How did you get from this statement to ordering parts for a new machine, if you have a local Circuit City, or Best Buy, just go there and buy yourself a tower that'll fit your budget, you do not have to buy an entire system, a tower normally comes with a keyboard and mouse.

Get one with WinXP installed, theres a lot of fantastic WinXP deals out there right now, stay away from Vista until at least the first service pack for the operating system is released.

Reply to 4ryan6

Quote :

I can't build myself

How did you get from this statement to ordering parts for a new machine, if you have a local Circuit City, or Best Buy, just go there and buy yourself a tower that'll fit your budget, you do not have to buy an entire system, a tower normally comes with a keyboard and mouse.

Get one with WinXP installed, theres a lot of fantastic WinXP deals out there right now, stay away from Vista until at least the first service pack for the operating system is released.

This is a computer builder's website. Why are you giving her such brainless advice? Who tells people to go buy premanufactured computers? LOL This isn't a "go buy a Dell" website. Maybe you haven't read the articles? After 9000+ posts I can't believe you're actually telling her not to research and build her own first computer. It isn't that hard, my rather stupid 16 year old cousin figured it out on his own, all I did was tell him which parts to buy and advise him a bit on what to do. Anyone with a brain can piece together a computer. It isn't rocket science.

You probably ought to calm down!

Reply to sirheck

Quote :

Why? What kind of moron comes along and tells someone that? I edited it and added more while you were posting. Take a look. I'm surprised more people aren't telling this idiot to shut his trap. He doesn't think a 56 year old woman has the gumption to piece together a few components. Maybe she's too old to research or learn, that it? Personally, I find it insulting that some young guy would even propose such an idea. Who the hell is on a computer enthusiast website, and tells someone else not to find joy in the hobby? He's either contradictory to himself, or insulting her age. Either way I have a problem with it. You're damn right.

well i can see you aint gonna last long :roll:

Reply to sirheck

Actually I am finding this all too amusing. I purchased my car on line after research and checking on the specific auto. I hate buying cars from salesman due to their either treating me like an idiot or trying to pick me up. Yes, I am "OLD", but I am a woman and that means I ask questions. 8O

Male salesman even at Apple gives me the same attitude. They tell me what I should get and if I question it they get upset but fail to explain themselves for fear I just might understand what they're saying. A guy walks in to get an imac and asks,” should I get a 1 or 2 GB of RAM?", and the sales person says, "Ah, come on buddy you know bigger is always better!" thus kicking off the testosterone and the guy says” HELL YEA!". Well a woman will ask why and the sales man has to actually WORK for the sale. :lol:

I appreciate everyone’s help, but I am not interested in BUYING a DELL or I wouldn't be here! Of course I know I can buy just a tower, but I wanted to build a tower. I only asked about how imac compared because I was bumping up the $ on a first build and saw a Mac. "They're so PURTY! I am curious and it's a woman’s prerogative to change her mind. It's up to you to give me good info as to why I should or shouldn't build, so I can see Jonnydough's reasoning. Think he just needs to realize unlike the salesman everyone here is just trying to HELP me out as they've got nothin to loose. Maybe it's become far to apparent I just want to play again and I am starting to wish I just bought a piece of crapola DELL,lol:evil:

But, hey, this is turning into one HELL :twisted: of a site!

whrzmud

Quote :

i think it came from here:
http://forumz.tomshardware.com/har [...] ...pict169

GRAPHICS card-now that's what I need! Geezzz Why do I want to play OBLIVIAN :wink:
http://www.tomshardware.com/2005/1 [...] arts_viii/

Reply to KrazyKat

Quote :

This is a computer builder's website. Why are you giving her such brainless advice? Who tells people to go buy premanufactured computers? LOL This isn't a "go buy a Dell" website. Maybe you haven't read the articles? After 9000+ posts I can't believe you're actually telling her not to research and build her own first computer. It isn't that hard, my rather stupid 16 year old cousin figured it out on his own, all I did was tell him which parts to buy and advise him a bit on what to do. Anyone with a brain can piece together a computer. It isn't rocket science. She got from that statement to realizing it's not that hard to build a computer, taking and interest, and believing in herself... I don't know why you'd be such an idiot, and come along trying to ruin a good thing. Hey, dumbass. What if your dad told you you couldn't drive a car because you didn't know much about automobiles? Better take the bus tomorrow.

My dad won't be telling me anything he is dead! Since you're being a complete dumbass yourself not everyone has the ability to build their own computer, no matter how much you or anyone else here advises them.

Are you really trying to tell me of everyone you know including parents of friends of yours, that they all could build their own computers?

If you answer yes to that you know you're lying, I quoted the OPs statement saying I Can't Build Myself, I didn't make that statement she did!

I did that to see if she'd respond with the confidence and desire it takes to come through it and give her some links to How To Build to help her understand how to do it.

But could you wait to see how I'd respond to her before jumping on me with your half cocked idiot crusade, hell no!

I've even set up a thread at this website just to help people like her and its been here a lot longer than you have.

http://forumz.tomshardware.com/har [...] 68951.html

No matter what you've made the OP think by the crap you've posted here, I wish the best for her and her build, and though I have a lot more to say to someone like you, I'm going to see what your response is first.

Yeah I do have 9,000+ posts and have been a member here a long time, and a lot of those posts have been dedicated to straightening out troubles caused by people like you.

Some of the members here come here for help when they have problems and some don't know anymore about their computers than how to turn it on and off.

You need to find out if they can even tread water before throwing them into the deep end.

Be a man here with your reply, you are in the wrong here, lets see what you're all about.

Reply to 4ryan6

Quote :

Why? What kind of moron comes along and tells someone that? I edited it and added more while you were posting. Take a look. I'm surprised more people aren't telling this idiot to shut his trap. He doesn't think a 56 year old woman has the gumption to piece together a few components. Maybe she's too old to research or learn, that it? Personally, I find it insulting that some young guy would even propose such an idea. Who the hell is on a computer enthusiast website, and tells someone else not to find joy in the hobby? He's either contradictory to himself, or insulting her age. Either way I have a problem with it. You're damn right.

I'm 54, age has nothing to do with this, neither does the fact she's a woman, you sound like a ranting lunatic, babbling stuff thats not even true making it up as you go along.

Those are your thoughts, not mine!

Reply to 4ryan6

I really didn't want to read through 5 pages of this thread to see where your thought process's are, theres a link in the first response to JonnyDough to a thread I've set up with some build your own guides.

If you have the curiosity and desire you can do anything, I just wanted to make sure you had that, and age doesn't have a thing to do with it, 56 isn't old in my book, and being a woman is a sheer plus in my book you have more patience than we do.

So what I posted to you was not to offend you, just throwing out more options, to see what you were thinking, I didn't make those suggestions because I thought you couldn't build your own, just to make you aware that its possible, and my wife and I did exactly that, when I didn't have the time to build myself.

In 2000 we bought an Emachines tower from Circuit City and was back in business the same day, and theres a lot of members here that have done exactly the same thing.

The how to links will give you all you need to be able to build yourself and members like myself will be here to help you if it doesn't go right. If you have a problem PM me anytime, I'll be glad to help, anyone that really knows me here, knows thats true. Have a great Day! Ryan

Reply to 4ryan6

Quote :

You are kinda contradicting yourself here. In one post, you say that not everyone can build their own PC, then later in the same post, you provide a link on how to do so, then in another post, you say she can do anything she desires...

If this is your way of testing whether she really wants to build a PC, its kinda strange...

I'm quite sure I've explained myself in the three responses above, try reading them again.

Reply to 4ryan6

Quote :

But if you continue on this rant I'll have to ask a moderator to remove your unkindly posts.

You are obviously a complete psychotic imbecile, by all means go to the moderators!

Reply to 4ryan6

How is this supposed to be helping her?

Reply to 4ryan6

5..4..3..2..1!

as i said before you need to chill out.

Reply to sirheck

Quote :

Done.

do you not understand that you are the one who is name calling
and starting flame wars :roll:

so who do you think is going to get booted.

you can report 4ryan and the mods will come and look at this thread
and say hey that johnny dough is the problem.

Reply to sirheck

Thankyou !!!

Reply to 4ryan6

I didn't say you didn't give her good advice.

Reply to 4ryan6

Quote :

I sure hope they will. You two have done nothing but flame since you got here.

here you are doin the flamin and name calling.

Quote :

Why? What kind of moron comes along and tells someone that? I edited it and added more while you were posting. Take a look. I'm surprised more people aren't telling this idiot to shut his trap. He doesn't think a 56 year old woman has the gumption to piece together a few components. Maybe she's too old to research or learn, that it? Personally, I find it insulting that some young guy would even propose such an idea. Who the hell is on a computer enthusiast website, and tells someone else not to find joy in the hobby? He's either contradictory to himself, or insulting her age. Either way I have a problem with it. You're damn right.

oh wait here you are again.

Quote :

This is a computer builder's website. Why are you giving her such brainless advice? Who tells people to go buy premanufactured computers? LOL This isn't a "go buy a Dell" website. Maybe you haven't read the articles? After 9000+ posts I can't believe you're actually telling her not to research and build her own first computer. It isn't that hard, my rather stupid 16 year old cousin figured it out on his own, all I did was tell him which parts to buy and advise him a bit on what to do. Anyone with a brain can piece together a computer. It isn't rocket science. She got from that statement to realizing it's not that hard to build a computer, taking and interest, and believing in herself... I don't know why you'd be such an idiot, and come along trying to ruin a good thing. Hey, dumbass. What if your dad told you you couldn't drive a car because you didn't know much about automobiles? Better take the bus tomorrow.

Reply to sirheck

if she is not comfortable building her own,
then why not buy prebuilt?

Reply to sirheck

I never even said to you that you hadn't given her good advice, my comments were directed to your statement against me thats why I quoted it, I have a right to respond to something said against me and defend myself, especially when the statements are false.

You're making a mountain out of a molehill! :roll:

Reply to 4ryan6

Quote :

Hergie, don't even reply. Let's just get the thread locked. We can help KrazyKat outside of the thread. It's unfortunate that it's come to this.

So now you've become the only ones that can help her here ROFLMAO

Reply to 4ryan6

Quote :

Because if you had read the entire thread, you would see that she started off not knowing what to do, then decided to explore building her own, then decided as recently as this morning she does not want to buy prebuilt:

Well saying she'd had a change of heart and mind isn't a whole lot simpler and kinder than all these insults?

Reply to 4ryan6

I've been here a long time boys and dealt with a whole lot worse than you I'm not planning on going anywhere, as far as these forums as a whole is concerned, so we need to find some kinda way to get along, we'll be bumping into each other in other threads, all this name calling is really childish, and doesn't help anyone.

If the OP doesn't want my help or suggestions all she has to do is say so, but I think she can understand what I wrote to her and why.

Reply to 4ryan6

I did skim the thread, I just didn't read every single word, and I saw her attitude had changed toward where I posted, but I just wanted to hear from her mouth she was ready to build her own, what is wrong with that?

Reply to 4ryan6

Quote :

I am sure the OP understands what and why you wrote what you did, just as I am sure that if you had read the first 5 pages of the thread, you probably would have wrote something different. Do you disagree with that?

No

I actually read through the first 2 pages, but if I read every thread all the way through that I help people here, I'd never get to the help part, sometimes getting it summed up helps in the helping process.

I wasn't trying to undo your help, or JonnyDoughs, it just seemed she was getting frustrated at all the information from different angles, which sometimes can overwhelm and confuse further, making the parts purchasing decision process even more difficult.

Its not a crime to buy a prebuilt machine, and not everyone even knows you can just buy a tower if thats all you need, thus why I suggested it in the first place. OK

Reply to 4ryan6

Quote :

Nothing, but you could ask, instead of basically saying that PCs are big and scary and was she sure that she wanted to try building one.

Actually I did ask, this is what I posted

Quote :

Quote:
I can't build myself

How did you get from this statement to ordering parts for a new machine, if you have a local Circuit City, or Best Buy, just go there and buy yourself a tower that'll fit your budget, you do not have to buy an entire system, a tower normally comes with a keyboard and mouse.

Get one with WinXP installed, theres a lot of fantastic WinXP deals out there right now, stay away from Vista until at least the first service pack for the operating system is released.

I gave her an alternate option I never said they were big and scary and she couldn't do it, where are you getting that?

Thats an assumption, not a fact.

Reply to 4ryan6

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!

Reply to lca806

Quote :

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.

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.

Reply to 4ryan6

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

Reply to lca806

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. :oops:

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:

Reply to KrazyKat

OMG-U R TOO FUNNY!

JonnyDough wrote

Quote :

Check out the pink one! Oooh, purty!

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applica [...] =R456-1048

AAAAAAHHHHHHMMMMMMMM-NO.... :roll:

Reply to KrazyKat

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.

Reply to KrazyKat

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?

Reply to dragonsprayer

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

Reply to dragonsprayer

Quote :

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.

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.

Reply to bastion

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

Reply to KrazyKat

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

Reply to dragonsprayer

Quote :

Way to be supportive.

Understandable, though. I mean, the people here spent 8 pages suggesting good PC parts, and she goes and buys an iMac, of all things, for games. But at least it'll look pretty.

Reply to jeff_2087

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

Reply to KrazyKat

KrazyKat,

Quote :

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

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!!

Reply to Ches111

Do not mind what JonnyDough types, as every thread he starts or post he makes has the same result

Reply to Everett

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_card [...] &card2=350

Reply to KrazyKat

Quote :

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.

I never typed that you have wasted anyone's time :?

Reply to Everett

Everett wrote

Quote :

I never typed that you have wasted anyone's time

GGGGEEEEZZZ I am sooo sorry, I did not mean that directed towards U at all.

hergieburbur wrote

Quote :

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...

YEP, he's right :oops:

Reply to KrazyKat

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/4454 [...] frigerator

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:

Reply to KrazyKat

Quote :

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/4454 [...] frigerator

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:

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.

Reply to baldeagle

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!!

Reply to Ches111

*catchs beer and downs it*

Hey, thanks :wink:

Reply to Everett

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!

Reply to lca806

Mac actually can make use of a good old three button mouse now!! 8O 8O

I know scary

Reply to Ches111

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?

Reply to fishboi

Old Lady needs help!WOW - Page 2

Forum CPU & Components : CPUs - Old Lady needs help!WOW

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