Hi Guys, I'm putting together an extra computer from "old" parts, the only thing it has to do is be able to run WoW @1280x1024 at a decent framerate. I know that WoW does not requirer much GFX power so what I need your help with is a "how low can you go" type of thing. I have almost no money to spend atm so cheap would be nice as well . It has to be a PCI-E (or PCI) card other than that all I care about is that it can run WoW. Any suggestions? Thanks
Can only comment from my experience but my ATi 9600XT ran wow fine a few years ago. I know it's an AGP but there's some reference to the spec you need. MIN: 32 MB 3D graphics card with Hardware Transform and Lighting, such as an NVIDIA GeForce class card or above. DirectX 9.0c (included) and latest video drivers. RECOMMENDED: 64 MB 3D graphics card with Vertex and Pixel Shader capability, such as an NVIDIA Geforce FX 5700 class card or above. Hope this helps
6800, I had an X700 PRO AGP, available in PCI-E running it with some options turned down, i believe it's on Newegg for 30 bucks, shipped, that's US, but still dirt cheap, sorry for not posting a UK link.
The equivalent PCIe part to a 9600XT is an X600XT while 6600GT (and 9800Pro AGP) were a decent amount faster. Today you can get approximate 6600GT speed from 7300GT, 7600GS, X1300XT, X1600Pro and 8500GT. You may also get a good deal on an X700/X800 which were largely forgotten due to the success of the GeForce 6 series, X800 are particularly good (comparatively). Just be careful when shopping in what is now the low-end, much of the time clock speeds slip well below what they should be and 64bitDDR can be substituted for 128bitDDR, which really affects perf. Also factor in cooling as most companies like to throw in a small HS with a noisy little fan, often with no thermal/fan management too!
I used to play WoW with a 6600GT card at 1280x1024. It ran quite nicely if I recall, and that was on AGP. Those are also available in PCI-E and should be very cheap. Anything with the 6600GT's approximate stats and higher should do great.
It's unlikely IMHO, the 2400Pro like the 8400GS offers around half the perf of a 6600GT, pretty miserable. Of the newer cards a 7300GT, 8500GT, X1300XT or X1600Pro would give perf roughly equal to the 6600GT while the 7600GS, 7600GT, X1600XT, X1650Pro and 2600Pro give perf roughly equal to a 6800GT. Do remember to watch out for low clock speeds and 64bitDRR which are common cost cutting measures in the low-end sector.
