Need help upgrading!

[mkmetz88]

Ok, i have been using a computer my friend built years ago it still works for World of Warcraft but after 30 minutes of play the whole computer restarts no error message or anything, the computer restarts when playing the game only. The latency for the game runs at 136, Frame Rate is usually anywhere from 30FPS to 56FPS. I am looking into either buying a new computer or upgrading this one currently this is what i have AMD Athlon XP 1800+ Processor 1.50 GHZ 2.00 GB DDR RAM
Radeon 9200 128M Graphics card KT4V MS-6712 VER:10A Motherboard and had to replace my power supply with one lying around its an ORION Model # HP485D 485WATT Max. Also operating system is Windows XP. What would i need to upgrade on this computer to make it better for this game? And with what should i upgrade? I don't want it to be expensive something cheap but good. Thanks in advance for any help

Also i am trying to keep the cost under $500

 

[Slugbait]

the computer restarts when playing the game only

That's heat. Clean the interior, especially the heatsink fins...your CPU's heatsink is probably caked with dust. Then make sure all fans spin properly when powered up. Box should be in a place that does not restrict air supply.

I'd check the sale/trade forum or craigslist for a 9800 Pro or equivalent/better, but don't overspend for an AGP card.

 

[Davidh373]

That's heat. Clean the interior, especially the heatsink fins...your CPU's heatsink is probably caked with dust. Then make sure all fans spin properly when powered up. Box should be in a place that does not restrict air supply.

yup

 

[DominionSeraph]

Frame Rate is usually anywhere from 30FPS to 56FPS.

Damn, at what resolution? 640x480? That rig is straight outta 2003.

I'm a fan of keeping older (but still competent) rigs running, but yours has got to go.

(Edit: Changed out PSU for Antec Earthwatts to reflect concerns below. It's only a $7.50 difference now.)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827136216
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811133094
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371035
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103846
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.571731
http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php...3-HD502HJ-500GB-SATA2-7200rpm-16MB-Hard-Drive
http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...namitedata.com

Promo Code: DECAN10 for 10% off the PSU

Phenom II X2 555/Biostar 880G, 4GB DDR3 1333, 1GB GTX 460, 500GB Spinpoint F3, Earthwatts 500W PSU, Thermaltake V3 case.

$517 with $55 in MIR.
Reuse XP.

Edit to add:
But this may be for you:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-538-_-Product

The GTS 250 performs on the level of the GTX 260 core 216, so this is the relevant Bench in relation to the 1GB GTX 460.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/180?vs=170
(There's no card on the Bench anywhere near as bad as the Radeon 9200, so there's nothing to compare it to your current card. Either of these will be several times faster than your current card.)

The GTX 460 is ~150-180% of the speed of the GTS 250, but the GTS 250 is $55 after rebate compared to the GTX 460's $137. (shipped)

With the GTS 250 in there in place of the GTX 460 this build becomes:
$445 with $65 in MIR.

If you reuse your case it's $400 with $55 in MIR.

 

[mfenn]

I agree with Dominion that you must be running on all low at 640x480, though I find it hard to believe that an Athlon XP could even do 30FPS in a big city.

Dominion's build looks pretty good with the exception of the OCZ PSU (I'm not a fan). I'd probably swap that out with the S12II 520W. It costs a bit more, but is less likely to go out with a bang (literally!).

 

[Davidh373]

Dominion's build looks pretty good with the exception of the OCZ PSU (I'm not a fan). I'd probably swap that out with the S12II 520W. It costs a bit more, but is less likely to go out with a bang (literally!).

+1

 

[DominionSeraph]

Dominion's build looks pretty good with the exception of the OCZ PSU (I'm not a fan).

I ran it by Power Supplies and the first responses weren't of the "bang" variety.
The Fatal1ty also seems to have much better eggs than the other OCZ PSU's.

But the Earthwatts did just go on sale for 10% off, so:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371035
Promo Code: DECAN10

(I added the Earthwatts to my first post. All prices updated to reflect the change. Prices would be $7.50 cheaper with the OCZ Fatal1ty. If $7.50 is that big a deal to OP, ask for link to Fatal1ty.)