WoW Player Seeking Graphics Card Help

[Trippin]

Hey everyone,

I am looking to upgrade my graphics card in the current PC I have, and I'll probably have to upgrade my PSU, as well because of it. The problem here is that I am completely computer illiterate and I really don't know what I am looking for.

I don't really use my computer for much more than DVD, E-mail/Internet, writing papers for college, and WoW, heh. I currently run WoW with a 20-30 fps with the display settings all at the bottom, and that is standing still with no one around. When i'm interacting with numerous people, it gets extremely laggy, and often unbarable.

So, I would like to fix this. Hopefully it is a problem with my graphics card, but then again, it may be something else. My computer is fairly old, after all, heh.

Anyways, here are my PC specs:

HP Pavilion Media Center m7250n Specs : Yahoo! Tech

Current Card:
Name:Radeon x300 Series
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip Type: Radeon X300 SE (0x5b60)
DAC Type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Approx. Total Memory: 128.0 MB


So, new graphics card upgrade? New RAM? I'm almost positive I will need a new PSU, since the current is at 300w, I believe.

Anyways, I don't need "Top of the line," since I will continue to just watch DVDs, do E-mail, write papers, and lastly, play WoW, heh. And, I don't want to upgrade to a whole new PC because I don't have the funds, and would like to wait until I am out of school.

My budget is around 100 bucks, max around $130, heh. I know, I know, not much . College student, though.

So, any help is much appreciated!!! And TIA!!

[Aaron_8015]

GPU
Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100296HDMI Radeon HD 4670 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards
$69.99 (FS)

or

Newegg.com - XFX HD-465X-YAF2 Radeon HD 4650 512MB 128-bit DDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards
$49.99

PSU
Newegg.com - FSP Group ATX350-PNT 350W ATX12V Ver 2.2 Power Supply - Power Supplies
$34.99

or

Newegg.com - FSP Group ATX300-PA 300W ATX 12V (v2.2) Power Supply - Power Supplies
$24.99

($104.98 two most expensive)...

If you can open up your case and post the specs from the PSU label (Make, model, watts and +12v A). May decide if you need a new PSU or not.

[Trippin]

Alright, so here is the exact PSU that I currently have:

Newegg.com - HIPRO HP-D3057F3R 300W ATX12V Power Supply – OEM HP Hewlett Packard Genuine/Replacement P/N: 5188-2625 Desktop PC Power Supply - Power Supplies

Edit: Also, I'm considering getting the $69.99 GPU you linked above, with probably a low-end costing PSU-- maybe one you listed. However, will this "Bottleneck" my PC? I'm unfamiliar with the term "Bottleneck," but I think I understand it. I would hate to spend the money to not really get the full benefit out of it, you know?

[Aaron_8015]

Well if it is the Pentium D you are running there should'nt be a bottleneck... If so a very small one (a reason I suggested the 4650) I would definately pick up one of those power supplys.... If you have anything left over I would look at another gb of RAM.

[Trippin]

The 4670 card recommends a PSU of 400w or greater, any suggestions? I really only have costumer reviews to go by when looking for a new one.

I know this may seem dumb, and I apologize for my lack of knowledge and inept technical skills, but I don't really know what I am looking for-- brand wise.

[Aaron_8015]

Don't pay attention to recommended, most people have generic, cheap, poor quality power supplies which is why they say 400W. A good name brand, quality 300W unit will easily power that card and your system . (its all about how they distribute the power, not to mention quality of the internals)....

Why would I suggest something that wont work?

[Trippin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_8015

Don't pay attention to recommended, most people have generic, cheap, poor quality power supplies which is why they say 400W. A good name brand, quality 300W unit will easily power that card and your system . (its all about how they distribute the power, not to mention quality of the internals)....

Why would I suggest something that wont work?

True, sorry I questioned you . I was just looking for confirmation I guess, I dunno.

So, I'll go with the 350W PSU and the 4670 GPU. Awesome. Thanks for all the help! Hopefully I see a decent improvement from what I currently am experiencing. I guess when I get a tad bit more money, I'll pick up another GB of RAM.

Again, thanks for the help!